“Scaling” is among one of the most uncommon designing principles that an average designer is aware of. Scalability can be defined as the capability of a system to deliver a similar performance under higher search volumes. It is an important aspect of web application architecture. According to the current technology, no single architecture can fit all potential scenarios or requirements of web development. Designers choose the current scaling architectures and technologies to prepare a specific design for web applications.
The current scaling web architectures are designed for specific purposes and these architectures are used as backbone to service heavy volume of traffic or load in unforeseen future.
Each of web architectures are used for different purposes. If you are planning to start your career as a web architect, it is important to be aware of these architectures and best practices for developing web applications. Some of the best books for learning web architectures are listed below.
Scalability Rules: 50 Principles for Scaling Web Sites
(By: Martin L. Abbott, Michael T. Fisher )
If you are preparing for an interview or joining a new company, this book is perfect for you. It explains some of the most important scalability issues such as application acceleration, content delivery, performance management and efficient use of streaming media services. One of the best examples is the chapter focused on aggressive use of caching in web applications. Each and every single scalability issue is discussed in detail with comprehensive examples.
The Art of Scalability: Scalable Web Architecture, Processes and Organizations for the Modern Enterprise
(By: Martin L. Abbott, Michael T. Fisher )
Most of the web architects and managers are aware of the technical aspect of scalability. This book explains the complete story of organizational scalability and it is more suited for senior level architects and managers. The book discussed some of the major issues faced by an organization during scalability and best practices to deal with them. The authors have clearly explained the importance of strong principles for designing scalable complex web applications.
The Art of Capacity Planning: Scaling Web Resources
(By: John Allspaw )
One of the most crucial factors in the success of online companies is their capability to scale and accommodate infrastructure for the growing user demands. This book focuses on planning capacity for different parts of an overall web architecture. It includes caching layers, web server farms and database clusters. As a web architect, you can learn how to plan a sufficient capacity under any technical environment or scalability scenario. Additionally, the book covers multiple charts for designing sufficient infrastructures for different web applications. Definitely, you can learn a lot from the real world examples used in this book.
Building Scalable Web Sites
(By: Cal Henderson )
Large web applications are divided into several stages design, development phase, testing and final release. This book explains every single aspect of web application architecture and allows you to gain valuable insight into the complete product life cycle. It explains some of the best designing practices for web applications and important advice for implementing them. It starts with the concept of tried architectures and source control, at a later stage. The book explains some important practices for efficient monitoring and maintenance of the application as well. If you are trying to get started in web architecture, you should start with this book.
Scalable Internet Architectures
(By: Theo Schlossnagle )
If you are starting with an online website business, this is the best book for you. This book starts with best practices for building a scalable web application and mentions all the technical as well as management aspects of the architecture. It also explains some of the most used commercial products used in web architectures and best practices for implementing them in a cost effective manner. The most important part of this book is that the author helps you in preparing a proper plan for creating a web application, hence you can create the blueprints of web application after reading this book.
In web applications, it is extremely difficult to estimate the number of users and the rate at which users might increase in future. The key is to use the best practices for creating a web application and consider scalability in the planning process itself. Web applications are essentially complex, thankfully these books will help you implement the best fundamental practices for web architectures.