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What Does Backend Development Mean For Mobile Apps?
Mobile App Backend Development refers to the design and creation of applications on the server side, typically by creating backend frameworks comprised of databases, servers, and applications to process information received from frontend user apps and improve response time for frontend responses for users - just as motorcycle engines depend on backend engines for functioning correctly, mobile apps also depend upon backend frameworks to function optimally - just as any motorbike cannot run without having a machine running inside of it!
Mobile app backend servers oversee mobile applications' functionality, security, and storage needs. According to our previous analogy, apps without backend services or the need for one are like bicycles without engines in order to function. Backend services are necessary for applications offering features like user authentication, signup/login, data storage, and push notifications.
The backend of mobile applications stores the data and responds quickly when requested by frontend applications, like Amazon apps. When clicking an Amazon section for women's or men's clothes, for example, quickly sending requests backward to be fulfilled in database searches to find the best options presented to frontend apps as choices to customers. The mobile application's backend server manages database updates, security settings, data processing/sharing processes, and authentication of user accounts in addition to application scripting.
Frontend Development Vs Backend Development
Asking a developer the difference between frontend and backend development can be like asking whether the frontend is responsible for making apps appear friendly. In contrast, the backend is responsible for making it function. Additionally, read the Comprehensive Guide of JavaScript Frameworks in Frontend Development. There are similarities in both processes for app development.
Frontend mobile applications can be downloaded on Google Play Store and App Store, like Instagram or Calculator, on a phone or other devices. As with mobile applications, Frontend applications allow direct communication through buttons, text fields, and flips. Furthermore, frontend apps also comprise the mobile phone app ecosystem.
Frontend developers are responsible for translating an app's design into code necessary to display it correctly in the browser. Since responsive web design became prevalent, their job became even more precise; developers must not only ensure its appearance supports all current browsers and mobile platforms but must also take into account how its look changes with changing widths or resolutions of browser windows and monitors. Once we understand frontend development, let's move on to backend development.
Think of the backend as an extra app for your mobile app; its software runs on servers. Mobile application backends power their main functionality through servers, databases, and middleware connected through an API connection on the Internet.
Backend developers are responsible for connecting mobile app servers to CMSs, creating the logic to make everything run efficiently, and translating designs, frontend development, and CMS setup to give clients an intuitive way to manage app content. More complex architecture may prevent clients from efficiently controlling the backend of mobile apps. At the same time, too complicated can prevent users from getting lost within designs.
Mobile Application Functions That Are Provided With Backend Development
Before incorporating a backend mobile for app development, there are several things that you should ensure. When creating mobile apps, the most critical functions to use are:
Cloud Server: Everyone now has access to cloud servers of various sizes that are securely located. Google App Engine is currently the most widely-used cloud server, followed by Microsoft Azure and Amazon AWS - each used by many large corporations for reliable performance.
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) or 3rd party services: Existing services might already provide all of the functionalities you require - backend services that allow frontend applications access. Register, pay a monthly subscription fee, and have an operational backend within seconds!
MBaaS: Mobile Backend as a Service (MBaaS) can be the ideal way to deploy backend servers without investing in cloud infrastructure or writing custom code yourself. Various independent MBaaS providers provide excellent functionality with analytics frameworks explicitly designed to monitor applications.
Custom Server: Custom backends offer unparalleled power and flexibility; they allow your app to do everything SaaS/MBaaS cannot do. However, implementation/setup costs are high due to needing either one dedicated programmer or app development team to set everything up - this may mean creating either an app-style backend or a distributed system, depending on what works for your particular needs.
Backend Solutions
Backend software development for mobile apps can utilize various frameworks depending on their project requirements. It should prioritize the reliability and scalability of backend software solutions. After carefully considering all your choices, select one that meets all your requirements by closely inspecting how it interacts with frontend apps - this should help narrow your selection down and pick out one suitable to all your needs.
Software As A Service
Various third-party/SaaS solutions offer backend functionality for frontend apps. You only need to subscribe and integrate it with your frontend app; you are off and running! SaaS simplifies API integration of frontend applications.
Mobile Backend As A Service (Mbaas
Backend solutions typically consist of database, security, and application servers. Mobile Backend as a Service is unique, enabling you to tailor the code using pre-built APIs and tools provided. You can modify and add features within an app using MbaaS; it is especially recommended for apps needing push notifications, user authentication, or data storage solutions.
MBaaS' custom code essential feature allows frontend app owners to quickly adapt their app for ever-evolving business requirements, tailoring its functions according to user counts and notifications. Monthly charges vary based on how you utilize MbaaS; prices depend on its usage as an app development platform.
Custom Backend Mobile Solution
Custom backend solutions offer an ideal way to design apps with complex features. By tailoring it specifically to your app's requirements, customized solutions enable you to create its backend precisely as its developers desire. At times, app requirements can become excessively complex and necessitate the expertise of backend developers.
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What Types Of Mobile App Backends Are There?
Now that you understand their operation explore various backend solutions designed for mobile apps. Each mobile backend solution varies regarding business logic needs and development considerations.
This section will present three kinds of mobile application backends in greater depth.
Third-Party Saas
Existing solutions on the target market might already offer solutions; in this instance, they would have developed their app's backend from scratch.Some platforms or apps provide subscription services that connect your front end to their back end via a subscription model; fees will be levied monthly or annually as an ongoing charge.Plug and Play solutions provide an easy solution.
Connecting the front end of your mobile app directly with their service via a subscription model makes for quick integration; release it and release your app for use! These SaaS (Software as a Service) or third-party backend solutions may also be called third-party mobile backend solutions.
Mbaas Solutions
At its core lies a robust backend solution designed to store user information securely while offering additional features like login/registration/authentication and push notifications.Create or use Mobile Backend-as-a-Service (MBaaS). It can save time, but it may even lower development costs significantly.MBaaS provides pre-built components with backends.
You can use these components to implement advanced features or even write your custom code functionality outside the libraries or details provided.Backend developers can take advantage of pre-populated libraries and reusable components rather than start from scratch to build their backend, saving app developers both time and resources in developing apps from the ground up. App owners must pay an ongoing monthly subscription for services like notifications sent or users.
Custom Backend
Those seeking complete flexibility with their apps require a customized backend offering explicitly tailored features for app users. In order to do this, creating it from the ground up may be necessary to guarantee full customization of elements across your entire product line. Customizing the backend for your app may incur significant development and infrastructure expenses.
Yet, it can yield great benefits when providing high performance and security to its users. Investing in a customized backend will prove worthwhile if that matters to your app's success. If performance and safety are of primary concern to you, constructing your own custom backend with the appropriate tech stack could be best. Otherwise, hybrid solutions that combine SaaS/MBaaS models along with customized backends might also work effectively.
Also Read: Top 5 Programming Languages For Backend Web Development
What Types Of Apps Require Backend Development?
Mobile applications that store user data may provide authentication and login/registration capabilities that don't rely on backend servers, as well as those that require one for this functionality. Let's quickly discuss these applications to discover why they require backend support.
Netflix
Netflix provides current users access to movies and television series online for download or streaming, complete with an administrative panel to manage videos made available to viewers and app user login support. Netflix uses several programming languages in its backend system: PHP5, NodeJS, JS, etc.
Amazon
Amazon is an eCommerce website with an expansive product catalog that requires a backend system for managing product information uploaded periodically. Through the Backend system, this excellent online marketplace can easily add, remove, and update products on their list. In terms of technical capabilities and storage solutions required by their mobile app, some programming languages used include PHP5, NodeJS JS, and JSP.
Uber
Uber is an on-demand taxi booking application that uses an API backend system for users to locate nearby cars quickly. Once booked, users can reserve and or cancel rides using this application using any number of programming languages, platforms, and storage solutions provided by Uber. Apps can operate efficiently without an extensive backend system. Your suspicions were correct: we will explore such applications in this section.
One of our clients was looking to develop a VPN app using mobile technologies to access restricted sites worldwide. When speaking with him about his needs, our mobile app development team met him face to face - this is how TOR VPN works!
Which Apps Don't Need A Backend
Certain app types can function without needing to rely on servers for support. These applications are preinstalled on your phone or other devices and do not need an Internet connection. Let's identify some apps you use daily that don't require a backend server.
Calculator
Downloading the Calculator app from an app store is only necessary to perform basic mathematical operations efficiently while engaging a backend system with its user-friendly interface and zero installation requirements needed for basic mathematical operations,
Voice Recorder
Like Calculator, Voice Recorder comes preinstalled on mobile devices so they can serve as Dictaphones. It records your voice using microphone input and stores it directly in device storage space; there's no additional backend required to use Voice Recorder effectively.
Measure
iOS devices already come preloaded with this Measure app, making it simple and hassle-free to quickly measure objects' dimensions using its camera without going through Apple App Store downloads, all without needing backend services!
Camera
Standard on every smartphone, the camera allows users to capture photos and record video. While its functionality doesn't rely on backend servers for operation, some new camera apps utilize such systems to securely open GPS when taking pictures and back taken images in case their phones enter storage mode unexpectedly.
Know which apps require mobile backends and which do not. Now, it is natural for you to wonder how a mobile app's backend operates; let us see how a backend works in an actual mobile application.
Mobile App Backend Development Process
- The frontend app is the app's body, while the backend app shows the app's soul. The backend app communicates with the front end to respond to a user request.
- The front end will only work with the back end.
- With a front end, the user can understand the app's functionality.
- The front and back end communicate, so they know what the user wants.
- The APIs allow the front end and backend to communicate.
- When a user clicks their app screen, it sends the request to the backend. The backend retrieves requested information through API and then sends it to the front end.
- This simple example will help you to understand the concept better:
- You are buying a dress online and finalizing your purchase, but now you want to pay for it. You'll be directed to the checkout to choose a payment method after clicking the "Buy Now" button.
- The app's frontend will now send a request to the servers in the backend to interact with a payment gateway. You will be redirected to a secure payment page, which asks you for your credentials, such as name, card number, and CVV.
- The API is responsible for this communication. It connects both the back and frontend of the mobile app to the external service, allowing you to view the page containing the payment.
- Communication between the front and back end allows the app's functionality to be smooth and delivers the solution users expect. You can buy the dress and pay online.
Also Read: Five Tips for Effective Web Development
Backend Development: Advantages
Complex applications often necessitate both frontend and backend app development, the former providing a visual appearance while the latter managing how it will operate to fulfill users' requirements.
Backend development offers numerous advantages.
Better Information Exchange
Backend systems allow for seamless communication among an app's external and internal components.
Accelerated Development Process
Building it methodically will hasten all stages of development.
Improved Frontend Functionality
Backend processes provide applications with greater automation and efficiency to serve their frontend interfaces better.
Improved App Performance
As previously discussed, the backend is your app's brain. It processes the information provided to it by its frontend users to provide optimal solutions. It can even enable high-performance applications on mobile devices.
Mobile App Features That Are Available With Backend Development
As part of app development, you need to take particular care when adding backend functions when working on app backend integration. These functions make up the base components required in creating mobile applications.
Cloud Server
Cloud servers have quickly become one of the premier choices for developing mobile apps, thanks to their accessibility, scalability, reliability, centralized management capabilities, and ample physical and network security for developing secure apps. Microsoft Azure, Google App Engine, and Amazon AWS are some of the more well-known cloud server providers that can be utilized as hosts of mobile applications.
Software-As-A-Service (Saas)
Developers use add-ons for their backend servers as an effective and unique solution, offering frontend and backend applications a smooth user experience. SaaS solutions may also be provided at a nominal fee.
Custom Servers
Installing a custom-built server as the backend for your mobile app can be beneficial when customizing functionality or managing essential data. With such an under-your-control server, professional installation services should be utilized to install and operate it effectively.
Tools For Android Backend Development
Android apps need well-designed backend solutions. Check out the best backends for Android apps and choose the one that suits your needs.
- Firebase
- Parse
- Amazon Web Services
- Back4App
- Google App Engine
- Heroku
Tools For Ios App Backend Development
If you don't choose the right software for your app, data storage and syncing on iOS can become complex.
You can select from a variety of iOS backend technologies.
- Amplify
- Firebase
- Rest API
- CloudKit
- StackMob
- Back4App
- Parse
- GraphQL
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Conclusion
Scrutinize your app requirements to decide on its ideal backend solution. Apps requiring only basic core features may need SaaS solutions; complex apps requiring updates every two months might need either an MBaaS platform or custom mobile backends.
Doing this requires consulting a reliable software/mobile app development company for guidance and reaching out to multiple backend developers to select one suited to your app's backend needs. Doing this will allow you to choose an ideal backend configuration. After learning a mobile app backend, the next step should be identifying whether your app requires one. A backend system would likely be essential if the application handles user data.
Before selecting a software stack for your app's requirements and business logic, as well as future expansion. Our development team is highly experienced in backend mobile app development .
