A person can use laptop to shop online on a fast and secure JAMstack website.

JAMstack: The Future of Fast, Secure, and Scalable Websites

Anyone who is completely unfamiliar with JAMstack may find it intimidating with all those CDNs, SSGs, headless CMSs, and the rest. However, its popularity is still growing; according to Web Almanac, in 2020, JAMstack powered twice as many web pages as it did in 2019, when it accounted for just 0.4% of all web pages.

JAMstack: What is it?

A web development methodology called JAMstack makes it possible to create static websites with dynamic features. This word was created in 2016 by Netlify CEO Matt Biilmann and combines the following terms:

  • JavaScript
  • APIs
  • Markup

JAMstack and Static vs. Dynamic Webpages

Two categories of webpages exist:

Static Webpages

A collection of HTML files sent out from a web server makes up a static website. The web got its start here. Static webpages are incredibly quick because a web server doesn’t parse these files. The drawback of these websites, meanwhile, is implied by their name: static websites cannot be altered dynamically or interacted with in any way. It never changes.

Dynamic Webpages

A dynamic website, on the other hand, creates HTML pages in the backend in response to every request. The server retrieves information from a database each time a user attempts to view a page, combines it with information from the page’s markup and plugins, and then sends the requested page to the browser. As a result, dynamic websites load more slowly than static ones. However, dynamic websites have dominated the web for the past 20 years mostly because they are interactive.

JAMstack's Unique Approach

JAMstack is an attempt (successful) to mix the benefits of both: you have the interactivity of dynamic websites and the speed of static ones.
This is due to the fact that a JAMstack website is a “bunch” of pre-rendered HTML files with dynamic features managed by JavaScript-enabled third-party APIs.
It’s noteworthy that a JAMstack site lacks a server and a database (traditionally speaking) to create pages instantly. Instead, a page is simply sent out from a CDN anytime a user attempts to open it.

The Environment of JAMstack

The three primary tenets of the JAMstack ideology are Markup, JavaScript, and APIs, as the name implies. Let’s take a closer look at each.

JavaScript

The dynamic workflow during the request/response cycle is handled by JavaScript. Frameworks like React.js, Vue.js, and Angular.js are in charge of it; it’s what gives a website life. Other frameworks, such as Next.js and Gatsby facilitate and expedite the development process.

Read about Ruby on Rails and JavaScript comparison: Which one is better.

APIs

Additional features like content management, search, authorization, payments, and more are made available to HTML pages using APIs. APIs manage all server-side or database operations and can be accessed via HTTPS via JavaScript.

Markup

All of the material that is visible on a website is called markup in JAMstack; it is a “collection” of HTML files that have already been rendered. The HTML files that make up a JAMstack website are not created on demand, as we previously stated. In order for the material to be shown in a browser, it must first be created using a content management system (CMS) or a backend and then transformed into HTML.

Supporting Tools in JAMstack

These components greatly speed up and simplify the process of developing and managing JAMstack sites:

  1. Static Site Generator (SSG)
    Input files are transformed into HTML via an SSG. Numerous SSGs are available that work with any programming language.
  2. Headless CMS
    Your content management system is separated from the frontend and backend by a headless CMS. Unlike traditional competitors (WordPress, Drupal), JAMstack CMS allows you to reuse content for multiple frontends.
  3. Content Delivery Network (CDN)

A highly dispersed network of servers enables users worldwide to access content with minimal delay. This ensures high performance and scalability.

Is the Microservice Architecture Used by JAMstack Websites?

JAMstack websites opt for the microfrontends architecture. Every HTML and JavaScript static page serves as a mini frontend. Additionally, JAMstack sites can use APIs, including those based on microservices, and can transition from a monolithic backend to microservices more easily.

Advantages of JAMstack

1. Performance

Static files are pre-rendered and delivered via CDNs, offering unparalleled speed.

2. Scalability

CDNs provide nearly infinite scalability, ensuring consistent performance even with high traffic.

3. Security

With no server or database, server-side vulnerabilities are minimized. APIs manage backend operations securely.

4. Cost Efficiency

CDN hosting is less expensive, and eliminating plugins and built-in databases reduces costs further.

5. Frontend Focus

Developers can concentrate on the frontend, ensuring higher quality and faster development.

Limitations of JAMstack

  • Requires Web Programming Skills
    Creating JAMstack sites requires technical expertise, unlike platforms like WordPress.
  • Limited Real-Time Data Usage
    Real-time data like user inputs may require additional work with JavaScript and APIs.
  • Dependence on APIs
    Choosing the right API provider can be challenging.Longer Development Process

JAMstack development involves generating extensive HTML files, though tools like Gatsby simplify this with incremental builds.

JAMstack Workflow Best Practices

  • Use CDNs for Hosting
  • Atomic Deploys
  • Instant Cache Invalidation
  • Version Control Systems
  • Automated Builds

Who Should Use JAMstack?

Ideal Scenarios

Scalability, security, and speed are top priorities.

When to Avoid JAMstack

  • Projects with heavy real-time data needs.
  • Development teams accustomed to traditional technologies.
  • Legacy projects that don’t benefit from migration.

Are Large-Scale Projects a Good Fit for JAMstack?

JAMstack can be effective for large-scale projects, as demonstrated by Mambu, a sizable cloud-based banking platform that expanded globally without compromising security or performance.

By weighing its advantages and limitations, JAMstack emerges as a revolutionary approach that redefines web development while catering to scalability, speed, and security demands.

Conclusion

JAMstack revolutionizes web development by combining the speed of static websites with the dynamic functionality of APIs and JavaScript. Its reliance on pre-rendered content delivered via CDNs ensures exceptional performance, scalability, and security. This modern approach empowers developers to focus on creating high-quality, frontend-centric experiences efficiently.

However, JAMstack is not without limitations. It requires technical expertise, careful API selection, and may not suit projects heavily reliant on real-time or user-provided data. By evaluating your project needs, scalability goals, and team capabilities, you can determine if JAMstack’s innovative framework aligns with your objectives.

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