w4_4_BaaS

Backend as a Service
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* Building your own backend approach is cumbersome;
-> Server set up and configuration issues;
-> Backend storage and database provisioning;
-> Developing the REST API and configuration;
-> Additional services like notifications, user management, social networking etc. adds to the burden on developers;

* Can we package the whole backend services into easily deployable, configurable and manageable service?

BaaS
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-> Model for providing mobile and web developers to link their applications to backend cloud storage and APIs exposed by the
backend;
-> Relatively recent phenomenon in mobile and web development;
-> Provides a bridge between the front end and various cloud backends through a unified API and SDK;

-> Frees the developers from having to do backend development and instead concentrate on the frontend;
-> If you are familiar with cloud computing you might have heard about Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a 
Service (PaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS);
-> BaaS is targeted mainly at mobile and web developers to access cloud services, hence distinct from the above *aaS;

What does Baas Provide?
i. Push Notification;
ii. File Storage & Sharing; //Drop-box application;
iii. Social Networking configuration;
iv. Messaging and Chat capabilities;
v. User Mnagement;
vi. Usage Analysis tools;
vii. Build and execute business logic;

a. A data storage API for cloud based storage;
b. Binary Storage;
c. Device Synchronizing & caching capabilities;
d. Online/offilne workflow;
e. Third party Integration;
f. Secure connectivity;
g. Auto generation of REST based interfaces;
h. SDKs for typical mobile platforms;

BaaS Advantages and Disadvantages
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Advantages :-
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a. Pre-built, tried and test components;
b. Reduction in server-side development effort;
c. Recent technological developments integrated by the service provider and made accessible to developers;

Disadvantages :-
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-> Blabk-box;
-> Vendor-lock ; data locked withe service provider;
-> Loss of flexibility;
-> Additional training needed in vendor-specific APIs;

* Commercial Vendors
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-> IBM Bluemix, etc;


* Open Source 
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-> Loopback, etc;