Software development platforms & technologies we use
Software development is a highly dynamic field.
Businesses are constantly searching for solutions to make life easier and the right software development platforms and mobile development tools have become more important than ever. The appropriate tools can help you move your business to the next level but choosing your armory of the best technology platforms isn’t easy. Thus, it’s always the best option to trust the experts in the field – see the technologies we use to create the most feature-rich apps for your project!
Mobile development
A relatively new framework created with mobile development in mind. Flutter allows developers to build iOS and Android applications with a simple codebase. It is an outstanding smartphone UI framework that enables you to smoothly develop beautiful-looking applications and accelerate the development process. Flutter is currently the most widespread framework used by developers around the world. It’s fast and reliable – it is possible to quickly view newly-added application features or bug fixes without the need to restart the application. Flutter uses Dart programming language to build native interfaces.
Our projects implemented in Flutter encompass Share.P, WalkieDoggie and Pure Development
Progressive Web Apps (PWA)
Progressive Web Apps, or PWAs, provide users with an interface similar to that of a native app when accessed through a web browser or added to a mobile device's home screen. They are constructed using standard web technologies such as CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. PWAs have been designed to be dependable, quick, and adaptable, even in areas with low network connectivity. They also possess functionalities that allow them to access device hardware and operate without an internet connection. Their increasing popularity is due to the cost-effective and efficient manner in which they provide app-like experiences across various platforms.
Ionic
A front-end development user interface that was created to make both web and mobile development easier. It uses web technologies such as CSS, HTML5, and Sass to develop services for both desktop and mobile applications. It can deploy across multiple technology platforms which makes it one of the most popular cross-platform technology stacks. Ionic is highly flexible – it allows developers to customize the look and feel of an app with just CSS and HTML modifications. It can build multiple apps from one codebase.
Front End
JavaScript frameworks
Probably the most often chosen for front end development. The JS frameworks provide developers with the foundation necessary for building applications as they take advantage of the fact that every website and web application have common features. They serve multiple purposes – they render prewritten JS code that produces routine programming features. They make processes such as Document Object Model, routing between pages, and complex state management quick and easy. In most cases, for front-end development, we use:
Perfect for building rich user interfaces, it’s an excellent library for web app development. It offers very fast rendering thanks to a virtual DOM feature. React.JS utilizes reusable elements which means that by calling from other components, you can then use each element of the interface anywhere else in the project. Also, this framework is supported by a large, active community of developers.
Within our portfolio of projects leveraging React.js, we proudly present: Furgonetka's Portmonetka, Pure Development, and WalkieDoggie.
An efficient and flexible front end development framework for building user interfaces and single-page apps. One of the most important advantages of the framework is the small size of the application. At the same time, it offers high speed and high performance. Vue.JS is extremely flexible – it allows developers to write HTML and JavaScript templates and directly run them on different browsers.
Among the assortment of projects crafted using Vue.js, we proudly exhibit: Zgrani, Ubea, I Design, Bagzi, and our B2B e-commerce system.
Next.js
An open-source JavaScript framework that is built on top of React, which is according to current rankings, one of the most popular libraries for frontend development. Next.js enables developers to easily create web applications and static websites. One of the key advantages of Next.js is its server-side rendering capabilities. This means that it can generate HTML pages on the server and send them to the client, making the website faster and more SEO-friendly. In addition, Next.js provides a range of optimization techniques to ensure that web applications are as fast as possible.Next.js is a popular choice among developers for building contemporary, high-speed, and scalable web applications and websites.
Angular
It simplifies the development and testing apps by providing a framework for client-side MVC architectures and developing a readable and accessible environment. Applications built in Angular use TypeScript which ensures the highest level of security. All errors can be found and eliminated early in the process. Finally, the framework uses HTML to define the UI of the app which means you don’t have to spend time on program flows and deciding what loads first. Development time is short, and testing is easy.
Nuxt.js
A free and open-source JavaScript framework based on Vue.js. It enables developers to build server-side rendered (SSR) web applications and static websites with ease. In addition, it provides a simple and intuitive project structure and comes with built-in features such as automatic code splitting, hot module replacement, and SEO optimization. It offers a wide range of plugins and modules for added functionality and customization. Nuxt.js is widely used by developers for building fast, scalable, and SEO-friendly web applications and websites.
Gatsby
A framework for building modern web applications using React.js and GraphQL. It is designed to be fast, efficient, and easy to use, making it an attractive option for developers who want to build high-performing web applications. One of the key advantages of Gatsby is its use of static site generation. Gatsby can generate HTML pages at build time and serve them as static assets, resulting in faster load times and improved SEO performance. Another important feature of Gatsby is its plugin ecosystem. These plugins can be used to add features such as image optimization, Google Analytics integration, and content management system integration.
Back End
Node.JS isn’t technically a framework, nor is it a library or a programming language. It’s a Google V8 JS runtime environment that we use to execute the JS code on the server-side. Node.JS can be used for both back end and front end. At BrainForge IT, we mostly use it to design a flexible and scalable back end. Node.JS provides a great speed in data processing, development, progression, and client-server interaction. It offers easy scalability for modern applications – it uses a non-blocking event-loop system that provides a high level of scalability which allows the server to respond to requests fast. Finally, Node.JS improves general app response time, as well as boosts its performance. This is mainly because of Node.JS’s single-threaded event-loop paradigm that guarantees a non-blocking asynchronous architecture.
Nest.js
A well-known free backend framework that enables the creation of robust and sustainable server-side apps using TypeScript and Node.js. Its modular design fosters code organization and reuse, simplifying the development and upkeep of intricate applications. Nest.js has several useful features like middleware, exception handling, dependency injection, etc., which enhance the development process. The framework is also incredibly flexible, enabling seamless integration with external libraries and tools. Moreover, Nest.js boasts of a vibrant community that offers abundant resources and aid to developers.
Express.js
A free and open-source web application framework for Node.js. It provides a set of robust features for building web and mobile applications and APIs. Express.js is highly modular and customizable, allowing developers to pick and choose the functionalities they need. It provides features such as routing, middleware support, and templating engines. Express.js is widely used by developers for building fast, scalable, and secure web and mobile applications and APIs.
Vendure
An open-source eCommerce platform that is free to use and modify, created with TypeScript and GraphQL. Its headless architecture is modular and adjustable to various business requirements. It can be integrated with front-end storefronts made with ie. modern frameworks like NextJS, NuxtJS, Gatsby, Angular, React, Vue or event mobile applications. The platform includes features such as support for multiple currencies and languages, product variations, promotional tools, and shipping options. Additionally, Vendure can be integrated with a variety of payment providers, shipping carriers, and other external services. It is a contemporary and scalable solution suitable for building online stores that can accommodate extensive product catalogs and high levels of traffic.
BrainForge IT is well-versed in working with Vendure. Our team of developers has a wealth of experience in tailoring and adjusting Vendure to suit the specific requirements of our clients’ businesses.
Java
Another popular programming language for back-end development. At BrainForge IT, we mainly use it for building enterprise-scale web apps and mobile development. The language is based on the Write Once Run Anywhere Principle – the code written in Java can be executed on any platform that supports Java without the need for recompilation. The language is used by such giants as Amazon or Adobe.
Strapi
A JavaScript-based headless CMS. It empowers developers to produce, manage, and disseminate content to numerous platforms and channels. Strapi has an architecture that can be tailored and modified to meet a range of business needs and requirements. The platform includes functions such as content modeling, user authentication, and access control. Furthermore, it integrates with popular technologies such as React, Vue.js and Gatsby. Strapi is a well-known choice among developers for creating adaptable and modular websites, mobile and web applications, and e-commerce stores that can be scaled.
Directus
An open-source headless CMS written in Vue.js and Node.js. It allows developers to construct bespoke APIs and oversee content for their initiatives without the constraints of a traditional CMS. Directus has an adaptable and expandable architecture that can be customized to suit various usage scenarios and requirements. It comes with features such as granular user permissions , customized data relationships, and file management capabilities. Directus is widely used by developers for constructing scalable and modern web and mobile applications, as well as for managing data and content for IoT devices and other connected technologies.
Netlify CMS
A CMS system that is open-source and designed to work smoothly with Jekyll and other popular site generators, enabling developers and content editors to work together to manage and publish content without needing to use a separate CMS backend or database. Its interface is user-friendly and straightforward, featuring a WYSIWYG editor and drag-and-drop tools to manage content. Netlify CMS integrates with different third-party services, including GitLab, GitHub, and Bitbucket, making version control and content deployment workflows effortless. It also supports several content formats such as markdown, HTML, and rich text and is customizable to meet diverse project requirements.
Database technologies
At BrainForge IT, besides front-end development and back-end development, we also provide database services. Here are database technologies we excel at:
MongoDB
A document database famous because of its flexibility and scalability. It stores data in JSON-like documents. This document-oriented database is mostly used for high-volume data storage. It makes it easy for developers to store both structured and unstructured data. MongoDB can easily scale both horizontally and vertically to accommodate large data loads. At BrainForge IT, we utilize MongoDB for building apps that need to evolve and scale quickly. The database enables collaboration of multiple teams. It has a large community of developers across the globe.
Probably the most popular and most often chosen database to use these days. MySQL is stable, robust, and mature which makes it perfect for web application development. It is written in C and C++ and uses a structured query language. MySQL is a highly scalable database. It can run on different technology platforms such as Windows, Linux, and Unix. MySQL supports ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability) which makes it one of the most reliable database technologies all over the world. It offers high-performance results for your project. It supports large databases (over 50 million rows in a table!).
PostgreSQL
An object-relational database management system that highlights extensibility and SQL compliance. PostgreSQL is compatible with a variety of operating systems, including Linux, Unix, MacOSX, and Windows. It is used by gaming applications, database automation tools, as well as domain registrations, mainly because it enables you to handle a large volume of data. PostgreSQL is written in C. It’s highly scalable and has many predefined functions and multiple interfaces. PostgreSQL comes with a disaster recovery feature and advanced reliability.
How to choose the right technology stacks
Choosing the right technology platform for a new project may be a daunting task. To choose it, it is critical to define the project’s purposes and its key features and functionalities. To select proper technology platforms, you should define the goal that the app will serve (e.g. if you want to reach both iOS and Android users, a cross-platform application will work). Then, discuss the type of future project to create the best possible user experience. You may need some validation (testing the product) to check how it will interact with your potential users.
Don’t forget about data security and scalability (your software should be able to deal with growth spurts and seasonal fluctuations). Today’s environment is dynamic so it may be crucial to scale up or down your business soon. Focus on technology platforms that support a stable system architecture when users and traffic increase. Of course, it’s not something you should do on your own. BrainForge IT will be happy to help you choose the technology stack that suits your project best!
We understand that your app is unique and has its own requirements. Therefore, top brands choose us to run their front end, back-end, and mobile development projects. If you are looking for the right team for your project, choose the best experts in the field. We have dedicated teams for each technology, and they are real stars in their crafts.