Links is an application programming language for the web that presents an alternative to
the usual tiered architecture.
Typical web application

Web application

A web application is an application that is accessed over a network such as the Internet or an intranet. The term may also mean a computer software application that is coded in a browser-supported language and reliant on a common web browser to render the application executable.Web applications are...

s are written using a model that separates functionality that runs
on the client, on the server, and on a database back end. In contrast, Links applications are
written as unified programs. When a Links program is compiled, JavaScript

JavaScript

JavaScript is a prototype-based scripting language that is dynamic, weakly typed and has first-class functions. It is a multi-paradigm language, supporting object-oriented, imperative, and functional programming styles....

 that runs on the client,
and SQL

SQL

SQL is a programming language designed for managing data in relational database management systems ....

 for the database are automatically generated, resulting in a complete ajax

Ajax (programming)

Ajax is a group of interrelated web development methods used on the client-side to create asynchronous web applications...

-style
application.

Coupling

Links' concept, by definition, increases coupling

Coupling

A coupling is a device used to connect two shafts together at their ends for the purpose of transmitting power. Couplings do not normally allow disconnection of shafts during operation, however there are torque limiting couplings which can slip or disconnect when some torque limit is exceeded.The...

 between an application's components and creates difficulties for the developer to program with separation of concerns

Separation of concerns

In computer science, separation of concerns is the process of separating a computer program into distinct features that overlap in functionality as little as possible. A concern is any piece of interest or focus in a program. Typically, concerns are synonymous with features or behaviors...

. This is usually considered highly undesirable for enterprise applications.

Performance

Because the Links compiler automatically generates the client and database-side code of the application, it often produces suboptimal code, particularly when the involved frontend and SQL operations are complex.