What Is Firebase? | Definition, Features, and Functions – When you want to create an application, surely you will go through a series of processes that are quite long and complicated. Well, one of the most demanding parts of the application is the backend. However, you don’t need to worry because now there is firebase that will help with various matters on the application’s backend.
It can be said that this service is the answer for developers who create applications. This one service offers many features with functions that are very useful for application backends. Therefore, it is important to know more about what firebase is, especially if you are planning to build an application.
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Firebase | Definition, Features, and Functions Check out the Explanation
What Is Firebase?
Before discussing further, it’s good to know what it means first. Firebase is a backend as a service (BaaS) offered by Google to make it easier for application developers to develop an application, whether website or mobile.
Even though this service has only been around in the last few years, its presence is very helpful in speeding up the various work of the development team. As a Back as a Service (BaaS), this service can manage all matters relating to hosting, databases, APIs, authentication, etc.
A tool that was invented by James Tampling and Andrew Lee in 2011 was then taken over by the Google company, in 2014 to be precise. Officially, Google introduced this tool in 2016 and continues to be developed to date.
Firebase is a medium that can be used by various types of companies. Starting from startup companies to even large global companies. The reason is because these tools are able to help startup companies in making applications easier.
Meanwhile, the function of this service for global companies is to optimize and improve the quality of their applications or websites. Some of the world’s leading companies that use these tools include Duolingo, Gameloft , and Halfbrick.
Main Functions Using Firebase
The use of Firebase in making or developing applications is not without reason. Because, the function of this service is very much. In general, there are three main functions of these tools. Then, what are its functions? Here’s an explanation.
- Building Applications
The first function of this tool is to create applications. With these tools, the process of building applications will be easier and faster. Why? These tools allow you to create applications without having to manage servers . That way, application development becomes faster supported by a sophisticated backend infrastructure.
- Improve Application Quality
Not only for making applications, another use of this tool is to improve the quality of an application. When the application has been completed, the next step is testing the application before it is released. These tools provide features that can help the testing process, such as crashlytics, test labs, and performance monitoring.
- Developing Business
The next function of this tool is to help develop a business. The trick is to improve the user experience of an application that is made to increase user satisfaction. Features that can support this effort include analytics, remote config, invites, app indexing, dynamic links, and cloud messaging.
The Features Available in Firebase Are
Please note that Firebase is divided into 18 kinds of features that can be used as needed. At least, there are six main features in this very sophisticated and useful tool. What are the main features? Come on, see the explanation below!
- Realtime Database
Realtime Database is the original database from firebase. Its purpose is to synchronize between users and store data in real time. Interestingly, this synchronization process supports both offline and online conditions. However, offline support only applies to iOS and Android applications.
If using a web application, it is not recommended to choose this Realtime Database. This type of firebase database is better suited for an application with fewer transactions or an application that uses simple queries, such as a digital whiteboard application. This tool uses strong user-based security, because it has been integrated with firebase authentication.
- Cloud Firestore
If you want to create an application where users can collaborate and can be accessed from different devices, then Cloud Firestore is the right choice. These tools can be used for mobile app development, including storing, syncing, and querying app data.
The advantage of Cloud Firestore is that it has the ability to run queries that are quite complex and more sophisticated when compared to the Realtime Database type. This means that Cloud Firestore is more suitable for applications that require more complex interactions with large data, such as e-commerce applications.
- Firebase Authentication
With Firebase Authentication, you can add authentication systems, such as secure user logins with a few lines of code. Firebase does provide a ready-to-use and flexible UI, part of the implementation process is much faster.
Firebase Authentication is capable of supporting authentication using passwords and email accounts. Can also authenticate with mobile, Facebook, Twitter, Github, mobile, etc. There is also no need to doubt about security because it has developed login with Google, Google password manager, and smart lock, making it much more secure.
- Firebase Crashlytics
Firebase Crashlytics is a tool that serves to provide information if there is an error in the application. These tools can be used in iOS, Android, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS applications. This tool certainly has many advantages, so it is worth using.
The advantage of Firebase Crashlytics is that the reporting system works in real time. In addition, this tool also allows you to get a more detailed error analysis. That way, it will be easier and more practical for you to fix the error.
With this convenience, you no longer need to track errors manually. Not only that, this also allows you to immediately find out which parts are priority improvements which will have the greatest impact on user satisfaction.
- Firebase Analytics
If you want to develop a business, then knowing the data of application users is a very mandatory thing to do. By understanding the users, it will be easier for you to prepare a good business strategy in the future.
It is in this feature that you can retrieve user data easily, because it is integrated with Google Analytics. This viewable user data includes error data, acquisition, effectiveness of notifications, purchase data, and usage of the Android or iOS application that you have. Not only for viewing data, this feature can also create reports with custom dashboards in Google Data Studio.
- Remote Config
Remote Config is a feature that allows you to change the appearance of the application without requiring users to update the application. you can make these changes directly through the Firebase console. You can enable or disable features dynamically or experiment without having to release a new version of the app.
That’s what firebase means, functions, and available features. Apparently, this tool provides many features that are very useful for developers or application developers.