Building with the Jamstack

The Evolution of the Jamstack: A Comprehensive Overview

Introduction

In the dynamic realm of front-end web development, trends emerge and transform with astonishing regularity. Technological advancements have revolutionized the way we perceive, interact with, and access online content. The advent of the browser has democratized information access like no other medium, bridging the divide between various devices. As long as your browser interprets HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in a common manner, the hardware you use becomes immaterial. This article delves into the history and evolution of the Jamstack, highlighting its various patterns, components, and the pivotal role it plays in contemporary web development.

A Journey Through Jamstack’s History

In this section, we will take a historical tour of the Jamstack, tracing its origins and how it emerged as a powerful paradigm for web development.

The Browser Revolution One of the most significant developments in web technology has been the evolution of the browser. It has transformed the way we access information, making it universally accessible. Irrespective of the device you use, the browser interprets HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, providing a consistent user experience.

The Role of JavaScript, CSS, and HTML

Over time, JavaScript has become more efficient and expressive, enhancing its capabilities. CSS has achieved greater consistency, simplifying design. Browsers have integrated more closely with operating systems, and HTML has undergone semantic updates to improve its structure.

The Rise of Frameworks The standardization of JavaScript across browsers and its increased functionality led to the rise of frameworks. These frameworks acted as bridges between different browser APIs, offering a standard approach to writing modern web code.

The Missing Pieces: Servers and APIs

While browsers advanced, they lacked essential features provided by servers. Servers facilitated non-blocking tasks, protected execution environments, and efficient resource-intensive compute tasks. APIs emerged as a means for servers to communicate with browsers in a standardized manner.

Enter Serverless Compute

The concept of serverless compute gained traction as lambda functions, optimized for execution, performed one-off tasks with predictable performance and cost. This shift towards “serverless” computing allowed companies to delegate specific tasks to functions, eliminating the need for self-managed servers. Processes and workflows were coordinated through a network of task functions, communicating via APIs.

The Perfect Storm for Change The convergence of a capable browser, the affordability of serverless execution, and the ubiquity of APIs, particularly in the Software as a Service (SaaS) space, created the ideal conditions for rethinking how websites are constructed.

Jamstack Today

This section provides insights into the contemporary landscape of the Jamstack and how it has evolved to meet the demands of modern web development.

Jamstack’s Rise to Prominence The term “Jamstack” originated at Netlify and quickly evolved into a movement. Despite variations in its name, such as JAMStack, the core concept remains consistent. It allows websites to be built using lightweight technology, fetching data from remote services and calling serverless functions from the browser.

Focus on Server-Side Generated (SSG) Content

In its early implementations, the Jamstack primarily emphasized Server-Side Generated (SSG) content. Websites were generated at build time, creating static sites hosted on inexpensive web servers. These sites utilized modern JavaScript and browser features to provide dynamic user experiences while maintaining static content.

Diverse Use Cases Today, Jamstack accommodates a wide range of use cases, from statically generated sites to serverless sites that retain server-side execution capabilities. The choice of pattern depends on the specific workload intended for your website.

Exploring Jamstack Patterns

In this section, we will delve into the three primary patterns that modern Jamstack websites tend to fall into: Server Side Generated, Server Side Rendered, and Hybrid.

Server Side Generated (SSG) Server Side Generation shifts the compilation of templates and data to the build time, creating static content. This approach is suitable for websites with infrequently changing content, leveraging aggressive caching.

When to Use SSG: If your website’s content rarely changes or if changes are somewhat predictable, SSG is an ideal choice. Integration with webhooks in your CMS can facilitate updates.

Server Side Rendered (SSR)

Server Side Rendered content is rendered on each request, providing maximum customization with minimal code.

When to Use SSR: If your website comprises thousands of pages or protected routes, SSR is a suitable option. It is also effective for content that updates frequently, such as articles, products, or dynamic content.

Hybrid The Hybrid approach offers flexibility by combining server-side rendered and server-side generated content. This approach caters to a wide range of workloads.

When to Use Hybrid: Hybrid is the optimal choice if your framework supports it. Not all frameworks support SSR, but if available, it offers the most flexibility.

Building a Jamstack Toolbox To effectively implement Jamstack, it’s essential to select the right components and services. This section provides guidance on building your Jamstack toolbox.

Identifying Your Jamstack Components

When adopting a serverless approach, identifying the necessary services is the first step. Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Is my website asset-heavy? If so, consider a Content Delivery Network (CDN) for caching and delivering resources.
2. Do I need authentication? Choose an authentication provider compatible with modern web frameworks.
3. Do I need custom data? Select a back-end provider that simplifies service orchestration.
4. Do I need to run custom business logic? A Function as a Service (FaaS) provider is essential for handling business logic efficiently.

Identifying Your Business Type

Jamstack accommodates companies of all sizes. Consider any service provider constraints before proceeding, as they can impact your choices.

Choosing a Framework Selecting the right website framework depends on your chosen pattern, hosting platform, and your familiarity with a programming language. JavaScript frameworks offer significant advantages, as they align with the final compilation output.

JavaScript Frameworks to Consider:

1. AstroJS: Emphasizes lean development, allowing HTML and CSS to shine.
2. GatsbyJS: Renowned for its role in popularizing static site generation, offers a wide range of plugins.
3. NextJS: A versatile JavaScript framework that defines the hybrid category, providing rich abstractions and flexibility.
4. NuxtJS: The Vue.js equivalent of NextJS, offering a clean API and flexibility.
5. Remix.Run: A newcomer with advanced features and a focus on nested routes.
6. Sapper: SvelteJS’s take on NextJS, known for blazing fast compile times.

Choosing a FaaS Provider FaaS providers handle the business logic of your code. This section explores various FaaS providers and their strengths.

FaaS Providers to Consider:

1. FlyIo: Specializes in creating one-off services, offering high scalability.
2. Cloudflare Workers: Offers a CDN and requires low onboarding effort.
3. Vercel: Seamlessly integrates with NextJS and provides function hosting.
4. Netlify: A comprehensive platform with speciality function handling and seamless integration.
5. Autocode: A low-code option for rapid prototyping.
6. Pipedream: A low-code provider with robust logging and versioned deploys.

Choosing a Host Selecting a hosting platform depends on your chosen framework and specific requirements. Each hosting platform offers unique advantages.

Hosting Platforms to Consider:

1. Gatsby Cloud: Ideal for the Gatsby ecosystem.
2. Netlify: Offers additional services like authentication, form handling, and workflows.
3. Render: Provides a wide range of services, predictable pricing, and full-featured offerings.
4. Vercel: Offers a smooth NextJS experience and traditional web hosting capabilities.

Choosing an Authentication Provider If your Jamstack application requires authentication, consider various authentication providers to meet your needs.

Authentication Providers to Consider:

1. Auth0: A versatile solution with a strong track record.
2. Clerk: Offers first-class support for React-based frameworks and user-friendly management panels.
3. Firebase: A widely adopted authentication provider with easy integration.
4. Magic Link: Known for its simple, passwordless authentication and affordable pricing.

Choosing a CDN Selecting an effective Content Delivery Network (CDN) can significantly impact your website’s performance. Consider the following options.

CDNs to Consider:

1. Cloudflare: A versatile CDN known for DDoS protection and robust content delivery.
2. Cloudinary: Ideal for image delivery with additional image transformation capabilities.

Choosing a Backend Effective orchestration of FaaS providers, data integration, data protection, and rate limiting is essential for Jamstack websites. Consider Hasura, a solution that streamlines these aspects and offers rapid deployment.

Hasura: Your Backend Solution Hasura simplifies the management of FaaS providers, enabling seamless integration and data protection. It offers one-click deployments of Postgres on Heroku, facilitating quick data access and design.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Jamstack supports a diverse range of workloads, thanks to the advent of serverless computing and the flourishing SaaS ecosystem. Jamstack empowers developers to build faster, cost-effective websites with reduced effort, making it the preferred approach for creating modern web experiences. This comprehensive overview has explored the evolution, patterns, components, and considerations for building a robust Jamstack ecosystem. Embrace the Jamstack to stay at the forefront of web development in an ever-evolving digital landscape.