subject: Various Web Application Optimization Techniques [print this page] A web application comprises of various modules and individual components, each having a
functionality of their own. These modules and components process a piece of information
according to the code and provide output to other components. This inter-connection between
various components helps us set up the overall functionality and makes a web
application.
Web application optimization deals with the fine tuning of these components, as a single
entity and as a whole system, to process the data faster or atleast to make it appear
faster. Optimization of a web apps improves the usability of for the user and enhances their
experience, giving them a reason to revisit the application for their need or purpose.
Optimization provides various advantages, like:
Faster loading of the result page or any other page of the website
Balancing the amount of data transfer to an optimal level
Balances the load on the web server and lessens unnecessary processing
Different techniques of optimizing an application are used at differnet levels so as to
affect different components and related functionality. Various levels or layers that need to
be optimized are:
Application Layer Optimization: This layer handles the user interface of the
to network, resource allocation among other attributes. Managing the attributes of this
layer can help a web page load faster, allowing users to start working on it steadily.
Database Optimization: It is one of the sub-category of application layer
optimization, where all the database related elements are boosted. This helps to decrease
the time of working upon the data and provides faster data processing to a user. Different
techniques like Indexing, query optimization, query caching etc. are performed to boost up
the performace of the application.
Application Server Optimization: Application server is the location or server
from where the application and services are hosted and are made available to a user. If
access and request handling from this component becomes faster, the application will work
faster. Code caching and code refactoring are such techniques of application server
optimization.
Presentation Layer Optimization: This layer ensures that all the data, that is
sent to the user, is in the correct format and doesn't contain any discrepency. Techniques
such as Cache controlling which controls the behavior of browser cache and proxy cache is
used to boost up the speed of data formatting and encapsulation for further delivery.
Web application optimization is necessary in terms of brand building and marketing also. An efficiently working Rich internet application easily gains popularity among its users, which eventually share it with their contacts through the use of
social media sites providing a huge visibility for the developer of brand that developed it. This further improves the click-through rates and highlights the website as a highly relevant and qualitative one.
