Introduction:
We all know, Technology stack for mobile appthat we consider is very important. It results in the functionalities that we will have in the app. When you wish to get a mobile app developed there are so many things that are in need to keep in mind. But among all these tech stack plays an integral role.
There are so many backend technologies that play an integral role in choosing the mobile tech stack. Some people are there who know about it in detail and some have no clue regarding it. Well, don’t worry in both cases. In this article, we will be covering the role of backend technologies in a mobile tech stack and will also help you to get well aware of some best tech stacks available around. Just have a look here!
Type of mobile app backends:
Before finalizing the role of the backend in the mobile app tech stack, it is a must to know about the types of backend available in the market. These are:
Third-party SaaS:
This solution simply implies that the mobile application that you are looking forward to launching in the market may also have an existence and you the developer have put efforts to build it from scratch.
You will find out some application and platforms that resembles your idea and offer the options to connect with the front end of your idea completely. You just need to pay a subscription fee on a monthly or yearly basis to use it for your application.
One can simply understand it in a way that it works on the basis of the plug-and-play solution. Here the user is plugging in the frontend part of the application to the backend part and making it work. These are also in consideration as SaaS solutions.
MBass Solutions:
MBass (Mobile Backend as a Service) is also available to help users to get free from the stress to develop a backend application and reduce the cost as well. It has all the advanced features that are helpful in storing the details as needed by the user in the longer run.
Apart from it, MBass also features the option to do customizations as needed and this can also be done with the help of custom code functionalities outside the library available. In simple words, there is no need for a user to start from scratch when they wish to develop a backend application. It already has pre-populated libraries that can be in use. The amount that is needed to be paid by the business will be on a monthly basis according to the services they are availing.
Custom Backend:
Custom backend as the name suggests offers the option where a user will be able to customize the complete app as per their needs. This option offers them the flexibility to add and subtract the features that are needed and not needed.
Under this model, the developer will start building the application from starting, you can say from scratch. But do not forget that customizing the application as per your own needs is an expensive affair and worth a try. This helps users to build an application that offers high performance and is completely secure.
Tech stacks available for the backend of mobile app development:
There are different technology stacks available in the market for mobile app development according to operating systems like Android and iOS. The ones that you can consider are as follows:
For Android:
The technologies for Android-based mobile applications include AWS, Firebase, and Parse. The details are as follows:
AWS (Amazon Web Services):
Backend development is supported by a number of services provided by AWS (Amazon Web Services). Do know this one is s a cloud computing platform. When it comes to developing the backend for Android apps, there are several key AWS services that are commonly in use. These are:
AWS Lambda:
AWS Lambda allow developers to execute code without the need to worry about managing servers. It enables the creation of serverless architectures, allowing you to easily run backend functions in response to events.
Amazon DynamoDB:
AWS offers DynamoDB, a fully managed NoSQL database service. It offers fast and scalable storage for your app data, ensuring efficient storage and retrieval operations.
Amazon S3:
The remarkable scalability, data accessibility, security, and speed of Simple Storage Service (S3) make it a top choice for object storage. It’s a great choice for storing and retrieving different types of media files, user-generated content, and other static assets.
AWS API Gateway:
API Gateway simplifies the process of creating, publishing, and managing APIs for your applications. It includes features like authentication, request throttling, and caching, which contribute to the development of robust and secure APIs.
Firebase:
Firebase is a platform for mobile and web development developed by Google. There are so many services available from it to support the backend of Android applications. Here are some important Firebase services specifically designed for developing the backend of Android apps:
Firebase Realtime Database:
This cloud-hosted NoSQL database allows real-time synchronization of app data across multiple clients. It automatically syncs data, works offline, and provides real-time updates, making it ideal for collaborative apps that require instant data sharing.
Firebase Cloud Firestore:
One of the interesting features of Cloud Firestore is its flexible and scalable NoSQL document database. It enables offline data access, real-time updates, and powerful querying capabilities. Firestore is perfect for apps that need structured data storage.
Firebase Authentication:
With Firebase Authentication, you can easily and securely authenticate users in your Android apps. It supports various authentication methods as in use by users in the present times.
For iOS:
The technologies for iOS-based mobile applications include Firebase and Rest APIs. The details for the following are:
Firebase:
Google offers Firebase, a complete platform that makes it easier to create mobile and online applications. It offers a range of cloud-based tools and services that make it easier to create the backend of your Android app. Key features include:
Real-time Database:
A cloud-hosted database called Firebase Real-time Database enables developers to store and sync data in real-time across many clients. It automatically keeps data in sync, even when devices are offline, and provides real-time event notifications. This is great for building collaborative and real-time apps.
Cloud Functions:
With Firebase Cloud Functions, developers can create serverless functions that react to events and triggers in their Firebase applications automatically. This feature aids in the implementation of server-side logic, the extension of backend capabilities, and service integration.
REST APIs:
Representational State Transfer (REST) APIs are a widely in-use framework for creating web services. They provide a set of rules and conventions for managing resources over the Internet. In Android development, REST APIs are commonly in use for interacting with backend systems. Key features to notice are:
Data Interchange:
REST APIs utilize popular data formats like JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) to exchange data. Android apps can communicate with REST APIs by sending HTTP requests to the server and parsing the JSON responses.
Scalability and Interoperability:
REST APIs are scalable and compatible with various platforms and technologies. Android developers can easily work with REST APIs using built-in HTTP libraries or popular third-party libraries such as Retrofit or OkHttp.
Statelessness:
REST APIs operate in a stateless manner. In simple words you can understand that each client request must contain all the necessary information for the server to process it. This simplifies backend development and ensures that each request can be handled independently.
Security:
REST APIs offer different security measures such as token-based authentication, SSL encryption, and request validation to ensure secure communication between the Android application and the backend server.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, this was all about the backend tech stack that is in consideration for mobile app development Company. It is essential to choose the one that goes as per the demand of the project and fulfills the needs as well. If the technology stack chosen is not fulfilling the needs of the project there is no point in choosing it out.
If you are unsure about the technology stack that can work, discuss with the mobile app developer and he will suggest it. You just need to be a bit open about your project needs so that they can suggest the same accordingly!