Globally and in the United States, the software industry is booming, despite the recent onset of downsizing. The promise of technology evolution is leading companies towards expansion. Business owners and software developers choose a suitable technology stack to better serve the users during 2023.

With the business requirements at hand, it becomes imperative to find an appropriate technology stack for building products/services. For example, the MERN stack empowers ReactJS developers to build a robust website or a web app. As the scale, and business model deviates; companies must be exact in figuring out the right tech stack.

Consequently, this enables them to sustain, and thrive in their business. Without the apt tech stack, any great product can miss the mark. Failure is the biggest setback that any company can face especially in the current global recession.

Choosing the right technology stack for business
Choosing the right technology stack for business

What is a technology stack?

A technology stack is a combination of different elements that help to get a desirable result. This is also known as a solution stack, application stack, software stack, or tech stack. It is about finding the right mix of technologies, frameworks, front-end as well as back-end tools, databases, and languages.

Some usages of technology stacks include the creation of products, execution of business operations, and analysis of performance metrics. In the software industry, a solution stack is a set of programming languages, application tools, and relevant technologies. The purpose of a technology stack is to work as a complete system or platform to build and run applications.

So that you don’t require some additional subsystems for carrying out different tasks. Accordingly, the resulting applications run on this comprehensive system/platform. Also, it is important to note that your commercial success depends on the pertinent tech stack.

Subsequently, it allows your team to not just build but maintain the product. You can’t go wrong in this selection of the software stack. Because once you start the work on the project, you cannot keep on changing the stack.

The longevity of the product is a crucial factor here. This helps in identifying the chances of market success for your solution. Eventually, it is all about the scalability of your business.

What is a technology stack?
What is a technology stack?

The evolution of modern tech stack

Once, there were SaaS products and services, it was easier to deduce the technology stacks in definite boxes of subsets. For instance, operating systems, web servers, databases, and web programming languages. This made it easier to consider what was the requirement, to simply execute the clear plan to build the solution.

Remember the good old days of the LAMP stack, when web development was fairly simple? Even, the business use cases were not that demanding. Then came the SaaS line of products where subscription-based consumption became the norm.

Handling users on account of their subscription, access, and usage became necessary. It came down to what they could do through the available services to them. Ever-growing use cases brought a new layer of complexity, that a basic tech stack model could not suffice.

The need of the day was to evolve and get on with the demands of the users. Application simplicity is paramount, but so is the ability to solve complex cases. So, it narrows down to finding the resourceful tech stack, to make the perfect product for the market segment.

Technology stacks have undergone a lot of progressions, such as MEAN/MERN stacks. Companies in the early start-up stages usually deviate towards low-cost and flexible options. Nonetheless, scalability is always something that you need to bear in mind.

This is not just applicable to startups and small businesses. Additionally, this is true for enterprise-level products. These products eventually get maximum market traction in the longer run.

Components of a technology stack

We have already gone through a generic overview of the technology stack. Now, we get a little deeper in our discussion about the application stacks. Keep in mind that solution stacks have different elements.

Given below are the major components of the software stacks. A tech stack doesn’t need to include all of these elements. But an application stack covers some of these parts.

  • Operating systems and UI
  • Programming languages
  • Runtime environments
  • Servers and load balancing
  • Data storage

Let’s discuss these components of technology stacks.

Operating systems and UI

This is a no-brainer, as operating systems are platforms on which any software application functions. Together with UI, an operating system is just like the wand for the magician to start any spell. Some popular operating systems are Android, Windows, iOS, Linux, macOS, Unix, and ChromeOS.

Programming languages

Without a computer language, what can a programmer possibly do to code? An efficient development environment you are comfortable coding with is crucial for any application you want to build. Some great programming languages are Java, R, Swift, Go, JavaScript, Rust, PHP, Dart,  Ruby, Python, C#, Kotlin, etc.

Servers and load balancing

The powerful servers and load-balancing services, do all the magic behind your spell. For example, they cover routing, caching services, content distribution networks, etc. By using these, your application can send and receive requests with efficient running.

Even they allow the scaling capacity you may need. Just like increasing or enhancing the servers as your business grows. The biggest giveaways are Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, Oracle, and Alibaba web/cloud servers.

They have a huge potential in letting businesses scale up. Also, businesses can pay for the services as they expand. Some prevalent names in this category include AWS, Google Cloud Platform, Azure, Apache, Nginx, Cloudflare, and Fastly.

Data storage

This is the final piece of the puzzle that cements the technology stack. It covers relational/non-relational databases, cloud storage, data warehouses, and data pipelines for saving your data. Some common examples are MySQL, Oracle, MongoDB, SQL Server, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, Redis, SQLite, Elasticsearch, Firebase/Firestore, DynamoDB, Cassandra, Neo4j, etc.

Major types of technology stacks on basis of usage

There are no textbook criteria that constitute a technology stack. However, we can divide software stacks into different categories. In 2023, these are a few kinds of application stacks that are valuable for businesses globally and in the USA.

  • Web technology stacks
  • Native mobile technology stacks
  • Hybrid technology stacks
  • Cross-platform technology stacks
Major types of technology stacks on basis of usage
Major types of technology stacks on basis of usage

Here, we deliberate over these types of solution stacks on a usage basis briefly.

Web technology stacks

The web technology stacks enable the development of web applications and websites. Moreover, they cover both the front-end and back-end of these web-driven solutions. For instance, MEAN stack, LAMP stack, and Jamstack.

Native mobile technology stacks

The mobile technology stacks facilitate the creation of mobile applications. Although, there are no proper acronyms for them like for web technology stacks. The point is that any set of software/technologies that can build mobile apps; is a mobile tech stack.

Mostly, they enable developers to build native mobile applications. Therefore, some people also call them native mobile technology stacks. A native mobile technology stack can comprise these components.

  • Swift/Objective-C (Languages for iOS)
  • Kotlin/Java/C++ (Languages for Android)
  • Xcode/AppCode, Android Studio/Android NDK (Development tools)
  • SwiftUI, UIkit, Android UI, Jetpack Compose (UI frameworks)
  • MySQL, MongoDB, MariaDB (Database system)
  • Amazon S3, Azure Blob, Google Filestore (Cloud storage)

Cross-platform technology stacks

There are some cross-platform technology stacks. A single cross-platform framework replaces two native mobile languages. Nevertheless, they also don’t have acronyms yet.

A cross-platform technology stack can make use of any of React Native, Xamarin, or Flutter. React Native takes advantage of ReactJS. So, your web developer can prove handy as well.

Microsoft’s very own Xamarin utilizes C# language. Flutter by Google employs Dart language. NativeScript is another option among the cross-platform technology stacks.

Classification of solution stacks upon technology

We can classify software stacks on basis of technology as well.

  • JavaScript technology stacks
  • Linux technology stacks
  • Windows technology stacks
  • BSD technology stacks
  • Other technology stacks
Classification of solution stacks upon technology
Classification of solution stacks upon technology

Next, we contemplate this cataloging of application stacks on a technology basis.

JavaScript technology stacks

These are some famous JavaScript-driven tech stacks that are usable through 2023.

  • MEAN stack
  • MERN stack
  • MEVN stack
  • MEEN stack
  • MEN stack
  • PERN stack
JavaScript Software Stacks
JavaScript Software Stacks

Moving forward, we have a look at some well-known JavaScript-centric application stacks.

MEAN Stack

These technologies constitute the MEAN stack.

MongoDBDatabase management system
Express.jsBackend web framework
AngularJS/AngularFrontend web framework
Node.jsJavaScript runtime
Components of MEAN stack

MERN stack

These technologies constitute the MERN stack.

MongoDBDatabase management system
Express.jsBackend web framework
React.jsFrontend web framework
Node.jsJavaScript runtime
Components of MERN stack

MEVN stack

These technologies constitute the MEVN stack.

MongoDBDatabase management system
Express.jsBackend web framework
Vue.jsFrontend web framework
Node.jsJavaScript runtime
Components of MEVN stack

MEEN stack

These technologies constitute the MEEN stack.

MongoDBDatabase management system
Express.jsBackend web framework
Ember.jsFrontend web framework
Node.jsJavaScript runtime
Components of MEEN stack

MEN stack

These technologies constitute the MEN stack.

MongoDBDatabase management system
Express.jsBackend web framework
Node.jsJavaScript runtime
Components of MEN stack

PERN stack

These technologies constitute the PERN stack.

PostgreSQLDatabase management system
Express.jsBackend web framework
React.jsFrontend web framework
Node.jsJavaScript runtime
Components of PERN stack

Linux technology stacks

Here are a few older Linux-driven technology stacks, from which some are still appropriate to use today.

  • GLASS stack
  • LAMP stack
  • LAPP stack
  • LEAP stack
  • LEMP/LNMP stack
  • LLMP stack
  • LYCE stack
  • LYME stack

We take a look at these Linux-centric technology stacks.

GLASS stack

These technologies constitute the GLASS stack.

GemStoneDatabase and application server
LinuxOperating System
ApacheWeb Server
SmalltalkProgramming language
SeasideWeb framework
Components of GLASS stack

LAMP stack

These technologies constitute the LAMP stack.

LinuxOperating System
ApacheWeb Server
MySQL or MariaDBDatabase management system
PHP/Pearl/PythonProgramming language
Components of the LAMP stack

LAPP stack

These technologies constitute the LAPP stack.

LinuxOperating System
ApacheWeb Server
PostgreSQLDatabase management system
PHP/Pearl/PythonProgramming language
Components of the LAPP stack

LEAP stack

These technologies constitute the LEAP stack.

LinuxOperating System
EucalyptusAmazon Elastic Compute Cloud’s alternative
AppScaleGoogle App Engine’s alternative
PythonProgramming language
Components of LEAP stack

LEMP/LNMP stack

These technologies constitute the LEMP/LNMP stack. It is known as LEMP stack because of the pronunciation of Nginx as Engine-X (en-juhn-ecks). Some people call it LNMP stack anyways.

LinuxOperating System
NginxWeb Server
MySQL or MariaDBDatabase management system
PHP/Pearl/PythonProgramming language
Components of the LNMP stack

LLMP stack

These technologies constitute the LLMP stack.

LinuxOperating System
LighttpdWeb Server
MySQL or MariaDBDatabase management system
PHP/Pearl/PythonProgramming language
Components of the LLMP stack

LYCE stack

These technologies constitute the LYCE stack.

LinuxOperating System
YawsWeb Server
CouchDBDatabase management system
ErlangProgramming language
Components of LYCE stack

LYME stack

These technologies constitute the LYME stack.

LinuxOperating System
YawsWeb Server
MnesiaDatabase management system
ErlangProgramming language
Components of LYME stack

Windows technology stacks

These are some Microsoft Windows-driven technology stacks of note.

  • WAMP stack
  • WIMP stack
  • WIPP stack
  • WINS stack
  • WISA stack
  • WISAV stack
  • WISP stack
  • WIPAV stack

Here we have a peek at these Windows-centric technology stacks.

WAMP stack

These technologies constitute the WAMP stack.

WindowsOperating System
ApacheWeb Server
MySQL or MariaDBDatabase management system
PHP/Pearl/PythonProgramming language
Components of the WAMP stack

WIMP stack

These technologies constitute the WIMP stack.

WindowsOperating System
Internet Information Services (IIS)Web Server
MySQL or MariaDBDatabase management system
PHP/Pearl/PythonProgramming language
Components of the WIMP stack

WINS stack

These technologies constitute the WINS stack.

WindowsOperating System
Internet Information Services (IIS)Web Server
.NETSoftware framework
SQL ServerDatabase management system
Components of WINS stack

WIPP stack

These technologies constitute the WIPP stack.

WindowsOperating System
Internet Information Services (IIS)Web Server
PostgreSQLDatabase management system
PHPProgramming language
Components of the WIPP stack

WISA stack

These technologies constitute the WISA stack.

WindowsOperating System
Internet Information Services (IIS)Web Server
SQL ServerDatabase management system
ASP.NETWeb framework
Components of the WISA stack

WISAV stack

These technologies constitute the WISAV stack.

WindowsOperating System
Internet Information Services (IIS)Web Server
SQL ServerDatabase management system
ASP.NETBackend web framework
Vue.jsFrontend web framework
Components of the WISAV stack

WISP stack

These technologies constitute the WISP stack.

WindowsOperating System
Internet Information Services (IIS)Web Server
SQL ServerDatabase management system
PHPProgramming language
Components of the WISP stack

WIPAV stack

These technologies constitute the WIPAV stack.

WindowsOperating System
Internet Information Services (IIS)Web Server
PostgreSQLDatabase management system
ASP.NETBackend web framework
Vue.jsFrontend web framework
Components of the WIPAV stack

BSD technology stacks

Getting aware of BSD-driven technology stacks improves your knowledge.

  • BCHS stack
  • BAMP stack
  • BAPP stack
  • DAMP stack
  • FAMP stack
  • MAMP stack
  • SAMP stack

Let’s briefly describe the meaning of these BSD-centric technology stacks.

BCHS stack

These technologies constitute the BCHS stack.

OpenBSDOperating System
CProgramming language
httpdWeb server
SQLiteDatabase engine
Components of BCHS stack

BAMP stack

These technologies constitute the BAMP stack.

BSDOperating System
ApacheWeb Server
MySQLDatabase management system
PHP/Pearl/PythonProgramming language
Components of BAMP stack

BAPP stack

These technologies constitute the BAPP stack.

BSDOperating System
ApacheWeb Server
PostgreSQLDatabase management system
PHP/Pearl/PythonProgramming language
Components of the BAPP stack

DAMP stack

These technologies constitute the DAMP stack.

DarwinOperating System
ApacheWeb Server
MySQLDatabase management system
PHPProgramming language
Components of the DAMP stack

FAMP stack

These technologies constitute the FAMP stack.

FreeBSDOperating System
ApacheWeb Server
MySQLDatabase management system
PHP/Pearl/PythonProgramming language
Components of FAMP stack

MAMP stack

These technologies constitute the MAMP stack.

macOSOperating System
ApacheWeb Server
MySQL or MariaDBDatabase management system
PHP/Pearl/PythonProgramming language
Components of the MAMP stack

SAMP stack

These technologies constitute the SAMP stack.

SolarisOperating System
ApacheWeb Server
MySQLDatabase management system
PHP/Pearl/PythonProgramming language
Components of SAMP stack

Other technology stacks

Keep an eye on these other technology stacks as well.

  • ELK stack
  • JAMstack
  • MARQS stack
  • MLVN stack
  • NMP stack
  • PLONK stack
  • SMACK stack
  • T-REX stack
  • XAMPP stack
  • XRS stack

Lastly, we have a look at these other technology stacks.

ELK stack

These technologies constitute the ELK stack. Combining it with Beats (data shippers) transforms it into the Elastic stack. Which is open to various further integrations.

ElasticsearchSearch Engine
LogstashData processing pipeline for event and log management
KibanaData visualization dashboard
Components of ELK stack

JAMstack

These technologies constitute the JAMstack.

JavaScriptProgramming language
APIsInterfacing for business logic and 3rd party services
MarkupContent pages with Static HTML
Components of JAMstack

MARQS stack

These technologies constitute the MARQS stack.

Apache MesosDistributed systems kernel
AkkaToolkit for actor-based concurrency implementation
RiakDistributed NoSQL data store
Apache KafkaEvent streaming platform
Apache SparkAnalytics engine for data processing
Components of MARQS stack

MLVN stack

These technologies constitute the MLVN stack.

MongoDBDatabase management system
LinuxOperating System
VarnishHTTP accelerator for frontend cache
Node.jsJavaScript runtime
Components of MLVN stack

NMP stack

These technologies constitute the NMP stack.

NginxWeb Server
MySQL or MariaDBDatabase management system
PHPProgramming language
Components of NMP stack

PLONK stack

These technologies constitute the PLONK stack.

PrometheusEvent monitoring in real time
LinkerdService mesh for Kubernetes
OpenFaaSDeploy serverless functions
NATSCloud-native messaging system
KubernetesAutomating deployment of container applications
Components of PLONK stack

SMACK stack

These technologies constitute the SMACK stack.

Apache SparkAnalytics engine for data processing
Apache MesosDistributed systems kernel
AkkaToolkit for actor-based concurrency implementation
Apache CassandraDatabase management system
Apache KafkaEvent streaming platform
Components of SMACK stack

T-REX stack

These technologies constitute the T-REX stack.

TerminusDBKnowledge graph and document-oriented database
ReactFrontend web framework
Express.jsBackend web framework
Components of T-REX stack

XAMPP stack

The developers seem to use XAMPP as a recursive acronym for XAMPP Apache + MariaDB + PHP + Perl. Originally, it utilized MySQL for the database, which was replaced with MariaDB in October 2019. X stands for cross-platform in the apparent acronym of XAMPP.

These technologies constitute the XAMPP stack.

XCross-platform
ApacheWeb Server
MariaDBDatabase management system
PHPProgramming language
PearlProgramming language
Components of XAMPP stack

XRS stack

These technologies constitute the XRS stack.

XML databaseBaseX/eXist/MarkLogic Server/Qizx
XQueryProgramming language
RESTCommunication interface
XFormsCollecting input
Components of XRS stack

FAQs about technology stacks

These are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding technology stacks.

Which are some examples of tech stacks?

MEAN stack, MERN stack, and JAMstack are examples of modern technology stacks. LAMP stack, WAMP stack, WINS, WAMP stack, etc. are examples of old tech stacks.

Is Java a technology stack?

The general-purpose Java language is high-level and so it has multiple usages. You can program the front end using Swing, and the JavaFX platform. Also, you can use it for the backend language of your tech stack with Java server pages (JSP), and servlets.

Java’s write-once, run-anywhere (WORA) nature enables you to code almost every part of a web application. It figuratively makes Java a full-stack language. For this reason, some people consider Java close to a tech stack.

How do you build a tech stack?

Different companies have diverse requirements. So the tech stacks they need are not alike. For choosing a technology stack, carefully evaluate your business goals. Build on a core programming language and a framework. Utilize additional tools, and add extra services as you go.

Is Python a tech stack?

The high-level Python language is multi-purpose in nature. You can code the front-end and back-end of web applications in it. Its efficient libraries empower you to build web applications without wasting server-side resources. The suitability of Python for both the front end and back end makes it a full-stack language. That’s why some people also call Python closer to a technology stack.

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