A web application can be described as a client-server computer program that the customer runs in an internet browser. It incorporates the client-side and user interface. Some of the most popular web apps include instant messaging services, online sales, and webmail.

Now, the question is, how can web developers create high-quality web application development solutions? The answer is simple. All a web developer has to do is follow modern web and app development principles. 

These web application development principles help developers create great apps that can adapt to the ever-changing technology trends to meet current and future customers' requirements. But before we move on to the principles, let's first take a look at the meaning of Modern Web Application Development.

What is Modern Web Application Development?

Modern web applications have greater user expectations and higher demands than ever before. Present-day web apps are required to be accessible 24/7 from anywhere across the globe and usable from practically any device or screen size. 

Modern Web applications ought to be secure, adaptable, and scalable to meet future spikes in demand. Keeping this picture in mind, we have created a list of 6 notable principles of modern web application development solutions.

So, let's get started!

Principles of Modern Web Application Development

The journey to modern web development begins with a comprehension of modern web development principles. While this isn't a comprehensive list, here are six essential principles of modern web application development.

1. User-First

This is practically a no-brainer. You need to think of user acceptability like any other product or service. The web has evolved, to begin with; previously, it was tools, then technologies, and now new devices have developed. Yet, one rule that has stayed the same is user experience.

Getting wrapped-up with the most recent innovation or putting an excessive number of things together to reduce the turnaround time is no reason for not providing a fantastic user experience. Whatever application you create has to be user-friendly.

When it comes to focusing on the user experience, one common question that is often ignored is who the end-user is? Finding the answer to this question will help you understand the objective behind creating that particular web application. 

Rather than looking at it as an application, you will begin web developing it as a solution for one specific problem. Once the purpose is known, start working towards a beautiful user experience. Since, at the end of the day, it's the user experience that keeps any client committed to a brand or product. 

2. Security is not an Add-On Feature

Most web applications suffer from high-severity vulnerabilities like Cross-Site Scripting, SQL Injection, and others.

Think about it briefly: Most business web applications experience the ill effects of primarily known yet preventable security vulnerabilities. And these vulnerabilities are not new threats. Instead, they have been recorded as a top security danger for more than ten years running. 

For what reason does this occur? While the reasons may vary, one key issue is that developers often adopt a dismissive approach to security. They treat it like a component they can add toward the end. 

However, the truth is that is not how modern web application security functions. Now more than ever, security should be incorporated into your web applications from the very beginning. 

3. Tools are your Best Friends

Previously, web and app development had more of a dedicated focus. Developers frequently focus on just one language for their web app development. However, this has changed with time progression, as a modern web developer is nothing short of a “jack-of-all-trades.” 

They ought to understand modern architecture, UX principles, JavaScript, responsive web design, API integration, web vulnerabilities, more than one web application development software, and multiple programming languages. Hence, it requires an ever-evolving skillset, which makes it fairly complex.

Moreover, modern web developers are under increased pressure than before. Businesses expect their apps to be delivered fast without sacrificing security or function. Now, the question is, how can a modern web developer overcome these challenges? 

For this, they need modern tools for web application development. Fortunately, these web application development tools help them deliver the web apps sooner, but they also bridge the skills gap. This allows the developers to complete tasks that they couldn't finish all alone.

4. Applications Thrive on Speed

Over the last couple of years, the need for web application speed has drastically increased. Why?

Well, to begin with, users have gotten progressively less patient. People now have shorter attention spans than ordinary goldfish. Therefore, modern web applications should be able to handle more data than ever before. 

If not well optimized, this upsurge in data may lead to slower applications–which will ultimately drive away users.

Secondly, page speed is great for business. Google directed this trend when they revealed that they consider page loading speed as a ranking aspect. As a result, web application performance optimization is rapidly becoming a crucial aspect of the development process.

5. Change is a Never-Ending Process

Technology is continually evolving. As developers know, this is both a boon and a curse. 

On the one hand, web application development is continuously advancing, with new libraries, web application development tools, and frameworks being introduced frequently. These innovations lead to improved application features and more effective development.

On the other hand, new-found security vulnerabilities are continually rising. A previously secure web application can now have a conspicuous security hole. The developer must keep their applications up to date as per the most current security standards.

In other words, modern-day web applications are never truly “complete.” You can't deploy an application and then turn your back on it. Modern web developers have to regularly update their web applications to adjust as per the changing trends and security standards.

6. Separation of Modules

Earlier developers followed a monolithic web application development approach, building every feature right into their application. The primary issue with this approach is Maintenance. As a result, change to any module might lead to problems in other segments, thereby making the applications unmanageable. 

However, nowadays modern web application development architecture demands a separation of concerns. 

For instance, n-Tier architecture methodology is widely preferred for web and app development, because it divides the application into separate layers. The benefit of this web application development approach is that it lets you maintain and develop each layer or module independently.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, when we talk about modern web application development, it implies more about the methodology. Web developers need to use languages, tools, frameworks, and tech trends as per the overall trends. These trends are uncomplicated, portable, adaptable, and versatile.

Modern Web Application Development principles help developers create practical applications that meet their clients' present and future requirements and adjust to the progressively changing technology trends. It is a skill that streamlines the most complicated tasks. 

These are only 6 principles of modern web application development, but the list can be longer. Do you have any other modern web application development principles to add to this list? Feel free to share in the comment section.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Web application development is the procedure of designing software applications that run on web browsers. These applications can perform various functions and tasks, such as online shopping, social networking, email services, and more, and they are accessed over the Internet.

Common examples of web applications include Google Apps and Microsoft 365. Google Apps for Work, for instance, provides a hub of web-based tools such as Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, and online storage. These applications enable online collaboration, document sharing, and calendar management, enhancing productivity and communication for users.

Web applications can be categorized into four main types:

  • Client-side applications.
  • Server-side applications.
  • Single Page applications.
  • Progressive web apps.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but popular programming languages for web applications include JavaScript, Python, Ruby, and PHP, depending on the project's requirements and developer preferences.