Firebase- A Real-time Database to Build The Best Mobile & Web Application

September 17, 2020

A database is a collection of structured or organized information where data can be collected, stored, accessed, and updated according to the requirements of an organization.

When a user makes a purchase on an online store for the first time, he/she enters the delivery address which, most often, is the address he/she will use for future purchases as well. If the online store keeps asking for the delivery address for every purchase the user makes, it will dramatically affect the customer experience and hurt the customer retention.

This is where a database comes into play - it stores the information of the user privately, eliminating the need of doing it again and again for future purchases.

When building a mobile application, it is extremely important that the developers choose a database that suits the needs of an application perfectly. Moreover, it will prove to be more beneficial if a database platform has enhanced features that help develop an app without the need for a separate server.

One such comprehensive application that allows you to do that is Firebase, a mobile and web application development platform. It provides developers with a lot of tools and services to build good-quality applications without having to manage all the servers.

Firebase- A Backend-As-A-Service Development Platform

Firebase, which was acquired by Google in the year 2014, is a cloud-based, open-source development platform used for building hassle-free and server less applications.

Here’s how it helps in building better mobile applications:

Developing Mobile Applications

Real-time Database:

Firebase has a fully managed cloud-based NoSQL document database known as Cloud Firestone. It is used to help the developers in designing, storing, and syncing data. Irrespective of the size of the app, Cloud Firestone has the ability to scale automatically.

Firebase ensures that the data input happens quickly and easily. When users open the app, they get connected to the WebSocket communication protocol, instead of HTTP. When new data is entered by the user, it gets synchronized automatically depending on the users’ network speed or if the user is offline.

Additionally, the users can access the data from anywhere, anytime and multiple users can collaborate to work together. Also, the users don’t need servers to build an app as Firebase uses mobile and web SDKs.

Machine Learning to Build Applications:

Google’s Firebase uses the latest technologies to create or build apps. Using the ML features, developers can build apps with ready-to-use APIs. With Machine Learning, it’s easier to integrate the app with the new-age, digitally enhanced features like face & voice recognition, scanning barcodes, etc.

These ML-based features are easy to learn and help developers with any stage of expertise to build an application.

Easy Authentication:

Authentication, simply put, is the identification of a user and it’s something that every app needs to ensure privacy protection. Firebase authentication is free, easy to use, and authenticates users using emails, social media usernames/passwords. Also, it saves the information of customers safely on a cloud to be accessed across other Firebase services.

Firebase authentication offers many other services such as backend, ready to use SDKs, and UI libraries to help the users authenticate users’ information. With authentication, businesses can control the access of data i.e. businesses decide which user can access or look at a particular data.

Cloud Storage:

Cloud storage in Firebase provides a simple and safe way to store information. It is stored in the binary form and can be scaled on demand. Further, the developers can access the ready to use SDKs to manage the information uploaded by the users. The best part about Firebase cloud storage is that users can access and download the required information irrespective of the quality of the network.

Cloud Hosting:

Firebase Hosting is a production-grade hosting that allows developers to deploy apps and allows them to host them safely and securely. One unique feature about hosting in Firebase is that for developers to deploy and host an app, they only need to have a single, simple command.

In order to ensure safe content delivery, Firebase uses ‘zero-configuration SSL’ and supports all kinds of hosting. Also, to host microservices, Firebase can be paired with cloud functions or cloud run. If the developer notices any kind of error after building and deploying an app, then they can easily correct the mistake in a one-click rollback.

Improving the Quality of the Applications:

Eliminates Crashes:

This can easily be one of the best features of Firebase. It works out any errors or issues in an app by prioritizing them. Firebase Crashlytics leverages Google Analytics to detect errors and segregate them into groups to make the process of eliminating errors easy and fast.

Improves Performance:

Firebase works overtime to regularly monitor the performance of the application. It makes sure that the users have a personalized yet hassle-free experience, allowing businesses to concentrate on their core processes.

Any errors found are logged and grouped, and then Firebase makes sure they are analyzed and solved from the root-level. All this is taken as feedback to improve the performance and gain insights to make better decisions.

Better Testing:

Firebase allows the developers to test all popular kinds of apps i.e., iOS, Android, native, and hybrid and the testing can be done in a single click. Also, using Firebase, developers can test their apps that are stored in the Google data center, detect any errors early on, and eliminate them.

Hassle-free App Distribution:

Firebase allows the developers to distribute the app to the trusted tester to ensure that the app is user-friendly and error-free. When the testers use the app and find errors, they can be eliminated before reaching the originally intended users. Here, Crashlytics also plays a major role in detecting the errors.

Adding in the Best Features and Improving the Applications:

Easy Interactions, Testing, and Predictions:

Firebase uses Cloud messaging to write, send messages, emails, and notifications to the user in an easier and automated way (businesses can set a predefined schedule to deliver them). This makes sure that businesses stay connected with users. Also, the messages, notifications can be delivered across all platforms with ease.

Additionally, Firebase is powered with A/B testing to make sure that the users get the best and customized experience. It sends automated push notifications to the users and markets the product/service safely and regularly.

Easy Behavior Control:

Firebase makes it easy for developers to analyze the behavior of the application and change it accordingly without having to create new versions. Using remote configuration in Firebase, developers can change the behavior as well as the appearance of the app without making any updates.

Also, Firebase is powered with Dynamic links that are basically smart URLs that help the users have the best experience by providing user-friendly functionalities. When the user downloads and installs the app, he/she can directly navigate within it without much hassle.

We, at Fission Labs, are avid users of firebase, developing web and mobile applications that are customer-centric and user friendly. Fission Labs is a modern-age technology company that provides solutions that are innovative and customer-centric. Their services include Web and Mobile Application Development, AI and ML-based solutions, Data and Analytics, Testing Services, Salesforce CRM services, Cloud-Based Solutions.

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