What Does Backend as a Service Mean?
Backend as a service (BaaS) is a strategy for developing software applications that outsource backend computing services to a cloud service provider.
BaaS plays an important role in low-code/no-code (LCNC) software development, serverless computing and NoOps. The benefits of using a BaaS provider include lower engineering costs and faster time-to-market for software applications.
In the early part of this century — before cloud computing gained wide-spread acceptance — BaaS providers were usually called MBaaS providers because the services they offered met the unique needs of mobile app developers.
Today, the term BaaS is sometimes used as a synonym for Platform as a Service (PaaS), but technically, they are not the same thing. Over the years BaaS has evolved to meet the needs of citizen developers and unlike PaaS, does not allow server-level access.
Techopedia Explains Backend as a Service
BaaS platforms use cloud application programming interfaces (APIs) to connect desktop and mobile apps with third-party cloud services. Popular back-end services in the cloud include :
- Identity and access management (IAM)
- API management
- Data and database management
- Email and SMS push notifications
- Infrastructure management
- Location-based services
- Social media Integration
- Storage and automated data backups
Popular BaaS vendors include:
8base – According to their website, 8base lets citizen developers build powerful backends without needing backend service development skills.
AWS Amplify – According to Amazon's website, AWS Amplify allows citizen developers to scale applications effortlessly with no cloud expertise needed.
Backendless – According to their website, Backendless provides citizen developers with a visual development platform that provides access to backend services with no code required.
Parse – According to their website, Parse is currently the most popular open-source framework for LCNC backend services.
Gamesparks – According to Amazon's website, Gamesparks is a fully-managed AWS service that makes it easy for citizen developers to build, optimize and scale backend services for video games.
