Computer Scientist, Sean Seshadri can tell you that the most intelligent way to work on an app today is with a platform as a service (PaaS). A PaaS is merely a category of cloud computing services. It provides a platform allowing developers to run and manage web applications.
The function of PaaS is to simplify the code writing process for developers. The PaaS service provider handles all of the infrastructure and operations. In the early days of PaaS, platforms existed in the public cloud. However, since many companies preferred not to have everything in the public cloud private and hybrid options were created.
How PaaS’s work
A PaaS is not an application. It is best to describe it as an application platform which runs on top of infrastructure as a service (IaaS). Simultaneously it hosts software as a service (SaaS).
PaaS consist of operating systems, middleware, and other software that allows operating systems to run in the cloud. Much of the systems administration management and stack related difficulties are thus of no concern to the developer. Therefore, he or she can focus on customers and their code.
What the developer must do
PaaS takes care of all of the system administration details as far as configuring and setting up servers, databases and VM’s. It can also configure building and testing tools. Developers don’t even have to concern themselves with installing library runtimes. The workflow for using PaaS is as smooth as coding in your IDE, and then pushing the code using a developers tool like git to the PaaS and seeing the changes go live immediately.
How vendors deliver service
Providers can deliver PaaS services in two ways:
- As a public cloud service from the PaaS vendor. In this case, the developer controls the software deployment and configuration settings, while the provider is responsible for the network’s servers, storage and other services to host the customer’s application.
- As software installed in a private data center managed by an internal IT department.
What to look for in a PaaS
When a software developer is considering a PaaS, the essential thing to keep in mind is how effectively it can accelerate app development. A PaaS should reduce the turnaround time on an app by freeing the developer to focus on the app alone with no other headaches. Thus it is the ultimate productivity enhancement tool for a developer. The app developer’s only concern should be the application and data. The service provider’s job is to manage the following:
- Storage and networking
- Virtualization
- Servers
- Runtime
- Middleware
- Operating systems
Furthermore, the development tools provided by the vendor are customizable according to the needs of the developer. PaaS software providers allow their customers to elect to maintain the PaaS software or have the vendor keep it up to date for them.
Sean Seshadri suggests the following vendors:
Amazon AWS
- Mixes and matches services depending on developers needs
- An API-based service
- Central function includes simple storage, elastic compute, email service
- Rates vary based on services chosen
App Agile
- A Cloud-based development environment
- An Industry-based solution
- Facilitates free testing of apps without delays
- You only pay for what you use
Microsoft Azure
- Support for different platforms such as mobile, PC, and browser applications
- Ease of use with international development teams
- Access to dozens of Azure storage products
- Cost is pay-as-you-go with a free primary option
Standing Cloud
- Automated application management
- Tools include scalable upgrades
- Support for several platforms and programming languages
- Must contact Standing Cloud for price information