Backend as a Service: All you need to know

BaaS or Backend as a Service means that you will get the Backend for your platform and the platform to run that Backend. Along with this, the whole cloud infrastructure also comes managed, so there is no need to do anything about the Backend of your system.
It means that you will have more time to focus on things that matter, like the services and client-side experience. BaaS enables you to create the Backend according to your requirements with the features needed and third-party service compatibility.

Features of Backend as a Service

BaaS provides a long list of features that can be kept consistent on any platform where the application runs. So, below are some of the best features that BaaS comes with:

• REST APIs and GraphQL APIs
• Authentication
• Notifications
• Migrations with Social platforms
• Scalability in resources and database (both SQL and NoSQL)
• File storage
• Website Maintenance Solutions
• Cloud Code functions to implement business logic

What are the different uses of Backend as a Service?

BaaS can be very beneficial in saving both money and time if you use it for the right use cases. Below are some of the use cases of BaaS:

• Stand-alone applications
• MVP
• Enterprise applications

For all of these uses, BaaS will make the backend development, management, and integration extremely easy and simple for the developers.

Pros and Cons of Backend as a Service

Below are the advantages as well as disadvantages that come with BaaS when you use it:
Pros:

• Quick development
• Cheap way to make a whole backend
• No need to manage the backend infrastructure
• Serverless

Cons:

• Fewer customization options
• Less flexibility

The working of Backend as a Service architecture

When you use Backend as a Service for developing a mobile-based application, its architecture works with 3 layers. Here is how each of those layers works.

First Layer

The first layer contains all the database servers responsible for safe data. This layer is also responsible for creating the backup and restoring data. So, the least number of servers that are present in this layer is 2. Using SQL or NoSQL database servers depends on the service provider and their technology stack.

Second Layer

The application layer is the servers present here are responsible for receiving and processing requests. The number of servers present in this layer can vary according to requirements. Automatic scaling servers can bring the best experience in this layer.

Third Layer

This layer is all about connecting the application servers from the second layer to the internet. CDNs and load balancers make an amazing part of this layer.
With all these 3 layers, the architecture of BaaS is complete.

Is there any difference between serverless computing and Backend as a Service?

Serverless computing also looks very similar to BaaS from the initial overview because you only have to work on the front end, and there is no need to worry about backend code. It often confuses people about these two. However, there are some major differences between these two. Below is an in-depth comparison between BaaS and serverless computing.

Application construction

The Backend is divided into different functions for performing specific actions in serverless computing. It makes it necessary for the developers to make the rest of the application accordingly. On the other hand, BaaS creates everything according to how the developers want, so there is no need to worry about anything when using BaaS.

Working of code

In serverless computing, the main mode of working for any piece of code is when some event triggers it. The code cannot work other than this condition. On the other hand, the BaaS code does not work according to certain events. So, for the BaaS applications, a little more resources are needed in the server sector.

Platform to run the code

In serverless computing, the backend functions can run on any machine at any location. It is only necessary to maintain proper communication with other sectors of the application. It enables serverless computing for edge computing. However, BaaS is not designed this way, but things can differ according to the service provider's services.

Scalability

The last and the biggest difference between serverless computing and BaaS is the scalability of the application. Serverless computing lets the applications scale automatically when needed. On the other hand, BaaS only provides scalability when the service provider allows it.

The future market size of Backend as a Service

Most of the applications and software services are moving to mobile applications. It is the reason why most developers are switching to mobile development, and BaaS brings amazing benefits for mobile development. It is significant for the growth of BaaS in the future. According to Marketsandmarkets, BaaS market size can outgrow $6 Billion by 2025 with a growth rate of 23.9%.

The best Backend as a Service Providers

There are lots of BaaS providers available internationally with exceptional services. Below are the top 5 options available:

• Back4App
• Firebase
• Backendless
• 8Base
• Kinvey

Final Remarks:

No application can work efficiently without a proper backend, and BaaS makes this huge part of application development extremely simple and easy. Moreover, the additional benefits like deployment, scalability, management provided by BaaS providers make things even better.
In this way, the developers and designers can work better on the front end, reducing the development time for them. With all of this timesaving, adding more features to an application also becomes possible for developers without needing to work a lot.

Article provided by Bits Lovers - DevOps and Cloud Computing, AWS, Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Software Engineer, and Gadgets.