How To Build A QA Website Similar to Quora

Developing a QA website like Quora requires a deep understanding of various programming languages, frameworks, and backend technologies. This article will guide you through the process of creating a robust QA platform, drawing insights from the development choices made by the Quora team.

Programming Languages and Frameworks Used to Develop Quora

Developing a platform as complex as Quora necessitates the use of multiple programming languages and frameworks. Two key languages used by the Quora team are Python and C. According to Wikipedia, Python is mainly utilized for the newer features, while C is used extensively for the backend services. The initial foundation of Quora was laid using the C programming language due to its high-performance services and long-term sustainability.

For the frontend, PHP and JavaScript play essential roles. The frontend extensively uses XHP, which is a language extension for PHP. JavaScript is indispensable for any modern web platform, handling interactive and dynamic aspects of the application. The backend of Quora is predominantly written in C, with newer features being developed using Python.

Development and Integration of Quora Platform

Quora's development timeline offers valuable insights into the process of building a robust QA platform. The team initially focused on core functionalities, adding features such as credits, threaded comments, and a voting system. They later introduced the Top Writers program to motivate high-quality contributors. A blogging feature was added approximately a year after its launch. More recently, Quora implemented the bounty program, offering financial rewards to the best answers to selected questions.

By developing each component meticulously and integrating them seamlessly, the Quora team ensured scalability and reliability. This approach can serve as a blueprint for developers looking to build a similar platform.

Development Steps

Here are the key steps you can follow to develop a QA website similar to Quora:

Planning and Module Definition: Define the modules and features of your platform. Plan your development phases, ensuring that each stage is completed and tested before moving on to the next. Choosing Programming Languages: Select languages and frameworks based on scalability and performance. Python and PHP are good choices for backend services, while JavaScript can be used for frontend interactivity. Backend Services and Web Frontend Communication: Use middleware technologies like Apache Thrift for communication between the backend and frontend. For mobile apps, consider Objective-C for iOS and Java for Android. Content Management and Website Architecture: Use internal tools like Webnode2 and LiveNode for content management. These tools help in generating HTML, JS, and CSS, ensuring smooth content delivery. Database and Caching Mechanisms: Utilize a database like MySQL and a caching system such as Memcached to enhance performance. Amazon EC2 and S3 can serve as cloud hosting and storage solutions.

Third-Party Services and Tools

To support your platform, consider using various third-party services and tools:

Web servers: Nginx Message queues: Amazon SQS Transaction email platform: SendGrid DNS management: Dyn Load balancer: HAProxy or AWS Elastic Load Balancer

These tools and services can help streamline your development process and ensure that your platform is performant and scalable.

Conclusion

Building a QA website similar to Quora requires a combination of strategic planning, meticulous development, and the right technological stack. By understanding the development journey of Quora, you can gain valuable insights into how to create a robust and scalable platform. Happy developing!