Published on
June 23, 2020

6 Best Web Development Frameworks for 2020

In the modern business environment, websites are a central portal for user connection, and web applications are platforms target potential and existing customers effectively. Dynamic websites combined with programming on the server-side deliver software packages to users online to perform a certain action. Web development frameworks are equipped with the following crucial functionalities:

  • Connection to a robust back-end database.
  • Generates results for browsers.
  • Has cross-platform capabilities: Users can access web applications from different operating systems such as Mac, Windows, and so on.
  • Applies across various business utilities.
  • Helps business branding and publicity online.
  • Enables adaptation to the Internet of Things
  • Cuts cost by reducing investment in hardware and maintenance.

How Do Web Development Frameworks Work?

Web applications are designed for various objectives and are extremely user friendly. These can be used as an organization or an individual. They do not need to be downloaded since they are accessed through a web browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari.

For a web app to operate it needs a web server, application server, and a database. Web servers manage requests that come from a client, while the application server completes the requested task. A database is usually used to store any needed information.

For example, Google Apps for Work is the most common and widely used web application. It has Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, online storage, and other functionalities that extend access to multiple users at the same time.

Web applications typically have short development cycles and are made with small development teams that confirm coding guidelines, standards, and conventions.

There are two main categories of coding, scripting, and programming for creating Web Application (some are open source frameworks).

  • Client-Side Scripting/Coding - Client-Side Scripting code is executed or interpreted by browsers. HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) JavaScript Ajax (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) jQuery (JavaScript Framework Library - commonly used in Ajax development) are most commonly used as coding languages.
  • Server Side Scripting/Coding - Server Side Scripting is executed or interpreted by the webserver. Common Server Side Scripting technologies include PHP (very common Server Side Scripting language - Linux/Unix based Open Source - free redistribution, usually combines with MySQL database) Zend Framework (PHP's Object Oriented Web Application Framework) ASP (Microsoft Web Server (IIS)) Scripting language) ASP.NET (Microsoft's Web Application Framework - the successor of ASP) ColdFusion (Adobe's Web Application Framework) Ruby on Rails (Ruby programming's Web Application Framework - free redistribution), etc.

Web Application Frameworks

Web development frameworks are an essential part of web development. With an ever-increasing standard of web applications, the need for more complex technology has risen.

Web Application Frameworks are sets of program libraries, components, and tools organized in an architecture system that allow developers to build and maintain complex web application projects in a fast and efficient manner.

Program actions and logic are normally separated from the HTML, CSS, and design files. This allows designers to edit the interface and make design changes without assistance from a programmer.

Builds are based on the module, libraries, and tools which enable programmers to easily share libraries and implement complex functionalities and features. This structure lays down rules for best coding practices with consistent logic and coding standards, giving other developers the ability to become familiar with the code in a short time.

Web app framework involves both the backend (server-side) and frontend (client-side). Backend frameworks include extensive libraries, APIs, web servers and are responsible for the database, to ensure it communicates with the front end and generates the required backend functionality. Below are some of the best web development frameworks.

1. Ruby on Rails

Ruby on Rails is among the most popular web frameworks. This server-side framework is written in Ruby language which supports the utilization of configuration, such as MVC and DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself which reduces repetition of information within the system thereby reducing errors). It is object-arranged and encourages the structure of a lightweight application to make it easily adaptable. With these exceptional traits, it supports faultless collaboration with third-party applications. It is a database-backed web application according to the Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern (saving time and effort as less coding is required to achieve the same results). It builds applications 30–40% faster, is scalable, secure, and follows the Secure Development Lifecycle.

2. Cake PHP

Cake PHP is a rapid development framework and the foundational structure of a web application. It enables developers to work in a structured and agile manner by providing tools for logical coding. It generates code to allow a quick prototype build. It is licensed under MIT and is capable of developing commercial applications with built-in tools for Translations, Input-validation, XSS protection, CSRF protection, SQL injection, Database access, Caching and form tampering protection. It offers high-level security with additional features such as SQL injection prevention, cross-site scripting, validation, and cross-site request forgery protection.

3. Spring Web MVC

Spring Web Model-View-Controller (MVC) framework is built on the Servlet API and has been included in the Spring Framework. The Spring Framework 5.0 has been introduced as a reactive-stack web framework called "Spring WebFlux.". The DispatchServlet helps to clearly separate roles, such as controller, validator, command object, model object, and more. The Spring Web MVC has a powerful and straightforward configuration that helps in referencing across context. The browser can submit requests from data through HTTP GET or even HTTP POST. The non-browser can make use of HTTP PUT, PATCH, and DELETE. The entire Servlet API consists of ServletRequest.getParameter*() to support field access only by the HTTP POST.

4. ASP.NET

ASP.NET is an opensource framework project that runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS and uses Windows Forms, WPF, and UWP to build Windows applications. With the .NET framework, the need to migrate an existing application is eliminated (writing a new web service in ASP.NET Core). Using the .NET standards, code applies across all .NET implementations, such as NET Core. With .NET Standard 2.0., its compatibility code allows .NET Standard/.NET Core projects to call .NET Framework libraries. It enables technologies not available for .NET Core. Such features are ASP.NET Web Forms, ASP.NET Web Pages, WCF services implementation, Workflow-related services (Windows Workflow Foundation (WF)), Workflow Services (WCF + WF in a single service and WCF Data Services), and Language support (unavailable for .NET Core but can easily be leveraged by .NET core).

5. Django

Django allows web applications to be built quickly with less code. It’s a high-end Python framework that aids in developing a clean and intuitive design. Efficiency is what makes it the framework of choice by some of the busiest applications on the web, such as Mozilla, National Geographic, and Pinterest. Django helps in creating rich and dynamic database-access APIs, handles user accounts, groups, permissions, and cookie-based user sessions. It comes with a full-featured and secure authentication system. This helps developers avoid many common security mistakes. It provides multiple protections against issues such as Clickjacking, Cross-site scripting, Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF), SQL injections, and Remote code execution.

6. Laravel

Laravel is a Model-View-Controller framework that uses PHP (the most popular language for website creation). It has an extensive and excellent API with robust features that provide tools for building stable websites and web apps faster. Implementing authentication is very simple with an App/Providers/AuthServiceProvider class when using the Gate facade. Laravel is configured to use the file cache driver which stores cached objects in the file system. The cache configuration is located at config/cache.php. It uses an in-memory cache such as Memcached or APC. It secures the web application by protecting it against the most serious security risks. The code itself is highly secure and hence handles cross-site request forgery, SQL injection, and cross-site scripting.

Conclusion

All the best web development frameworks have their advantages and disadvantages. It is crucial to conduct sufficient research and balance it against the requirements and complexities of a particular project.

Regular upgrades and patches of the web framework are just as important. Choose an expert service for consultation and implementation of a web application as ultimately it is on this partnership on which the success of the project depends.

About AppShark

AppShark is both a Gold Consulting Partner and a Product Development Partner based in Dallas, Texas. Our implementation process which includes customization, set up, and configuration – has been perfected through the many years served in the Salesforce industry. We also provide software integration services including strategy, development, and management to enable a continual flow of information from the cloud, premise to premise, or from cloud to premise platforms.

If you are a business looking for custom software development services leave us a message at sales@appshark.com and we would get in touch soon.