Web backend technologies

MySQL, PostgreSQL, MSSQL

SQL databases continue to play a critical role in modern custom software development, providing robust and structured data storage solutions that support a wide range of applications, from simple websites to complex enterprise systems.

Leveraging the power of SQL (Structured Query Language), these databases facilitate efficient query and data manipulation, ensuring data integrity and consistency. Some examples of SQL databases include open source options such as PostgreSQL and MySQL, as well as proprietary solutions from Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle Database.

NoSQL databases: MongoDB, Redis

NoSQL databases, such as MongoDB, offer a more flexible and scalable alternative to traditional SQL databases, making them well-suited for handling large amounts of unstructured or semi-structured data.

They typically use schema-less data models, allowing developers to store and manage data in formats such as key-value, document, column family or graph. Popular NoSQL databases include MongoDB, Couchbase, Redis, and Amazon DynamoDB, each of which serves different use cases and performance requirements for non-relational data storage.

ElasticSearch, ELK stack

Elasticsearch, one of the core components of the ELK stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash and Kibana), is a high-performance distributed search and analysis engine that is ideal for indexing and querying large amounts of data in near real-time. While databases are designed for storing and retrieving structured data, Elasticsearch enables high-speed search and analysis on large, complex datasets, making it an ideal choice for applications such as log and event data analysis, text search, monitoring and alerting.

By incorporating the ELK stack, you can leverage its lightning-fast search capabilities to quickly find and analyse key information. This allows you to make data-driven decisions and optimise your application while ensuring a seamless user experience even when managing large, complex data sets.

REST

REST (Representational State Transfer) has become the de facto standard for API development, offering principles and constraints that allow developers to create scalable, high-performance and maintainable web applications. Focused on simplicity, statelessness and standardized communication, RESTful APIs provide seamless integration between disparate systems, fostering a connected ecosystem that is the foundation of modern web and mobile applications.

The most prominent technologies for REST API development include Laravel, Symfony and API Platform for PHP, Express and NestJS for NodeJS, and Spring Boot and Spring MVC for Java, enabling developers to build efficient and maintainable web services on different backend platforms.

GraphQL

GraphQL emerged as an important alternative to REST, offering a flexible and efficient query language that allows clients to retrieve the data they need. This approach is particularly beneficial in situations where data requirements are complex or subject to frequent changes, as it allows for more efficient communication between clients and servers, ultimately reducing the need for multiple API endpoints and streamlining the development process.

SOAP

SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) has long been a cornerstone of enterprise systems integration, providing a standardised protocol for exchanging structured information in the form of XML-based web services. Its ability to handle complex data types and operate over a variety of transport protocols makes SOAP an appropriate choice for large-scale, mission-critical applications where reliability and security are paramount.

RabbitMQ

RabbitMQ serves as a robust message broker, facilitating asynchronous messaging patterns to enable seamless communication and integration between disparate systems. Its support for multiple messaging protocols, extensible architecture, and ability to handle high throughput scenarios make it a popular choice for organizations looking to improve the reliability and flexibility of their distributed applications and services.

Some notable alternatives to RabbitMQ are Apache Kafka, ActiveMQ and Amazon SQS, all of which offer unique features and capabilities to support a wide range of messaging and integration scenarios in modern distributed systems.

WebSocket

WebSocket communication enables real-time, two-way data exchange between clients and servers, providing a more efficient and interactive means of communication than traditional HTTP-based query mechanisms.

This technology is particularly advantageous in scenarios requiring low-latency updates, such as live chat applications, games or financial trading platforms, where instantaneous information exchange is essential for an optimal user experience.