FIREBASE
Firebase is an application development service based on a cloud-based NoSQL database management system. Since 2014, it has been owned by Google and includes CDN hosting for storing static application files, as well as an authentication service for customers that allows them to log in via social networks.
Firebase is integrated with other Google services and tools (Crashlytics, Analytics, Remote Config, etc.) that speed up the development and release of applications, as well as allow you to monitor their performance, conduct A/B testing, and send notifications. Along with them, developers get access to Firebase Extensions. These are ready-made and tested extensions for the basic and most popular functions.
Firebase is a ready-made backend for your application with a built-in set of the most necessary functions. It is often used as the basis for Android applications, but it can also be integrated into iOS projects. Built-in APIs allow you to connect Firebase to JavaScript applications (including AngularJS, React, Vue.js, and others), Java, Python, Objective-C, and Node.js.
Firebase is great for startups that need to release MVC as quickly as possible and simple applications. If you want to build a complex application with unusual features for iOS and Android and scale it, it's better to choose the Mongo database. At the same time, a Firebase project will be no worse if it is made by an experienced team, and it will take several times less time to develop.
Firebase together with JavaScript or Python is the fastest way to write an application. Developers do not need to spend time creating a database, API, and other server solutions. Everything from installing Firebase, which takes a minute, will be done many times faster.
Unlike SQL databases, where information is placed in tables with strict relationships, non-relational Firebase stores data in JSON documents. They do not necessarily have to have the same structure and a clear hierarchy. Developers who initially think in terms of such objects will find it much easier to group information and organize access to it.
These are the first of the Firebase Extensions - built-in features. It takes developers 5-10 minutes to set up registration and login to the app via Facebook, Twitter, Google, or GitHub.
Google Analytics and Remote Config are also quickly joining the bandwagon. The first service will help you analyze user behavior (data can be stored and processed in BigQuery) to see what users like, as well as find bottlenecks and fix them. The second is for testing improvements. For example, it will be easy for those who know how to work with firebase to create a personalized welcome screen for each user. Moreover, you can show different groups your options to choose the best one without updating the application every time, but by managing the content in the service console. By the way, you can even ask users if they would like to participate in evaluating new features using another Cloud Messaging extension.
Online communication within the app, with support for push notifications outside of it, is another thing that firebase is needed for. This function is quite difficult to implement from scratch for a project, but here everything is ready. Firebase Storage allows users not only to correspond but also to share photos. The images will be stored in the cloud and reliably protected from anyone who has not been authorized to see them.
Fast and secure transactions are another built-in feature of Firebase. Developers will not need to spend time setting up the server side of data transfer, they will only need to write a route.
In addition to the key advantages of Firebase, the service has many "buns" that make development easier and the application more comfortable for the user. Automatic resizing of images, triggered email campaigns, account data clearing after deletion, content translation, url shortening, and much more are also available out of the box. Firebase is constantly evolving, and new features are being added regularly.
Firebase is one of the best services for developing applications in Kotlin and Java for Android, Swift for iOS, and JavaScript and C++ for cross-platform projects. It's more than just a database and powerful hosting in one place. With Firebase, you significantly reduce backend development costs, as well as get great integration with all Google products and many already solved tasks in the form of guaranteed to work extensions.