Firebase is a Google mobile platform that helps you quickly develop high quality apps and thereby scale your business. This article covers the range of services it offers to the user.
Firebase started off as a real-time database in 2011 and saw some traction in key applications. The real upswing for the platform came about when Google acquired it in 2014, and since then a significant number of features have been developed for this database. It has now become a complete platform that provides services for development, testing, distribution, analytics and more.
Firebase categorises its services into two areas that help you do the following:
- Develop and test your application
- Grow and engage your audience
Multiple services are then provided under each of these areas. You may or may not use all of them but Google has done a good job of explaining the scenarios for which you will need these services. In fact, years of mobile application development experience, coupled with Google engaging with the growing number of mobile users, has resulted in commonly used application development and growth strategies along with the tools that are needed to make a mobile application successful.
Let us look at the two categories of services and see what Firebase has to offer.
Develop and test your application
The key thing, initially, is to develop your mobile application. For this, Firebase provides multiple services and its key module here is the Firebase Realtime Database. This database is fully managed by Google and is akin to a Database-as-a-Service model. It provides SDKs on popular mobile platforms like Android and iOS, and it’s a breeze to integrate the functionality into your application. The Firebase database allows multiple users to update it and also provides synchronisation across multiple users.
Now, let us understand what more we need from a mobile development perspective. Here are some of the requirements, other than the core business functionality that you are going to build into your application:
1) Collaboration across devices
This story is from the August 2017 edition of Open Source For You.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2017 edition of Open Source For You.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
How Much Open Source Is Too Much Open Source?
Intel’s OpenVINO toolkit helps developers by streamlining code writing, freeing them to concentrate on other vital project aspects. Al Evangelist at Intel, Anisha Udayakumar, elucidates on OpenVINO's versatility.
Kubernetes: A Dependable and Popular Platform
Kubernetes is more than just a tool; it serves as a robust platform, streamlining the deployment of applications, as well as their scaling and operation in various environments.
APIs: Helping Applications Communicate and Collaborate
Application programming interfaces APIs) have become integral components that facilitate seamless communication and interaction between different software systems. They play a pivotal role in modern software development, contributing to interoperability, scalability, and innovation across diverse applications. We delve into the fundamentals of APIs, exploring their definition, functions, types, and the significant impact they have on the digital landscape.
Languages for AI/ML: A Quick Look at Python, R, and Julia
We explore three open source languages used for Al/ML—Python, R, and Julia—highlighting their key features and advantages. You will get to know the diverse options these offer for A/ML development, so that you can select the right language for your project.
The Cost of Inaction: Exploring the Consequences of Ignoring lloT Security Risks
As Industrial loT IloT) integration surges, so do security concerns. Let’s delve into the rising threat landscape and the role of the security model in fortifying lloT defences and safeguarding critical infrastructure.
Ensuring Ethics in AI and Mitigating Bias
As AI solutions proliferate, ensuring they are not biased with respect to gender, religion, financial status, etc, has become of paramount importance. The good news is that there is a lot of work being done on that front.
Open Source Tools for Generative Al: An Introduction
Open source generative Al tools are software programs and libraries that enable users to generate creative and novel output using Al algorithms. They are smart and powerful, and enable various forms of content generation.
PHP Geek, FOSS Enthusiast, CTO and a Paediatrician
‘PHP geek, free and open source software enthusiast, CTO chief technical officer) of SANIsoft’ that’s how Dr Tarique Sani likes to describe himself. He’s qualified to be a paediatrician, but his love for open source has turned him into a geek for the past two decades and more. He recalls the good old days...
The Transformative Impact of Generative AI on Organisations
Generative Al is impacting organisations for the better. End users, company employees, developers and operations teams are all benefiting from it.
"Open source allows us to lower costs, accelerate delivery, and customise solutions to meet the market's fast-paced demands"
Open source is crucial for cost reduction and accelerated delivery of tailored solutions to meet market demands. At OSI 2023, OSFY’s Yashasvini Razdan got a chance to speak to Dr Biswajit Mohapatra, Head, Customer Solutions at Amazon Web Services, who spoke about how open source empowered businesses with flexibility, experimentation, and agile methodologies for genuine customer satisfaction.
