Application Development on Cloud

Cloud App Development

Cloud app development refers to the process of creating and deploying applications that are hosted and run on cloud computing platforms. This allows developers to build scalable, flexible, and cost-effective applications that can easily be accessed and used by users on any device with an internet connection.

Cloud app development generally involves utilizing cloud services and technologies such as cloud storage, databases, and application hosting platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform, or Microsoft Azure. Developers can take advantage of these resources to build, test, and deploy applications without the need for physical infrastructure or hardware.

Some key benefits of cloud app development include:

1. Scalability: Cloud apps can easily scale up or down depending on user demands, allowing developers to quickly adjust resources as needed
2. Cost-effectiveness: By only paying for the resources used, developers can save on upfront hardware and maintenance costs associated with traditional on-premises infrastructure
3. Flexibility and accessibility: Cloud apps can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, making them ideal for remote work and collaboration
4. Reliability and security: Cloud providers typically offer high levels of security and reliability, ensuring that applications are always available and data is protected

Overall, cloud app development offers a streamlined and efficient way for developers to create and deploy applications that can meet the demands of modern users in a fast-paced and ever-evolving digital landscape.

Cloud Native Applications vs Cloud-based / cloud-enabled Applications

Nowadays, the term ‘cloud’ is somehow a common phrase especially in the world of tech. Perhaps a bit more commonn to an extent that many don’t now the difference between a cloud -based, cloud-enabled and cloud native applications.

In this article, you will get a brief understanding on the difference and also take a closer look on the Cloud Native Applications.

Basically, these different terms are all about  how  and not where applications are developed and deployed for public use.

Cloud-Enabled Application : Refers to the old-school application building and transferring them to  a cloud. They depend on local resources as well as a dedicated hardware.

Cloud-Based Applications : This is the middle ground between cloud enabled and the cloud native applications.

Cloud Native Applications

Cloud native application is the newest and the latest way of building, maintaining and improving apps. Every part of the application is done online.

Cloud native apps involve combination of (microsevices) multiple smaller services – which means that the developer can reuse one service to create another whenever possible.

The main advantage of this approach is easier work for developers to upgrade or improve a given stack within the application easily without any disruptions or downtime.

Also, since most of the cloud native apps are built and operated on public cloud, the developers are more concerned about collecting significant feedback on any failures present on the application. For instance; it’s possible to collect real-time data, search for error logs and troubleshoot incidents, set alerts, as well as do backup.

Compared to Cloud-based or cloud-enabled apps, the Cloud native apps deploy faster, given that they don’t require any hardware or software for the exercise.

How Cloud Native Applications are developed

In the developement process of cloud native apps, certain tools and approach are required.

There are two sets of developers. Those that build the application (Development Team), and those that test it prior to implementation of the build (Operations Team).

The latter team shares feedback witht the first team on any bugs that need fixing, or necessary changes on the app.

Since the operations team have t certify and approve the application for use by public, their vigorous tests and recommendations may delay the entire launch.

For instance, when development is concentrating on the next phase of the app and yet there are changes required on a previous project of the same; developers have to go back and forth to effect these changes. This means weeks/months of delay.

To remove barriers between these two teams and ease the entire process, there was a need for collaboration between the two teams. That’s where DevOps comes in. (Development + Operations)

DevOps

This is the approach that both developers and operaters use in creating and improving efficiency of cloud native apps.

Since it’s infinity collaboration, this ensures consistent and smooth deployment throughout the work.

How DevOps is implemented

Dev Section

1.       Plan stage – laying down of the apps objectives for the customer/business operations. Tools used include Jira and Confluence

2.       Coding stage – With the help of popular tools such as git repository, Puppet, Docker, Kubernetes, etc – different teams work on the source code for the application. This stage collects different versions of developed codes, though not the final one

3.       Build stage – Putting together different parts of the already developed codes in stage 2. Tools necessary include, Apache Maven and Gradle Build Tool

4.       Test stage – This is to check for any bugs, fix compatibility issues, etc. Some of the tools used include Gitlab CI, Jenkins

After several tests, the dev team is convinced that the application is ready for deployment. But before it’s deployed, it has to be passed on to the Operations team for another process.

Ops Section

1.       The code is deployed to a controlled working environment b the Ops team. This is where tools such as Docker and Kubernetes comes into play.

2.       After deploying the code, its results are constantly monitored for the performance. Some of the tools used for this pphase include Nagios Network Monitor and openNMS

3.       Once the monitoring phase comes to an end, all the feedback gathered during the test phase, is sent back to the planning stage on the side of Dev team.

Once the colaboration prior to final deployment is successful, then the application is ready to launch onto public.

But the continuous integration between developers and operators doesn’t stop, even after launch.

DevOps is vital for any app development due to its reliable automated Security tools, rapid delivery model – that allows increased pace of deployment/updates for any application versions, and most importantly cost effective operations. All these reflect quality business results at the end.

DevOps practices

1. Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): Automating the process of integrating code changes, testing them, and deploying them to production as quickly as possible
2. Infrastructure as Code (IAC): Treating infrastructure configurations as code, allowing for easy provisioning, scaling, and management of resources
3. Automated Testing: Implementing automated tests at every stage of the development process to ensure code quality and reliability
4. Monitoring and Logging: Setting up monitoring tools to track the performance of applications and infrastructure, and logging to troubleshoot issues quickly
5. Collaboration and Communication: Encouraging collaboration between development and operations teams, breaking down silos, and fostering open communication
6. Configuration Management: Using tools like Puppet, Chef, or Ansible to manage and automate the configuration of infrastructure and applications
7. Version Control: Using version control systems like Git to track changes in code and easily manage collaboration between team members
8. Security: Implementing security best practices throughout the development and deployment process to protect against threats and vulnerabilities
9. DevSecOps: Integrating security practices into the DevOps workflow to ensure that security is a top priority from the start
10. Continuous Improvement: Embracing a culture of continuous improvement, learning from failures, and constantly striving to optimize processes and workflows

Some of the tools used in cloud native app development

Kubernetes

What is Kubernetes

Kubernetes is an open source platform for smooth running and managing of container-based workloads.

To illustrate it in simpler terms, Kubernetes is responsible for all application containers. It ensures that each container is in its right location, and that all these containers work together without conflicts.

Why are Kubernetes important

Applications are commonly built based primarily on monoliths (or modules) that combine different functionalities into one deployable object.

But these monliths have their downfalls. For instance, if different teams manage different monoliths, deployable them as a whole would trigger some complexities.

Also, this consumes way lot more resources, including fixing an issue on the app. ( This is noticeable when it comes to scaling the app )

To make work easier for developers, these monoliths were replaced by new technique known as microservices. They simplfier the work by splitting all functionalities of the app into mini versions, that can run independently.

The importance f the microservices means – during an app update, only a specific microservice will be replaced, and not the entire app.

Additionally, having dedicated machine for each service/functionality – would require a lot of resources for smooth app operation. To reduce this dependancy on resources, “containers” were introduced.

Teams working on a given area of the application, can package neatly their work onto one container whie the others have their their other containers too. This guarantees uniformity when it comes to the functionality rollout. Also, no matter where each team is running its services from – when in the same container, it’s a no-brainer that they will run the same way.

Features that make Kubernetes important

These features help the developers solve downtime, debug Issues and monitor the entire application. Also, make sure containers communicate and operate in sync with each other.

Since Kubernetes is all aout managing all these containers and services on virtual hardware, it has to reduce manual effort of managing these machines and also has to ensure the allocated resources are maximised efficiently.

To achieve that purpose, Kubernetes works by automating most of the repetitive operations. Developers will only need to explain what they need clustered, then simply rely on Kubernetes to do the rest.

Why Your Business might need a cloud native app

For businesses that are commitment to IT as a core part of its operations, here’s how cloud native applications present immense advantage to them:

·   Saves time.

Cloud native apps are simply designed to be easy in terms of managing and maintaining them. Building from ground up and upgrading them ought to take less time and run smoothly.

The main advantage of simplified work is the turnaround time. Time-sensitive matters are dealt with quicker. Less time for technical issues ensures that a business delivers faster services to its happy customers

·       Productivity

Focus is shifted from maintenance to building new things instead.

·       Flexibility:

Independence and increased usability is the secret.

Each microservice in an app has the ability to scale independently. Should some compnents require faster update than others, the cloud-native app architecture allows for this.

In addition, the microservices and containers in an app can be reused as building blocks for other projects. Meaning that, developers working from the same platform can access and reuse components of the same application.

This approach reduces development costs, and less energy for complex tasks such as building a sophisticated app function.

Microservice present fewer problems and resolving them ought to take less time with little to no disruption for the live user of the application

·       Less Expenses:

A better term to summarize this, would be “efficient budget use”.

Since cloud native apps reduce downtime immensely, money that could have been spent on repairs won’t be incurred any more. With time, this productivity would translate to more profits

According to this tech trends study done by Deloitte in 2019, (link: https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/br/Documents/technology/DI_TechTrends2019.pdf), most business that have embraced IT are prioritizing revenue-generating AI apps compared to cost-saving ones.

Additionally, the study notes that cloud-native apps that incorporate AI and automation in a business, have the potential of reducing overall operating costs by more than 25%.

Scalable Applications

Scalable cloud applications are designed to be easily modified and expanded to accommodate growing data storage needs, increased user demand, and changing business requirements. These applications can efficiently and quickly adapt to increased workload by adding more resources, such as additional servers or processing power, without causing downtime or disruptions to the user experience.

Key features of scalable cloud applications include:

1. Elasticity: The ability to automatically adjust resources based on demand, scaling up or down as needed to ensure optimal performance and cost efficiency
2. Load balancing: Distributing incoming requests across multiple servers to prevent any single server from becoming overwhelmed, ensuring consistent performance for users
3. Fault tolerance: Designing applications to withstand server failures or other technical issues by using redundancy and backup systems to maintain uptime
4. Horizontal scaling: Adding more instances of an application to distribute workload across multiple servers, rather than increasing the capacity of a single server
5. Containerization: Using container technology, such as Docker or Kubernetes, to package and deploy applications in a lightweight, portable format that can be easily replicated and scaled

By leveraging the capabilities of cloud computing platforms, such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform, businesses can create highly scalable applications that can grow and evolve along with their needs. This flexibility and efficiency allow companies to remain competitive and responsive in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

Cloud Service Provider

A cloud service provider is a company that offers cloud-based services to businesses and individuals. These services typically include storage, backup, data processing, and software applications that can be accessed and used over the internet. Some popular cloud service providers include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. These providers offer scalable and flexible solutions for businesses looking to leverage the power of the cloud for their computing needs.