Cross Platform – Page 2

9 Reasons To Choose Xamarin For Cross-platform Mobile App Development [Infographic]

Posted on April 18, 2018 by Super Admin Testreveal

As the global market share of mobile app is increasing frequently, use of cross-platform mobile app development has been essential for businesses. When compared with native mobile app development, cross-platform development turns out to be more cost efficient and time saving.

In such a situation, Xamarin is incredibly the best platform or framework for developers to create mobile apps using a single code i.e. C# which can be shared in multiple platforms. With a powerful IDE, Xamarin helps developers to create a comprehensive environment for development, where if required the users can further integrate the app to Xamarin Studio or Microsoft Visual Studio. Other features of Xamarin like high compiled code, options to use the native UI across various platforms, Xamarin test suite, benefits of programming language C# also makes Xamarin an extensively preferred platform.

After checking out all the advantages of Xamarin, it becomes one of the best tool set that allows us to support multiple platforms with less or no amount of code change. Checkout this info graphic and learn about Xamarin a little more.

11 Benefits of Using Firebase For an App Development Project

Posted on April 13, 2018 by Super Admin Testreveal

Developing a website or a mobile application could be an exhaustive process as it involves a lot of time and cost. Nevertheless, there are a lot of services, on the other hand, which are capable of assisting the development work in various ways. And one of them is through Firebase. This creative way takes away a major chunk of the burden from the developers’ shoulders.

Launched in the year 2012 April, Firebase is a framework that was anticipated to be a real-time database providing its APIs, letting users save and sync information across various customers. And this was the story when it first got launched. But when it was taken over by Google after 2 years, today, the same Firebase offers various functions that companies might find exceptionally valuable. To our surprise, Firebase has reached to 450, 000 plus developers currently from 110, 000 when it was taken over by Google in the year 2014.

Now, what is a Firebase exactly?

Firebase is a framework which helps in developing websites and web applications for companies across the globe with real-time database and that means when one user updates his or her record in the database, then that particular update would be projected to all users whether it is the website or a web application. This gives a basic and unified platform with rich features so that developers need not configure their server while using Firebase. The framework will take care of everything automatically.

There are a number of components which make working with Firebase excellent from a developer’s eye, which pertain to the core technology of the development. This will help to maintain the state of harmony between the developer and the customer by causing a minimal delay of work.

Now let’s check out some of the top benefits of using Firebase

1. Hosting

Production-grade web content which helps the developers in effectively sending apps and static content to CDN ( content delivery network) by just using one command. The process is extremely easy in Firebase as it consists Auto Provisioned SSL (Security Socket Layer) certificate ideas, Customized domain support, and Global CDN regardless developers are sending a single landing page or a complex web application. Hosting provides the best features and tools that are customized to build and manage static websites.

2. Authentication

Firebase authentication provides instant UI libraries, backend services, simple to utilize SDKs so that you can confirm customers over your app. It supports authentication utilizing username, email ids, or passwords. In addition, developers are allowed to let users sign in to their Firebase application either by utilizing FirebaseUI as a drop in authentication solution or by utilizing the Firebase Authentication SDK to manually incorporate sign-in techniques into the app.

3. Cloud Messaging

A cross-platform messaging solution, Firebase cloud messaging, allows users dependably send messages at literally no cost. You can let a customer know that a new message or another type of information is accessible for synchronization. Also, developers can send notifications to engage users and drive maintenance.

4. Test Lab

Used for testing the app on devices posted in a Google data center, this feature assists developers in finding issues with only happen on specific device configuration. Test Lab result consists of videos, images, logs, etc. that are available in your project in the Firebase console. In addition to that, this feature is capable of practicing your app constantly and will look for crashes even if you didn’t compose any test code for your app.

5. Notifications

Mobile app developers will get focused user notifications. This gives a choice for both developers and companies who are looking for an adaptable notification platform that needs basic coding work to start and a graphical console for sending messages.

6. Invites

Do you want to increase your users and compel them to download your application then word of mouth advertising stands out from the crowd? With the help of this feature, Firebase can actually make it happen. You can easily send customized messages emails and invitations to all your prospective clients.

7. Crash Reporting

This feature will help in creating a detailed report of the error that is categorized into groups of comparative stack flow picked out by the seriousness of impact on users. Apart from that, you can get registered to custom events that will help in figuring out a crash before it even happens.

8. Real-time database

It is a cloud-hosted database. Information will be stored as JSON and can be synchronized continuously to every related customer. This is especially true when you develop cross-platform apps with Android, iOS, JavaScript SDKs, the major role of your client’s demand will be depending on the real-time database example and continuously getting updates with the latest data. By using the Firebase Real-time database feature, there will be no need to build your own database or API as the Framework will be able to manage all the parts which generally come along by creating a backend for applications. It provides a flexible and expression based rules language to describe how organized your data should be and when the data should be scrutinized from or created to.

9. Storage

This feature is developed for application developers who feel the necessity to store and serve user-curated content such as images and videos. This feature provides safe document transfers and downloads for Firebase apps no matter how bad the network quality is. You can use it to save images, audios videos, and other user-curated content. Supported by Google cloud storage, Firebase storage is extremely cost- affordable.

10. Powerful Links

These powerful links will drastically change behavior to give the best user experience across various platforms such as social media networking platforms, emails, or any other promotions to improve user engagement, maintenance, and value to gain end to end insights Into all your development sources via analytics on the Firebase console.

11. App Indexing

By utilizing this feature, you can easily get to index your App in Google search. For example, if your app is already downloaded on a user’s device And whenever he searches for similar content, it will live your application directly from the search page. And if users don’t have your app then it a download button pops up in search results page.

Almost all features can be can be utilized and implemented while using Firebase. However, they have their own restrictions and trade-offs. For instance, unless your app is running over a unified database that is being edited by the various number of users at the same time and the updates are needed to be notified, the utilization of Firebase is not legitimized. As important review features and functions can be run by MySQL database.

Nevertheless, if you have a business app to be built, then Firebase is one of the best options. With effective and result-driven features, Firebase is all you need to launch your application.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Xamarin in Mobile App Development

Posted on April 12, 2018 by Super Admin Testreveal

An impressively crafted mobile app means constant revenue to a business and customer engagement. However, mobile app development comes across multiple development platforms and devices, which is apparently challenging. Xamarin mobile application development offers a thinkable cross-platform solution that works across multiple operating systems and devices.

Ever since its launch, Xamarin is used as a robust cross-platform app development platform that helps build a single app for all device systems. Native apps often require duplicated codes for different platforms. However, Xamarin app development comes with both pros and cons. In this blog, we are going to explore both advantages and disadvantages of using Xamarin in mobile app development.

Advantages:

Fast app development cycle

The most phenomenal part about Xamarin app development platform is that it contains reusable code 90% of which can be recycled for the development of apps on various platforms. The coding is based on C# language and .Net libraries. Since developers can reuse great portion of original Xamarin codes for creating apps across different platforms, it becomes easy to reserve big slice of time and efforts for them to accelerate the pace of development cycle. Due to simplified code sharing across different OS, users have a shortened product development lifecycle.

Getting the best of C#

Being a general-purpose, type-friendly programming language for Windows platform, C# is a sophisticated resort when it comes to leveraging object-oriented coding. C# is a modern, more advanced and improved version of C++ which enables you to treat basic data as objects. Its type-safety feature means a lot to Xamarin mobile app development company as it allows them to circumvent possible type-specific errors and blunders. Developers would not have to involve boilerplate or verbose type annotations, which increases convenience while also avoiding flawed program.

RMAD for businesses

Xamarin mobile app development services hugely appeal to businesses that emphasize modern app development practices due to its RMAD (rapid mobile app development) capability. Xamarin’s cross-platform development has the added advantage over native apps of speeding up the process without compromising on cost. Agility and cost are two primary requirements for any business and Xamarin does it better. Xamarin UI development uses forms libraries to make the process rapid, simple and smooth. This proves that Xamarin is a business-friendly platform.

Native User experience and feel

Xamarin cross-platform app development tool (IDE) enables such C# coding that the result is a native look and feel of the mobile app. At the moment of app runtime, it converts UI components into platform-specific elements, resulting in native app-like experience. Users choose apps with native UI design and experience. Xamarin app development company enjoys the access to device-specific features and its ability to compete with native app technologies.

Shared app code

What makes Xamarin as a considerable choice for cross-platform app development is the luxury of sharing the app code across multiple mobile platforms and OS. This is why businesses prefer to hire Xamarin developer. The important UI logics like input validation, web service calls, database interactions, back-end API integrations are all coded with C#. This makes Xamarin a cross-platform app development tool with a unique edge.

API Integration flexibility

Xamarin mobile application development also stands out because of its utmost flexibility to use same APIs and UI controls as found in developing Android, iOS and Mac applications. It supports the development for respective platform-specific programming languages such as Java, Objective-C and Swift. Such binding capability allows users to install new features no sooner than they are introduced into device’s OS.

Riddance from Hardware Compatibility issues

Xamarin offers the use of a rage of plug-ins and supporting APIs for cross-platform app development, which means it is quite possible that you are going to enjoy native-level interaction with operating device hardware. This goes to indicate that you will have little hardware compatibility issues with Xamarin mobile app development services as such. While developing apps on Xamarin platform, any Xamarin app development company can bask in the fact that they are to build applications with commonly available device functionalities running seamlessly on assorted platforms. Moreover, Xamarin delivers freedom to link native libraries for crafting great apps with good-quality customizations.

Disadvantages

Inevitable software overheads

Despite the fact that Xamarin mobile application development saves time by creating a single app for all platforms, it also involves, on the other hand, code linkage and referencing between target OS environments of different devices in use and .Net frameworks. This implies that such efforts can add to time taken for initiation and downloads of the app.

Time-consuming nature of UI Development

Again, time gets crucial when it comes to UI development on Xamarin platform. Although Xamarin facilitates reusing maximum code across target device platforms, it is hard to create a portable version of core UI. This is why Xamarin app development experts are compelled to perform some portion of coding for independent platform, which demands time.

Issues of App file size

While being beneficial in many ways, Xamarin is also slightly accused of swallowing more time for additional job of adjusting app file size. This is mainly because the generous use of Xamarin’s core libraries and functionality burdens the app stores with unjustifiable app file size. The size margin in the store may range from 3MB to 15MB.

Conclusive Remarks

According to enterprises and developers, Xamarin combines the best of both: native user experience and cross-platform operations. Albeit certain cons, Xamarin mobile app Development Company can still provide you with all the benefit of cross-platform mobile app project like code reuse, a flourishing community of Xamarin professionals and advanced technology of C#. This all-in-one solution platform enables you to build, test and monitor and deploy apps using just one tool. You can opt for Professional Xamarin mobile app development services provider after ensuring that pros of Xamarin outweigh its cons.

React Native vs Xamarin – Which is Better?

Posted on April 6, 2018 by Super Admin Testreveal

As thousands of applications are launched on Google Play store and Apple app store, the demand for business-specific mobile application development is booming huge. Whether it is for iOS or Android platform, the ultimate success of your mobile app depends on the cross-platform technology in use and the development standards to be maintained.

Though Java, Objective-C and Swift were used to write applications in past, the new cross-platform development tools that are making enormous buzz are React Native and Xamarin.

Recently, the question of react native vs xamarin performance has come to interest people active in mobile app development arena. These frameworks not only stimulated the era of highly engaging and performance-oriented mobile apps, but they also transforms coding phenomenon, simplifies development cycle and emerges cost effective for modern businesses.

So who is superior to the other? In the below section of xamarin vs native, we are embarking on finding the answer and will discuss how to make an informed decision.

Xamarin at a Glance

Xamarin was launched in May 2011 and was acquired later by Microsoft. Xamarin was intended for addressing the prevalent issue of disconnected technology to facilitate the native app development using its open source platform.

The framework uses C# language that functions seamlessly across multitude of platforms (Android, iOS, and Windows). Due to its ability to write native UI codebase for mobile app development, more than 1.4 million developers were using Xamarin in the first quarter of the year 2017.

Used by many popular brands, this cross platform app development framework offers competitiveness in building exceptional native app interfaces that effectively surpasses the limitations of hybrid apps.

React Native at a Glance

Introduced by Facebook in 2015, React Native stands out as a cross platform app development technology due to the fact that it uses JavaScript to develop a native mobile app.

The annual survey by Stack Overflow confirms that JavaScript is one of the most illustrious technologies mainly because it involves steel learning curve for developers.

Xamarin vs React Native 2018: Which One Feels Better and When?

When it comes to making a candid, unbiased comparison between React Native and Xamarin cross-platform native app development frameworks, both seems to surpass each other in many situations. Here is what you need to know about their working standard before you can pick the one.

1) Cross-Platform Development Environment

While discussing xamarin vs native, one can easily discover how Xamarin cross platform provides immense flexibility in terms of development environment.

Once can build and compile a code for different platforms with Xamarin unlike React Native that does not offer similar support unless via Expo. However, Expo may not be as powerful since it also has limited support capability.

2) Code Deployment

Xamarin developers will need to opt for compilation to generate an executable file to be tested later on emulator or a device. This process takes good amount of time depending on how complex the project is.

React Native on the other hand enables you to save the code and see results instantly using “hot module replacement”.

Read Also: React Native App Development Company in UK

3) The Question of Choices

Being a JavaScript expert, you will find it easy to get started with building native apps with React Native.

On the other hand, if you are conversant with Microsoft-owned C# expertise, then Xamarin would be the most appropriate choice as you can build iOS and Android apps using C#.

4) Accessibility and Availability

React Native is fully open source framework, so you can use it for building applications for tablet, iOS and Android.

However, when thinking about Xamarin, you need to spend some amount since its free version offers limited resources and features especially for enterprise-grade app development.

5) React native vs Xamarin Performance

As far as React Native vs Xamarin performance goes, significant factors like GUI, 64-bit support and fast code execution matter most.

Xamarin emerges more beneficial for the fact that it allows developers to run the code fastest on both iOS and Android platforms.

It provides full range of support for 64-bit mode and enables rapid UI development because of direct access to native tools.

This factor is not much favourable for React Native as it does not support 64-bit mode on Android completely. Additionally, it gets worse for iOS where it appears to run code at dissatisfying speed.

6) Advanced Capabilities For Development

Xamarin vs React Native must include this critical factor that focuses on which among Xamarin and native offers advanced development capabilities.

Usually, this one goes in favour of React Native as it is JavaScript based and offers more features, making the process more convenient for mobile app developers.

Xamarin, on the other hand, enjoys the reputation of being a legacy or classic tool that does not contain as many snazzy or evolved features in Android studio as carried by JavaScript framework.

Some of them might be automatic restarting, cold swapping code, instant updates, etc.

7) Testing Capabilities

Though you can perform UI testing on both platforms, it is easier for Xamarin developers to do unit testing in Xunit and debug in Xcode Simulator for iOS.

However, with React Native you are compelled to debug in the Android Emulator where issues are likely to occur.

8) Brand Users

React Native has brand users such as Facebook, Instagram, Airbnb, Walmart, Skype whereas Xamarin is used by big names such as Slack, Siemens, Honeywell.

Who Wins the Battle?

Even after exploring all the pros and cons of React Native and Xamarin, it is not easy to conclude that one s better than the other. Developers can decide it based on how accustomed they are with a specific framework.

The Xamarin vs React Native battle is subject to certain aspects of development, maintenance, code sharing and testing, and developer’s personal experience and preferences.

But developers who is familiar with .NET and C# may choose xamarin cross-platform app development. It is after all a matter of opinion as the entire community of developers are split between both frameworks.

Hence, the ultimate choice comes down to what framework a developer is quite comfortable with. No matter what you decide, the native-like look and feel, performance, quality and usability of the end product must come into focus when telling which one wins the battle for you.

Tips To Use Firebase Security Rules To Build Incredible Web Apps

Posted on April 2, 2018 by Super Admin Testreveal

Firebase Security Rules control the access that users of your web apps have to read and write your database. The real-time database rules help determine who can use how much data, the structure of your data and how indexes work. Once defined properly, these rules remain active on Firebase servers and are applied automatically all the time. Users’ request to read and write will be fulfilled only if your rules consider it fair and allowable.

Firebase rules recognize authenticated users and allow them full access to your database by default. This sensible approach keeps at bay undesirable access and protects your database from being abused. You can always customize your rules around authentication, though. However, it is not always easy to set up Firebase security rules to protect database. Let’s learn more about all the necessary tips to use Firebase rules for web apps.

Introduction to Firebase security

Firebase real-time security is comprised of handy tools for web app developers to manage the overall security for the app. With Firebase authentication and validation tools running on server, it becomes easy to:

Authenticate users
Limit their access to database
Define permissions
Validate inputs/functions

The quintessential aspect of Firebase-powered apps is that it handles more client-side code unlike other available technology stack in the market. This ensures that your approach to secure your app is unique and deep with strong protective layers within.

The Central Components of Security Rules

There are three major components to Firebase Security rules:

User identification
Data Access Control
Input Validation (to create, read, update & delete Operations)

Once you know user’s identity through Firebase rules, you are allowed to automatically set restrictions for what action they can perform to the database (such as reading, updating or deleting).

The Firebase authentication process involves two options:

1. Firebase UI Auth: This option along with a few good code lines can help establish a complete sign-in system in your app for Web, iOS and Android. It will ask for user email, password, Google+, Facebook, GitHub, etc.

2. Firebase SDK Authentication: This one allows complete freedom to manage authentication based on your choice. You can also opt for Facebook and Google Sign in as Valid Identity providers.

The successful sign-in gives you access to user’s basic profile which is useful while controlling user’s access to stored data.

Firebase Database Rules

The security of Firebase is attributed to powerful JSON-formatted security language. Due to its great flexibility, you can easily access and define rules in Firebase Console using Database->Rules tab.

Firebase Security Rules structure contains syntax like JavaScript and is divided in four types:

.read: Defines when and if users are allowed to read data.

.write: Determines if and when users can write data.

.validate: It defines a value in a correct format and its child attributes and data type.

.indexOn: Specifies a child to index to support ordering and querying.

Firebase Authentication Process

Identifying your users is a basic and the first step when it comes to securing your app. As all users have unique story and profile, their data and capabilities vary from person to person. In chat apps, users are allowed to create messages and delete them if they wish. Deleting messages sent by other users is impossible, though.

Through firebase authentication, users can sign in to your app. It involves popularly used authentication practices with inherent support for Google, Twitter or Facebook along with email login, anonymous log-in, etc.

Authorization

After identifying users, the next step is to limit and control their access to your database. Firebase authentication and Database Rules can be applied to perform data restrictions in several scenarios such as:

Strictly authenticated users can access(read) data
Authenticated users are allowed to only write to his own node
No one can create a new node except users

Built in variables and functions present in the Firebase security rules allow to refer to other paths, authentication information and server-side timestamps. Using similar format of rule that includes user ID obtained from Firebase authentication, you can also grant write access for authenticated users as well.

Data validation Phase

Owing to seamless nature of Firebase database rules, you can easily tweak and apply changes during development process. However, data should remain consistent once your app is finally ready. The validate rule of Firebase is to bring in validation logic with the same expression as used for .read and .write rules. However, validation rules do not cascade and have to be true for .write to come to effect.

Just like .read and .write rules, you can use the same built-in variables and functions to create Validation rules that know all data locations in your database.

Using Predefined Variables

Firebase has certain predefined variables you can find handy to define security rules that restrict, usher, read, write and validate. A few of them are:

auth: Functions as token payload of authenticated users

root : A node that represents the root path in the Firebase database before the attempted operation.

newData : Contains data that exists after the attempted operation

Data : Contains the data that existed before the attempted operation

now:The current time in milliseconds

$ variables:A wildcard path used to represent ids and dynamic child keys.

Defining database indexes

The Firebase Database security makes it possible to order and query data. Indexes are declared with .indexOn rule.

The data of small sizes do not require indexes during development because of ad hoc querying. However, before the app is launched, it is important to specify indexes for your queries so that it will still work when the app is scaled up.

Conclusion:

This blog was our attempt to show how Firebase Database and security appears and works for mobile app and web developers while creating incredible web apps. Hope you will learn a few tips you may need for your next mobile or web app development project. You can always find more details about how to set up and define different security rules for user authentication, authorization and validation by reviewing Firebase Security Rules. If you are trying to build a highly secure, functional and user-friendly app, you can seek collaborative assistance from our company.

An Overview of Firebase Cloud Functions

Posted on March 22, 2018 by Super Admin Testreveal

The use of Google cloud platform is not something new nowadays. A large user base are making use of its possibilities to save the device space and access the data anytime they lost their phone data. Have you heard about Google cloud functions, a joint venture of the Firebase and Google Cloud Platform teams?

Back-end code is often required for web and mobile applications to perform actions such as processing long running tasks or sending out notifications. The back end runs on a server in case of conventional approach. This phenomenon is made a lot easier than you can think by using firebase cloud functions in which the back-end code runs in the cloud.

For new users who would like to learn more about firebase cloud functions, here is an overview of its features, working and implementation, capabilities and other advantages that made it the talking point.

What are Firebase cloud functions?

This server less compute solution from Google is ideal for setting up event driven applications. The cloud functions in fact help to run backend code automatically as a reaction to the triggered events. And cloud functions for firebase is exclusively for firebase developers that enable them to add server-side code to integrate its features. A collaboration of HTTPS requests and Firebase features lets you trigger events. The Google’s cloud will store your code and a managed environment runs it. So you can be free from the role of managing and scaling the servers of your own.

Integration with Firebase platform:

The use of cloud functions together with Admin SDK lets the integration across firebase features. For third party services integration, there is option to write web hooks on your own. As the cloud functions lessen the boilerplate code, it gives way for easily using Google Cloud and Firebase within your function. The written functions can respond well to events by other Google Cloud and Firebase features.

Types of triggers:

When you write a function, it can respond to events created by Google Cloud features and Firebase which are termed as triggers.

Some of the most common triggers include:

Realtime Database Triggers: In this case, users can respond well to changes that occur in the Firebase Real-time Database.
Firebase Authentication Triggers: At the time a user account is created or deleted, code is executed in response through Firebase authentication. This trigger gets invoked in many cases such as a user sets up an account and password, a user signs in for the initial time with federated identity provider and more.
HTTP Triggers: At times of an HTTP request, such triggers are invoked.
Cloud Storage Triggers: A firebase cloud function is executed in case files and folders are uploaded, updated, or deleted in Google Cloud Storage.

Some of the other triggers include Cloud Pub/Sub Triggers, Cloud Firestore Triggers and Crashlytics Triggers.

A function’s lifecycle

The cycle starts off with writing codes for a novel function by the developer. Followed by that, an event provider will be selected. The conditions are then defined according to which the execution of function happens. The function is then deployed by the developer and Firebase takes the role of connecting to the chosen event provider.

Here are the probable step wise happenings of the rest of the function’s cycle:

The code gets evoked once the function’s conditions matches the event generated by event provider
The instances get cleaned up in case the function remains idle
More instances are created by Google in case many events are handled by functions making them busy
Once the updated code gets deployed by developer to update function, the older version instances get cleaned up and new instances replace them
In case the function gets deleted by the developer, it is followed by cleaning up of instances. The connection or link between the event provider and function also gets removed.

Implementation path

This phase involves three main sections including setting up of cloud functions, followed by writing functions and finally deploying and monitoring.

Let us see in detail:

The Firebase CLI is installed at first. In the particular Firebase project, the cloud functions are initialized.

JavaScript code is written in order to manage events from Google Cloud services, Firebase services and other similar event providers.

The functions are finally deployed by making use of the Firebase CLI. The Firebase console can be used to see and look for through the logs.

Privacy and security

It is common that developers look to power over application logic in server in order to keep away from interference from the client side. As here it is completely insulated from the client side; that is not a problem with Firebase cloud functions. You can be sure about keeping up the privacy and follow what exactly is needed.

Zero maintenance

The maintenance part is the headache for the users handling all platforms but the case is different in Firebase cloud functions which has zero maintenance. All what you have to do is to set out your TypeScript or JavaScript code to the servers with just a single command. Firebase will do the rest by automatically scaling up computing resources to synchronize with the users’ usage patterns. Unlike other platforms, there is nothing to think hard regarding server configuration, provisioning new servers, credentials, or decommissioning old server.

Running code in cloud- key benefits:

When the code is running in the cloud instead of the traditional approach, you can come across various advantages:

There is no necessity for you to run your own server and maintain it.
In case of the back-end code, an isolated code base can be used
The billing is done only for the code’s real executing time
High scalability is possible in case of the cloud infrastructure

More use cases with firebase cloud functions:

Apart from the many advantages and benefits when using firebase cloud functions, here you can see the possible user cases:

User notifications are send out at times of events
Welcome email is send out at time of a user sign up
Confirmation emails are send out in case the users subscribe or unsubscribe
In order to make the data base clean and up to date, Real-time Database Tasks are performed which are automated
In case a user deletes his account, the contents are deleted from the database
For a Real-time Database list, the count of elements are tracked
Intensive tasks are executed in the cloud itself and not in your data base
At the time of uploading of an image into the database, thumbnails for the same are generated automatically
Bulk emails can be send to users for particular cases
Even in cases of third party services, integration is possible
In case of insertion of text into the Real-time Database, Google Translate service helps with the translation
Payments are processed in a lot easier way

Firebase cloud functions have in fact set the technology world on fire with its innovative technologies and the way it has positively impacted the whole scenario. In short words, this innovative cloud functions just remain as a folder in your project which contains an index file and their own node modules.

You can simply run your back-end code without giving a second thought. However, organizing them can get messy if you follow an unstructured way. The most accepted solution is to name the files by the way in which it triggers and you can get the most out of this innovative solution.

13 Best Parse Alternative Services for Mobile Apps Database 2020

Posted on March 10, 2018 by Super Admin Testreveal

Parse is an Open-Source BaaS (Backend-as-a-Service) platform and a part of the Software Development Kit (SDK) that will enable developers to build a mobile backend for all sort of apps. These apps can run on Windows Phone 8, Windows 8, Android and iOS. Parse not only assists developers to deploy apps quickly, it can also effortlessly bring down boiler plate code when attempting to update apps with additional features.

This backend tool named Parse shares its name with Parse Inc., a company that was acquired by Facebook which later announced the closing down of its services by January 2017. Thus, if you are on the lookout for time-tested and reliable substitutes of Parse, here are 13 app development options that can be availed by you in 2018.

1. Appcelerator

If you as a mobile app developer are looking for an all-in-one platform that will become an instrument to churn out mobile API, you can check out Appcelerator. Through Appcelerator, you can not only deliver native apps but also offer real-time analytics. Tagged as a cross-platform tool, Appcelerator employs JavaScript through which developers can offer a host of features to users.

Along with push notifications, you can also stay connected with data sources and provide custom analytics which are linked to User Interface. Founded in 2006, Appcelerator is the new kid on the block of Axway; a B2B company that acquired Appcelerator.

2. Built.io

Promising integrated platforms and back-end services, Built.io helps mobile app developers come up with amazing user experiences. Launched in 2007, Built.io can be deployed on VMware vCloud Air, Amazon Web Services and IBM SoftLayer. While this is an MBaaS platform, you can also churn out content management solutions through Built.io.

Incorporating pluggable architecture that facilitates custom-made projects, it is through Built.io that you can meet your business needs. You can bank upon this back-end choice to come up with APIs that can be connected with the overall ecosystem of enterprises.

3. AnyPresence

Launched in 2010, AnyPresence is an enterprise platform facilitating digital transformation. It is through its BaaS concept that developers can come up with cross-platform applications. Allowing you to offer application programing interfaces, AnyPresence has been making its strong presence felt as a patronized enterprise-level app.

A higher-level enterprise coupled with strong customer support and developer features are the hallmark of this tool.

4. Kii

Recognized as a single-window full stack platform for all your app and smart device requirements, Kii is poised to deliver greater user experiences. You can employ the mobile backend services of Kii to deliver scalable and high-performing mobile apps that can run on multiple operating systems.

Kii is a comprehensive option which can help you develop, scale and test alongside optimize your requirements and implement them. With Kii, you can substantially cut down your mobile app development period, which in turn helps you cut down operational and developmental costs.

5. CloudMine

If you are looking to build a healthcare application in a short time without any financial hardships, then CloudMine can be your top bet. All thanks to the Micro-services and SDKs offered by CloudMine that you can not only cut down your development time but can also secure your data storage.

Tagged as a Platform-as-a-Service option, CloudMine brings to the table a host of features including advanced analytics, big data processing, data normalization, real-time streaming and self-serviced data recovery. Partnering with Apprenda, a PaaS provider, CloudMine which was launched in 2011 is a top choice for building engaging mobile apps that are driven to add value to your healthcare business.

6. Appery

Next in the list of alternatives to Parse is Appery; a choice that will help you create new RESTful APIs which require very little programming in MySQL, SAP, Oracle, SharePoint or LDAP. Identified as an Enterprise Level MBaaS platform, Appery helps you come out with secure, reliable and scalable online apps that can be seamlessly deployed across premise servers.

Proud of its state-of-the-art technologies, Appery can become your first choice to build mobile web apps and hybrid apps that promise a superior user experience. Catering to the development needs of over 300,000 global developers, Appery offers MBaaS mobile backend services along with server code, push notifications and database functions.

7. Kony

In keeping with the next-gen needs of the banking industry, Kony which was incorporated in 2007 offers digital banking experiences through its industry-specific apps. Tagged as a leading enterprise mobility company, Kony makes its strong presence felt in the sphere of mobile application development. Kony is a trusted name amongst global banking clients looking to offer custom-made digitized solutions.

While you can build multi-channel apps with Kony, you can also deliver them at a rocket speed. Mindful of agility, flexibility and security, Kony comes as a blessing to financial institutions through its unique Mobile Fabric MBaaS Integration feature.

8. Telerik

To offer modern User Interface (UI) to all its clients is the unwritten promise kept up by Telerik at all times. Through Telerik, you can build up-to-date user interface for mobile apps. Making use of JavaScript and .Net, Telerik blends the capabilities of productivity and reporting tools that are patronized by over 2.1 million developers from across the globe.

Set up with stringent security and encryption measures, Telerik can handhold enterprises eyeing to scale their operations. Global giants like Dell, Microsoft, Sony and IBM are the esteemed clients of Telerik.

9. Kumulos

If it is your dream to deliver simple yet affordable and powerful mobile apps through an effective mobile app performance platform, then Kumulos can be your top choice. Identified as a one-stop-shop to manage the performance of commercial and technical mobile apps, Kumulos helps you derive the best business results.

Through push notifications, you can assist your clients build and implement marketing campaigns that will attract the attention of new customers. Incorporating the Backend-as-a-Service concept, Kumulos is built on MBaaS technology has the support of KScript, RESTful API and Hookup as part of mobile SDK.

10. Kinvey

Another alternative that is very close to the functionalities of Parse is Kinvey; a leading mobile app development platform. Established in 2010, Kinvey can build mission-specific apps which can digitize your entire business without any hassles.

Kinvey brings a lot to your table in the form of Cloud storage, customized business logic and push notifications.

11. FireBase

Firebase comes with a plethora of benefits. With a commitment to deliver better mobile apps that will help you grow your business, FireBase keeps up this promise at all times. Built on Google infrastructure, FireBase provides databases, analytics along with crash reporting and messaging services.

For all those developers who are looking to sync their web-based and mobile apps with real-time data, Firebase comes as a top pick. Along with authentication, Firebase offers static hosting; a feature that makes it a typical replacement for Parse.

12. SkyGear

Looking to build apps on a reliable backend? Then, look no further and sign up with Skygear; an open-source SDK for web, IoT and mobile apps. Equipped with a plethora of backend functions, Skygear, an MBaaS platform simplifies the task of adding new features to your existing apps. The luxury of building apps faster makes Skygear stand out from other platforms. It is through a simple click that you can launch your application, without getting bogged down by deployment issues.

With Skygear as a perfect substitute for Parse, you can add a long list of reusable plugins and effortlessly code chat apps along with messenger bots and social platforms.

13. Backendless

Founded in 2012, Backendless is another MBaaS platform that can substitute Parse. If you are looking to develop mobile apps backed by a powerful cloud backend, then it is time you check out the functionalities of Backendless. Offering a perfect blend of reliable and secure hosting services, Backendless delivers the best file storage solutions to its clients. With Backendless, you can not only generate dynamic content but can also store static files.

Specially designed for enterprisesrunning on venture capital, Backendless offers scalable app solutions that not only streamline but also accelerate your application development.

Closing Thoughts

It will not be an overstatement to quote that the mobile app development is a limitless domain, characterized by rapid changes. Poised for an exponential growth, this territory of mobile app development is dictated by state-of-the-art tools which will eventually push the demand for mobile apps. Since Parse is no longer an option to you, you as a developer will benefit a great deal by weighing the benefits of the above-mentioned tools that will come handy in 2018.

What Makes Xamarin Development Unique?

Posted on February 2, 2018 by Super Admin Testreveal

Xamarin development is creating a storm in the industry ever since it was introduced with its unique features. The beginners in the platform may be wondering about why Xamarin has won hearts of many in this short time frame.

Yes, the technology can boast of creating amazing cross platform mobile apps for your venture in quick time. It would be a cost effective decision to have Xamarin mobile app for your business as it is optimized for Android & iOS platforms.

With easy collaboration & sharing features, minimal expense and time etc. Xamarin targets larger user base.

From using the same code for different platforms to reduced development cost, the advantages of using Xamarin for development are many. Here are a few among the top benefits of Xamarin development which has made it a unique choice:

1. Native user-interface

With UI elements that are platform specific, Xamarin assures a flawless user experience. The business oriented projects can find it really helpful as the pace of app development is a lot higher than you can expect.

The custom app UI can also be created with no risks for advanced performance as Xamarin.Android and Xamarin.iOS can be used to assure remarkable outcome.

2. Reduced development time

Unlike the platform dependent native apps, the same code can be shared for apps for different platforms when using Xamarin.

This in turn reduces the overall development time. Also switching between the development settings is not needed during the code building phase as it easily works with Visual studio (Windows) and Xamarin (Mac).

Also the automatic debugging facility adds to the reduced development time.

3. Flexibility with C#

Another advantage of Xamarin development is the use of C# as the programming language. With its unique benefits, it is an ideal choice for cross-platform development.

The developer needs are well met with good assistance from Microsoft’s.NET framework. Its simplified syntax makes the developing phase easy for even beginners.

Moreover, the type-safety feature of the language eliminates the possibilities of type errors which improve the success rate of the program.

4. Fewer bugs

For Xamarin development, only a fewer lines of code are used and this also means that you will come across only a fewer bugs.

The minimal bugs also open an opportunity for ample testing time which eliminates the possible errors in the running period.

5. Learner Friendly

Unlike many other platforms for app development, the learning curve for Xamarin is beginner friendly.

When developing apps for iOS and Android, programmers will have to be thorough with both Java and Objective-C languages.

This is not the case when using Xamarin as they just need to be clear with the basics of C# to successfully develop apps for both these platforms.

The time you ultimately need to spend for getting familiarized with the overall process is comparatively very less.

6. Native performance

This unique package avoids the necessity of managing separate teams for different platforms. The Visual Studio lets to experience the benefits of Xamarin libraries and Xamarin Studio.

Influencing the already existing app code base is now common with Xamarin and transitioning to C# are offering them market traction.

The Xamarin apps even have easy access to platform-centric facilities such as Android Fragments and iBeacons that adds to the performance. Delivering device specific app experiences is the speciality of Xamarin app development.

7. API integration

Xamarin has the capability to bind same UI controls and APIs that build Android, iOS and Mac apps. The Portable Class Libraries (PCL) allows sharing codes between platforms.

Whenever novel features are launched in the gadget’s operating system, the Xamarin’s binding technology offers enough assistance to get along.

8. Code reusability

The most unique feature of Xamarin package is its flexibility for code reusability. This feature comes with a lot of benefits such as reduced development time and of course minimized development cost.

There is no need for expense to be spent on different OS developers as the whole development process for all platforms can be handled by a single team.

9. Comprehensive Hardware Support

With Xamarin package, users can expect a complete hardware support with no compatibility issues. This is aided well with particular APIs and plugins, to occupy with common gadgets functionality in multiple platforms.

The process is even smoother with links to native libraries. Thus the native-level functionality and better customization is a reality with minimal overhead.

10. Open Source Technology

After getting acquired by Microsoft, the licensing policies of Xamarin was altered a lot following which many of the significant areas became open source.

The MIT license of Visual Studio has made libraries, runtime, and command line tools freely available for the users. By erasing the head ache of the cost of license, Microsoft has contributed the best part to the platform’s growth. And Xamarin has turned out as a powerful tech stack with strong corporate support.

11. Simplified Maintenance

As the application is designed for cross platform, the updates and maintenance part was a lot easy. The updates or changes were to be done on the source file only and the iOS and Android apps would get updated automatically.

The role of making the application up to date was never challenging and in fact a lot of time and money were saved in this regard.

12. Xamarin Component Store

The concept of collaboration and sharing is executed well with the Xamarin component store. A good collection of free or paid components makes the job easy for the developers as they could add high-quality components.

With minimal lines of code, developers can access cross-platform libraries, UI controls or even third party web services from the store. They can easily add powerful security features and popular back-ends to give a resulting impact.

13. Smooth on-Boarding

For any applications, beginners will have a tough time with the on boarding part but this is not the case with Xamarin. Starters can make use of Xamarin University which is a committed e-learning portal that can handle the job well.

Even those with the least programming experience can get along the package by properly using this facility. This includes start levels to advanced level classes that cover complimentary self-guided learning, office lectures, guest lectures and live online classes.

14. Improved Pace

Working with Xamarin.Forms makes it easy for developers to handle the coding phase at a much faster pace. With this technology, developers just need to design a particular view a single time and then share it across multiple platforms.

The powerful skill set makes the development time much faster than any other package. These forms would give all the flexibility of working with UI toolkit.

15. Smarter Testing

The software quality teams will have an awesome experience when testing Xamarin products. The UI based test scripts let them to do the job with ease and the efficiency of Xamarin Test Cloud adds to it.

The testing covers over 20 iOS and hardware configurations and 24,000 Android gadget types. This gives the benefit of testing comprehensively for almost all scenarios.

These entire features assure more than a return of investment for a venture with Xamarin development. Moreover, an active community that comprises more than 700,000 plus developers are continuously working on improving the success of software.

Future Ready

Last but not the least; the Xamarin development is also unique for its readiness for future. There is no doubt that android, iOS and Windows are ruling the mobile industry.

It is challenging for app developers to make amazing apps that are compatible for all these platforms to increase their user base. And the most important reason why Xamarin is trending now is its flexibility to work with multiple platforms.

This significant feature hints that Xamarin can be adapted to work with any of the mobile platforms as a lot more platforms are expected to hit the industry in the near future.

The listed ones are just a few among the many benefits of Xamarin development. Its wide acceptance over the globe in a short time frame is a sign of the impact it has made in the industry.

Its affluent features and resultant paybacks have made it the most widely used mobile app development software. As per the records, over 1.4 million developers in 120 countries use Xamarin’s products. Considering its unique benefits, Microsoft has acquired it a year ago.

Many businesses are using this cross-platform app to improve their reach and popularity among customers who are using diverse mobile platforms. This innovative technology is opening a new world of hope for businesses to improve its reach and progress without spending much from their pocket.

Steps to Build Apps using Xamarin in Visual Studio

Posted on November 15, 2017 by Super Admin Testreveal

Xamarin is a cross-platform technology that makes the development of simple form of native mobile apps for Android, iOS and Windows. Using a shared codebase, Xamarin allows the development team to build mobile apps with the help of skills they already possess, thereby, spending lesser time on writing code for each platform.

Xamarin provides its users a complete access to Android and iOS APIs with making any change in language and data structure. To ensure a smart and easy flowing visual studio mobile app development, it is important for an individual to follow certain steps as mentioned below:

1. Setup and install Visual Studio and Xamarin

The first step towards building an Android or Windows app using Visual Studio and Xamarin is to ensure that these two are properly setup and installed in the system. In case a person is working on developing an iOS app, then he/she needs to ensure a proper installation of a Mac with Xamarin and Xcode.

Once the setup and installation of the two is successful, the next step is to confirm and verify whether everything is setup for development procedure to start.

2. Create a solution

The next step is to create a Xamarin solution using native UI. This can be done by following a few simple steps as mentioned below:

Create a new blank app solution and name it as Weather App. One can easily find this template by searching for ‘Native Portable’ in search engine
On clicking Ok, one gets to see a number of individual projects such as WeatherApp (Portable), WeatherApp.Droid, WeatherApp.iOS, etc.
Add Newtonsoft.Json and NuGet package to the PCL project that can be used to process information obtained from weather data service
Once Newtonsoft.Json is installed successfully, one must find and install Microsoft.Net.Http package
Once the above steps are complete successfully, the system is ready to build a new solution.
On successful completion, one must ensure to confirm that there are no build errors in the development

3. Share the data service code on different platforms

The best aspect of developing any app using Xamarin is that the code is written in portable library class (PCL), which makes it easier to be shared on different platforms. In case of an Android, iOS and Windows apps, PCLs are automatically included in the package.

4. Design the look and feel of the app

Design of an app plays an important role in its success or failure. Therefore, one must be extra careful when designing these apps. To design the look and feel of the app, one needs to follow a few simple steps as mentioned below:

Go to the solution explorer, expand the WeatherApp.Droid>Resources>layout folder to open Main.axml and the file in the visual designer
Delete the default button present in the designer
Open the toolbox to drag a RelativeLayout control on the designer. This control will be used as a parent container for all other controls
Go to the Properties window to set the background property. This should be followed by the pulling of Text View control onto the Relative Layout control that can, the, be used to set various properties such as zipcode, number, etc.
Finally go to the properties window and sort the list as per one’s own choice

5. Replace shared code

Once the solution is ready, one can open its file in the code editor so as to replace the automatically geneayed UI code

6. Run the app

The app is now ready to use. One can opt to make it a start-up project in explorer or use it on the most suitable device.

7. Test the app

Checking an app developed for Android is easy as one needs to use Visual Studio Android Emulator. All one needs to do is select the app project, choose a device to copy and then click to start. The app is perfect to be used by all if it runs perfectly on Android device.

Testing an app for iOS is a bit different as it requires an iOS Mac to copy the content. One needs to set up and connect to Visual Studio followed by selecting the app project, switching the design plan to iPhone Simulator and then finally, choosing the version of device used and click Play. X`

On successful completion of the above mentioned steps, one gets ready with an app that has been developed on Xamarin. Since the platform is rich in its properties such as code sharing, efficiency and use of single technology stacks, the platform is getting preference among the developers. The apps developed for each platform are different and unque, including visual studio mobile app development. Therefore, it is better to use Xamarin Cross-Platform Development rather than taking a new sort of risk.

Xamarin Vs Native App development: Which is the Better Choice?

Posted on October 24, 2017 by Super Admin Testreveal

Working with Xamarin and client target platform evokes mixed reactions. Both of them have their own pros and cons. The former is compiled into the native code and uses the common interface. Mobile App Development Company uses either of them; however, as mentioned above, there are some trade-offs that we’ll analyze here in detail.

Advantages over the native platform:

Sharing of code:

Using Xamarin, you can share the code between the iOS and Android platforms. Various attributes such as networking logic, parsing and navigation logic can be easily reused across the different apps on the platform. They help the developers to streamline the coding process and to identify the bugs easily. In fact, the consistency of the code makes the platform more efficient for the developers. All they have to do is to make corrections at a single place and to let the changes propagate through the app.

Usage of C#:

One of the most important advantages of the Xamarin platform is that it allows coding in C# language in all the applications. It is quite capable when compared to objective-C because of the type safety attribute. Some other capabilities include implicit typing, extension methods and other closure that make C# an amazing tool for development. Due to inbuilt error handling mechanism, the codes are clean clear and reliable. They are scalable as well as fully capable of handling large amount of data.

Net and C# libraries:

Using C# language provides complete freedom to the developers as they can use window libraries right from the old ones to relicensed versions. Xamarin Cross-Platform Development plays an important role in enhancing the capabilities of the applications. In fact, PCLS support is also available in C# language.

Disadvantages of Xamarin:

Compatibility issues:

Xamarin supports new APIs; however, in recent versions, it is incompatible with TV OS2 and “watch OS” in stable channels and cannot bind to Swift only libraries. In short, it is not possible to use the advanced features using the Xamarin platform.

Third party support:

iOS and Android provide third party applications that can be seamlessly used; however, they are not able to work with Xamarin interface. The workaround is way too complex as developers have to write the binding code from the scratch.

Platform specific .net libraries:

If you are using Xamarin, it is not possible to utilize PCL core library. In addition, the .NET library doesn’t offer a required interface to the developers. As a result, the capabilities of the applications on the platform get hampered. Even highly popular Google APIs face lots of issues when used with Xamarin; therefore, it is better to use the native platform in such cases.

Conclusion:

You should use Xamarin only when the app is equipped with lots of complex front end logic. Since coding is minimal, you do not have to spend a huge amount of money to create the application. If your team is highly experienced in C#, usage of latest offerings of Xamarin Development Company would go a long way in making the app efficient and robust. Even it can be used to support multiple windows devices without any technical glitches.