As the number of apps is increasing in the app stores, it is becoming difficult to get noticed. Mobile app users want engaging apps that are not only stylish and fast but also feature-rich and bug-free. While this might seem like a mammoth task for any developer, with the right technology, such a feat is possible!
There are so many technological and design nuances that decide the success of an app. This is why it is important to do in-depth research before you start developing your own Android or iOS app. One vital aspect which needs special attention while developing a mobile app is its backend. Mobile apps require any data to be stored and acted upon in a server somewhere across the internet. Mobile app backend architecture is the workhorse that makes a strong foundation for your application and drives your whole business forward.
One of the most important aspects in any Mobile App Development project is an efficient backend architecture. A well-engineered backend architecture saves a lot of time and cost and makes the whole collaboration between different software development teams seamless. Choosing an optimized backend architecture for your mobile app will be a fundamental part of your app development strategy.
Wondering what is the difference between frontend and backend development? As you know, in a software application, these two programming components work together to produce an end product. Let’s break it down for you.
Frontend vs. Backend
Frontend and backend development are two parts of the software development process that work together to give the final product. Front-end development involves the presentation layer of the software (responsible for the interface, interactivity, and functionality of a website), while backend development is everything else (responsible for managing various systems and databases such as Cloud or Dedicated Server hosting).
But what does that difference mean to you as a business owner? How do you make sure your developer is creating the best app possible when they are differentiating between frontend and backend development?
Frontend Development
The concept of frontend development is vague and often varies with the organization and its methodologies, but here is how to define the general idea – a frontend developer is a person who writes code that makes web pages work, which involves studying HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
The job of a frontend developer entails constructing the site/app to be responsive and search engine friendly. The developer is expected to use the latest web technologies while avoiding older, outdated practices and tricks. They create components from scratch and make sure everything works perfectly. This means they need to be aware of both visual and functional aspects of each component.
Backend Development
The back-end development is the foundation or skeleton of any mobile application. Back-end development is a set of scripts designed to help developers generate, handle, and store all necessary data. It handles business logic such as portfolio and schedule management, customer management, feedback management, user registration and so on. It empowers all the main functionalities and other components that run within an app. The backend typically incorporates things like servers, databases, middleware, and front-end interface thus empowering the main working of the app.
The backend developer’s function is to create logical connections between your database and frontend to ensure that whatever changes you make from your database logic also gets reflected on your website.
Now that you have a clear understanding of the frontend and backend of your app, let us proceed to understand the functionalities of the backend.
Mobile App Functionalities and Backend Development
No matter how beautiful your mobile application may be, it is still running on a device that has several limitations. With the purpose to make any applications or games, there are many functions you need to consider before you include a back-end component that can link the app to other systems or applications:
SaaS (Software as a Service) or 3rd Party Services
The easiest way to implement a ready backend is making use of 3rd party services that provide almost all features you need like hosting, scalable storage, security, backup and loads of other services. They are easy to implement, fast to deploy, and give you access to almost everything you need.
Cloud
When you use cloud, you do not need to buy or maintain any hardware. This saves you the time and money you would spend on buying, installing, configuring, and upgrading computer hardware. You can gain access to your data from anywhere at any time.
MBaaS
If you do not want to spend the time and resources to set up your own backend server then you have another option. You could use a Mobile Backend as a Service (MBaaS). Mobile Backend as a Service (MBaaS) is an end-to-end service to simplify the creation and management of mobile apps. It provides capabilities like push notifications, in-app analytics, offline sync, and social media integration. You can also combine two or more MBaaS services to create your own custom framework.
Custom Server
If your project requires complete independence from third-party providers, then having a custom backend is the best option. You can have complete control over your infrastructure and can be sure that only you have the possibility to modify or fix it. Also, the price of product development is much lower compared to those of SaaS or MBaaS.
To make sure your mobile app backend is operating correctly it is necessary first to understand how mobile app backend architecture and mobile app server works.
Backend Software Stack
So, the backend technology stack has three components – server, database, and middleware.
Server
When it comes to the backend of a mobile app, the server – and that means a backend server – has to play a critical role. A backend server is a set of servers that work together to provide resources & storage for the mobile app and its functionalities. These resources include security, email, database, and web services.
There are various forms of servers, however. Whether you opt for a physical, virtual, or containerized server, there are many reasons why you would need one. A server is essentially a central computer which houses other computers within it. This allows companies to have central locations where they can have all the data of their company stored in one place.
Database
A database is an essential part of any powerful application. It can be compared to the engine of any vehicle. The engine, similar to the database, gives you instant access to all your stored data, and keeps you informed about the maintenance parts when it fails.
Designed to be the heart of your application, a database store all your data, and enriches your user experience with secondary tools. There are numerous different types of database schemas and setups, but at their most fundamental, all databases fulfill the same purpose: store and retrieve data.
Middleware
Middleware is software that can connect the presentation layer of your application and the server. It consists of a set of libraries that work on the server, connecting your business layer with the backend code. This allows you to create your UI without worrying about the production and how it’s going to be designed on the screen.
It bridges the gap between your on-premise applications and cloud apps. It links native resources to the cloud. This helps accelerate business process management and gives a unified experience to users across platforms.
How Mobile App Backend Development benefits?
App backend development is the most integral part of the mobile application development process. This runs the application and provides essential tools like logins, payments, security, and settings to help the app function appropriately. And the development of mobile apps clearly requires flawless backend development performed by backend developers. It allows for reduced time to market, better output in less time, quick development speed, cost-efficiency, focus on core business, an expanded app feature set, continuous delivery and integration and a lot more. Thus, we can say that the backbone is a vital part of any mobile app.
XDuce’s mobile app backend development team has extensive experience building enterprise-level applications. We have built several apps for our clients, ranging from healthcare to travel and everything in between. Using our step-by-step approach, we can help you figure out the best backend app solution for your next mobile app development project.