An Overview of JAMstack Benefits and

An Overview of JAMstack: Benefits and Drawbacks

A frontend web development technique is called JAMstack. It makes it possible for developers to quickly create static websites that successfully serve consumers. In a JAMstack web application, the bulk of the HTML is pre-built and stored in a content delivery network (CDN). Instead of using a server-side monolithic backend program to produce dynamic content, the application's dynamic components are based using APIs. In general, this results in a much-improved development experience as well as a vastly improved user experience.

JAMstack focuses your attention on the tech stack level that is the project's restriction. These restrictions may be divided into three main groups:

JavaScript

The user will have a wonderful user experience thanks to JavaScript, which is also in charge of displaying the information. Additionally, since nothing is reliant on the content, there is no limit on how it may be done. Although the "J" in JAMstack stands for JavaScript, it is not necessary for it to be JavaScript. If you decide to use anything like Ruby, Python, or Go, you can still do it.

APIs

This was a complete game-changer and one of the pivotal events that changed the trajectory of the JAMstack architecture. Due to web APIs, the server no longer has to carry out all of the labor-intensive operations. Instead, everything may be moved to the client side using JavaScript. Additionally, there is a clear tendency toward leveraging APIs as microservices as they become more and more
widely available.

Markup

Markup is the main form of content in JAMstack.

Although HTML has come a long way, its primary purpose is still to provide material and its structure to the browser so that it may be displayed. Nothing major has changed in this respect for JAMstack sites. But the method and means of delivery have changed.

Instead of needing the server to produce all of the material with each request made by a client, it leverages cached content. In order to do this, the markup must first be built using a build tool before being sent to a content delivery network (CDN).

Instead of needing to handle new requests in real time using this approach, the server will only need to operate when brand-new changes are made to any material.

What benefits and drawbacks come with utilizing JAMstack?

Benefits of utilizing JAMstack

It may go really quickly. The JAMstack often loads quite quickly for website visitors since it depends less on a server and database. You may bypass many of the procedures typically needed in loading a web page by successfully caching all of your material on a CDN and concentrating on a clean front-end code.

The site is safe

Because the backend and frontend are separated, any security issues in the frontend code that may be exploited won't result in a security breach in your backend program. These will mostly be read-only and are divided by an API. The possible problems are reduced since you depend on a database considerably less.

Scaling is simple and affordable

You won't encounter the same restrictions since you're not dependent on intensive server or database operations. Only static assets are being served, and the majority of the work is being done by the client. You'll require less resources to scale your website if you have a strong CDN. This indicates that scaling is not only simpler but also often less expensive since it won't call for server upgrades.

Outstanding developer experience

As a developer, you have unlimited freedom since you may choose your own tech stack. JAMstack developers are free to work without being constrained by a particular platform or technology. Additionally, it's become much easier to reuse functionality across different websites or apps with the emergence of microservices and reusable APIs.

Drawbacks of utilizing JAMstack

Unfriendly to content editors

Though content editors and marketers may not necessarily enjoy it, developers probably do. Your content editors will need to be somewhat technically proficient to develop and update material since you must provide your content as Markup.

As they lose editor functionality they are used to from a CMS, this can slow down content development and often need training your editors new skills. They will also be in charge of effective media management, which may be time-consuming.

Updates are code

You'll need to use code to change your templates if you wish to do so. There is no simple method for editors to modify the templates since the content is separated from your frontend. Since they can't be quickly updated in other ways, this will often imply that developers will have to spend extra time creating the modifications.

Dynamic features need more labor-intensive work

As long as we're creating pages with content and photos, JAMstack sites are fantastic. You can encounter problems as soon as your site needs dynamic features. You will have to conduct more of the labor-intensive work yourself using your own code or API calls if you don't have a database to handle your requests. This is not to say that it cannot be done, but since your design does not have these
dynamic elements, it will take more resources to complete.

Rely on third-party systems to live and perish

You depend on third-party systems and APIs to function consistently since your website depends so heavily on them. Your website is affected if a third-party system or API is unavailable (or parts of it). It's the same as when a regular website's server goes down, but with a JAMstack site, there are very few things you can do to solve the issue if it's a problem with a third-party supplier.