A Beginner’s Guide to Cloud-Based Software Development
Cloud, Tech AWS, Cloud, Dropbox, Forbes, Google Cloud, Google Doc, Google Drive, GSuite, IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, TechnologyCloud-based products are everywhere: in large and small companies, on our desktops, and mobile devices. Google Drive and Google Docs, Slack, Adobe, Salesforce, Dropbox—these are just some popular cloud-based services we use on a daily basis.
- 77% of enterprises have at least one cloud app (Forbes)
- 60% of companies use the cloud to store confidential data (Hashed Out)
- 80% of enterprises choose AWS as their cloud platform (Forbes)
Why are cloud-based apps that popular? What are the types of cloud applications? And what challenges you’ll face if you try to create a cloud app yourself? This guide explains the basics of cloud software and its development.
What’s a Cloud-Based Application?
Let’s start at the very beginning.
Every application has a client-side, a part that users see and interact with (e.g., buttons, forms, etc). And a server-side, a part that makes all these buttons and forms show data and return results—by processing information on the side of your server.
In usual apps, it’s a smartphone or computer’s processor that is responsible for processing business logic and data. In cloud-based apps, these tasks are performed by a remote server.
Here are the main characteristics of cloud-based apps:
- App’s data is stored in cloud infrastructure, and there are minimum requirements for devices to run the app.
- Apps can run in offline mode, storing data on the devices. As soon as the device is back online again, the app updates automatically, and information is uploaded to the cloud.
- Users run cloud-based apps from any device connected to the Internet—smartphones, tablets, laptops. As information is stored in the cloud, they can continue working on any device available.
Now, there are three types of cloud-based apps:
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
- Platform as a Service (PaaS)
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
Let’s see the difference.
SaaS
SaaS cloud software can be used via mobile app and web browsers, and there’s no need to install or configure them. For example, you can run Google Docs in Chrome or any other browser. Or use Google Drive without downloading the desktop app to your PC.
Developers create build SaaS applications for both companies and ordinary users. For example, lots of all-size companies use GSuite and corporate messengers like Slack. At the same time, many ordinary users store data on cloud services like Dropbox or Google Drive.
PaaS
PaaS is aimed at software engineers, offering them everything they need to create an app. This includes development tools, infrastructure, operating systems, etc.
In general, PaaS solutions include:
- Development tools
- Operating systems
- Database management
- Infrastructure
- Middleware
Vendors that work with PaaS models (Windows Azure, Heroku, OpenShift) provide both software and hardware.
IaaS
Infrastructure as a Service type implies that there’s a service provider that manages your servers, networks, storage (via a public or private cloud), and other infrastructure.
Providers like AWS, Microsoft Azure, or DigitalOcean give their clients hardware, hard drives, storage, servers. As a business owner, clients can access this infrastructure via an API or an admin panel.
Technical Challenges of Cloud App Development
Cloud applications are quite complex, so their development is quite challenging, too.
As there’s a big a huge choice of SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS solutions, anyone with enough qualification can either become a provider or build a cloud-based app with the help of third-party solutions.
But whatever option you choose, there are a few pitfalls.
Performance
App performance is very important for a great user experience. And great & fast experience is something all users want. For example, if your web app takes more than 3 seconds to load, you’ll lose in conversion.
The more data centers your provider has, the better is your app’s performance. For instance, global providers like AWS locate their services in different countries so that users experienced the same page loading speed despite their location.
In some cases, cloud companies use content delivery networks (CDN) to speed up the delivery of content. They’re also a part of cloud app infrastructure.
Scalability
In case you’re making an app for business, you probably want it to be scalable. This way, if your audience grows, your servers will cope with the new, increased load.
You need to make sure it’s possible to do so with the provider you’ve chosen.
If you can’t scale the product, you fail to provide your services to a bigger audience, which means losing potential profits.
Security
Cloud-based solutions are used in lots and lots of different companies, which means they store tons of sensitive data. Besides, cloud-based development requires different API integrations that can lead to security breaches.
If you want to create a commercial cloud-based app, you have to guarantee privacy for your users. You may start by using strong data encryption and an SSL certificate to boost the security of your cloud-based app.
Reliability
Nobody wants to use an app that works with delays or throws errors at them. That’s why you need a reliable cloud framework that’ll do its job without issues.
The most common approach is choosing AWS services for cloud app development. Amazon provides lots of security features, allowing baking up all the data security, and offers a number of tech features for software engineers.
For now, Amazon Web Services is probably the best and most reliable solution on the market. Still, you’re free to choose any cloud service that meets your requirements and budgets. Just make sure they have a great customer support service, too.
Now, before you start developing your own cloud-based app, it’s always better to talk to experts. They’ll help you analyze the requirements, features, UI design, and pick the right tech stack for your product, including cloud services.
Author: Vitaly Kuprenko
Vitaly Kuprenko is a technical writer at Cleveroad. It’s a web and mobile app development company in Ukraine. He enjoys telling about tech innovations and digital ways to boost businesses.