Web Application Architecture: An In-Depth Guide

When choosing the best web application architecture for your new app project, you may need clarification. Your choice of architecture will determine the details of your app's functionality and how it interacts with its elements. You must select the right components to ensure the technical success of a project.

This guide will explain web app architecture and its major components, models, and layers. It also explains the different types of web server architecture. Let's continue!

 

What is Web Application Architecture?

A web-based application is an application that runs on a web server. The responses to these requests are made available via a browser interface. Web applications are not compatible with any operating system, unlike computer-based programs. The web application architecture describes the interactions between applications and database components.

The server will send the files to the browser whenever a user requests to open a webpage. The server then uses the files to display the page and allows the user to interact with it. Although web application functions are similar to websites, the difference lies in how the code is parsed.

The response code to a web app may have different specifications depending on what the user received input. A web app architecture has sub-components as well as external applications.

A web application architecture is a framework that governs how web components interact with each other (client and server).

 

Why Does it Matter?

The web application architecture is the initial stage in the web software development process. It forms the foundation of your application. That explains why it is essential to pay attention to the architecture of your web app.

The first is that the architecture you choose will be the basis of your product development. This initial design will guide you in developing every component of your software. Your product will be robust and fault-tolerant if the plan is solid. Bad design will impact all stages of the application development process and cost you time and money.

Second, it is tough to change or modify web application architecture later in development. You would have to rebuild the entire product and release data if you attempt to make significant changes to the design later in the development process. It could result in financial loss to the project.

A terrible web application architecture could prove costly in the maintenance phase. It is difficult to make changes or update an app that needs to be better designed. It takes work to make significant changes or rebuild your entire app.

 

Although it is natural not to be able to predict every possible outcome when designing an application, you should aim to make the best guesses. Your software product requirements could change rapidly, so flexibility is essential to your web application architecture.

 

How Does Web Application Architecture Work?

Web-based software refers to any application that runs on a Web server. These requests are answered via a browser interface. Web applications are not used with any other operating system than computer-based programs. The web application architecture describes interactions between components of the database and applications.

When a user requests to open any webpage, the server will send the files to that browser. The server then uses the files to display the page, and the user can interact with it. Web application functions are very similar to website functions, but the difference lies in how the code is parsed.

A web app's response code may differ depending on the input received by the user. An app architecture can have sub-components and external applications.

 

Prime Components of Web Application Architecture

There are generally two components of web app architecture.

1. User Interface App Components

User Interface components are linked with the app's configurations, display and settings. UI, also known as UX, is the primary component of this component rather than what it can do in the future after the development of web apps. It comprises notifications, dashboards, display logs, the configuration settings.

 

2. Structural Components

These components perform the functions that determine user interaction. They also provide the storage and control of databases. The structure of these components is primarily comprised of three components: the database server, web browser client, and web application servers.

 

Types of web application architecture

Each web app component is used to build the complete web app based on a web application's logical distribution of server-side components and client-side; there may be a variety of web app architectures which are:

 

Single page applications (SPA)

In this minimalist age, a single web application is becoming more used. The most sought-after apps contain only the necessary parts of the content.

It provides an immersive user experience allowing Single Page applications and users to interact more rapidly.

Microservices

The components utilized in this architectural pattern aren't directly linked to each other but instead form an application with a single monolithic application.

That is how developers can accelerate the deployment process and release web-based applications faster and more efficiently. In this web application architecture, each microservice is developed independently, often in another programming language and operates independently.

Serverless Architectures

A serverless architecture permits the app to execute without correlating to infrastructure-related tasks, where the developers do not have to manage the backend servers working on third-party infrastructure.

Amazon, Uber, Etsy and Netflix are among the most creative and profitable businesses in the world that have adopted the microservices framework.

Legacy HTML Web App

This kind of structure is based on one principle, i.e., the user is presented with the complete HTML upon request. All other components respond accordingly to the load on the page. While traditional HTML is an excellent option for static websites but it's not suitable for dynamic web applications.

Widget Web Application Architecture

Updates to widgets in real-time are standard, and this kind of structure is responsive, mobile-friendly and well-known for its ability to load data without having to reload an entire website!

 

Web Application Architecture Layers:

Each web application is built on layers of structure. It all depends on the scale of the application. Larger applications can have four or six layers, while smaller applications could have just three. Each layer is independent, and its components are packed. Here are the four most commonly used layers of web application design.

Presentation Layer:

The presentation layer assists in interaction with the web browser and application user interface, easing the overall interaction between users. Each presentation layer is developed using JavaScript, HTML, CSS and frameworks.

Business Layer:

The business layer assists in processing the requests from browsers, execute the business logic behind these requests and shares this information back to the last layer. This layer is the one that determines the rules for the business of the web application.

Data Access Layer:

The data access layer is utilized to retrieve information from XML or binary files and other kinds of storage. It also aids in creating, reading, updating and deleting data.

Data Service Layer:

The last layer is the data service layer, which protects the data and keeps information. This layer secures information by separating the app's functional logic and the client side.

Models of Web Applications

There are many models to construct these components. We believe in always selecting the best design to meet your purpose in business with superior app performance. Our engineers are proficient in constructing the ideal architecture model based on the kind of web application you'd like to develop. Let's review the options we have available to you:

One Web Server and One Model For A Database

It could be outdated since it only has one server and database to manage all requests. However, it is mainly used for testing and can be a great alternative if you're an enterprise with budgetary restrictions.

Multiple Web Servers, One Database Model

That reduces data loss because the backup server is accessible if one server is down. However, a site crash is possible because of the availability of just one database.

Multiple Web Servers, Multiple Databases Model

That reduces the application's performance risk as there are two choices for storing databases. You can save the same information across all databases or divide it equally between all servers.

 

 

Final Thoughts

As we've seen, the application's architecture for the web is the primary foundation of a website, whether it is simple or intricate. Therefore, working on web application structure is the most crucial element in developing the product.

In today's business world, there are many issues facing IT company owners. Therefore, choosing only a skilled and experienced web application development firm is recommended to be ahead of the pack in a competitive market.