How to develop a cloud-based application: Know in 10 steps

Developers are always exploring new ways to create innovative applications. One popular trend that the developers gave us is cloud-based applications and in no time, it became so popular that almost every business accepted it. But, what is cloud-based application? A cloud-based app is an application whose code is stored on a cloud server and which is accessed via the internet. This means that we are no longer tied to a single device or location – we can now access our apps from anywhere, at any time. This way, cloud has revolutionized the way we use applications.

Now, with the ever-growing popularity of cloud-based applications, it’s no surprise that more and more businesses are looking to develop their own. So, why are they doing it? The reason behind this is the enormous advantages that the cloud offers. Cloud-based applications are perfect for businesses that want to save money on hardware and software costs. A cloud-based application can be accessed from anywhere in the world with an internet connection, so you can work from anywhere. You also don’t need to worry about upgrading your software or hardware because it’s all taken care of by the cloud provider. Moreover, cloud applications are fast, easy to use, and keep the data safe and secure. There arises no need to download or install any software because the application can be accessed through the users’ web browser. Above all, you never lose your work because your application is always backed up.

The characteristics of a cloud-based application are mobility, security, and scalability. As more and more businesses move to the cloud, the need for cloud-based applications with all these characteristics has never been greater. However, developing a cloud-based app can seem like a daunting task. So, where do you start? How do you ensure that your app will be scalable and reliable? Fortunately, the following 10 simple steps can help you get started on the right foot:

Step One: Define Your Goal

Before you start the development of your cloud-based application, it is important to define your goal for the application. What are you hoping to achieve? Who is your target audience? What problem are you solving? Answering these questions will help you determine the scope of your project and what features you will need to include. Once you have a clear idea of your goals, you can start planning your development strategy. It is to be kept in mind that cloud-based applications offer many benefits, including scalability, flexibility, and cost savings. With these factors in mind, you can develop an app that meets the needs of your users while also achieving your business goals.

Step Two: Choose Your Platform

There are different platforms that you can use to develop a cloud-based application. The platform you choose will depend on the goal of your application and your level of experience. Some popular platforms are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.

Some factors you may want to consider while choosing your platform include:

1. Ease of use: How easy is it to set up and maintain your application on the platform?
2. Scalability: Can the platform easily scale to meet increased demand?
3. Pricing: How much does the platform cost?

Step Three: Select Your Tools

Once you’ve chosen your platform, it’s time to select the tools you’ll use to build your application. There are many different options available, so choose the ones that best fit your needs. Some popular choices include Ruby on Rails, Node.js, and React. Some other factors to be considered while selecting tools include:

1. Programming language: Which programming language will you use to write your code?
2. Database: What type of database will you use to store your data?
3. Application server: Which application server will you use to host your application?

Some of the most popular choices in programming languages include Java, Python, PHP, Kotlin, C#, etc. 

Step Four: Plan Your Application

Now that you’ve selected your tools, it’s time to start planning your application. Begin by thinking about the overall structure of your application. What pages will it have? What functionality will each page provide? This includes deciding what features you want to include, what your user flow will be, and how you will store and retrieve data. Once you have a general idea of the structure, you can start designing the individual pages.

Step Five: Write Your Code/Develop Your Application

Now that you have a plan for your application, it’s time to start writing code. Before that, a framework is also to be chosen which is a collection of libraries that make it easier to develop a cloud-based application. Some popular choices include the AWS SDK for Java, the Azure SDK for Python, and the Google Cloud Platform SDK for Node.js. 

After you’ve selected your framework, you’ll need to write your code. This is where you’ll actually develop your cloud-based application. Begin by creating the basic skeleton of your application. This should include the HTML templates for each page, as well as any CSS or JavaScript files you need. Once you have the basic structure in place, you can start adding functionality. You’ll need to write code that interacts with the APIs of your chosen platform and frameworks. 

Step Six: Test Your Application

Before you launch your application, it’s important to test it to ensure everything is working as expected. Begin by testing the individual components of your application for bugs and performance issues. Be sure to fix any issues that you find before moving on to the next step. Once you’ve verified that each component is working correctly, you can start testing the application as a whole.

Testing will help ensure that your application is stable and free of errors. To do so, there are many different ways. One popular method is load testing, which simulates real-world conditions to see how your application performs under stress. Another common method is functional testing, which tests the various functions of your application. You can also use beta testers to get feedback on your application before launch.

Step Seven: Deploy/Launch Your Application

Once you’ve tested your application and it’s ready for launch, it’s time to deploy it. This is the process of making your application available to users all across the globe. Deploying involves pushing your code to a remote server so that it can be accessed by users. This involves uploading your code to the selected cloud platform and configuring it to run your application.

Step Eight: Monitor Your Application

After you’ve deployed your application, it’s important to monitor it and its underlying infrastructure closely. This includes monitoring for performance issues, crashes, and security threats. Be sure to fix any issues that you find so that your users can continue to use your app safely and effectively.

Applications can be monitored by various tools including performance monitors, logging tools, and application management tools. Performance monitors track the resource use of your application and help you identify potential problems. Logging tools help you track the activity of your application and troubleshoot errors. Application management tools provide a centralized view of all the applications in your environment.

Step Nine: Scale Your Application

As your application grows, you’ll need to scale it to meet increased demand. This involves adding more resources, such as additional servers or storage.

Step Ten: Update and Maintain Your Application

When your users begin utilizing your cloud-based software, you may need to make modifications or adjustments. This might imply adding new features, fixing bugs, or optimizing performance. Maintaining a regular update schedule for your application will assist guarantee that it is stable and free from irregularities. 

Updating a cloud-based app can be done in a few ways:

1. Via the application itself: This would be if the app has an updater built-in or if you’re using a platform that allows for updates without having to redeploy the entire application.
2. Via the cloud platform itself: This would be if you’re using a Platform as a Service (PaaS) that provides an easy way to update your application without having to redeploy the entire thing.
3. Manually: This would be if you have to upload the new versions of your files to the server and then run some sort of update script. This is usually only necessary if you’re using Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and don’t have a PaaS that provides an easy way to update your application.

After your application is up and running, you’ll need to perform regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly. This includes tasks such as applying security updates and monitoring for new threats. Maintaining a cloud-based app is similar to maintaining any other type of software application. You’ll need to make sure that the code is up to date and that all of the dependencies are satisfied.

Conclusion 

As more businesses move to the cloud, it is evident that cloud-based apps are here to stay. Thus, developing a cloud-based application can be a great way to reach a wider audience and improve your productivity. By following the above steps, you can create a cloud-based application that is stable and error-free. With careful planning and execution, an application can be developed that meets your goals and exceeds your users’ expectations to make you achieve your business goals.