What is Heroku?
Many enterprises nowadays opt for Platform as a Service (PaaS) to build, run, and manage software applications without creating and maintaining on-premise infrastructure. The cloud computing model further enables developers to accelerate software application development and management by accessing a robust software application development platform over the internet. An enterprise also has option to choose from a wide range of PaaS according to its precise needs.
Heroku is a widely used commercial PaaS. In addition to being designed as a container-based cloud PaaS, Heroku also supports a number of widely used programming languages. Also, the tools, services, and workflows provided by Heroku make it easier for developers to build, manage, deploy, and scale a variety of enterprise applications. The PaaS further enable developers to focus extensively on various aspects of the application without creating or maintaining infrastructure.
Features that Differentiate Heroku from Other Platform as a Service
Designed as a Container-Based Cloud Platform
Heroku is designed as a container-based PaaS. As a logical packing mechanism, containers enable developers to keep the applications independent of their deployment environment. Hence, many developers nowadays opt for container-based virtualization to deploy various web applications and mobile apps efficiently by targeting varied environment. Heroku simplifies application deployment and management by features a container-base design. It even runs applications inside smart containers called dynos. The containers further execute the code in a fully-managed runtime environment.
Provides First Class Support to Popular Programming Languages
Unlike other PaaS, Heroku provides first class support to several widely used programming languages — Java, Python, Ruby, PHP, NodeJS, Scala, Go and Closure. It even allows developers to work with a number of popular software development tools and framework according to their preferred programming language. For instance, Heroku allows PHP programmers to manage project dependencies efficiently through Composer. Likewise, it helps Python programmer to accelerate web application development by using robust web frameworks like Django or Flask.
Supports Polygot Programming
In addition to providing first class support to a number of widely used programming languages, Heroku also allows developers to work with other programming languages through specific Buildpacks. It even supports polyglot programming by embracing multiple programming languages. The developers can take advantage of polyglot programming to combine multiple programming languages and write code in multiple programming languages. Heroku enables developers to build robust enterprise apps by combining features provided by different programming languages. It even makes it easier for developers to deploy the application smoothly regardless of the programming languages.
Supports Several Databases and Data Stores
Heroku allows developers to choose from several databases and data stores according to precise needs of individual applications. The developers can take advantage of Postgres SQL database as a service to make the application access data quickly and keep the data secure. At the same time, the developers can take advantage of specific Heroku add-ons to work with widely used databases and data stores like MySQL, MongoDB and Redis. The add-ons make it easier for developers to store data, manage data stores, and monitor data usage.
Keeps Applications and Data Secure
Like other cloud platforms, Heroku also comes with features to improve infrastructure security. It even manages security and implements security best practices to enable developers to focus on application quality. The physical infrastructure used by the PaaS is hosted on Amazon’s secure data centers. Also, Heroku improves infrastructure security by availing the security features and tools provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS). At the same time, Heroku also gets security testing, vulnerability assessment, and penetration testing performed consistently to protect enterprise applications and data from emerging security threats.
Provides an Array of Tools and Services
Heroku allows developers to choose from a wide range of tools and services according to specific project needs. For instance, the developers can use Heroku Dashboard to monitor, scale, and manage various applications proactively. Likewise, they can use a command line tool like Heroku CLI to deploy and manage apps by running specific commands. The Buildpacks provided by Heroku enable developers to automate builds for varied frameworks and programming languages without putting extra time and effort. Also, the developers can take advantage of the Platform API to integrate Heroku seamlessly with third-party applications and services.
Choose from a Wide Range of Heroku Add-ons
While using the PaaS, developers have option to choose from a wide range of add-ons, buttons, and buildpacks from the Heroku Elements Marketplace. Some of these elements are free, whereas others are paid. But the add-ons help developers to extend and customize Heroku according to precise needs of individual apps. Based on his requirements, a developer has option to avail several add-ons related to caching, monitoring, logging, data stores, content management, testing, email/SMS, user management, document/image/video processing, and security. He can further simplify custom application development and management by choosing downloading useful development tools from the Heroku Elements Marketplace.
On the whole, Heroku is a commercial Platform as a Service. It simplifies custom software application development, deployment, and maintenance of enterprise applications by providing various tools, services, and workflows. An enterprise even has option to choose from several editions of Heroku — free, hobby, standard and performance. The various editions of Heroku differ from each other in terms of core features and pricing.
