Slack is a messaging application for businesses. So we could quickly call Slack Stack the Digital HQ for every business operation and everyone.

The Slack tech stack has organized functional spaces for every work need. For example, you can share information, enforce deadlines, or collaborate with members live.

It incorporates messages, files, and multiple channels to help find required information both within and across companies. 

Although there are alternative messaging apps, the agility, integrations, and support system make Slack technology stack necessary.

The services provided by Slack stack are easy and quick, adding to the best support available 24/7 with 99% uptime. In addition, slack tech’s support is specific and fluid, acquiring the help of Twitter responses, calls, and emails.

The integrations make Slack technology a star as it joins with new tools at ease, along with the access to the addition of any popular tool with a paid plan.

What Are the Components of Slack Technology

Since Slack wins over competitive messaging applications for businesses, there is always an ongoing search for what makes for Slack’s integration power. The technology stack behind Slack build is the reason for its global compatibility. Although the organization has answered the question “What is Slack’s Technological Stack” through its Twitter response, we wanted to include all and give them here in one place.

Core engine

Slack tech is known for both UI and UX. It is built on the core engine Node.js for the back end and React and Redux for the front end.

Back end

The core application is written in PHP/Hacklang running on HHVM. The backend programming language is PHP/Hacklang and Java as.

Security system

Slack uses Cloudflare for enhanced web performance and Akamai for delivery performance and security solutions. Slack encrypts data both at rest and in transit. It protects our data with the Slack Enterprise Key Management (Slack EKM) tool, audit logs, and with the help of other top data loss prevention (DLP) providers.

Search engine

Slack uses Elasticsearch for real-time search and multi-tenancy. In addition, Slack uses Solr for full-text searches in Slack. Solr uses the Lucene Java search library in the background facilitating open-source search software with excellent indexing.

Storage system

Vitess helps in scaling and increasing performance. It is a database clustering system finding its appropriate use in horizontal scaling, installing, and organizing large clusters of the open-source database. It fits with MySQL, which is what Slack uses for active configuration. With high popularity, Slack has managed to run multiple Vitess clusters worldwide. 

Data warehouse 

Open-source tools such as Presto, Spark, Airflow, Hadoop, and Kafka make up the Data warehouse. 

Retrieve data

Caching or retrieving stored data finds its source in Memcached, MCRouter. They reduce the load on the server. This activity is specific to frequent calls and content retrieval. For application-level edge caching, Flannel reduces connection time during loading and switching channels. It does so by using relevant data from users through channels and bots. If a client requests query APIs, Flannel helps with fast service.

Messaging

Real-time messaging at Slack uses Websockets. They use historical information via web API and real-time data via WebSocket Service for real-time messaging.

Load balancing

HAProxy decreases server traffic. It also balances load balancers. In addition, it ensures user-specific backend service and controls deployment and failover processes for long-lived connections.

Server management

Terraform is an open-source Infrastructure Code (IAC) tool for safe and efficient infrastructure lifecycle management. Chef is the open-source cloud infrastructure automation platform for simple setup, configuration, deployment, testing, and managing servers. Slack also scores here by using written codes to manage infrastructure than needing a tiresome manual process. Finally, Kubernetes is the virtual machine alternative for automated resource management and scaling application. It allows shared IT operations for quicker code operation and delivery.

Slack Stack for Different Systems

The Slack technology stack keeps in mind the three types of web consumers.

Web client

A mix of JavaScript, React, and ES6, along with Electron, is used to develop desktop GUI applications commonly using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Chromium technologies. It is suitable for Windows, MAC, Linux, and cross-application systems. 

Android

Android version uses a mix of Java and Kotlin. Kotlin gives a twist to the traditional OOP approach and helps in high-performance applications. It combines OOP and functional programming, and Java has OOP only. 

 IOS

 A mix of Objective C and Swift.

Slack Tech Software Products for Internal Operations:

Image Source: departmentofproduct.com

• Marketing operations run on AdRoll, Convertro, MailChimp, and SendGrid.
• Cnflx, Front, Typeform, and Zendesk run the sales and Support team.
• Analytics uses tools by Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Optimizely, and Presto.
• ProductBoard, Quadro, and Zoom measure and ensure productivity. 

With such a robust tech stack, Slack finds its house in more than half of the giant B2B unicorns and holds the market, partnering with more than 500 companies.