CHAPTER 16
The Master Map
A visual overview of how all the tools connect and where each one fits in the stack.
Every job, every tool, every either/or decision, in one definitive table:
| Job | What It Does | Either/Or Options | 2026 Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language | Programming language | JavaScript OR TypeScript | TypeScript |
| Runtime | Runs JS outside browser | Node.js, Deno, or Bun | Node.js |
| Package Manager | Manages dependencies | npm, pnpm, Yarn, Bun | npm |
| Frontend | Builds the UI | React, Vue, Angular, Svelte | React |
| Meta-Framework | Full-stack wrapper | Next.js, Nuxt, SvelteKit, Remix, Astro, or None | Next.js |
| Styling | Visual appearance | Tailwind, CSS Modules, styled-components, CSS | Tailwind CSS |
| Backend | Server logic + APIs | Express, Fastify, NestJS, Hono, Next.js Routes | Express or Next.js |
| Database | Data storage | PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, MongoDB | PostgreSQL |
| ORM | DB access in TypeScript | Drizzle OR Prisma | Either |
| Client State | UI state management | Zustand, Redux, Jotai | Zustand |
| Server State | Data fetching + cache | TanStack Query OR SWR | TanStack Query |
| Validation | Data shape checking | Zod, Yup, Joi | Zod |
| Build Tool | Code transformation | Vite, Turbopack, Webpack | Vite |
| Deployment | Hosting | Vercel, Netlify, Railway, AWS | Vercel |