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Introduction to JAMstack architecture

Posted bykumudiniKumudini K
Published on
June 16, 2023
JAMstack Architecture

Introdcution

You might have encountered the JAMstack term frequently online for building websites and web apps. What is this JAMstack? And why is it so popular on the internet?

In this blog, you will get all your answers. Keep reading to clear all your doubts on JAMstack.

Undoubtedly, JAMstack is not a specific technology. It is an architecture of web development. Architecture is an approach to creating, designing, and implementing software programs online.

JAM stands for JS, API, and Markup.

JS- Javascript programming language that is widely and mostly used for applications to add dynamic and extra functionalities

API- Application Programming Interface that fetches data requests from other applications when requested

Markup- Provides formatting instructions to the browser and shows the content to users

and stack signifies the combination of technologies here.

In short JAMstack architecture is created with a combination of countless technologies, that builds websites and web apps together.

Before JAMstack, web development was there. Then what has changed?

It is popular in technology because of the concept called decoupled along with its amazing benefits over traditional architecture.

Let’s dig down more to understand this thoroughly.

Static vs Dynamic

There are specific points that decide if the site is static or dynamic. Referring to the website's coding, static sites feature content that is directly coded on the page, whereas dynamic sites make use of an external database, content management system, or other sources of data.

Static pages are pre-rendered, cached files provided by a content delivery network and have the same appearance every time. When a user submits a request, dynamic ones are instantly produced, and JavaScript allows for content updates. Static sites are pre-rendered even before the user asks for them whereas dynamic sites are rendered in real-time, on the user’s request.

  • Features of static websites - As we said, static websites are pre-rendered and served via CDN. They can be created using static site generators(SSG). Since the pages are not connected to the database, their building is simpler and the cost is lower. Also, they are more secure. Static website pages can be loaded very fast and because of this high speed, and direct availability, they are more SEO-friendly.
  • Disadvantages -
    Static pages are more challenging to update and scale because you have to build a new page for every new function or need. Hence maintenance cost is higher. The main issue is less user interaction. And are hard to use for a non-technical user for content management.
  • Features of dynamic websites - The content on dynamic websites is generated in real-time and it highly depends upon user interaction. Dynamic websites are managed via CMS(Content Management System). Hence it can be made with highly personalised content and manipulated by multiple users via CMS. The maintenance cost is lower because pages follow the same pattern.
  • Disadvantages - Because the pages are built or follow the same pattern, there comes limitations on designs. If you want to build custom templates for every page, it makes the process complicated. The building costs are higher and require more development skills. Pages take time to load if multiple users are trying to fetch them. Also, it has a higher cost for maintenance.

Jamstack- a perfect blend of static and dynamic

Jamstack perfectly combines the best possibilities of both static and dynamic development. It enables developers to incorporate the features of static pages such as - speed, security, and scalability along with full user interaction, and supremacy of dynamic pages.

Developers can build static websites with maximum user interaction, look and feel which can be achieved by Javascript.

How does Jamstack architecture work?

As previously said, Jamstack websites have certain characteristics of dynamic sites while remaining static.

But how is this possible? Well, if you remember the concept above - decoupled. Where the front end and back end are separated. So, for the different UI (frontend - what users can see on screen), there can be a single backend with content irrespective of affecting each other’s functionality.

The content is delivered through CMS and can be managed separately without messing up with the UI.

It is delivered to the front end via APIs with the blazing-fast usage of CDN(edge network).

On the other hand, we have monolithic architecture, which has one central system that governs the communication between both ends. Due to this, change at one end affects the other.

Elements to build Jamstack architecture:

Now, let’s see the modern tools that can help you build the Jamstack architecture.

To create a Jamstack website/app, you will use Javascript framework like React, Vue, Angular, and/or SSG(Static Site Generator) for development, headless CMS to manage the content and hosting, a deployment platform to launch the site/app.

Steps to get started with Jamstack development:

  1. Choose frontend -
    The first step is to create the front end, which will be built with HTML and JavaScript, as well as one of the popular frameworks such as
    • React
    • Next
    • Vue
    • Angular
    • Svelte

These technologies are highly useful in the building of JAMstack apps with modular components. The best thing is that they make the process of designing and serving dynamic websites organic and compatible by delivering HTML with JavaScript directly to the browser. Additionally, static site generators (SSG) are available to increase the functionality of these JAMstack frameworks. They create pages that are ready for the web by taking your content from a CMS or another source and applying a template of your choosing to create a structure of just static HTML files. Some popular SSGs are -

  • Gatsby
  • Hugo
  • Next.js
  • RedwoodJS
  • Sapper

2. Choose backend -
The backend maintenance of content, data, and comments can be quite difficult and time-consuming. However, if your website is built on JAMstack, you will have access to plenty of solutions that will allow you to effortlessly address all of these issues. For that, you use a headless CMS such as

  • Strapi
  • Sanity
  • Contentful
  • Prismic

through which you store the files on a secure cloud-based platform You can use the API to make content requests, then use JavaScript to fetch the requested content directly from the API and add it to the website when the HTML file has been uploaded to the hosting environment. And the best part is, by using the above CMS platforms, you can manage content very easily and that too with the feature of RBAC( Role Based Access Control).

3. Deploy Jamstack architecture -
For developers building websites, managing and deploying CI/CD systems is a challenge. However, certain JAMstack tools have made it possible for them to have automated DevOps services. Simply by integrating websites or mobile applications with the Git provider, these solutions make it possible for an automatic deployment to occur each time new changes are made. You will also be able to easily share the changes with the clients for approval or improvement. The following are the best deployment tools for JAMstack-based websites:

  • AWS S3 and Cloudfront
  • Azure Static Web Apps
  • Cloudflare Pages
  • Netlify
  • Render

Things to check on Jamstack development

  • CDN should be used instead of servers to distribute your files.
  • Installing and contributing to your project should be straightforward and simple. Use npm and git to ensure a standard setup that is quicker.
  • Make your project browser-compatible by using build tools (such as Babel, Browserify, Webpack, etc.).
  • Make sure your project complies with web standards and is highly accessible.
  • Make sure the building process is automated to reduce tension.

JAMstack was developed as a nomenclature for the new approach to developing websites and apps that offers greater speed, more security, cheaper scaling costs, and a better developer experience.

To join the Jamstack development experts, connect with us today!

kumudini

Kumudini K is a content writer at Setoo.