Understanding the architecture of web applications is crucial if you want to become a highly successful web developer. So, learn everything you need to know about web application architecture here!
Architecture of Web Applications: Web applications seamlessly blend technology and user experience. Web app architecture invisibly coordinates servers, databases, and client devices, forming a seamless backbone.
This complex connection includes various elements like front-end frameworks, back-end languages, and databases, all collaborating to provide a dynamic and responsive user interface. The architecture guides data and functionality flow from the client’s browser to the server’s databases, shaping the core of user interaction.
In this blog, we’ll talk about the architecture of web applications, its types, diagrams, examples, and more!
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Web Application Architecture Diagram
In a typical web application architecture, the system comprises several layers that work together to deliver a seamless user experience. The following is a textual representation of a web application architecture:
- User Interface (UI):
- The front-end layer where users interact with the application.
- Built with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
- Responsive design for optimal user experience across devices.
- Presentation Layer:
- Handles the logic related to the presentation and user interface.
- Includes front-end frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.js.
- Responsible for rendering data received from the server.
- Application Logic Layer:
- Manages the core functionality of the application.
- Utilises back-end frameworks like Node.js, Django, or Ruby on Rails.
- Processes requests from the presentation layer and communicates with the database.
- Web Server:
- Acts as an intermediary between the front-end and back-end.
- Responds to HTTP requests from the client and routes them to the appropriate components.
- API (Application Programming Interface):
- Defines how different software components should interact.
- RESTful or GraphQL APIs are common for communication between the front-end and back-end.
- Business Logic Layer:
- Implements the business rules and logic of the application.
- Validates and processes data before storing it in the database.
- Database:
- Stores and manages the application’s data.
- Relational databases like MySQL or PostgreSQL, or NoSQL databases like MongoDB are commonly used.
- Data Storage:
- Includes file storage systems or cloud storage for storing user uploads, media files, etc.
- Authentication and Authorization:
- Manages user identity and access control.
- Ensures secure user authentication and authorization to access specific resources.
- Security Layer:
- Implements security measures to protect against common web application vulnerabilities.
- Includes encryption, input validation, and other security protocols.
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Web Application Architecture Example
A common web application architecture includes a User Interface (UI) layer for user interaction, a Presentation layer for rendering content, an Application Logic layer for core functionality, and a Web Server handling client requests. The API facilitates communication with a Business Logic layer, managing rules and data processing.
Data is stored in a Database, with additional layers for Data Storage, Authentication, and Security. This orchestrated structure, often utilising front-end and back-end frameworks, ensures seamless user experiences by efficiently processing requests, managing data securely, and separating concerns for scalability and maintainability.
Architecture of Web Application in Java
The structure of an application explains how its parts are linked and how they talk to each other. It can also be explained as the link between the user and server that outlines the connection, along with the server managing the communication between the user and server.
Web applications are built with an architecture that outlines how components are connected. The web application architecture decides how the client and server communicate with each other.
Various sizes and complexities of web applications adhere to a common architectural structure, yet their specifics are distinct. Apart from understanding the functioning of a request-response process and its components, we will also explore the mechanics of a basic request-response cycle.
What is Web Architecture?
Web architecture involves the creation and implementation of an internet-based computer program. Frequently, these programs take the form of websites that provide valuable information to users, and web developers may design them for a specific purpose, company, or brand.
Web architecture includes all aspects of an application and aids web developers in crafting designs that improve a user’s experience. Ideally, the finished project enables users to effortlessly access information and comprehend how to navigate through its content.
Though there exist various methods, tactics, and patterns for web application architecture, the process typically impacts these components:
What are the 3 types of Web Architecture?
There are various types of web architecture. However, here are 3 of the most common types of web architecture:
- Design: This pertains to how the program looks visually to a user.
- IT infrastructure: This aspect of a web architecture program involves coding and software development used in creating a program.
- User experience: In addition to design elements, web architecture concepts enable developers to implement other program functions that appeal to a user, such as simple language or easy navigation.
- Software: Effective web architecture often includes the development of robust software to support the functions of a program or application.
- Monetization: This involves the ability to generate revenue from a web program, which developers incorporate into the foundational architecture of a program.
- Efficiency: The methods employed to create a program directly impact its efficiency—both in its design and at a software level.
- Reliability: This refers to the trustworthiness and consistency of a web application when a user tries to access it. Prioritising this component can help developers avoid technical glitches and other issues that may arise on a user’s end.
- Scalability: During the design phase, it’s crucial for web developers to consider the potential need to expand the size and reach of the program.
- Security: This relates to the level of network security a web program possesses to ensure the protection of user data.
Serverless Architecture
Serverless architecture is a way of building web applications that don’t require any servers. Instead, the application is built to run directly on cloud platforms like AWS Lambda and Google Cloud Functions. The development of software applications is done using serverless architecture.
An infrastructure service provider is responsible for managing the provisioning of the underlying infrastructure in this arrangement.
- You don’t pay for idle CPU time or idle storage – you only spend money on the infrastructure when it’s being used.
- Expenses are reduced – resources are only utilised when the application is running.
- The cloud provider handles the difficult scaling tasks.
- The backend code is made simpler.
- It lowers development strategies.
- Reduces cost
- Increases market time efficiency
You don’t need to manage servers or scale them out as your application grows. You can also use serverless architecture to build microservices that scale automatically when there’s more demand for them.
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Monolithic Architecture
Traditional software development models like monolithic architecture, commonly referred to as web development architecture, are still used today.
Monolithic architecture is a software design pattern in which an application is written as a single, cohesive unit. It is the opposite of microservices architecture, which consists of multiple, independent applications that communicate with each other to perform tasks. It indicates that all of the parts are interrelated, interdependent, and necessary for the application to function.
- It creates a lightweight application.
- Cost efficiency – Monolithic architecture will suffice if money is of the essence.
- Its deployment is manageable.
- Building a new project, using frameworks, scripts, and templates, and testing it becomes straightforward since it treats the entire code as a single program.
- It makes it easier for developers to work on the code – since they don’t have to worry about how their changes will affect other parts of the application.
- It makes it easier for developers to make changes quickly – because they’re not waiting for other teams to implement changes before moving forward with their work.
However, monolithic architectures have drawbacks as well. For one thing, if one part of the system breaks down or stops working correctly for any reason, then all parts of the system will be impacted by that issue until it gets fixed and everything starts functioning normally again. The same goes when the code becomes bigger.
AWS Lambda
AWS Lambda is a service that allows you to run code without provisioning or managing servers. It is a serverless computing platform that supports any programming language and can be used for any kind of application or backend service. It was launched in 2014 and was initially offered by Amazon.
- With lambda, you can build applications that respond quickly to new information.
- You don’t have to worry about scaling your application, or retooling it when things change.
- According to the demands of the traffic, servers are automatically added and removed.
- Lambda provides simple execution.
- Delivers a cost-effective solution and better app resiliency.
- Only the necessary features need to be uploaded, and then the app can be activated to start the service.
The environment cannot be controlled, which is a drawback.
What is the 3 Tier Architecture of Web Application?
A 3-tier application architecture is a modular client-server architecture that consists of a presentation tier, an application tier and a data tier. The data tier stores information, the application tier handles logic and the presentation tier is a graphical user interface (GUI) that communicates with the other two tiers. The three tiers are logical, not physical, and may or may not run on the same physical server.
- Presentation tier: This tier, which is built with HTML5, cascading style sheets (CSS) and JavaScript, is deployed to a computing device through a web browser or a web-based application. The presentation tier communicates with the other tiers through application program interface (API) calls.
- Application tier: The application tier, which may also be referred to as the logic tier, is written in a programming language such as Java and contains the business logic that supports the application’s core functions. The underlying application tier can either be hosted on distributed servers in the cloud or on a dedicated in-house server, depending on how much processing power the application requires.
- Data tier: The data tier consists of a database and a program for managing read and write access to a database. This tier may also be referred to as the storage tier and can be hosted on-premises or in the cloud. Popular database systems for managing read/write access include MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server and MongoDB.
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What is Application Architecture and Types?
Application architecture defines the methods and patterns you can follow to design and build your application. It provides the direction and best practices to build your application with the right features and structure. The behaviour of your application is determined by the architecture it is built upon.
Architecture is the starting point in the process of developing an application and it shows how different components of your application are to be arranged. It also provides details on how different components will interact and deliver functionality.
Types of Architecture
Monolithic Architecture
Monolithic architecture provides a cohesive application structure where all of the business concerns are coupled in a single codebase. Therefore, it’s a tightly packed system of interdependent functionalities. It is a primary architecture for most legacy applications. Simpler design and fast performance are among the key benefits of monolithic application architecture.
Although this is an efficient and coherent system, it has numerous disadvantages, like limited flexibility and stability. Further, a complex structure makes system updates and maintenance a hard nut to crack. Hence, monolithic architecture is a more suitable option to develop mobile apps with fewer functionalities.
N-Tier Architecture
Tiered architecture is divided into separate layers that stack above each other to manage various aspects of an application. These layers pass on data either downward or upward, depending on the application architecture design.
These layers work with each other and data moves from one layer to another. In the N-tier architecture, there can be any number of layers, but usually, there are 3-4 layers. Also, typically, two layers, the Data layer and UI layer, are common for most n-tier architectures.
Microservices Architecture
Today, businesses have accelerated their digital transformation efforts with the increasing customer needs. Therefore, they need more flexible applications that can be quickly adapted to meet the rising demands. Microservices is the best-suited application architecture for creating complex decoupled applications.
Microservices architecture is composed of smaller services and these services lack interdependence, meaning they are not dependent on each other. Every microservice can be developed, deployed, and modified without affecting the whole application because of its exclusivity.
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What is the Layered Architecture of a Web Application?
The application architecture is made up of several layers: design layer, frontend layer (HTML and CSS), backend or data layer (database and scripting languages), platform (browser/OS), and business layer. These layers are built on top of each other and depend on each other to create a successful project.
Presentation Layer
This layer represents the design and UI components on the client side. Users interact with this layer to send requests through the application layer to the server. It displays the data flow for the users. The main purpose of this layer is to take data from users and show the response from the server (data layer). Our UI team can help you create the right experience to help your business attract customers’ attention.
Application Layer
The application layer consists of an API gateway. Front-end developers write code to pass the data from the presentation layer to the business logic layer where it is processed. Data will pass to APIs and get stored in the database, depending on the feature it is utilised in the business layer for application logic and to perform certain actions.
Business Layer
This layer has all implementations of application logic. Data from the application layer gets utilised here for example in a lead generation application a form is submitted in the presentation layer and data travels through APIs and is then used to send out emails or to perform any action on the lead before getting stored in the database.
Data or Backend Layer
All the data gets stored in the database and retrieved from it to use on the front end (client-side). Data travels from the database through APIs, from the application layer in creating modules or components that are converted to UI and the user then interacts with that in the presentation layer.
The architecture of web applications plays a pivotal role in their performance, scalability, and maintainability. Adopting a suitable architecture is crucial for ensuring a seamless user experience and efficient development process. Whether opting for monolithic, microservices, or serverless architectures, it’s essential to align the chosen approach with the specific requirements of the application.
Striking the right balance between front-end and back-end components, utilising robust frameworks, and prioritising security measures are integral aspects. As technology evolves, staying abreast of emerging trends like progressive web apps and single-page applications is essential for building modern, responsive, and resilient web applications.
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Architecture of Web Applications FAQs
What is the architecture of web applications?
Web application architecture refers to the structured design and organisation of components that make up a web application, including the client-side and server-side elements. It typically involves components like the user interface, application logic, and databases working together to deliver a seamless user experience.
Why is web application architecture important?
Effective web application architecture ensures scalability, performance, and maintainability. It helps in organising code, handling user interactions, managing data securely, and providing a foundation for future growth and updates.
What are the key components of web application architecture?
Web application architecture consists of three main components: the presentation layer (user interface), the application layer (business logic), and the data layer (database and storage). These components work together to deliver a functional and user-friendly web application.
What are common web application architectural patterns?
Common architectural patterns include Model-View-Controller (MVC), Microservices, and Serverless. These patterns offer different approaches to organising and structuring code, depending on the application's requirements and complexity.
How does web application architecture impact performance?
Well-designed web application architecture contributes to optimal performance by ensuring efficient data flow, minimising latency, and enabling effective caching strategies. Performance considerations include server response times, data retrieval, and rendering on the client side.
