Choosing the right web application architecture is crucial to building a robust and scalable solution that meets your project's needs. A well-designed architecture lays the foundation for efficient development, seamless user experience, and future-proof growth. In this article, we'll delve into the world of swift app development and explore the fundamental principles of web application architecture.

What is Application Architecture?

At its core, application architecture refers to the relationships between a system's databases, servers, and applications. It determines how functionality and logic are distributed between server-side and client-side components. In other words, architecture is responsible for fitting together all the application elements – what users see and interact with, and how software handles operations on the internal level.

The Basics of Web Architecture

All web applications comprise two fundamental components:

  • Client-side (front-end): This code is stored in the browser and displayed to users. Users interact with the client-side of the application.
  • Server-side: This code runs on the server and uses general-purpose languages that are understood by browsers and other hardware.

The client side is often written using JavaScript, a language that allows for fast front-end applications. Server-side development typically employs languages like PHP, Python, or Java.

Web Application Components

A modern web application architecture is built upon fundamental structural components:

  • UI/UX components: These components don't impact the underlying architecture of the web app. They're responsible for presenting a visual layout and are connected to apps' functionality but don't interact with architecture.
  • Client component: This part of the application runs entirely in the user's browser, handling smooth interactions with clients.
  • Server component: This layer handles internal logic, connects functionality to databases, and manages user data.

Server-side Implementation Approaches

Developers take different approaches to building and connecting these layers. These methods are what we call architectures:

  • Monolithic architecture: A traditional approach where a single codebase is used. This can be suitable for small projects but may not scale well.
  • Three-tier architecture: A more scalable approach that breaks down the structure into three basic web application layers: presentation, logic, and data.

Presentation

This layer refers to User Interface and interface-related processes. It's developed and ran in the browser using a tech stack consisting of JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. HTML defines main website elements, while CSS handles styling. JavaScript enables user interaction, making your website dynamic.

Logic

Each application has a business or application layer that accepts requests from browsers, processes them outside the browser, and determines which outputs will be redirected back. This logic describes the sequence of events that allows users to perform a useful action.

Data

This layer handles all user data associated with the application, managing and retrieving information. It describes operations that must be performed to access particular data.

Cross-cutting Functionality and Third-party Add-ons

Applications often present additional features through cross-cutting functionality (overseeing app operation, security, and communications) or third-party add-ons (integrating APIs for GPS, payment processing, camera, microphone, etc.).