The cloud has emerged as a game-changer in the ever-evolving software development landscape. Cloud-based application development is not just a trend; it’s a transformative shift reshaping how software is conceived, built, and deployed. As we navigate through this digital age, understanding the role of cloud-based development in the future of software is crucial.  

This article will explore the rise of cloud-based application development, its major types, benefits, and upcoming trends. 

The Evolution of Cloud-Based Development 

Cloud-based application development has evolved from a niche technology to a mainstream practice. Early cloud platforms offered limited capabilities but have since expanded to provide a vast ecosystem of tools, services, and infrastructure options. This has enabled developers to build, test, and deploy applications faster and flexibly. 

The evolution of cloud-based development has been driven by a commitment to simplifying complex tasks, reducing costs, and empowering businesses to focus on innovation rather than infrastructure management. Engineering courses like online software engineering degree programs are adapting to this paradigm shift, providing aspiring developers with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in this dynamic and cloud-centric landscape.  

This evolution continues to shape the future of software development, offering new possibilities and efficiencies for businesses across industries. Today, cloud-based development is synonymous with digital transformation and is essential for businesses striving to stay competitive in the digital age. A 2022 Google survey found that nearly half (41.4%) of tech and business leaders plan to increase their use of cloud-based services in response to the current economic climate. 

Key Concepts in Cloud-Based Application Development 

Scalability: Cloud-based application development can be scaled horizontally (by adding more servers) or vertically (by increasing the capacity of each server). This allows you to easily accommodate changes in demand, such as during peak traffic periods or when you launch a new mobile application. 

Cost-efficiency: Cloud-based development can save you money on hardware, software, and maintenance costs. You also don’t have to worry about hiring and managing an extensive amount of IT staff. 

Accessibility: Cloud-based development allows developers to work from anywhere, improving productivity and collaboration. It also makes it easier for businesses to reach a global audience. 

Flexibility: Cloud-based application development offers a wide range of services and tools, so you can choose the ones that best suit your needs. This can help you save time and money and give you more control over your development environment. 

Security and compliance: Cloud providers invest heavily in security measures, such as encryption, identity and access management, and threat detection. This helps to protect your data from unauthorized access, modification, or destruction. Cloud providers also often comply with industry-specific regulations like HIPAA and PCI DSS. 

Types of Cloud Solutions 

Cloud-based application development is not a one-size-fits-all solution. There are various approaches and paradigms, each with advantages and best use cases. The following are the different types of cloud solutions. 

 

2023 SaaS Trends (Source: FinancesOnline)

Software as a Service 

SaaS is a fully managed service where the cloud provider hosts and maintains the software application, and users access it online. Statista reports that SaaS is the market leader for 2022, securing a commanding 56% share of total revenue. This is the most popular cloud service model and is ideal for applications that do not require customization or complex IT infrastructure. 

Platform as a Service 

PaaS provides a platform for developers to build, deploy, and manage applications. The cloud provider provides the underlying infrastructure and system maintenance so developers can focus on solution development. This is a good choice for developers who want to create custom applications without the hassle of managing infrastructure. 

Infrastructure as a Service 

IaaS provides virtualized computing resources over the internet. Businesses have greater control over their IT infrastructure with IaaS, allowing them to customize their virtual environments to meet specific requirements.  

This is a good choice for businesses that require more control and flexibility, such as those running complex cloud-based application development workloads or hosting websites. 

Benefits of Using Cloud-Based Application Development in Your Business 

Now that we understand the fundamentals and various approaches to cloud-based development, let’s delve into the tangible benefits it offers businesses.

1. Cost-efficiency and Resource Optimization 

Cloud-based application development offers a pay-as-you-go pricing model, which can help you save money on infrastructure costs. You can also optimize your spending by using only the resources you need. 

2. Scalability without Upfront Investment 

Traditional infrastructure requires significant upfront capital expenditure to scale resources. In contrast, cloud-based development allows you to scale resources on-demand without substantial upfront investment. This scalability aligns your costs with actual usage and growth. Also, this ensures that your application can handle fluctuating workloads efficiently and cost-effectively.

3. Enhanced Disaster Recovery and Data Backup 

Cloud-based development provides robust disaster recovery and data backup solutions. Your data is securely stored in redundant data centers, reducing the risk of data loss due to hardware failures, natural disasters, or other unforeseen events. This ensures business continuity and minimizes downtime. 

4. Improved Collaboration and Remote Work 

Cloud-based application development facilitates collaboration among geographically dispersed teams. With cloud-based tools and services, team members can work on the same projects in real time, share resources, and access critical data from anywhere. This flexibility enhances team productivity and supports the growing trend of remote work. 

5. Rapid Development and Deployment 

Cloud platforms offer development tools and pre-built services like databases, authentication systems, and AI capabilities. These resources can significantly accelerate the development process, allowing you to market new features and products faster. 

6. Automatic Software Updates and Maintenance 

Cloud providers handle software updates and maintenance, ensuring your applications and infrastructure run on the latest versions. This eliminates the burden of manual maintenance tasks and frees your IT team to focus on strategic cloud-based application development projects rather than routine upkeep. 

7. Data Analytics and Insights 

Cloud-based applications can easily integrate with powerful data analytics and machine learning services. This enables businesses to derive valuable insights from their data, make data-driven decisions, and gain a competitive edge through predictive analytics and business intelligence. 

8. Competitive Advantage 

By embracing cloud-based application development, businesses can stay competitive in today’s fast-paced market. They can quickly adapt to changing customer demands, experiment with new features, and pivot when necessary without the constraints of legacy infrastructure. 

9. Enhanced Security Features 

Leading cloud providers invest heavily in cloud security measures, including encryption, identity and access management, and threat detection. Leveraging these built-in security features can help businesses enhance their security posture and protect sensitive data. 

10. Green and Sustainable Computing 

Many cloud providers are committed to sustainability and use energy-efficient data centers. By moving to the cloud, businesses can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more environmentally friendly IT ecosystem. 

Incorporating these additional benefits into your cloud-based application development strategy can profoundly impact your organization’s efficiency, competitiveness, and resilience in an increasingly digital world.

Future Trends in Cloud-Based Application Development 

The future of cloud-based application development is exciting and filled with opportunities: 

Edge Computing 

Edge computing brings computation closer to data sources, reducing latency and enabling real-time processing. This trend is crucial for applications requiring low-latency responses, such as IoT and augmented reality. 

Quantum Computing 

Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize cloud-based application development by tackling complex problems that are currently infeasible for classical computers. It’s still in its infancy, but its impact on software development could be profound. 

Containerization 

Containers are becoming a standard for packaging and deploying applications. They provide consistency across environments, making developing, testing, deploying, and monitoring the performance of applications in different cloud environments easier. 

Embracing Cloud-Based Application Development 

In conclusion, cloud-based application development isn’t just a technological shift—it’s a transformative force driving the future of software development. Your business can stay at the forefront of the ever-evolving software landscape by understanding what it entails, exploring different cloud solutions, and harnessing its benefits. 

Embrace cloud-based development to ensure your software endeavors are efficient, scalable, and globally accessible, positioning your organization for success in the digital age. 

Before we discuss the common types of application frameworks used these days, let us acquaint you with “what exactly application frameworks are”?

Imagine you needed to build a house; would you do it? Surely, you can either hire an architect with their standard project layout or customize the minor changes. Or you can start from scratch and begin planning for its different aspects, like the thermal insulation, enough ventilation and lighting, and a zillion other things.

Undoubtedly, the latter gives you the full freedom and flexibility to do whatever you want, but it consumes a lot of your time and resources. However, the former lets you build your dream home using their existing resources in less time and for less money and that is how exactly an application framework works.

Application Framework Definition (in technical terms)

An application framework provides a foundation for software developers to build applications (both web and mobile). It consists of a set of tools, libraries, and ready-made templates that provide a supportive environment to build a specific type of software product. Developers can add their code to these frameworks and personalize them per their needs. 

Moreover, the frameworks let you club multiple resources, like a document or a media file, into a single package within a project. And if further future upgrades are needed, developers can revise their code within the framework without hassle. 

Features of an Effective Application Framework 

Since a plethora of different types and numbers of frameworks are available in the IT industry, it is crucial to know the characteristics that you must consider while selecting one. This would help you save time and resources for your company. Below are some of them: 

A. Documentation: It is wise to choose a framework that comes with a well-documented manual. It helps developers understand the structure and usage of the framework. Also, it is very helpful during the training process for beginners. 

B. Robust community support: A good framework is available to provide user support 24/7. Also, it has a strong, active community from which you can learn and grow. 

C. Functionality: As mentioned earlier, there are different frameworks, so there is different functionality according to that. So, analyze your business and app needs, and then select the one that goes with your checklist. Sometimes you don’t need a complex framework, and sometimes you do. So be mindful. 

Benefits of Application Frameworks 

Using an application framework will ease the whole development process and benefit you in the following ways: 

Reduces manual labor

Employing your team to solve the same problem again and again costs you more time. The frameworks help you save yourself from this trouble by providing in-built solutions so that your people don’t have to indulge themselves in developing the same functionality. Not only does it save you money by cutting down on your resources, but it also boosts productivity. 

Simplifies the process

Frameworks come with a certain set of pre-existing methodologies and documentation manuals that guide you through the entire process of app development. This eliminates the dependability of a professional software developer while building a sustainable and scalable application. Also, you can easily collaborate with other developers who are already familiar with that. 

Easy-to-read code

Writing clean code helps developers better understand them, spot any bugs or errors, and correct them later on. And many frameworks come with protocols for maintaining clean code. For instance, modularity is a fundamental concept when developing reactive applications. So, instead of building out the whole application into a single unit, these apps are divided into multiple small packets that are easy to understand, manage, and reuse. 

Security

With application development, there come security threats, including SQL or validating the right authenticated practices. So, to deploy the application securely in the market, it is crucial to mitigate all these issues. However, not all issues get eradicated with the assistance of frameworks.

Common Types of Application Frameworks 

In the IT industry, there are six common types of application frameworks depending on the type of application software developers want to build and the programming language they are going to work with.

Web Application Framework 

The Web Application Framework (WAF) consists of a set of tools, pre-designed templates, and libraries that are specifically designed for creating websites. They provide greater ease in terms of functionality and interface. Also, since websites require constant updating, the web frameworks save time by changing code in one place. You no longer need to go through the entire code and are able to make corrections within the defined functions. 

Furthermore, according to the business logic of software engineering, there are two types of web application frameworks (WAF): client-side and server-side. Here is a quick look at what they are. 

• Client-side WAF: These frameworks run in the web browser of a user’s system. Some of the common examples are Angular.js, ReactJS, and more. 
• Server-side WAF: These frameworks run on the web server. The whole process includes managing multiple things, including HTTP requests, pointing URLs to their targeted locations, and managing the database. Some of the common examples are Django, Ruby on Rails, and more. 

Mobile Application Framework 

There has never been a lack of app ideas, but there has been a lack of resources that can contribute to their execution, and mobile application frameworks fill that bridge gap. Now, there is no need for programmers to learn complicated coding languages.  

The framework itself provides a suitable environment for app creation with its set of tools, compilers, debuggers, application programming interfaces, and many other components. All they need is a significant command of web languages such as HTML5, CSS, and JScript. Simply enter the code into the framework, use the framework tools, customize the features, and create a fully tailored mobile app. Also, the mobile app framework and the web app framework work in a similar manner. The only difference lies in the fact that the mobile framework is specifically designed for creating phone or tablet-compatible applications, while the web framework is for designing websites. 

Moreover, years ago, mobile app developers were limited to only creating native applications for Android and iOS. But now the market is keenly interested in hybrid and cross-app development frameworks. Here is a brief difference between these frameworks: 

Native Application Frameworks 

Native application frameworks are meant for designing and building native applications, i.e., either for Android or iOS devices. For instance, Java, Kotlin, or C++ are used and are still used for Android applications, whereas Swift or Objective-C are used for iOS. The Android apps are further compiled and executed by the Android Studio Development Kit, and the iOS apps are developed by Xcode. 

Furthermore, native apps have high performance and functionality when compared to cross-platform apps. The only con is that they are device-specific. 

Hybrid Application Frameworks 

Similarly, hybrid application frameworks are designed to provide an environment for building hybrid apps. Contrary to native apps, hybrid apps support cross-platform functionality. This means your single code can be used to build both Android and iOS apps. These apps take less time to build and publish on the market; however, they are not as fast as the native ones. 

Some of the most widely used cross-platform app frameworks are React Native, Flutter, Ionic, NativeScript, and more. 

So, now that you know the different types of application frameworks, it’s time to look at the criteria to choose the right one for you. 

How to Choose the Right Application Framework for Your Needs 

We have already mentioned the key characteristics of the right framework. However, the many choices available in the market can confuse you to choose the right one for your business. To eliminate this confusion, consider the following below criteria: 

Your purpose:

Do you use the framework for building mobile applications like native or hybrid mobile app development or do you want to use it for creating and designing websites? 

Your preferred coding language

For instance, both junior and senior developers have different commands on the front-end (HTML, CSS, Jscript) or back-end languages. 

Compatibility with tools

If your whole team is not comfortable using the set of tools or methodologies, then it can affect your app development process. Often, it is better to go to odd schools, or often, it is wise to learn the frameworks that are easy to understand and save a lot of time.  

Final Thoughts 

Application frameworks are a great asset for software developers. They provide great assistance and help simplify the overall app-building process. However, with different types of frameworks and different numbers of frameworks available on the market, it is important to choose the right one with the right set of features and functionalities. 

We hope this guide has been helpful in clearing up the concept of application frameworks.  

So, what are you waiting for? Create an app that matches your vision using the application frameworks and start your journey. 

The entire concept of Low-Code and No-Code development revolves around enabling rapid deployments of applications. This is why the Low-Code platform market is bound to reach $27 billion by the end of 2022. It is a suite of ready-to-use elements or components that you can leverage to create fully-working business applications.

This has attracted several businesses to reduce their time-to-market and quickly transform their ideas into applications. Research conducted by Forrester indicates that 84% of enterprises have already adopted Low-Code platforms for their application development needs. While many organizations believe that Low-Code/No-Code is far more secure than the technologies such platforms replace, some concerns can’t be ignored.

Low-Code development platforms have enabled several non-technical and citizen developers to develop new applications quickly. Along with the Low-Code development, businesses are also highly inclined to ready-made apps and solutions since Elluminati stated that it can increase revenue up to 85%. During the pandemic, it also assisted various organizations to develop business applications in lightning-fast development cycles.

At the same time, Low-Code development vendors need to ensure reliable security for their products. According to a study conducted by Gaurdicore, 76% of respondents did not have the necessary infrastructure to secure new apps or configure existing ones quickly.

Here, we will discuss Low-Code and No-Code development security concerns with practical solutions.

Significant Low-Code and No-Code development security concerns

Before discussing security concerns and their solutions, one of the essential aspects of Low-Code and No-Code developments is the terminology. First, there is no such thing as “No-Code”, as, without code, there is no application. It is like the atoms in a body, and the term No-Code symbolizes code hidden from developers in the form of modules or components.

Secondly, Low-Code means that you don’t need to write a hundred lines of code for application development. It is why such an approach is so attractive for small business owners without technical knowledge. However, there are security concerns which you need to keep in mind while using a Low-Code platform.

Hidden Code Problem

With the “No-Code” concept, the biggest part of the code remains hidden, a massive problem for developers. In addition, due to malicious attacks, there can be changes in the application code that will not be visible to the developers to rectify quickly. This means there is no way to know when or how a cyber-attack may impact your applications.

So, what’s the solution to this issue?

First of all, Code Signing plays an important role in all businesses to verify the applications built and used and increase trust and security. Authentication practices, public-key cryptography technologies, and digital signature mechanisms are used to ensure that the code has not been modified since it is signed. This way, businesses verify the authenticity and integrity of the hidden code.

So, you can either choose a vendor with a pre-installed Code Signing certificate with their service or buy a separate Code Signing certificate yourself from authorized providers.

The second thing, that you should do is to ensure that the Low-Code tool has security protocols in place. These protocols define secure access to data and enable protection against several cyberattacks. One of the most commonly used security protocols is the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). This certificate enables encryption of sensitive data being sent between two systems and verifies the authenticity of the Low-Code tool details. For example, when a website is secured with an SSL certificate, HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure) appears in the URL.

What’s more, organizations that are certified to ISO 27001, comply with cyber security laws and other business, and legal requirements. This certification protects your organization and makes sure that your information security management system is efficient and effective.

Open Source Vulnerabilities

Modern software solutions rely on several open-source technologies. Unfortunately, with such frameworks and technologies, there are massive security concerns. According to a survey, 75% of unmanaged open source components had security vulnerabilities, with 49% of them showering high-risk exposure.

Most Low-Code platforms leverage such frameworks with ready-to-use open source components, which can pause massive security concerns. However, based on the Future of Open Source Survey 78% of enterprises embrace open-source software. Because of the large number of open source components used in software solutions, Low-Code software vendors rely on highly skilled security teams and developers that utilize tools that track the open source components and their security status.

Automated penetration testing tools and source code scanners enable software vendors and their teams to ensure security in the development process from start to finish.

What’s more, source code analysis tools, commonly known as Static Application Security Testing (SAST) tools, can assist uncover security problems by analyzing the source code or compiled versions of the software. These tools contribute to the detection of risks in the initial stage of software development, without breaking builds or exposing vulnerabilities in the application’s final release.

All in all, businesses need to invest in a reliable Low-Code solution vendor that follows certified safety procedures and identify open source risks before appearing in the production.

Inheritance Problem

The biggest Low-Code and No-Code development security concern is how applications or software are developed through reusable code. This code can be insecure and reused by beginner developers without in-depth knowledge or even access to the source code. So, the security issues and vulnerabilities in the base code are present in the new application as well.

Developers have access to stable and trusted code and they are able to employ code from those libraries as building blocks in their own software. However, code needs to be secure before being reused. Credible vendors guarantee that the code is secure in a number of ways, ensuring availability, fault tolerance, and recoverability.

As we analyzed above, security methods like Static analysis and automation penetration testing enhance the overall code quality and help in the detection of critical vulnerabilities.

At the same time, with Low-Code solutions,  if users don’t prefer utilizing ready-made code, they can always write their own code and enhance the platform’s functions.

Lack of control

Most of the Low-Code platforms allow developers to quickly develop mobile applications and software without much coding and higher flexibility. However, access control becomes a massive problem. For example, an enterprise-based software or application has an access policy across platforms that allows developers complete control of the system.

At the same time, Low-Code platforms offer complete access control to users, which is a problem for developers looking to make quick changes for security purposes.

The first and probably one of the most effective solutions to this problem is to choose a reliable vendor offering all the security measures pre-built in the development tool. For example, if you are leveraging a Low-Code development tool that is cloud-based, choose the vendor that comes with pre-built Identity and Access Management (IAM). It will ensure a secure codebase and management of access control for your application. The fine-grained access control is a more comprehensive way to use parameters to determine who can and cannot access certain data, and resources based on business role, user, or department. This method of controlling access and application rights is of paramount importance especially when companies deal with huge amounts of data. Ensure that the Low-Code solution offers administration capabilities to manage users and their application rights to sensitive information, monitor the system’s health and status, and allocate resources depending on business roles.

Conclusion

A Low-Code and No-Code development approach is an excellent option when you are looking for rapid deployments and digital transformation of business operations. However, you need reliable security measures to ensure that there are no disruptions and data breaches. The best way to ensure that your Low-Code platform has all the necessary security measures is to analyze different vendor services and choose the most secure one.

Building secure Low-Code applications with Comidor

Comidor is the best Low-Code choice to accelerate the development of secure applications. Throughout the application development and delivery process, Comidor meets multiple security standards for compliance and data privacy, offering the end-user a genuine experience without security concerns.

By integrating a full stack of security policies and services, Comidor Platform offers end-to end-security for cloud, data, and applications. Contact us to learn more.