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Clifford Otieno
Clifford Otieno

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Beginners Guide to Building Projects with Multiple Tech Stacks

#programming #softwaredevelopment #beginners

1. Introduction

What better way to learning more than one language other than building something while learning the languages.

Building a project like a web app often requires multiple tech stacks [tools and languages for different parts of an app]. You'll use separate technologies for the frontend [what users see, like buttons on a website] and backend [server-side logic and data handling]. This guide simplifies how to mix tech stacks for beginners.

Languages You Can Combine

You can mix languages for frontend and backend since they communicate via APIs [ways for software parts to talk]. Common pairs include:

  • JavaScript (Frontend) + Node.js (Backend): JavaScript makes websites interactive; Node.js [runs JavaScript on servers] handles backend. Easy for beginners as it's one language.
  • Python (Backend) + React (Frontend): Python is simple for backend with frameworks like Django [web app toolkit]. React [UI-building library] creates dynamic frontend.
  • Go (Backend) + Angular (Frontend): Go [fast, simple language] suits backend. Angular [structured web framework] is for frontend.
  • Ruby (Backend) + Vue.js (Frontend): Ruby with Rails [quick web app tool] for backend. Vue.js [lightweight UI framework] for frontend.

They connect through HTTP requests [internet messages for data] using REST APIs [rules for data exchange] and formats like JSON [simple data structure].

Languages You Can't Combine

Some combos are tricky:

  • Different Environments: Swift [iOS app language] doesn't easily pair with a web frontend like React, as Swift is for native mobile apps, not web backends. You'd need complex workarounds to connect them.
  • Performance Issues: A slow backend language like Python [without optimization] with a fast frontend like React can cause delays. For example, heavy data processing in Python might lag behind React's quick UI updates.
  • No Common Standards: Older languages like COBOL [used in legacy systems] often lack support for modern REST [web data rules] or WebSockets [real-time data tech], making integration with a frontend like Angular nearly impossible without custom bridges.

Stick to popular, well-supported combos for easier learning.

Frameworks for Frontend and Backend

Use tools designed for specific roles:

  • Frontend Frameworks:

    • React.js: For single-page apps [web apps updating without reloads].
    • Angular: Structured for complex web apps.
    • Vue.js: Lightweight for interactive interfaces.

  • Backend Frameworks:

    • Express.js (Node.js): Simple for JavaScript servers.
    • Django (Python): Fast, secure web development.
    • Ruby on Rails (Ruby): Quick app building.
    • Gin (Go): Fast web APIs in Go.

These optimize each part of your app and have lots of beginner resources.

Example: Go (Backend) + React (Frontend)

Build a simple CRUD app [Create, Read, Update, Delete operations] for managing tasks with Go backend and React frontend.

Requirements

  • Git [tracks code changes]
  • Go [backend language]
  • Node.js [runs JavaScript for React]
  • npm [installs JavaScript tools]

Install these from their official sites.

Project Structure

Organize your project like this:

my-task-app/
├── backend/          # Go server code
│   ├── main.go       # Backend entry
│   └── tasks/        # Task logic
└── frontend/         # React UI code
    ├── src/          # React source
    └── public/       # Static files
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Backend Setup

  1. Start Go Project: In my-task-app/backend, run: 
   go mod init taskapp
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This sets up a module [organizes Go code].

  1. Build API: Install Gin framework: 
   go get -u github.com/gin-gonic/gin
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Add code in main.go for a RESTful API [standard web data ops].

  1. Run Backend: 
   go run main.go
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Runs on localhost:8080 for frontend requests.

Frontend Setup

  1. Create React App: In my-task-app/frontend, run: 
   npx create-react-app .
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Sets up React structure.

  1. Connect to Backend: Install Axios [easy HTTP requests]: 
   npm install axios
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Code React to fetch tasks from backend API.

  1. Run Frontend: 
   npm start
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Opens on localhost:3000 in browser.

Your app is linked! Frontend actions send requests to backend for processing.

Key Considerations

System Design

  • Separation of Concerns: Backend for data/logic [app rules]; frontend for UI [user interaction].
  • API Communication: Use RESTful endpoints [URLs for actions like /tasks].
  • Statelessness: API calls are independent unless designed otherwise.
  • Scalability: Deploy frontend/backend separately with Docker [app packaging tool].

Best Practices

  • Use environment variables(.env files) [secure settings outside code] for sensitive data.
  • Keep code modular [small, reusable parts] with clear comments.
  • Secure API [frontend-backend link] with authentication [user verification] and validation [data access and user-roles checks ].
  • Use Git [version control] to track changes and collaborate.
  • Test with unit tests [function checks] and integration tests [part interaction].
  • Follow coding standards [consistent code rules] for each tech.
  • Reduce latency [data delays] by minimizing API data size.

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