Discover the Top 7 Backend Web App Frameworks of 2024

This guide, brought to you by Orcacore, aims to Discover the Top 7 Backend Web App Frameworks of 2024. A web application framework is a software framework designed to support web application development by providing a structured approach to building and deploying these apps. These frameworks typically include libraries, tools, and established conventions that streamline common tasks, promote code reuse, and enhance scalability and maintainability. Common features of web app frameworks often encompass:

Routing: Mapping URLs to specific code handlers.
Templating: Creating dynamic web pages using predefined templates.
ORM (Object-Relational Mapping): Interacting with databases using objects rather than raw SQL.
Security Features: Protection against common web vulnerabilities.
Session Management: Handling user sessions and authentication.

What is a Backend Web App Framework?

A backend web application framework is specifically designed for the server-side components of web applications. It supplies developers with tools, libraries, and conventions necessary for implementing server-side logic, managing HTTP requests and responses, interacting with databases, and handling application state. Choosing the right framework is crucial for the success of any web application.

Let’s delve into the Discover the Top 7 Backend Web App Frameworks of 2024, including Django, Ruby on Rails, Flask, Laravel, Express.js, ASP.NET Core, and Spring.

Number 1. Django Backend Development in Python

Django takes the top spot. It’s an open-source, high-level Python framework designed to simplify the creation of server-side components, or the backend, of web applications. Django offers a rich set of tools and features that empower developers to build robust web applications rapidly and securely.

Django is a highly popular choice for backend development in Python, known for its "batteries-included" philosophy, providing almost everything you need out-of-the-box.

Django Backend Development in Python - Top 7 Backend Web App Frameworks of 2024

Here’s a simplified Django installation guide on Linux:

# Install pip (if not already installed)
sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3-pip

# Install Django
pip3 install django

# Verify installation
python3 -m django --version

Number 2. Rails Popular Backend Web App Framework

Next on our list of Discover the Top 7 Backend Web App Frameworks of 2024 is Rails, also known as Ruby on Rails. It’s an open-source web application framework written in the Ruby programming language. Rails adheres to the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern and emphasizes convention over configuration. This approach enables developers to build web applications quickly and efficiently, reducing boilerplate code.

Rails is a favorite choice for startups, large enterprises, and developers globally due to its rapid development capabilities and strong community support.

Here’s a simplified Rails installation guide on Linux:

# Install Ruby and required dependencies
sudo apt update
sudo apt install ruby-full build-essential

# Install Rails
gem install rails

# Verify installation
rails --version

Number 3. Flask Backend Deployment for Python

Flask is a lightweight and flexible web application framework for Python. It’s designed to be simple, easy to learn, and highly customizable. Flask is an excellent choice for building web applications ranging from small APIs to large and complex platforms. Its microframework nature allows developers to choose the components they need, offering greater control and flexibility.

Here’s a simplified Flask installation setup guide on Linux:

# Install pip (if not already installed)
sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3-pip

# Install Flask
pip3 install flask

# Verify installation
python3 -c "import flask; print(flask.__version__)"

Number 4. Laravel Web App Framework for PHP

Another framework on our list to Discover the Top 7 Backend Web App Frameworks of 2024 is Laravel. Laravel is an open-source PHP web application framework. Its elegant syntax, comprehensive features, and vibrant community make it a popular choice for web development projects of all sizes. Laravel emphasizes developer experience, making it easier to build and maintain complex applications.

Here’s a simplified guide setup for Laravel on Linux:

# Install PHP and required extensions
sudo apt update
sudo apt install php libapache2-mod-php php-cli php-mbstring php-xml php-curl php-zip php-gd

# Install Composer (dependency manager for PHP)
curl -sS https://getcomposer.org/installer | php -- --install-dir=/usr/local/bin --filename=composer

# Install Laravel
composer global require laravel/installer

# Verify installation
laravel --version

Number 5. Express Backend Web App Framework for Node.js

Another contender among the Discover the Top 7 Backend Web App Frameworks of 2024 is Express, also known as Express.js. It is a flexible web application framework for Node.js, a server-side JavaScript runtime environment. Express provides a robust set of features for building web applications and APIs, including routing, middleware, template rendering, and more. Its minimalist approach allows developers to build applications quickly and efficiently.

Express is a great choice for building modern web applications and microservices using JavaScript on both the client and server-side (MEAN/MERN stack).

Express Backend Web App Framework for Node.js

To get more information and usage, you can visit the Express official website.

Number 6. ASP.NET Core Web App Framework

ASP.NET Core is an open-source, cross-platform framework for building modern, cloud-based web applications and services using the C# programming language. It’s a significant redesign of Microsoft’s ASP.NET framework, offering improved performance, modularity, and cross-platform compatibility.

ASP.NET Core integrates well with modern web technologies such as Angular, React, Vue.js, and Blazor. This allows developers to build rich, interactive, and responsive web applications using their preferred front-end frameworks.

Number 7. Spring Framework for Java Apps

If you’re looking for a framework for building Java apps, Spring is an excellent choice. Spring is a widely used open-source framework for building enterprise-level Java applications. It offers comprehensive features for dependency injection, aspect-oriented programming, data access, transaction management, and more.

Due to its comprehensive features and robust ecosystem, Spring is a popular choice for enterprise-level Java development.

Final Words on Unparalleled Web Application Frameworks of 2024

In conclusion, the Discover the Top 7 Backend Web App Frameworks of 2024 represents a range of cutting-edge technologies and advancements in web development. Each framework offers unique features, strengths, and capabilities to address the needs of modern web applications. Choosing the right framework depends on the specific requirements of your project, your team’s expertise, and your desired development style.

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Alternative Solutions: Moving Beyond Traditional Frameworks

While frameworks offer structure and speed, other architectural patterns and approaches can be viable alternatives, especially for specific use cases. Here are two different ways to approach backend development:

1. Serverless Architectures with AWS Lambda/Azure Functions/Google Cloud Functions:

Instead of deploying an entire application server, serverless architectures allow you to deploy individual functions that are triggered by events such as HTTP requests, database changes, or scheduled tasks. Services like AWS Lambda, Azure Functions, and Google Cloud Functions automatically manage the underlying infrastructure, scaling your functions as needed.

Explanation: Serverless architectures reduce operational overhead, as you don’t need to manage servers, patching, or scaling. You only pay for the compute time consumed by your functions, making them cost-effective for applications with variable traffic patterns. They are particularly well-suited for event-driven applications, microservices, and APIs.
Code Example (AWS Lambda with Python):

First, you’ll need to install the AWS CLI and configure your AWS credentials. Then, you can create a Lambda function using the AWS Management Console or the AWS CLI.

Here’s a simple Python function that returns a greeting:
```
import json

def lambda_handler(event, context):
    """
    A simple Lambda function that returns a greeting.
    """
    name = 'World'
    if 'name' in event['queryStringParameters']:
        name = event['queryStringParameters']['name']

    greeting = f"Hello, {name}!"

    return {
        'statusCode': 200,
        'body': json.dumps({
            'message': greeting,
        }),
    }
```
This function can be triggered by an API Gateway endpoint, allowing you to access it via HTTP requests. When the Lambda function is invoked, it extracts the name parameter from the query string (if provided) and returns a JSON response containing a greeting. The AWS infrastructure handles the scaling and execution of this function, allowing you to focus on writing the code.
This represents a different way to Discover the Top 7 Backend Web App Frameworks of 2024, because it shows how to bypass their needs all together.

2. Building Custom APIs with Minimal Frameworks/Libraries:

For projects that require maximum control and optimization, or for extremely lightweight APIs, developers might choose to build custom APIs using minimal frameworks or libraries. This approach involves selecting only the essential components needed for routing, request handling, and database interaction, avoiding the overhead of a full-fledged framework.

Explanation: This method offers greater flexibility and control over every aspect of the application. However, it also requires more development effort and expertise to handle tasks such as security, data validation, and error handling that are typically provided by frameworks.

Code Example (Using Python’s http.server and sqlite3):

This example creates a simple HTTP server that interacts with an SQLite database to retrieve and display data.

import http.server
import socketserver
import sqlite3
import json

PORT = 8000

class MyHandler(http.server.SimpleHTTPRequestHandler):
    def do_GET(self):
        if self.path == '/users':
            conn = sqlite3.connect('mydatabase.db')
            cursor = conn.cursor()
            cursor.execute("SELECT * FROM users")
            rows = cursor.fetchall()
            conn.close()

            users = [{'id': row[0], 'name': row[1], 'email': row[2]} for row in rows]
            self.send_response(200)
            self.send_header('Content-type', 'application/json')
            self.end_headers()
            self.wfile.write(json.dumps(users).encode())
        else:
            super().do_GET()

# Create a dummy database and a table for demonstration
conn = sqlite3.connect('mydatabase.db')
cursor = conn.cursor()
    #this exception handling is only for testing purposes, so the database isn't created over and over again
try:
    cursor.execute("CREATE TABLE users (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY, name TEXT, email TEXT)")
    cursor.execute("INSERT INTO users (name, email) VALUES ('John Doe', 'john.doe@example.com')")
    cursor.execute("INSERT INTO users (name, email) VALUES ('Jane Smith', 'jane.smith@example.com')")
except:
    pass
conn.commit()
conn.close()

Handler = MyHandler

with socketserver.TCPServer(("", PORT), Handler) as httpd:
    print("serving at port", PORT)
    httpd.serve_forever()

This code starts a basic HTTP server that, when accessed with the /users endpoint, queries an SQLite database, retrieves user data, and returns it as a JSON response. This approach highlights how a minimal server can be built using Python’s standard library, offering direct control over the request handling and data access.
Again, this is a way to Discover the Top 7 Backend Web App Frameworks of 2024, and see how to work without them.