#cloud apps development

Several big-shot players have started ruling the cloud space. Here is how they differentiate their services from each other.

Cloud computing relies on a unique client-server mechanism, where one provides the necessary resources from multiple internet-connected devices. Developers get access to hosted applications easily and with cloud services, one can create web applications without any interference. Here are some of the biggest players in the industry:

Google App Engine

In the field of web development, Google and Amazon are in charge. Google's App Engine has repeatedly helped several developers to build and host web apps on their own servers for quick processing, development and deployment. Google administrates its cloud services with an easy hand and the developers do not have to be aware all the time about the hardware upgrades, patches or backups that Google is affecting to its servers. Now Google manages to handle incessant traffic and huge processing loads. Hence the developers need not worry about how Google will be able to bear the workload through cloud computing. Google App Engine is scalable and flexible in terms of resources, performance and users. Working with the App Engine is free for all developers. With the free cloud service, Google provides 500 MB of storage at no cost along with a whopping 5 million page-views.

Amazon Web Services

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has been providing cloud computing services for developers from many years now. AWS includes Amazon CloudFront which is mostly used for content delivery, Amazon Fulfillment Service which is specially used for ecommerce operations, and Amazon CloudWatch which is used for monitoring cloud service. Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) is mostly used for storage while the Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) is perfect for those interested in networking. AWS is free for signing up and you obtain an Access Identifier, for making web service requests.

Codeita

Here is a new and unique cloud-based development platform which is named Codeita. The cloud computing platform allows developers to perform nearly all operations from a cloud perspective, right from design, to the app publishing process. The web technologies which are running in the cloud are the same ones that control the web today. LAMP technologies are used for getting things running. The platform is free to get started and offers flexible cloud storage and in-browser FTP publishing. Developers are provided with 100 MB of space to start out. Users get access to web-based FTP which allows editing and publishing of files.

Here are some different ways, cloud computing and virtualization benefits the users:

1.Cloud Computing Provides Numerous Testing and Staging Servers

Development teams are usually restricted to having one physical server per development and even for staging and production. However but with cloud instances, once can scale the resources up and down and work on unlimited number of servers at a time. One does not have to rely on physical servers for carrying on the work.

2. Agile Development Transforms into Parallel Activity

One might experience delays in especially in getting server instances to work for them but one can provision servers for agile development teams quickly with the help of cloud services.

3. It Boosts Innovation and Experimentation

By being able to create instances as and when needed, development teams can spawn multiple instances quickly for coding purposes and then testing the code out. One does not need to wait for the next build since there are an unlimited number of servers which can be made available. Builds are faster and less painful with agile development thus encouraging developers to experiment every time.

Mobile cloud computing is now booming and has increased its rivals more than ever before. Cloud app development has taken a step further to progress.

With the advent of mobile cloud computing, most of the effort has been concentrated on platforms which can simplify the whole process of cloud-based application development. Apps for the mobile cloud is different than developing apps for native mobile platforms mostly for iPhone or Android. Many presume that mobile cloud computing model will prove to be exceptionally profitable for cloud app developers and will bring in more developers from different areas.

In case of the current mobile development platforms, it is very important for all developers to be well versed and knowledgeable about the specific platform-centric APIs along with development tools provided by platform vendors.

Objective- C has always been the main development language which has been used on a consistent basis for developing iPhone apps that are later posted on the Apple‘s App Store. The language might not be difficult for experienced C programmers, but it does require major programming capabilities which may be too taxing for newcomers to try it out. Most Android developers are known to use Java, C or C++ for app development.

Both the platforms have efficient development tools which help in making the whole development process easier and extremely coherent. But only a few can master these languages even though there are many skilled Web developers who are excellent in providing solutions in web-centric technologies and standards.

Many analysts believe that mobile applications are sure to become the next norm and hence will move to the cloud and sure to run directly from specific handsets too. The accessibility of apps along with the execution is sure to originate from the cloud through a serviceable mobile web browser interface. There are several technologies like HTML5 who are providing the strategy to enable caching on the internet for uninterrupted service levels. 4G mobile networks including LTE and WiMAX are extremely primary needs for huge mobile cloud development. These technologies are in vogue in different regions and expected to rise in adoption rates.

A plethora of mobile solutions providers have started offering integrated mobile browsers that allow users to access apps directly from the websites of their publishers, thereby eliminating the need to go to Apple App Store or Android Market. This also means that app developers and publishers don’t need to go through complicated, and sometimes costly, submission processes, unexpected rejection of their submissions and the required profit sharing with the third-party app stores.

From the perspective of developing mobile apps, it is good to use standard web languages for cross-platform functionality which is better than native app development for developers. There are huge teams of developers who are engrossed in creating mobile apps using the same tools which they used for creating web-specific apps including an IDE like Eclipse or Visual Studio. There is absolutely no need for upgrading apps on the handsets since they are installed previously.

Vendors have to continually come up with interesting mobile apps solution which are based on the cloud- smartphone frameworks which help out developers to opt for cross-platform mobile apps using common web technologies.

The appealing nature of cloud applications for small businessesSmall businesses focus on growth and improved operations for business success. They strive to be cost-effective always, with the help of cloud apps too.

Small business owners are always in the lookout of ways to improve operations in the toughest economic times. Software programs and networks are out of reach for most small startups who face huge budget restraints for monitoring these applications. With cloud-based apps and platforms, small businesses have got an affordable way to incorporate huge budgeted software programs for their daily operations.

The cloud is just the traditional way how individuals and businesses interact and install software programs. Instead of data and applications stored in desktops or single computer terminals, cloud-based services are accessible through the net just like online banking and shopping while also including e-mail and social networking sites. Most cloud-based service providers have always incorporated stringent security measures for better protection of customer data and its safety.

There are cloud versions of nearly all applications in this age. Here are some of the most popular cloud app types:

Data storage, repository and backup

Document management

Self-scheduling software for service-based businesses

Online payment programs through payment gateways

Accounting and financial software including planners and calculators

Human resources software for screening and judging candidates

Marketing and sales programs with email campaigns

The cloud-based software applications are mostly in view of traditional software packages. The cloud apps are just as effective and robust like the desktop counterparts. Here are some of the benefits offered:

Cost is the biggest benefit of cloud computing application developers since it was the biggest detriment for small businesses to incorporate software platforms as part of their operations. The cloud apps and platforms are generally affordable and according to stringent budgets. There are many options of “pay-as-you-go” policy with negligible monthly fees. The program is monitored and posts regular upgrades and updates thus without outside support and charges.

Most small business owners already have an internet connection and hence the software is not confined to a business network here. Anybody can have access to the software even when they are mobile, at home, on the road or anywhere. Most customers and clients can hence access any online services like appointment-scheduling from anywhere.

Efficiency is pivotal to small-business software since many of the guys working in small businesses usually do not have the time to install software applications or even understand how to use them. It is hard for them to grasp at a short notice and if it takes any longer, then a huge amount of productive time is lost for no apparent reason. Cloud applications usually have no installation or download option and generally extremely easy to learn and use.

If small businesses are keen to improve accounting procedures, or even conduct an email campaign, cloud applications are perfect tools to render an assortment of tasks effectively and efficiently. Cloud-based software service providers look after the needs of most small businesses easily and manage to tailor their products keeping in view the demand in the market. There are free trials available which gives the chance for the office staff to try their hands on the software and also judge if they fit the business processes to the tee.

The cloud has proved to be of much value to the IT industry. However, most analysts are of the opinion that it can be a double-edged sword too.

The cloud ranges from the on-demand availability of enterprise-class infrastructure through IaaS, SaaS and PaaS. Writing applications for the cloud is not as easy as it seems and requires sophisticated control and knowledge about traditional application architectures. Some aspects of programming which made sense before the cloud era now do not make sense. There are a few programming problems in the cloud which, if not understood well, might lead to disastrous results.

The cloud application development is public in nature and enterprises are adopting semantics privately for more storage and applications to be consumed by internal users of an organization. One must have a robust framework in place for an internal and external cloud. One can avoid cloud blunders for providing a strong foundation for all those involved in managing cloud applications. Use of traditional application architectures: Traditional application architectures are incompatible with the cloud. The cloud can be used to host them and even inherit the qualities of deployment and management value. There is fantastic elastic capacity in the cloud. To create apps for the cloud, it is essential that pre-cloud application architectures are arranged with fixed servers and a tough configuration. It is important to leverage a dynamic infrastructure environment and high availability.

Most cloud platforms are shared in nature and virtual. They might lack reliability sometimes. Traditional development practices come with more rigidity in their approach and expectations and hence it is not feasible for working around them. Excessive costing involved due incorrect architecture decisions: In the development of non-cloud applications, if the written code is inefficient and the architectural patterns denote a costly infrastructure, customers would have to spend much more. While developing for the cloud,one needs to be responsible for operating the cloud application for customers.

Inefficiency is a strict no-no since it will have a direct impact on the overall costing. A number of companies have cloud business which is worth hundreds of millions due to the right architectural decisions which included cloud as a single instance, multi-tenancy architecture. The cloud is not inherently cheaper than any of the traditional datacenters but the overall flexibility as well as the pricing structure uses innovation to be cost-effective. Relies on human sense rather than automated workflows:

Cloud apps allows one to tap into incredible flexibility. But the flexibility is extended to human sense as in the real world but that does not make any sense in a virtual world. All fundamental operating workflows including provisioning new business units, change of price-points and modifications of entitlements along with application upgrades need to be automated. Critical workflows of high importance need true interoperability. Manually driven operating work flows are sure to set up inefficient standards leaving the cloud's value on the table and increasing disadvantages. Ignorance of operational lock-in risk: Cloud offerings usually consist of a holistic stack.

The APIs and infrastructure patterns follow a certain route and adequate attention needs to be paid to lock-in risk. Making an R&D decision about the cloud stack to use is quite different to operating and hosting environment. One can also choose between public or private cloud computing technology in different approaches. But the lock-in risk needs to be taken care of.