Cloud-based App Development | A Quintessential Guide

This article explores cloud-based application solutions, provides insights on technology stacks in cloud application development, and more.

Cloud-based Applications

Cloud applications are software programs that combine cloud-based and local components. They use remote servers to process logic. Third-party cloud service providers operate remote data centers containing cloud application servers. 

Cloud app development differs from traditional on-premises development in several ways. Cloud service providers give resources and services to cloud app developers for creating apps. These services typically include computing power, storage, databases, networking, and various software tools and frameworks.

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Benefits of Cloud-based Apps

Here are some of the benefits of cloud-based apps:

Lower Costs 

Cloud-based apps can help reduce costs in several ways. As a cloud service provider gives the infrastructure in cloud-based apps, it eliminates the need for upfront investments in hardware. Additionally, cloud services typically operate on a pay-as-you-go model, allowing businesses to scale resources and only pay for what they use. 

This cost flexibility can lead to significant savings compared to maintaining and managing on-premises infrastructure.

Enhanced Scalability

Cloud-based apps offer scalability to handle increased or decreased workloads. With cloud services, businesses can quickly scale up or down their resources based on demand. 

Security 

Cloud service providers invest heavily in implementing robust security measures to protect data and applications. They typically employ advanced encryption, access controls, and security protocols to safeguard sensitive information. 

Greater Reliability

Cloud service providers operate multiple data centers in different geographic regions, which helps ensure the continuous availability of applications and data. In case of hardware failures or other disruptions, the workload can seamlessly shift to redundant systems, minimizing downtime. 

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Types of Cloud Deployment Services

Here is a list of different cloud deployment services: 

Private Cloud

A private cloud operates as a dedicated web system providing a secure environment for applications, websites, and data. Organizations use private clouds to build and manage their own data centers either internally or through a third party. Programmers use open-source tools like OpenStack and Eucalyptus for implementing this deployment model. 

Advantages of a private cloud include on-demand resource allocation, full organizational control, and suitability for data security and personalized cloud usage.

Public Cloud

A public cloud is a type of cloud deployment open to all. It allows storage and access to information via the Internet using a pay-per-usage model. A cloud service provider manages and operates the computing resources in the public cloud. 

Public cloud advantages include lower cost, ease of integration, location independence, scalability, and unlimited user access.

Examples of public cloud providers include Amazon EC2, IBM SmartCloud Enterprise, Microsoft, Google App Engine, and Windows Azure Services Platform. 

Hybrid Cloud

A hybrid cloud in cloud app development combines elements of both public and private clouds. It allows data distribution among on-device services, third-party apps, and various deployment and optimization options. Public cloud services are accessible to anyone, whereas the organization's users have exclusive access to services on the private cloud. 

Examples of hybrid cloud include Google Application Suite (Gmail, Google Apps, and Google Drive), Office 365 (MS Office on the Web and One Drive), and Amazon Web Services.

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Community Cloud

Community cloud deployment resembles a private cloud but with the distinction that data sharing occurs between multiple organizations. 

For example, a government with various internal departments requiring shared infrastructure and resources can utilize a community cloud. The community cloud enables systems and services to be accessible by a specific group of organizations for information sharing. One or more organizations within the community own, manage, and operate it. 

An example of a community cloud is the Health Care community cloud.

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Cloud-based App Development Solutions 

There are the following major cloud-based app development solutions:

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) 

IaaS cloud service is a cloud-based app development model in which a cloud service provider manages your business infrastructure. IaaS vendors provide network, server, storage, and visualization. Additionally, IaaS also offers services like detailed invoices, tracking, log access, clustering, resiliency tools, load balancing, and more. 

Some of the popular examples of IaaS platforms are Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, and Linode.

Platform as a Service (PaaS) 

Platform as a Service (PaaS) is a type of cloud computing that provides a platform for cloud app development. It enables you to lease every resource and service you require to build an application. You can use PaaS cloud app development for development tools, operating systems, middleware, and database running infrastructure. 

Examples of PaaS cloud platforms are Openshift, Heroku, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, AWS, and IBM Cloud.

Software as a Service (SaaS) 

Software as a Service (SaaS) is a cloud computing model that develops applications utilizing web browsers and mobile apps. It provides access to applications online without installing them on a device. 

Use cases of SaaS include managing CRM (customer relationship management) systems and databases, providing auditing features and email tools, handling documents for file sharing, and more. 

Some examples include Salesforce, AWS, Google Apps, Zendesk, and more.

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Cloud-based App Development

Cloud-based app development utilizes the following tech stack to leverage the power of cloud computing and deliver scalable and efficient applications:

Technology Stack

When developing a cloud-based application, you have various technology stack options depending on your specific requirements and preferences. Here's a common technology stack for cloud-based app development:

Front-end Development

• Programming Language: JavaScript for client-side interactions
• Frameworks and Libraries: React, Angular, or Vue.js for building interactive UI components.
• HTML/CSS: Markup and styling of the user interface.

Back-end Development

• Programming Languages: Python, Java, Ruby, or Node.js.
• Frameworks: Django (Python), Spring Boot (Java), Ruby on Rails (Ruby), or Express.js (Node.js).
• Databases: Rational databases (MySQL or PostgreSQL) or NoSQL databases (MongoDB or DynamoDB)

Cloud Infrastructure 

• Cloud Service Providers: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
• Compute Resources: Virtual Machines (VMs) or containers (Docker) 
• Networking: Load balancers, virtual networks, and security groups
• Storage: Object storage (Amazon S3, Azure Blob Storage) for file storage, or databases for structured data.

API Development 

• RESTful APIs: Implementing APIs to expose functionality and data to clients.
• Frameworks: Node.js with Express, Ruby on Rails, or Django REST Framework
• Authentication and Authorization: OAuth, JSON Web Tokens (JWT), or API keys

DevOps and Deployment

• Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): Jenkins, CircleCI, or GitLab CI/CD
• Containerization: Docker 
• Container Orchestration: Kubernetes (K8s)
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Terraform or AWS CloudFormation

Monitoring and Logging 

• Application Performance Monitoring (APM): New Relic, Datadog, or Dynatrace
• Log Management: Elasticsearch, Logstash, and Kibana (ELK stack) or tools like Splunk

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Conclusion

Cloud-based app development is a time-consuming process. The right app development firm like Oodles facilitates speedy development and thereby, can bring significant value to users. Connect with our app developers to get secure and scalable cloud mobile app solutions.