Flutter & Backend
Beginner’s Guide to Backend
Backend is a Very Crucial 🤔 Part of Software Development 💻. While the Frontend handles the UI 📱, the Backend handles Authentication 🔐, Databases 🗄, Storage 🗂, Payments 💵 & Analytics 📊.
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In this article, we will explore the Vast World of Backend for Mobile Apps.
So the Backend handles everything that the Frontend can’t. As the User Interacts with the Frontend, the latter interacts with Backend, through APIs.
Functions of a Backend
- User Authentication
- Databases
- Storage
- Analytics
- Payments
- Hosting
- Distribution
- Push Notifications
& Much More !!
Q) Do all Apps Need a Backend?
No, that’s not the case. There are many apps without it, like
- Calculator
- Alarms
- Compass
- To-Do App
These Apps can work with the help of Local Device Storage.
Q) So, does your app need one?
To answer this, here are some Use Cases, with Some Examples -
- You need to Store Data (Eg: Zomato, YouTube)
- Users need to Chat (Eg: Whatsapp, Twitter)
- Add Referrals (Eg: Clubhouse)
- Collaborate Users (Eg: Discord, Slack)
- Share User-Generated Content (UGC) with others (Eg: Instagram)
- Manage Payments (Eg: Amazon)
- Authentication & Role-Based Authorization (Eg: Google Keep)
& Many others !! I hope you would have got a Basic Idea (It’s hard to list all of them)
Q) But, How do I Add a Backend to my App?
There are 3 Main Ways to do it -
- Make a Custom Backend — You can use Tools like JavaScript/TypeScript, Node.js & Express.js, Python & Django, PHP & Laravel, SQL/MongoDB & Heroku for a Custom Backend.
- Use a Software as a Service (SaaS) — You can use a pre-built SaaS like Contentful & Shopify for a Fast MVP, which offer APIs to connect with your Frontend.
- Use a Mobile Backend as a Service (MBaaS) — Use Platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Firebase, Backendless & Supabase, etc for a Viable Backend.
I hope you learned something new about the Vast World of Backend & I was able to resolve your Doubts. Thanks a lot for your precious time & I will see you in the next article !!
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