5 Essential layers to software development

When it comes to building a new website or app, there are several essential layers that every full-stack web developer should consider to create a scalable and well-rounded product. While not all projects require all five layers, most do. Let’s take a closer look at each layer.

1: Hosting - Where Your Data Is Stored

Choosing the right hosting provider for your website or app is critical. The host will be responsible for delivering your content effectively and efficiently. It’s important to do your homework before selecting a hosting provider.

2: Database - How Your Data Is Stored

The way you store your data is essential to how your infrastructure will function as a whole. While relational databases such as SQL are still the most popular database type, non-relational databases like MongoDB or Redis have been gaining popularity. Each type has its strengths and weaknesses, which you can read more about here.

3: Logic - How Your Data Is Processed

Logic is what makes our apps useful and functional. It’s the process of input and output - we take some data, we do something with it, and we send it back. There’s no rule on how you should handle your logic, but in most cases, it’s handled on the backend as much as possible to avoid any heavy lifting on the front end.

4: API - How Your Data Is Fetched

API or application programming interface is the public or privately exposed endpoint of one or many servers that enables us to fetch, update, delete, or add data to our front-end, back-end, or database. Every programming language has its methods of interacting with an API, and each backend language or database has its methods for exposing or creating APIs. Either way, they all essentially serve the same function.

5: UI - How Your Data Is Presented

The user interface (UI) is the most important part of any app or website. A good UI with excellent user experience (UX) is key in today’s world, as it’s often how your app is judged by non-developers. Crafting a good UI involves multiple people, and in most cases, an app is started by creating prototypes of the UI. Every other layer tries to accommodate the UI requirements, not the other way around.

In conclusion, understanding these five essential layers of software development is crucial for any full-stack web developer. By mastering these layers, you’ll be able to create scalable and well-rounded apps and websites that meet the needs of your users.