Software development Archives - Page 3 of 9

May 16, 2023by klimentinaSoftware development

How to Hire an Angular Developer: Top Tips

Introduction

We live in an age where every small or big unique idea that yesterday seemed almost impossible (almost a decade ago) to be appropriately shaped, produced, or developed in reality is now noticeably more straightforward to implement because of the availability of updated tools and technologies around us.

Technological evolution allows software developers to be aware of potential tools and environments for developing, designing, or building custom web or mobile applications within a short period, especially for established businesses and start-ups. There are currently several attractive and efficient web application development frameworks and more to be found on the market. Still, there is one such potential framework developed by Google that, in addition to winning the hearts of developers worldwide, also helps business owners achieve their goals and offers the best solutions for its customers, known as Angular. Thus, hiring a competent Angular developer is essential if you are looking for opportunities to build a web application using the Angular Framework.

Angular – some history

Angular started as a side project. In 2009, Miško Hevery and Adam Abrons launched a <angular /> project to help developers and designers build web applications using simple HTML tags. The name “Angular” comes from the angle brackets or “<>” that surround all the tags. For example, <div>, <span>, and others. Miško talked about how the idea to create the framework came about in a 2013 interview: “We wanted to see if it was possible to simplify the work of web designers, not just developers. Will they add even more HTML to their code to turn a normal static form into something more valuable to send via email? If you had a small business selling pizza, you could add a simple ordering system using the necessary tags, and they would email the server.”

Soon Miško started working at Google, and in 2010 he took up the Google Feedback project. Miško convinced his manager, Brad Green, to rewrite the project using his Angular. The timing and code optimizations that the team showed in work helped convince Google of the power of Angular.

Shortly after the success of Google Feedback, the same team rewrote the open-source library and released Angular 1.0 in May 2011. Angular has grown more and more in popularity over the years.

What is Angular

Angular is an open-source framework used for building web applications. It is developed and maintained by Google and written in TypeScript. Angular provides robust tools and features for building complex and scalable applications, including data binding, dependency injection, and a modular architecture.

Angular uses a component-based approach to building applications, where each component is a self-contained block of code that encapsulates its logic, data, and user interface. Parts can be easily reused across multiple pages and applications, making maintaining a consistent user experience easy.

Angular also provides a rich set of built-in directives and services that can add functionality to your application without writing much code. Additionally, Angular has a strong community of developers and extensive documentation, making it easy to learn and use.

Benefits of Angular framework

Of course, there are reasons behind the vast popularity of the Angular Framework. So what benefits does the framework offers to development teams?

Using Typescript. Although Angular is considered a JavaScript framework, it is based on TypeScript. Code written in TypeScript quickly compiles to JavaScript. Compared to JavaScript, a decisive advantage of TypeScript is the identification of errors as you type code, allowing developers to fix the mistakes right away.
Stability. All versions of the framework, starting from Angular 2, are compatible. This means you can upgrade your project to a new version of Angular without changing the codebase. In addition, Angular is powered by Google, which further enhances the stability of the framework.
Modularity. An Angular application is organized into modules. This means that the code consists of separate modules responsible for different functions. You can use modules from the standard Angular package, write your own, or integrate ready-made components developed by the Angular community. In addition, this framework allows “lazy loading,” which loads only the required functions and optimizes the application.
Code consistency. The component nature of Angular apps keeps the code base organized and easy to maintain. Components are reusable and much more readable for engineers unfamiliar with the code.
Simple testing. The modular system also simplifies testing because individual components are easier to test. In addition, there are different Angular testing technologies. For example, Protractor is effective for end-to-end testing, while Karma is practical for unit testing.
Cross-platform. You can use Angular to develop various applications such as web, native and mobile applications. In addition, Angular allows you to create progressive web apps that load like web pages but provide extra functionality usually only offered by native mobile apps.
Community. Angular is extremely popular among developers and has a large community. There are many Angular communities on the web (Stack Overflow, Gitter groups, LinkedIn, Slack channels, etc.), as well as Angular conferences around the world. This facilitates knowledge sharing.

Who are Angular developers and what do they deal with

An Angular developer is an IT specialist who creates web resources and applications using the capabilities of the Angular framework.

Angular is considered a fairly advanced tool consisting of many modules, forms, and components. The framework was created using the programming languages TypeScript, JavaScript, and Dart and is based on the Node.js platform.

Accordingly, the Angular developer is creating seamless one-page sites using these tools and various components based on them for applications.

A specialist in this area is mainly engaged in frontend development; he creates user interfaces and the external side of web resources.

Its tasks include:

Writing code;
Code review;
Layout of user interfaces based on design layouts;
Improving the finished product, adding new features and tools;
Pre-release processing of the application (product);
Fixing bugs and installing updates.

It is more appropriate to call this specialist a JavaScript developer since Angular is just one of the frameworks for this language. So a typical stack for a specialist looks like this:

JavaScript/TypeScript/AJAX/HTML/CSS technologies;
Angular and other frameworks based on JS;
CSS preprocessors;
REST API
Cross-browser and adaptive layout of web resources;
Git version control system;
Node.js utilities;
Technical English.

Depending on the employer’s expectations, other requirements may be added, but this is already the subject of individual agreements at the interview.

As for Soft Skills, they are all related to teamwork. Essential skills of an Angular developer:

Estimation of the scope and scale of the project;
Ability to read terms of reference;
Ability to evaluate someone else’s code and make adjustments;
Collective interaction and business communication skills;
Pre-project analysis and design;
Ability to find solutions to technical problems.

Top factors to consider before hiring an Angular developer

To give precise shape to your idea, outline a well-organized strategy, and execute each plan smoothly and efficiently, it is essential to hire a dedicated developer with in-depth knowledge and years of experience in rapidly developing dynamic web applications using the Angular open-source frontend framework. Apart from the actual quality, other important factors ensure that your project is in good hands. The following are the factors you should consider before hiring an Angular developer:

Rich knowledge of Angular: Getting a developer with a comprehensive understanding of Angular is crucial, which means knowing the proper methods and processes for using the framework to create a web application for your business optimally.
Stay up to date with updated versions: Since the release of AngularJS, the very first version of Angular developed by the team at Google in 2009, several versions of the framework have already been launched, and each new version is different from the previous ones. Thus, an Angular developer needs to be aware of new versions. Angular 8.0 is the latest version at the moment.
Deep understanding of the JavaScript language: To ensure excellent web application development using angular, the developer you will be hiring must, first of all, have in-depth knowledge or a deep understanding of the Javascript programming language.
Experience in Angular development: It is essential to have an experienced developer to work effectively on your project. People with a lot of experience in using Angular can easily understand the client’s requirements and find the right solutions to help meet the business requirements and achieve all goals by developing dynamic web applications. Therefore, before hiring an open-air developer, you should review a resume or portfolio of work projects and read or hear from clients or previous employers to ensure the developer’s quality.
Experience in API implementation: Angular specialists should be experienced and able to read and effectively implement API documentation. The RESTful API uses HTTP requests for GET-PUT-POST-DELETE data.
Communication and support: You should hire dedicated developers from a reliable company that values each client and supports them from the beginning of the web application development process. This will help you be on the same page as the developer and be more aware of the development process, in addition to getting full maintenance support to help you grow your business and stay competitive.
Pricing: If you are a beginner, hiring an Angular developer per hour is better. This is positive for you as you can save a decent amount of money and get enough time to focus on other core areas of your business.

How to hire Angular developers

First, when hiring Angular developers, you must communicate your message correctly so potential employees understand what you want from them. They need to understand your vision and the challenges they may face while working on your project.

In addition, you should be clear about whether there is room for initiative and creating new and creative solutions. If you have precise requirements for what needs to be done, then you should inform potential team members and see if your candidates can handle them. Developers strive to offer new solutions and not just perform tasks.

When looking for a skilled Angular developer, checking their CVs, portfolios, and testimonials from clients and previous employers is essential. Of course, developer experience is critical, as working on similar or more significant projects will help improve the quality of your product. Technical requirements depend on the complexity of the tasks and the professional level.

What to look for in an Angular developer resume

Knowledge of JavaScipt. It doesn’t matter if you’re hiring an Angular, React, or Vue.js engineer – that person needs to know the JavaScript language at its core.
Deep knowledge of Angular Framework. Your Angular developer should have excellent knowledge of Angular. Since the framework is regularly updated and new versions are released, it is essential to keep learning and skills current.
Excellent knowledge of web markup, HTML, and CSS. A developer experienced in web layout will have a solid understanding of element layout, UX concepts, and element interaction. Such knowledge is essential for the implementation of a quality project.
Experience integrating with RESTful APIs. The RESTful API (Application Program Interface) uses HTTP requests to get, PUT, POST, and DELETE data. To be able to read API documentation and use it effectively, a developer must have experience with REST APIs.
Knowledge of related technologies such as Node and Webpack. These technologies complement the framework, making the development process simpler and more efficient. If you are looking for intelligent developers, include them in your requirements.
Attention to detail. Your developers need to be highly attentive to detail to write quality code and be able to catch bugs right away.
Good communication skills. You need your Angular developers to be able to explain what’s going on. If hiring an Angular development team, you can have a project manager or delivery manager on their side for efficient collaboration.

Conclusion

JavaScript is a multi-faceted language used for everything: frontend, backend, mobile, and browser extensions. Undoubtedly, Angular is one of the most powerful JavaScript frameworks out there. This framework has a solid list of benefits and enjoys enormous support from Google and its strong developer community.

To hire talented Angular developers, you should do a lot of research and preparation, from studying developers’ resumes and experience to identifying the proper requirements. Ultimately, you must understand that you need highly qualified specialists and a strong development team to collaborate effectively and achieve the best results.

May 16, 2023by klimentinaSoftware development

MarTech and Its Expansion in 2023

What is MarTech

MarTech (Marketing Technology) is a term used to describe the intersection of marketing and technology. It refers to the tools, platforms, and software marketers use to automate, streamline, and enhance their marketing efforts. MarTech encompasses various technologies, including customer relationship management (CRM) systems, email marketing software, social media management tools, content management systems (CMS), analytics and reporting platforms, and more.

MarTech aims to enable marketers to understand their customers better and deliver more personalized, targeted, and effective marketing campaigns. By leveraging technology, marketers can collect, analyze, and act on data in real time, which allows them to optimize their marketing efforts and achieve better results. MarTech is an ever-evolving field, with new tools and platforms being developed all the time to meet the changing needs of marketers.

Users use digital tools for everything related to communicating with a brand: from finding great deals during the pre-New Year discount period to researching a new accounting firm for a business.

Statistics confirm this. The average user spends about 5.2 hours a day online. And we understand that the time spent online and the quality of the content seen significantly affect the consumer experience and, in connection with it, the choice.

MarTech is based on a technological approach and working with data. This requires companies to be flexible in developing infrastructure and building the competencies of specialists.

How is used MarTech

Automate processes

Automation helps to test hypotheses faster, launch new products, plan ads, keep records, distribute content, and interact with the team. According to experts, by 2027, all this will be done in more non-standard channels – podcasts, ads from TikTok bloggers, in video messages in Telegram.

Use more data

Big Data allows you to collect data and build more accurate conclusions and hypotheses, so more and more companies will use this data. At the same time, a business will need a typical ecosystem or common customer data platforms (DMP, CRM) to track and collect contacts with their audience across different channels. And then use this data to implement a loyalty program and make personalized offers.

Integrate data and systems

There are a lot of MarTech tools for solving marketing problems, and marketers often use several at the same time. Integration between systems and a typical ecosystem is needed to automate processes and not transfer much information between them. Many services already have ready-made modules, but they only sometimes consider all a marketer’s needs. For example, a small selection of services or they have limited integration features.

Use no-code tools

No-code solutions are becoming a trend and are actively taking their place in the market. More and more companies are implementing them into processes instead of developing products from scratch. The advantages of no-code tools include the following:

speed of solving problems: the release of an MVP or a full-fledged product can take a couple of weeks;
integration of services with each other, for which you do not need to write code;
rapid testing of marketing hypotheses;
creation of new solutions and schemes that have not yet been on the market;
savings because the cost of such tools is lower than in-house development.

Keep up with customer behavior

The MarTech market’s growth is fueled by companies’ desire to keep up with customer behavior. Changing consumer behavior and expectations make marketing technology vital to the modern marketer.

They allow:

get more data about the target audience and establish a closer connection with it;
increase the level of personalized targeting;
make a more accurate assessment of the effectiveness of advertising campaigns;
increase the level of interaction and information exchange between employees;
simplify the work of a marketer and save his time.

How does MarTech help the users to keep picking that practice

MarTech can help users to keep picking marketing practices by providing a range of benefits, such as:

Streamlined processes: MarTech tools can automate and streamline many marketing processes, such as email campaigns, social media posts, and customer segmentation. This can help users to save time and resources, allowing them to focus on other essential tasks.
Enhanced targeting: MarTech tools can enable users to collect and analyze data about their customers, allowing them to create more targeted and personalized marketing campaigns. This can lead to higher engagement rates and more conversions.
Improved analytics: MarTech tools often come with powerful analytics and reporting features, which can help users track their marketing campaign’s performance and make data-driven decisions about future strategies.
Increased efficiency: MarTech tools can help users work more efficiently and effectively without sacrificing quality by automating and streamlining many marketing processes.
Scalability: Many MarTech tools are designed to be scalable, which means they can grow and adapt alongside a user’s business needs. This can help users to stay competitive and relevant in an ever-changing marketing landscape.

MarTech can provide a range of benefits that can help users to improve their marketing practices, stay competitive, and achieve better results.

How MarTech drives sales

MarTech can drive sales in several ways, including:

Personalized Marketing: MarTech tools can help businesses create more personalized marketing campaigns that target individual customers based on their preferences, behavior, and past purchases. This can lead to higher engagement rates and, ultimately, more sales.
Automation: MarTech tools can automate many marketing tasks, such as sending emails, following up with leads, and managing social media posts. This can help businesses reach more potential customers and improve their conversion rates.
Lead Generation: Many MarTech tools include lead generation features, such as lead capture forms, landing pages, and chatbots. Businesses can generate more leads and ultimately increase their sales by using these features.
Analytics and Insights: MarTech tools often include powerful analytics and reporting features that can help businesses track their marketing campaigns’ performance and identify improvement areas. Using data-driven insights, companies can optimize their marketing strategies and increase their sales.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Many MarTech tools include CRM features allowing businesses to manage customer interactions more effectively. By providing a better customer experience, companies can build stronger relationships and increase their sales over time.

MarTech can help businesses drive sales by improving their marketing efforts, automating tasks, generating more leads, providing data-driven insights, and enhancing customer relationships.

Trends in the expansion of MarTech in 2023 and further

The MarTech industry is expected to continue growing and expanding in 2023, with new technologies and tools being developed to meet marketers’ evolving needs and help businesses improve their marketing efforts and stay competitive. Some of the trends that may shape the expansion of MarTech in 2023 and further include:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): AI and ML technologies are increasingly integrated into MarTech tools to enable more advanced automation, personalization, and predictive analytics.
Voice Search Optimization: With the increasing popularity of voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, MarTech tools are being developed to help businesses optimize their content for voice search and capitalize on this emerging trend.
Integration and Consolidation: As the MarTech landscape expands, businesses seek more integrated and consolidated solutions to manage their marketing efforts. MarTech companies are responding by offering more comprehensive suites of tools that can handle multiple aspects of marketing.
Privacy and Security: With growing concerns around data privacy and security, MarTech companies are investing in more robust security features to protect user data and comply with regulations like GDPR and CCPA.
Video Marketing: Video content continues to gain popularity, and MarTech tools are being developed to help businesses create, manage, and analyze their video marketing efforts.
Development of tools for creating websites, chats, mobile applications, voice assistants, databases, etc., that do not require special knowledge: You will not need to know how to write code to create the necessary applications or sites. There will be special simple tools for this.
Platforms and marketplaces will replace supply chains and linear thinking: tools for collective work on products, collective distribution of these products, and collaborative feedback collection. You will no longer be able to close in your system; you will need to build collaborations.
There will be incredible growth in the number of solutions and tools: If in 2011 there were only 150 solutions in MarTech, then in 2020, there are already 8000. Each company will want a custom solution, taking into account its needs. And it will receive it.
Total automation: Automation will affect everything – creating creatives and their distribution, the interaction between suppliers, and planning and placement of advertising. And not only in traditional media but also in non-standard formats – for example, in podcasts or with influencers.
Growth in data usage: For automation to be effective, it must be based on accurate calculations and inputs. Therefore, the volume and depth of data use will grow. Experts expect an increased demand for analytics that will help evaluate the effectiveness of each invested marketing ruble, whether it’s advertising on TV or targeted contact with a client through a loyalty program. At the same time, businesses will need unified customer data platforms to track contacts with their audience across different channels.
Data and systems integration: Automation ubiquitous and big data demand solutions that link all initiatives into a single ecosystem. This will allow the integration of data and systems, providing end-to-end analytics. Thanks to this integration, the business can use marketing tools with maximum impact.
Personalization through neural networks: 80% of consumers are likelier to buy something if the customer experience is personalized. It sounds paradoxical, but machine learning reads the emotional signals of buyers better. The neural network can see the entire customer experience and predict needs. Personalization results from training neural networks and processing vast amounts of information. This is data about problems, requests, attendance, and socio-demographic characteristics. A marketer cannot cover everything, but artificial intelligence can. That is, personalized marketing does not follow the client’s interest – it anticipates this interest.
Working with big data: How long will it take for a marketer to download and analyze all tables for one advertising campaign? A lot of. And if there are dozens of such companies? Data-driven marketing is just focused on solving this problem. It lets you see what a person cannot see: connections, trends, and metadata. How a customer interacts with a brand, which channels are more cost-effective, and how preferences change all help to get the most out of your marketing investment. Using Data-Driven Marketing allows you to increase customer loyalty by 48%.
Metaverses: It is customary to say that AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality) are still at the technological stage and will be released to the masses later. However, according to insider intelligence, by 2023, 100 million people will use AR at least once a month. Metaverses are slowly but inevitably coming into our lives. People are trying on costumes in virtual stores, and brands are trying out AR in product placement and trying to sell NFTs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, MarTech refers to the tools, platforms, and software marketers use to automate, streamline, and enhance their marketing efforts. MarTech can help businesses improve marketing practices, drive sales, and stay competitive in an ever-changing market.

MarTech tools provide benefits such as automation, personalized marketing, enhanced targeting, improved analytics, increased efficiency, and scalability. With the integration of technologies like artificial intelligence, voice search optimization, and video marketing, the MarTech industry is expected to grow and evolve in the coming years.

Overall, MarTech has become essential to modern marketing, providing businesses with the tools to create compelling, data-driven marketing strategies that deliver results.

May 16, 2023by klimentinaSoftware development

Beacon Technology – a Smart Software and Marketing Concoction

What is the beacon technology

Beacon technology appeared in 2013 and referred to a wireless communication technology that enables small devices called beacons to transmit signals to nearby Bluetooth-enabled devices such as smartphones and tablets. These beacons use low-energy Bluetooth signals to broadcast their location. When a user’s device comes within range, it can detect the signal and trigger an action, such as sending a notification or opening an app.

The BLE signal range is up to 50m and thus closes the gap between NFC. (Near field communication), which transmits data very accurately, but accurate to a few centimeters, and Wi-Fi, which can cover a much more extensive range, and thus again, too inaccurate for positioning.

Beacons are based on the principle of a receiver-transmitter. For this, transmitters (beacons) are placed indoors, performing the functions of signaling devices. These beacons send out signals at intervals that receivers (e.g., smartphones) can understand and process. This makes it easy to locate the recipient, which also provides internal navigation.

Beacons can be used in various industries, such as retail, hospitality, and healthcare, to provide location-based services and personalized customer experiences. For example, a retail store can use beacons to send notifications to customers about sales or promotions when they enter the store, or a hospital can use beacons to track equipment and monitor patient movements.

Beacon technology offers a simple and effective way to provide contextual information and enhance user experiences. It is a popular tool for businesses and organizations looking to improve customer engagement strategies.

Beacons are miniature devices of various shapes, often similar to flash memory, based on Bluetooth Low Energy technology. Due to their size and autonomy of operation, the devices can easily be placed everywhere in enclosed spaces, providing new opportunities for communication and positioning with an accuracy of several meters.

The beacon’s operating principle is based on transmitting radio signals that a special BLE gateway can receive. After installation, the beacon begins to send signals with a specified interval. As soon as a mobile device with a pre-installed mobile application or enabled Bluetooth/Wi-Fi enters the target’s field of action, it recognizes these signals and starts performing specific tasks (sends the user push-notifications or contextual advertising).

Advantages of the beacon technology

High accuracy: The technology explained and its associated options make beacons especially interesting for location-based service.: BLE can be used anywhere you cannot reach a reasonably accurate position because GPS or Wi-Fi is not available with the accuracy you need. The technology can also be used where the distance from NFC would be insufficient. Wi-Fi range is about 46 meters indoors, and beacons have an accuracy of up to 150 meters.
The signal is sent automatically: Also, beacons send signals to the user’s device without any action, as in the case of QR or AR codes, for example, which the user must capture on the camera. Indoors, floors are no longer obstacles.
Different ranges for different actions: This feature uses the iBeacon protocol and gives “ranking.” Measuring relative distance with “Immediate” means you are only a few centimeters away, “Near” means a few meters, and “Far” means more than 10m away. The applications of this technology seem almost endless: you can use relative and absolute positions for beacons and thus revolutionize entire industries.
Affordable cost: Compared to other technologies, Beacons are much more affordable due to ease of deployment, making it a low-risk and potentially high return on investment.
Responsive and flexible: Bluetooth Beacon technology is easy to use and can be applied to many industries, such as offices, factories, airports, hotels, retail, education, and other public places.
Personalized Marketing: Get a deeper understanding of customers and do personalized marketing and customer segmentation based on proximity marketing technology.
Improve customer service: According to the study, people turn on about 14 percent of standard push notifications, but more than 50 percent of messages sent by beacons turn on because they seem more relevant.
Stimulate local sales: People will be enticed by Beacon-based proximity notifications to install a corporate mobile app and eventually be directed to a specific location in the store.

Disadvantages of beacon technology

Information bombardment: As long as the message being sent is valuable to the user, it is successful marketing. However, sending the beacon to the right audience is a good experience for the user. They will feel bombarded with information and get mad at too many push notifications and even stop using the app.
Short battery life: Most beacons are powered by a coin-sized battery, and the battery life is primarily dependent on the app, so some users may find it inconvenient. However, you can also use USB beacons instead or check with the supplier when placing an order.
Limited audience: Beacon technology is limited to BLE(Bluetooth) signals, so Beacon technology cannot detect a user’s device without Bluetooth enabled. This has limited the company’s access to data, and only users with Bluetooth can be targeted at the target audience, mainly young people. In addition, some brands rely on apps to interact with customers. If customers enter the store without installing their application, they cannot receive offers and other notifications.
Cost Consideration: While beacon technology can bring much more value to a business, deploying multiple beacons is still costly for small businesses because there are costs associated with deployment, testing, and maintenance.

What are beacons used for

Indoor navigation

The use of lighthouses helps enterprises to improve the quality of customer service. Visitors are allowed to navigate inside the premises with the construction of an interactive map in real-time. Using a mobile application, a person can build routes to places of interest and quickly find the necessary points inside the building. So, with the help of beacons in stores, you can easily find the required cargo, and when visiting exhibitions and museums, you can quickly get to exciting exhibits. Such an approach significantly improves customers’ user experience and provides companies with direct communication channels with visitors.

Definition of locations (positioning)

Accurate positioning is a natural solution in the working conditions of a large enterprise. Beacons successfully cope with this function and help quickly establish a person’s location or asset’s location. When using them, you can:

track the movement of people, equipment, and transport;
determine the fact of non-targeted use of working time;
instantly react to emergencies;
control and redirect flows of people.

Asset and personnel tracking

Beacons play an essential role in enterprise security. They can be installed on equipment embedded in employees’ wearable devices, which allows tracking of movement. Thanks to the implementation of beacons, the positioning system becomes an effective solution for emergency warnings and prevents the theft of company property. Also, devices help to monitor the work of employees. With their help, it is possible to fix the time of arrival and departure from work, lateness, and absence from work. Technology helps to build digital interactive maps with access zones and to track unauthorized entry into such places.

Analytics of visits

Beacon technology allows for analyzing visits to shops, hospitals, administrative and other institutions. They help build heat maps, develop visitor flow maps, and determine the fact and frequency of business visits. Thanks to the information received, marketers can better understand visitor behavior and personalize offers for specific customers.

Social or marketing interaction

When using beacons, you can provide users with engaging and relevant content. Devices quickly determine users’ location, allow to evaluate their behavior, and then send information to the smartphone according to the conducted analysis. Customers will receive targeted push notifications that may contain the following information:

greetings;
notifications about current promotions, special offers, and sales;
useful information about goods or services;
advertising offers.

A similar approach increases user loyalty, makes the establishment more attractive in the eyes of the client, and encourages him to return.

Tracking the flow of people for safety during Covid-19

In the conditions of the spread of the pandemic, beacons help the management of enterprises to take adequate measures to prevent the infection of staff and visitors. With their help, you can solve several important tasks:

Observance of social distancing – they send signals about large gatherings of people on the premises or reduced distances between users, which helps respond promptly.
Tracking contacts – to determine locations, you can fix the number of connections of that or another person and select the duration of interactions.
Monitoring vital signs – when installed in bracelets or individual tags on clothes, they can accurately calculate body temperature, pulse rate, and other parameters.

Areas of applications of the beacon

The area of use of beacons covers many areas of life. With the development of digital technology, the Bluetooth low energy beacon has become widely used in the following areas:

Retail and shopping centers – used to navigate in stores and receive additional marketing channels.
Airports and train stations – help passengers to navigate the premises of transport hubs better.
Healthcare – allows you to find suitable rooms quickly and control the location of medical equipment.
Logistics and warehousing – provide precise control and optimization of warehouse stocks.
Offices and real estate – improve positioning in large business centers and allow you to control the movement of office employees.
Museums and exhibitions – help create mobile guides and quickly find the right exhibits.
Industry – opens up opportunities for continuous monitoring of personnel and production assets.
Sports – improve navigation in stadiums and sports complexes, allowing you to monitor athletes during the game.
Events – event organizers can use beacons to provide attendees with location-based information about speakers, sessions, and other event-related activities.
Hospitality – hotels and resorts can use beacons to provide guests with information about the property, nearby attractions, and other helpful information.
Transportation – transportation providers can use beacons to provide real-time information to travelers, such as flight updates and gate changes.

How beacon technology involves marketing

Beacon technology involves marketing by enabling businesses to communicate with customers through their mobile devices while they are near the beacon. Beacons use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology to send signals to nearby mobile devices. When a customer with a mobile device comes within range of a beacon, the device receives the signal and can trigger an action, such as displaying a notification or launching an app.

By using beacon technology, businesses can deliver personalized and targeted messages to customers based on their location and behavior. For example, a retail store can use beacons to send special offers or promotions to customers who are in the store. A restaurant can use beacons to send menus or promotions to those waiting for outside customers. Beacons can also track customer behavior and provide insights into how customers interact with a business.

Beacon technology can help businesses to enhance the customer experience, increase engagement, and improve marketing effectiveness by delivering highly targeted and personalized messages to customers in real time.

How beacon technology is expected to grow

Beacon technology is expected to grow in the coming years as more businesses realize the benefits of using this technology to improve customer engagement, increase sales, and gain valuable insights into customer behavior. Here are some factors driving the growth of beacon technology:

Increased adoption: As more businesses adopt beacon technology, consumers will become more familiar with it and be more likely to use it. This will create a network effect that will drive further adoption.
Improved technology: Beacon technology is becoming more advanced, with longer battery life, more excellent range, and more accurate location tracking. These improvements will make it easier for businesses to use beacons in various applications and locations.
Growing mobile usage: With more people using mobile devices for shopping and other activities, beacons offer a convenient and effective way to communicate with customers in real time.
Growing interest in location-based marketing: Location-based marketing is becoming more popular as businesses seek to deliver personalized customer messages based on location and behavior. Beacons offer a powerful tool for providing these messages.
Integration with other technologies: Beacons are integrating with other technologies, such as augmented reality and mobile payments, to create more engaging and convenient customer experiences.

Conclusion

The growth of beacon technology is expected to continue in the coming years as more businesses realize its potential and consumers become more familiar with its use. As technology advances, with improved battery life, range, and accuracy, companies can use beacons in a broader range of applications and locations and offer their customers more engaging and convenient experiences.

Beacon technology is a powerful tool that can help businesses to improve customer engagement, increase sales, and gain valuable insights into customer behavior. It is an area that is likely to see significant growth and development in the future.

May 16, 2023by klimentinaSoftware development

On-Demand Apps – No. 1 Choice for Better Customer Experience

What are on-demand apps

On-demand apps are mobile applications that allow users to order or book a particular service or product to be delivered to their desired location at their convenience. These apps have become popular due to their ability to provide services on an as-needed basis, offering a range of products and services such as food delivery, ride-sharing, grocery delivery, laundry services, and more. The apps work by connecting users with service providers, allowing them to browse products or services, make a purchase, and track their orders in real time. The on-demand app market has grown significantly in recent years and has become a popular business model for many startups and established companies alike.

On-demand apps work with multiple feature sets that they should have. With these features, on-demand applications may gain credibility in the marketplace.

Security and authentication. The payment gateway must be safe and secure for users because it contains sensitive data such as debit and credit card details.
Payment options. The on-demand service application should be more comprehensive than one payment method, including internet banking, cash on delivery, debit card, credit card, etc.
Real-time tracking. Users need to know the accurate delivery information of their product, which becomes reassuring. Even the location of users is shared with delivery partners.
Evaluation and review. Authentic and authentic user reviews increase the credibility of the mobile app and its value in the market.
Notifications. Whether it’s offers, upcoming sales, or real-time tracking information, notifications are the best way to connect with users.
Wish list function. This feature allows users to add products they want to purchase later. Users can easily access it even if the item is out of stock.
Search and history of past orders. This is one of the vital features of on-demand apps that allow users to reorder or keep searching.
Voice recognition. With the popularity of artificial intelligence in the market, on-demand apps include voice recognition features to make ordering easier.

On-demand apps come in several categories and are popular across industries. However, the operation of such applications is similar, as providers are connected to customers through the platform. The main work of applications on demand:

Using the service application, the user makes the desired request and makes a payment (in some cases, or chooses cash on delivery)
The application sends a request to the service provider or provider
The provider accepts the request
The supplier starts processing the product and delivers it to users
Users can view the item after delivery

All on-demand applications may work similarly, but they differ in basic types, such as:

B2B services are associated with large enterprises to meet the needs of recruitment, banking, and transportation.
B2C services where businesses connect with customers like Amazon, Uber Eats, etc.
C2C services can earn two-way commissions without doing anything like Uber, OLX, eBay, etc.

How can on-demand apps be helpful, or benefits of on-demand apps

On-demand apps can be helpful in several ways. They have the potential to improve people’s lives by making essential services more accessible and by creating job opportunities for those who need them. On-demand apps offer several benefits to both users and service providers:

Convenience: On-demand apps offer a high level of convenience to users by allowing them to access products and services from the comfort of their own homes. This eliminates the need to travel to physical locations, saving time and effort.
Efficiency: On-demand apps offer a streamlined and efficient user experience, with easy payment options and real-time order tracking. This makes it easier for users to order and receive products and services quickly.
Flexibility: On-demand apps offer a high degree of flexibility, allowing users to order products and services at any time of the day or night. This is particularly useful for people with busy schedules who may need more time to visit physical locations during regular business hours.
Increased access: On-demand apps can help increase access to products and services, particularly for people who live in rural or remote areas. This can help bridge the gap in access to essential services such as healthcare and education.
Job opportunities: On-demand apps can create job opportunities for people who want to work flexible hours or supplement their income. This can be particularly beneficial for people who may have difficulty finding traditional employment due to various reasons.
Cost-effective: On-demand apps can be cost-effective for service providers, as they can reduce the overhead costs associated with traditional brick-and-mortar businesses.
Data-driven insights: On-demand apps can provide valuable data-driven insights to service providers, helping them optimize their operations and improve their services.

How do on-demand apps make money

On-demand apps make money primarily through commission fees charged to service providers on the platform. Here are some common ways on-demand apps generate revenue:

Commission fees: On-demand apps charge service providers a percentage of the transaction amount as a commission fee. The fee can vary based on the type of service and the platform.
Subscription fees: Some on-demand apps charge service providers a monthly or annual subscription fee for access to the platform’s services and features.
Advertising: On-demand apps can generate revenue through advertising partnerships with other businesses. They can display ads within the app or provide sponsored listings for service providers.
Premium services: On-demand apps can offer premium services for users, such as faster delivery or access to exclusive products, for a fee.
Data monetization: On-demand apps can sell data collected from users and service providers to third-party companies for marketing and research purposes.
Referral fees: On-demand apps can generate revenue by offering referral bonuses to users who refer new customers to the platform.

Types and categories of on-demand apps

On-demand apps are divided into different types and categories based on requirements and services.

Food Delivery Applications

The food and grocery delivery model has gained immense popularity during the pandemic, with people trapped at home. They could order groceries and meals at their doorstep. However, the services were in demand before. Amazon offered grocery delivery, while Uber Eats provided food delivery from restaurants, divided into three factors: an admin app (third party or reseller), a supplier app, and a customer app. Other examples include Grubhub, DoorDash, Postmates, and Deliveroo.

According to Google Trends, food delivery search stats was over 50% in 2021. This category of on-demand services is expected, constant, and predictable in the market. Online food and grocery delivery apps follow best practices for data storage, ordering, delivery, and more.

Some apps like Instacard, GrubHub, UberEats, Amazon Prime Now, Postmates, etc., are extremely popular as food delivery and on-demand grocery delivery services. The application connects users with chain grocery stores or food outlets (restaurants). Business models include delivery aggregators, marketplaces, grocery or grocery stores, etc.

Transport applications

When it comes to transportation applications, this includes calling a taxi, ordering a taxi, buying a car, renting a car, selling a car, and logistics services. Users have depended on dial-a-ride for an extended period, but in March 2008, Uber entered the market, opening a new path for business owners. Other examples are Lyft and Didi.

On-demand transport services have allowed drivers or logistics to connect with a broader audience. These apps generally fall into two categories like other on-demand apps – provider (driver) apps and customer (passenger) apps, except for the admin app.

Electronic calling platforms have made it easier for consumers to order a taxi or delivery service anytime from anywhere. At the same time, logistics services (such as UberRUSH) include staff training, fleet maintenance, exemplary service, order tracking, etc.

Developers must focus on agility, high agility, outreach, investment opportunities, fleet growth, and secure payment gateways to increase popularity.

Healthcare Applications

The Medicine and Doctor on Demand app has been popular over the past few years, allowing users or patients to consult doctors from the comfort of their homes and receive medicines ordered at their doorstep.

On-demand medical apps have taken a new turn amid the pandemic, with people opting to consult a doctor online instead of visiting unsafe hospitals. It has become a new trend in the market, reliable and valuable for users.

Several online healthcare apps are available in the market, such as Doctor on Demand and Pager. Applications for telemedicine and healthcare are developed using modern technologies.

Healthcare apps allow users to consult doctors while maintaining their privacy, seek advice by checking doctors’ certifications (and ratings), find specialists and call a doctor by phone or video as prescribed. It allows you to collect health data, remote patient monitoring, wireless testing, request doctor visits, etc.

In addition, fitness apps are part of the healthcare industry. Personalized on-demand fitness services have evolved into a comprehensive application that includes gym/home workout programs based on user preferences.

Entertainment applications

The entertainment sector is booming, as are on-demand applications like YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Music, Netflix, Hulu, etc. Especially during the pandemic, the demand for online entertainment has increased as users prefer to watch series, shows, documentaries, movies, etc., while locked up at home.

This is a fierce competition between applications and services with increased demand. Several streaming apps have become huge successes in the market, while some have failed due to a lack of popularity or similarity.

Video-on-demand and music-on-demand services offer the user personalized content according to their preferences. It has somewhat replaced television for some people who prefer video streaming on their mobile phones. OTT platforms have now become an essential part of every person’s life.

Home Service Applications

Gone are the days when you had to look for people for some domestic service. Some applications allow users to book or order services at home with a few clicks. By 2024, total growth in-home services will exceed $1.5 billion.

These services include babysitting, packing and moving, pet care, repair services, home cleaning, etc. Users can contact a large number of registered professionals and make an appointment according to their services.

This allows you to guarantee a contractor, compare prices, and check reviews and ratings to hire experienced and budget professionals.

Freelancers or contract workers can quickly get jobs from the app, and users can get instant help. On-demand apps for household chores take time for everyday tasks like plumbing, cleaning, carpentry, etc.

What are the challenges of on-demand apps

On-demand apps face several challenges, which require careful management and attention to ensure long-term success.

Competition: The on-demand app market is highly competitive, with many established players competing for market share. New entrants to the market face significant barriers to entry, such as building a user base and establishing trust.
Regulation: On-demand apps are subject to a complex and evolving regulatory environment. Regulations can vary by geography and service type, and compliance can be challenging for service providers.
Quality control: Maintaining quality control on on-demand platforms can be challenging, mainly when service providers are independent contractors. Ensuring service providers meet quality standards can be challenging, and maintaining consistency in service quality can take time and effort.
Security and privacy: On-demand apps collect and store sensitive personal and financial information, which can be a target for cyber-attacks. Ensuring the protection and confidentiality of user information is critical to building trust with users.
Labor issues: On-demand apps have faced labor issues, such as worker classification and fair compensation disputes. These issues can damage the reputation of on-demand apps and lead to legal and financial challenges.
Customer acquisition and retention: Acquiring and retaining customers can be challenging for on-demand apps, particularly in a crowded market. Maintaining user engagement and loyalty can take time, and customer acquisition costs can be high.

What is the future of on-demand apps

On-demand apps are expected to continue to grow in popularity, with the market projected to reach over $335 billion by 2025. The apps are likely to expand to more industries and offer more services, including healthcare, education, and legal services. Additionally, advancements in technology such as AI and machine learning will likely improve the user experience further and increase the efficiency of on-demand services.

The future of on-demand apps looks promising, with continued growth and innovation expected in the coming years. Here are some trends and developments that are likely to shape the future of on-demand apps:

Expansion into new markets: On-demand apps are likely to expand into new markets and service categories, such as healthcare, education, and financial services.
Integration with emerging technologies: On-demand apps are likely to integrate with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain to provide more personalized and secure services.
Consolidation and partnerships: The on-demand app market is likely to see increased consolidation and partnerships as established players seek to expand their market share and enter new markets.
Increased focus on sustainability: On-demand apps are likely to place a greater focus on sustainability, with a growing emphasis on reducing carbon emissions and minimizing waste.
Shift towards gig work: The rise of on-demand apps is likely to contribute to a shift towards gig work, with more people working as independent contractors in the on-demand economy.
Increased regulation: On-demand apps will likely face increased regulation as governments seek to address labor rights, data privacy, and consumer protection issues.

Conclusion

In conclusion, on-demand apps have transformed the way we access and consume services in today’s digital age. They provide convenience, flexibility, and efficiency by allowing users to access services anytime and anywhere through their smartphones. On-demand apps also offer a new business model for service providers, allowing them to reach a more extensive customer base and generate additional revenue streams.

On-demand apps face several challenges, including competition, regulation, quality control, security and privacy, labor issues, and customer acquisition and retention. As the on-demand app market continues to evolve, it will be critical for businesses to address these challenges and adapt to new trends and technologies to remain competitive.

On-demand apps have fundamentally changed the way we access and consume services. They will likely play a significant role in shaping the digital economy in the coming years.

May 16, 2023by klimentinaSoftware development

Ten Most Popular Backend Frameworks in 2023

What is a backend framework

A backend framework is a software framework designed to support web application development by providing standard functionality that can be reused across multiple projects. It typically includes tools and libraries for handling tasks such as database integration, authentication, security, and server-side logic.

Backend frameworks provide developers with a structured and organized way to create complex web applications without starting from scratch every time. By leveraging the capabilities of a backend framework, developers can focus on building the unique business logic of their application rather than worrying about lower-level details such as managing server connections or dealing with database queries.

Types of backend frameworks

There are many types of backend frameworks, each with strengths and weaknesses. Some of the most popular types of backend frameworks include:

Full-stack frameworks: These comprehensive frameworks provide everything you need to build a complete web application, including frontend and backend functionality. Examples include Ruby on Rails and Django.
Micro-frameworks: These lightweight frameworks provide only the bare essentials needed to build a web application, allowing developers to add additional functionality. Examples include Flask and Express.js.
Enterprise frameworks: They are explicitly designed for building large-scale, complex applications. They often include caching, load balancing, and advanced security options. Examples include Spring and NET.
API frameworks are explicitly designed for building RESTful APIs, which communicate between different parts of an application. Examples include Express.js and Flask-RESTful.
Real-time frameworks: These are frameworks designed for building real-time web applications, such as chat applications and online multiplayer games. Examples include Socket.IO and Meteor.

The choice of backend framework depends on your application’s specific needs and requirements, as well as your personal preference and development skills.

Benefits of the backend framework

There are several benefits of using a backend framework for web application development:

Speeds up development: Backend frameworks come with pre-built components and libraries that can be easily integrated into your application, saving a lot of coding and development time. This allows developers to focus on building the core logic of their application instead of spending time on basic tasks.
Consistency and maintainability: Backend frameworks provide a consistent structure and coding pattern across the application, making it easier to maintain and update the codebase. This ensures that the application remains stable and bug-free.
Scalability: Backend frameworks are designed to handle high traffic and load, making it easy to scale the application as it grows. This ensures that the application remains performant and responsive even as the user base increases.
Security: Backend frameworks have built-in features and tools to help protect against common web security threats. This includes password hashing, cross-site scripting prevention, and input validation.
Community support: Most backend frameworks have large communities of developers who contribute to the development and maintenance of the framework, providing a wealth of resources and support for developers using the framework.

A backend framework can save time and effort in development, provide a consistent and maintainable codebase, and ensure that the application remains secure and scalable over time.

Ten best backend frameworks for web development in 2023

Spring Framework + Spring boot for Java developers

Spring Framework is a popular Java-based backend framework that provides developers various tools and libraries for building web applications. It is designed to simplify the development of complex applications by providing features such as inversion of control, aspect-oriented programming, and support for multiple data sources.

Spring Boot is an extension of the Spring Framework that makes it even easier to build web applications by providing a range of pre-built components and configuration options. It is designed to reduce the amount of boilerplate code needed to set up a Spring-based application, allowing developers to focus on building the core business logic of their application.

Some benefits of using Spring Framework and Spring Boot for Java developers include:

Easy setup and configuration: Spring Boot provides a range of pre-built components and configuration options that make setting up a new Spring-based application easy. This saves time and effort in development, allowing developers to focus on building the core logic of their applications.
Robustness and scalability: Spring Framework provides various tools and libraries for building robust, scalable web applications. This includes dependency injection, aspect-oriented programming, and support for multiple data sources.
Community support: Spring Framework and Spring Boot have large communities of developers who contribute to the development and maintenance of the framework. This provides a wealth of resources and support for developers using the framework.
Integration with other Java technologies: Spring Framework and Spring Boot integrates easily with other Java technologies such as Hibernate, JPA, and Thymeleaf, making it easy to build complex applications using a range of different tools.

Django for Python Developers

Django is a popular backend web framework for Python developers. It is designed to simplify the development of complex web applications by providing tools and libraries that handle everyday tasks such as database integration, URL routing, authentication, and security.

Some benefits of using Django for Python developers include:

Rapid development: Django provides a range of pre-built components and tools that simplify the development of web applications. This saves time and effort in action, allowing developers to focus on building the core logic of their application.
Scalability and robustness: Django is designed to handle high traffic and load, making it easy to scale the application as it grows. It is also intended to be robust and secure, with built-in security features and tools to help protect against common web security threats.
ORM: Django comes with an Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) tool, which easily maps database tables to Python objects. This makes it easy to work with databases and perform everyday tasks such as querying, creating, and updating records.
Community support: Django has a large community of developers who contribute to the further development of the framework.
Integration with other Python technologies: Django integrates easily with other Python technologies such as SQLAlchemy, Jinja2, and Django REST Framework, making it easy to build complex applications using a range of different tools.

Express.js for JavaScript Developers

JavaScript is the most popular programming language in the world and the only language that provides full-stack development for mobile learning, so Express.js is an excellent choice for programmers.

Express.js is designed to simplify the development of web applications by providing a range of tools and libraries that handle everyday tasks such as routing, middleware, and template rendering.

Some benefits of using Express.js for JavaScript developers include:

Rapid development: Express.js provides a range of pre-built components and tools that simplify the development of web applications.
Scalability and robustness: Express.js is designed to handle high traffic and load with built-in security features and tools to help protect against common web security threats.
Middleware: Express.js uses middleware to handle common tasks such as parsing request bodies, managing cookies, and compressing responses. This makes adding new functionality to the application quick without modifying the core code.
Community support: Express.js has a large community of developers that provides a wealth of resources and support for the framework’s users.
Integration with other JavaScript technologies: Express.js integrates easily with other JavaScript technologies such as MongoDB, Mongoose, and Socket.IO, making it easy to build complex applications using a range of different tools.

ASP.NET core for .NET developers

ASP.NET core is the successor to ASP.NET. It is an open-source platform used to build .NET web applications. It is considered one of the most effective backend frameworks. It is designed to simplify the development of web applications by providing a range of tools and libraries that handle everyday tasks such as dependency injection, configuration, and routing.

Some benefits of using ASP.NET Core for .NET developers include:

Cross-platform support: ASP.NET Core is designed to run on multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, and macOS. This allows developers to build and deploy applications on their platform of choice.
Rapid development: ASP.NET Core provides a range of pre-built components and tools that simplify the development of web applications.
Dependency injection: ASP.NET Core provides built-in support for dependency injection, which makes it easy to manage dependencies and maintain a clean and modular codebase.
Security: ASP.NET Core provides built-in security features and tools to help protect against common web security threats. It also supports industry-standard authentication and authorization protocols.
Community support: ASP.NET Core has a large community of developers.
Integration with other .NET technologies: ASP.NET Core integrates easily with other .NET technologies such as Entity Framework, SignalR, and Razor, making it easy to build complex applications using a range of different tools.

Laravel for PHP Developers

PHP is one of the most used programming languages in backend development. Laravel is a PHP framework based on MVC architecture. It’s a beginner-friendly framework with a simple interface, an extensive library, and brilliant API support. Laravel is designed to simplify the development of web applications by providing a range of tools and libraries that handle everyday tasks such as routing, database integration, and authentication.

Some benefits of using Laravel for PHP developers include:

Rapid development: Laravel provides a range of pre-built components and tools, allowing the developers to focus on building the core logic of their application.
Elegant syntax: Laravel has a sleek and expressive syntax that makes writing clean and readable code easy. This makes it easy to maintain the codebase and collaborate with other developers.
ORM: Laravel comes with an Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) tool called Eloquent, which provides an easy way to map database tables to PHP objects. This makes it easy to work with databases and perform everyday tasks such as querying, creating, and updating records.
Blade templating engine: Laravel has a powerful templating engine called Blade, which allows developers to write clean and reusable templates for their web applications.
Security: Laravel provides built-in security features and tools to help protect against common web security threats. It also supports industry-standard authentication and authorization protocols.
Community support: Laravel has a large community of developers who contribute to the development and maintenance of the framework.

Ruby on Rails for Ruby Programmers

Ruby on rails, commonly known as Rails, is a backend framework based on the MVC architecture. It is a beginner-friendly framework that is easy to understand and master. It is designed to simplify the development of web applications by providing a range of tools and libraries that handle everyday tasks such as routing, database integration, and authentication.

Some benefits of using Ruby on Rails for Ruby programmers include:

Rapid development: Ruby on Rails provides a range of pre-built components and tools that simplify the development of web applications.
Convention over configuration: Ruby on Rails follows a way over configuration approach, meaning developers only need to specify the parts of their application that differ from the pattern. This makes writing code that is easy to read and maintain.
MVC architecture: Ruby on Rails uses the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture, which separates the application logic into three components: the model, the view, and the controller. This makes it easy to maintain and test the codebase.
ActiveRecord ORM: Ruby on Rails comes with an Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) tool called ActiveRecord, which provides an easy way to map database tables to Ruby objects. This makes it easy to work with databases and perform common tasks such as querying, creating, and updating records.
Community support: Ruby on Rails has a large community of developers.

Fiber Framework for Golang Developers

Fiber is a modern web framework for Golang programmers. The framework is built on top of Fasthttp, the fastest HTTP engine for Go. It is designed to facilitate rapid, zero-memory development with performance in mind.

Fiber is a small but compelling framework. It is easy to integrate third-party libraries into it. The framework provides greater scalability and reduces overhead issues.

It is similar to Express.js and has excellent support for routing, serving static files, building REST APIs, flexible middleware support, a templating engine, and a low memory footprint.

Some benefits of using Fiber for Golang developers include:

High performance: Fiber is designed to be fast and efficient, with low memory usage and minimal overhead. It achieves this through the use of Go’s powerful concurrency features, which allow it to handle large numbers of requests simultaneously.
Simple and flexible API: Fiber provides a simple and intuitive API that makes it easy to build web applications. It also offers a range of middleware that can be used to add functionality to the application.
Routing: Fiber’s powerful routing system allows developers to define complex routes and handlers easily. It also supports dynamic parameters and wildcards, making handling a wide range of requests easy.
Template rendering: Fiber supports a range of template engines, including Go’s built-in template engine and popular third-party engines such as Handlebars and Pug. This makes it easy to build dynamic and interactive web applications.
WebSocket support: Fiber includes built-in support for WebSockets, which allows developers to build real-time applications such as chat rooms and multiplayer games.
Community support: Although Fiber is a relatively new framework, it has a growing community of developers.

CakePHP Framework for PHP Developers

CakePHP is another PHP framework based on the concepts of another famous Ruby on rails backend framework. It provides various tools and libraries for building web applications quickly and easily. It is designed to follow the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern and offers a range of features that make it easy to build complex web applications.

Some benefits of using CakePHP for PHP developers include:

Rapid development: CakePHP provides a range of pre-built components and tools, saving time and effort in story.
Convention over configuration: CakePHP follows a pattern over configuration approach, meaning developers only need to specify the parts of their application that differ from the way. This makes writing code that is easy to read and maintain.
MVC architecture: CakePHP uses the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture, which separates the application logic into three components: the model, the view, and the controller. This makes it easy to maintain and test the codebase.
Object-Relational Mapping (ORM): CakePHP comes with an Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) tool called CakePHP’s ORM, which provides an easy way to map database tables to PHP objects.
Community support: CakePHP has a large community of developers who contribute to the development and maintenance of the framework. This provides a wealth of resources and support for developers using the framework.
Security: CakePHP provides a range of security features, such as input validation, SQL injection prevention, and CSRF protection, which help to keep web applications secure.

Flask Framework for Python Developers

Flask is another Python framework that you can use for backend development. It is considered a microstructure since it does not use specific tools and libraries. Moreover, there is no database abstraction layer, form validation, or dependency on an external source.

It is a simple, highly flexible, and powerful web framework. Being a lightweight framework, or micro-framework, Flask is easy to learn and understand. Moreover, being a Python framework, it is very user-friendly.

Some benefits of using Flask for Python developers include:

Lightweight and flexible: Flask is designed to be light and flexible, with minimal dependencies and a modular design allowing developers to choose the necessary components. This makes it easy to build custom web applications that meet specific requirements.
Easy to learn: Flask has a simple and intuitive API that is easy to learn and use. It is well-documented and has a large community of developers contributing to its development and maintenance.
Extensible: Flask provides a range of extensions that can add functionality to the application. These include support for database integration, form validation, and authentication.
MVC architecture: Flask can be used with the Model-View-Controller (MVC) architectural pattern, which separates the application logic into three components: the model, the view, and the controller. This makes it easy to maintain and test the codebase.
Jinja2 templating: Flask uses the Jinja2 templating engine, which provides a range of features for building dynamic and interactive web applications. This includes support for template inheritance, macros, and filters.
RESTful API support: Flask supports building RESTful APIs, making it easy to build web applications that expose data and functionality through a web API.

Play Framework for Scala Developers

PLAY is one of the most powerful server-side web frameworks written in Scala and Java. It is based on the MVC architecture and offers various features such as code hot reloading, program error display, and a focus on improving developer profitability.

Some benefits of using Play Framework for Scala developers include:

Lightweight and highly scalable: Play Framework is designed to be light and highly scalable, making it ideal for building web applications that handle high traffic levels and large volumes of data.
Built-in reactive programming support: Play Framework supports reactive programming, which allows developers to build highly responsive and interactive web applications that can handle large volumes of data.
Built-in testing support: Play Framework comes with built-in testing support, making it easy to test the codebase and ensure it works as expected.
Built-in templates: Play Framework provides built-in support for templates, which makes it easy to build dynamic and interactive web applications.
Built-in support for RESTful APIs: Play Framework provides built-in support for building RESTful APIs, which makes it easy to build web applications that expose data and functionality through a web API.
Built-in support for WebSocket APIs: Play Framework provides built-in support for building WebSocket APIs, which makes it easy to build real-time web applications that can push data to clients in real time.

Conclusion

With the help of a backend framework, it can increase the productivity of programmers and speed up the procedure for entering the market for a new application, which changes the scope of web development. The choice is vast, and everyone can find the necessary backend framework in 2023 with full compliance with the functionality of the project.

May 16, 2023by klimentinaSoftware development

Blockchain Underlying Algorithms: What You Need to Know

Introduction

Although blockchain is a relatively new term, its history dates back to 1991. Blockchain technology was described by two scientists, Stuart Haber and Scott Stornett, who created a practical computing solution, the purpose of which was the inability to issue digital documents retroactively, just like forging them, and with complete control over the addition of new records.

The idea was implemented as follows – a cryptographically fixed chain of blocks was used to store documents with a timestamp. Later, the system was improved, became even more efficient, and it became possible to keep several records in one block with an encrypted signature.

Along with the fact that the technology is actively developing and improving and being implemented in many areas that we wrote about in previous posts until 2008, the discovery did not attract attention at all. Until a certain programmer, Satoshi Nakamoto, took up this issue. He took up the solution of the technical problems that previously prevented the technology from working and popularizing it in the public domain.

Nakamoto became the creator of the legendary first peer-to-peer payment system – bitcoin and blockchain technology. What is a blockchain? This is a general immutable ledger whose main function is to record transactions and record assets. This is the latest technology, the popularity of which has grown with the spread of cryptocurrencies.

Blockchain

Unlike a conventional centrally administered database, a blockchain is a decentralized peer-to-peer network with which any participant can interact. The classic blockchain is built on cryptography and is a sequential chain of data blocks. Blocks are written one after the other, and depending on how they are written into the chain, the blockchain has one or other certain basic properties. Each next block “locks” the previous one, so the data in the chain cannot be changed by “backdating”; otherwise, the entire blockchain would have to be rewritten.

Blockchain attempts to create a system from which the human factor will be initially excluded. At the same time, it can easily solve the tasks described above and efficiently surpass conventional databases.

Most blockchains are decentralized; several independent computers (nodes) in the network are responsible for writing new blocks to the chain; they form the blockchain and maintain its performance.

Ensuring cryptographic calculations are impossible on one computer with a certain network size, there will not be enough power, or transactions (records in the blockchain) will be processed for a very long time, nullifying all the advantages of the technology make its use meaningless. The use of many computers that are not interconnected guarantees the stability of the blockchain from hacking. It will not work to slip the “left” block into the system since the blockchain is simultaneously present on all computers in the network, and the network will reject it as erroneous. This is called the 51% consensus. For the system to accept a block, more than 50% of the computers on the network must agree with it. Theoretically, a 51% attack is possible, but its probability is negligible.

For the system to work and, given that the blockchain nodes are independent of each other, it is obvious that each node must have rules according to which it validates transactions and writes blocks to the chain. In this case, these rules should be the same for all nodes. This is true. These rules are called the blockchain consensus algorithm.

Blockchain consensus algorithm

The blockchain consensus algorithm is a set of principles and rules by which all nodes (nodes) participating in the network automatically come to a consensus on the current state of the network. Thus, the network’s security, that is, the reliability of all stored data, is guaranteed.

It is easy to see that the names of most algorithms begin with the words “proof of something.” As noted above, each next block in the chain “locks” the previous one, thus ensuring data security in the blockchain. Each new block is mined by one of the network nodes and broadcast to all other nodes. For this block to be accepted and written to the blockchain, the node provides the rest of the participants with sure evidence. What kind of evidence – depends on the algorithm.

Today, there are several consensus algorithms, and new ones appear periodically. Different algorithms are used depending on the specific goals and objectives developers set for themselves when building a blockchain. The main reason pushing developers to improve algorithms and develop new ones is the desire to solve the blockchain trilemma, which refers to the three main properties of blockchain: scalability, decentralization, and security.

The blockchain trilemma is that achieving high rates of the three mentioned network characteristics is impossible. Strengthening one feature automatically weakens another. When creating a blockchain, you have to choose what to sacrifice.

One of the first works on this topic was published back in the 90s of the last century by Eric Brewer, a professor at Berkeley; he formulated the “CAP theorem,” which stated that a distributed ledger (of which blockchain is a special case) could have only two their three main characteristics are Consistency, Availability, and Partition.

The debate on the blockchain trilemma has remained the same to this day, but most likely, it is unsolvable in principle; its ideal solution does not exist. However, in practice, some approaches are used to balance network characteristics: changing the consensus algorithm, explanations of the first level, and decisions of the second level.

Types of blockchain consensus algorithms

Proof of Work (PoW)

This is the most famous and one of the most common consensus algorithms. The development of the industry began with this algorithm. Proof-of-Work stands for “proof of work.”

When forming the next block, the node (miner) performs many mathematical calculations to find the hash of the cryptographic function, providing the network proof of the work done (measures).

PoW was a breakthrough for its time and allowed the launch of the first cryptocurrencies. The PoW algorithm is used, for example, in the Bitcoin blockchain. It provides an excellent level of decentralization (anyone can join the network and become a miner) and security (Bitcoin is almost impossible to hack, the amount of computing power required for hacking is simply impossible to collect in practice today). These are the main advantages of the PoW algorithm, but there are also disadvantages:

High electricity costs. With the growth of the network, and especially if the algorithm provides for some inflationary model, the complexity of mining increases, computers consume more energy, and the network’s total energy consumption increases accordingly.
Low throughput. The need to perform many calculations requires significant time, so the network bandwidth when implementing the PoW algorithm is low.
High commissions. With the development of PoW networks, the effect of centralization appeared. Individual miners began to join in pools to increase mining efficiency; mining difficulty grew, and transaction fees became excessively high for mass use.

The shortcomings of the basic PoW algorithm stimulated the community to look for new solutions, so new consensus algorithms began to appear.

Proof-of-Stake (PoS)

The second most popular consensus algorithm stands for Proof of Stake. There is no mining in PoS; instead of computing power, certain “frozen” volumes of cryptocurrencies belonging to the respective nodes act as evidence. These nodes are called nodes or validators; their amount of frozen cryptocurrency is a stake. The more cryptocurrencies a particular node has, the higher the probability of confirming the transaction and receiving a reward.

Many well-known blockchains operate on the PoS algorithm, such as Ethereum (version 2.0, after the recent transition from Pow to Pos), Binance Smart Chain, Cardano, Tron, and others.

PoS is devoid of the disadvantages of PoW, such as high power consumption and the need for specialized/powerful equipment. Fees in PoS networks are lower, and throughput is much higher. However, PoS also has disadvantages. Chief among them is the threat of centralization. There is a risk of a large amount of cryptocurrency being consolidated by a limited number of validators, in which case they can influence the network.

Delegated Proof-of-Stake (DPoS)

This is a variation of the PoS algorithm described above, which stands for “Delegated Proof of Stake.” The main difference between the algorithm and the classical Pos is an attempt to rid the algorithm of its main drawback, i.e., the risk of centralization. In DPoS, the right of validators to approve transactions is delegated to them by coin holders, while holders vote for one or another validator. Any network member with a certain amount of cryptocurrency can become a validator. Still, at any time, the votes for this validator can be withdrawn in favor of another. DPoS, in turn, also has drawbacks. In particular, the risk is the low activity of network participants, then DPoS turns into PoS, and collaboration of delegates is also not excluded. Among the well-known blockchains with the DPoS algorithm are EOS, Tezos, and others.

Leased Proof-of-Stake (LPoS)

This algorithm modifies the classic PoS, “Leased Proof of Stake.” The algorithm differs from PoS and DPoS in that a share of the cryptocurrency can be rented. With LPoS, even small participants can become validators. All network members can transfer (delegate) their cryptocurrency to the appropriate validators. At the same time, there are no direct transfers; the cryptocurrency remains in the owners’ wallets but is frozen. Naturally, blockchain tokenomics provides motivation mechanisms for all network participants. LPoS does not remove the risk of centralization. This algorithm allows large validators to rent enough cryptocurrencies to monopolize the network. An example of using LPoS is the Waves blockchain.

Proof-of-Authority (PoA)

This is a network consensus algorithm that relies on the “authority” of the validators. It stands for “proof of authority.” Validators use their reputation as evidence. Network members choose validators by voting; usually, their number is fixed. Unlike PoS and DPoS, validators do not receive staking rewards; this is the main disadvantage of PoA; validators do not have incentives and motivations to participate, so the PoA algorithm is most often used in private blockchains, where the issue of decentralization is not very relevant.

Proof-of-Importance (PoI)

This algorithm is based on the “significance” of the validator (“proof of significance”). When confirming transactions, the algorithm considers not only the amount of “frozen” funds in cryptocurrency but also the activity of the validator. Parameters such as the number of transactions carried out and network time (online availability) are evaluated. The larger the share of the validator and its activity, the more significant it is for the network. One example of blockchains that use PoI is NEM.

Proof-of-Space (PoSpace)

This is an algorithm based on disk space, and it stands for “proof of space.” As the main resource for proof, participants use the free space on their hard drives, which is reserved for special blockchain functions, such as filling with hash codes for subsequent block validation. Burstcoin works on this algorithm.

Proof-of-Space-Time (PoST)

This is a variation of the Proof-of-Space algorithm that also takes time into account. The main idea of the creators is that it is important to evaluate the contribution of participants to the network not only by the delegated disk space but also by the time spent during which this disk space was delegated. Chia works on this algorithm.

Proof-of-Elapsed-Time (PoET)

This is a consensus algorithm from Intel, which stands for Proof of Time Spent. The algorithm uses the Software Guard Extension instruction set of the Intel CPU. The principle of operation is similar to a lottery; when “mining” a random block waiting time is generated, the node “falls asleep” exactly for this time, and the first node that wakes up gets the right to validate the block. SGX makes sure that the timing is truly random.

This algorithm is not common; it is used in private blockchains and requires the mandatory presence of Intel processors with the SGX instruction set.

Proof-of-Burn (PoB)

This algorithm implies the “burning” of the cryptocurrency and stands for “proof of burning.” With PoB, the miner sends the cryptocurrency to a special “dead-end” wallet (for example, there are no private keys to this wallet, that is, there is no access). Thus, a certain amount of cryptocurrency is withdrawn from circulation and “burned.” After the proof of burning for the miner, the probability of getting the right to create the next block increases, and accordingly, he receives a reward for this.

Mining with PoB does not require enormous computing power, and the burning of cryptocurrency stimulates the growth of the price of this cryptocurrency because, as a rule, the emission is limited. This algorithm is very specific and only suitable for some blockchains. It is used, for example, in XCP.

Conclusion

The potential of blockchain technology leaves no doubt that its implementation and improvement will intensify. A community of participants is vital for public blockchains to keep the network running. The consensus algorithm provides the logic of the blockchain and stimulates participants through tokenomics. There are various algorithms, and each of them has certain advantages and disadvantages. In pursuit of solving the blockchain trilemma, developers are improving consensus algorithms and developing new ones. Hence, the most interesting thing in the development of blockchain technology is yet to come.

May 16, 2023by klimentinaSoftware development

Edge and Fog – the Cloud Alternatives

Introduction

Distributed computing first appeared in the early 60s of the last century, introducing the distributed computing system IBM System / 360 to the market. Since then, the distributed computing paradigm has evolved as an alternative to powerful supercomputers and large, expensive, and inflexible machines. Unlike supercomputers, distributed computer systems have many computing nodes connected by fast local networks.

Distributed computer systems reached their greatest development by the 2000s, when processor frequencies, network bandwidth, and RAM sizes reached “Giga-values.” In particular, 1GHz processors were released by Intel and AMD, Gigabit Ethernet (GE) networks became ubiquitous, and the first computers with 1GB of RAM appeared. Many analysts refer to this qualitative transition as “G-phenomena.”

Today, distributed systems play an important role in almost every aspect of everyday life. The most popular and most distributed system is the Internet. Other examples that could be more popular are the so-called. Distributed computing networks (Grid) and cloud systems (Cloud) are used to analyze large amounts of data, for example, analysis of DNA sequences, climate change, medical data, banking data, and data of users of telecommunications operators.

Scalability is an important characteristic of distributed computer systems. Therefore, a new hierarchical structure has emerged, consisting of three levels: Cloud, Fog, and Edge Computing.

The hierarchical structure of Cloud-Fog-Edge is applied to adapt to the following requirements:

Performance: fast response, fast processing, and low latency.
Availability: redundant resources, short recovery time after a system failure, and acceptable degradation when problems occur.
Reliability: data safety and continuity of operation.
Manageability: ease of system scaling.
Cost: hardware, software, and other costs for deploying and maintaining scalable systems.

The term Cloud Computing was first proposed in 1997 by Professor Ramnath Chellappa, a Professor at the University of Southern California, at a meeting of the INFORMS Institute, USA. CC technologies provide efficient data center management and virtualization of computing and network resources. At the same time, users and enterprises can use cloud services according to the Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) models from anywhere in the world, having access to the Internet. Unlike Grids, CC services can scale based on requirements while providing a more flexible and isolated environment for application execution. In Grid networks, the heterogeneity of computing equipment is minimized (uniform operating system, processor type, libraries of standard routines), while Cloud virtualization mechanisms provide a wide choice.

Fog Computing (FC) was first proposed by Flavio Bonomi, Vice President of Cisco Systems, at the ACM International Workshop on Vehicular Inter-Networking (VANET) in September 2011. Cisco defines Fog Computing as a paradigm that extends the platform Cloud Computing and its services to the network’s edge (Edge). Like CC, FC also provides data, computing power, and applications closer to the edge of the network and to end users. This reduces the delivery delay of FC services and improves the QoS (Quality of Service). Therefore, Fog is better suited for geographically dispersed enterprises and supports the mobility of corporate users. A special case of Fog is a corporate network. In FC, data is processed in the user’s network on smart devices and mobile device client programs and is not sent for processing to a remote CC system.

Edge Computing allows the distribution of computing resources and application services over a communication channel through a decentralized computing infrastructure.

Computational needs are met more efficiently when using edge computing. Wherever there is a need to collect data, or when a user performs a certain action, it can be completed in real-time. Generally, the two main benefits of edge computing are improved performance and reduced operating costs, summarized below.

Cloud computing

Cloud computing is a technology that allows you to store and process data remotely in the “cloud.” For this, data processing centers (DPCs) are used. A company using cloud technologies does not have to create its IT infrastructure – the provider can provide everything it needs. You only need internet access to open a website or application.

Advantages:

Reliable equipment. Cloud providers have the resources to transfer, store, and process data: storage, servers, networks, software, and more.
Safety. The cloud service provider is responsible for data security. For example, it organizes encryption, attack protection, and disaster recovery.
Technology development. The list of services is varied: per-second billing, private, public, hybrid clouds, round-the-clock technical support, and several data centers in different locations.
Scalability / Flexibility. Cloud computing allows companies to start with a small amount of cloud computing and scale up quickly and efficiently. Reductions can also be made soon if the situation calls for it. It also allows companies to add additional resources as needed to meet growing customer needs.
Reliability. Services that use multiple redundant sites support business continuity and disaster recovery.
Service. Cloud service providers themselves maintain the system.
Mobile Accessibility. Cloud computing also supports mobile accessibility to a greater extent.
Cost Savings. By using cloud computing, companies can significantly reduce their capital and operating costs when expanding their computing capabilities.

Disadvantages:

Delay in data transfer between the client and the data center. Data is transferred from the client to the data center, passing many kilometers of networks. This may create delays.
Complicated and expensive infrastructure. If a company does not want to use a public cloud, it chooses a private or hybrid one. But installing and maintaining a large production data center is a costly task.

Scope of application:

Cloud technologies are used everywhere: in the public sector, manufacturing, retail, IT companies, the financial industry, and telecommunications. It’s easier to imagine modern life with email, Google Docs, app stores, and public clouds like Dropbox and Google Drive.

Cloud Computing has been developing dynamically over the past decade; the level of technology penetration in developed countries exceeds 90%. Cloud and data center operators have significant expertise in this area and can provide the user with the most advanced technological solutions in the field of on-demand IT infrastructure.

Clouds are important for collecting, storing, and processing large amounts of information – for example, where Big Data technologies and artificial intelligence are used.

Fog computing

Fog computing is a technology whereby data is stored and processed in a local network between the end device and the data center. “Fog,” in contrast to the “cloud,” is closer to users. This is a decentralized system that filters information coming into the data center.

Advantages:

Removing the load from the cloud. The use of fog and cloud technologies helps reduce the burden on the data center. Local servers process data and send only the most important data to the data center.
Data transfer in real-time. “Fog” is closer to the user, reducing the time for processing and transmitting the information.
Additional security. On the local network, you can install another level of protection – a virtual firewall, traffic segmentation, or something else.

Disadvantages:

Problems with network nodes. Decentralized networks are less reliable than large data center networks.

Scope of application:

Fog computing is used to connect Internet of Things (IoT) devices. With the help of “fog,” data is transmitted and analyzed with almost no delay, which is critical for some IoT devices, such as sensors in uncrewed vehicles.

Fog computing is designed for machine-to-machine interaction and can be applied in any industry where it is used – in manufacturing, healthcare, energy, finance, and others.

Machine-to-Machine (M2M) is a technology related to the Internet. It allows you to transfer data from device to device without human interaction. To do this, they use cellular communications, so mobile operators offer their services in M2M.

The technology is used to transmit data from ATMs and vending machines, and monitor the condition of patients, in alarm and video surveillance systems, fuel sensors, electricity, and water meters, to track vehicles and cargo. Fog computing will enable machines to communicate faster and more efficiently.

Edge computing

Edge computing is a technology for processing and storing data on the end device. They are closer to the user than “cloud” and “fog.”

Advantages:

Virtually zero latency in data transfer. Calculations are performed on end devices, so information does not need to travel miles of networks to get to the data center.
Reliability of calculations. The data is processed even when there is no internet connection.
Safety. All information remains on the device. It does not have to be transferred to the public cloud.
Improved performance. In addition to collecting data for transmission to the cloud, edge computing also processes, analyzes, and performs the necessary actions on the collected data locally. Since these processes complete in milliseconds, it becomes essential to optimize technical data, no matter what the operations may be. Transmitting large amounts of data in real-time in a cost-effective manner can be challenging, especially from remote industrial sites. This issue is addressed by adding smart data to devices at the network’s edge. Edge computing brings analytical capabilities closer to a machine that eliminates intermediaries. This setting provides less expensive options for optimizing asset performance.
Reducing operating costs. In the cloud computing model, connectivity, data migration, bandwidth, and latency are expensive. In the case of edge computing, much less bandwidth and lower delays are required. By applying edge computing, a valuable device-to-cloud continuum is created that can process huge amounts of data. More expensive bandwidth additions are no longer required as there is no need to transfer gigabytes of data to the cloud. It also analyzes sensitive IoT data on the local network, protecting sensitive data. Nowadays, enterprises prefer modern computing. This is due to their optimized performance, compliance and security protocols, and lower costs. Edge computing helps to reduce dependence on the cloud and, as a result, increases the speed of data processing. In addition, many modern IoT devices already have processing power and available memory. The transition to advanced computing power allows these devices to be used to their full potential.

Disadvantages:

Equipment and staff costs. The technology user must buy and set up equipment and attract specialists. This is more difficult than connecting to a public cloud.

Scope of application:

The areas of application of edge and fog technologies overlap in many ways. Their main advantage is the speed of data transfer and analysis. Therefore, these technologies are used where real-time information processing is important – for example, in IoT and VR / AR.

In manufacturing, edge computing is needed for timely equipment maintenance; it will help detect malfunctions and leaks in the oil industry. In banking, technology will allow you to decide on a loan or detect fraud quickly. In all examples, edge computing helps to act without delays.

Edge has found widespread use in industrial plants. Cloud computing has shown flexibility and efficiency, but the rise of IIoT and mobile computing has limited the bandwidth for processing. Also, the nuance lies in that “smart” equipment in enterprises does not always require a connection to the cloud to perform calculations. In such cases, network designers rely on the edge and increase data processing efficiency.

Comparison of edge, cloud, and fog computing

Edge computing is closely related to the concepts of cloud and fog computing. While these concepts overlap, they are different and should not generally be used interchangeably. It is useful to compare these concepts and understand their differences.

One of the easiest ways to understand the differences between edge, cloud, and fog computing is to highlight their common theme: All three concepts relate to distributed computing and focus on the physical placement of computing and storage resources for the data being produced. The difference lies in where these resources are located.

Edge computing is deploying computing and storage resources at the data production site. Ideally, computing and storage are co-located with the data source at the network’s edge. For example, a small enclosure with a few servers and some storage systems could be installed on a wind turbine to collect and process data from sensors in the turbine itself. Another example is a railway station, which may contain several computing devices and data storage systems for collecting and processing data from multiple track and train sensors. The results of such processing may be sent to another data center for human analysis, archiving, and merging with other data for broader analysis.

Cloud computing is a huge, highly scalable deployment of computing and storage resources in one of several distributed global locations (regions). Cloud providers also include a range of pre-packaged services for IoT operations, making the cloud the preferred centralized platform for IoT deployments. But even if cloud computing offers more than enough resources and services to solve complex analytics problems, the nearest regional cloud center may be hundreds of miles away from the data collection site, and connections depend on the same unstable Internet connection that supports traditional data centers. In practice, cloud computing is an alternative – and sometimes a complement – to conventional data centers. The cloud can provide centralized computing closer to the data source but not at the network’s edge.

But the choice of deploying computing and storage systems is wider than the cloud or the edge. A cloud data center may be too far away, and an edge deployment may be too resource-constrained, physically dispersed, or distributed to make strict edge computing practical. In this case, the concept of fog computing can help.

Fog computing environments can create daunting amounts of sensor or IoT data generated over vast physical areas too large to define their boundaries. Examples include smart buildings, smart cities, or even smart utilities. Consider a smart city where data can be used to track, analyze and optimize the public transport system, utilities, urban services, and long-term urban planning. A single-edge deployment cannot handle this load, so that fog computing can manage a series of fog node deployments within a data collection, processing, and analysis environment.

It is important to reiterate that fog computing and edge computing have almost the same definition and architecture, and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, even among technology experts.

Conclusion

Fog and edge computing are not direct competitors to cloud computing. Rather, they provide more computing power for your organization’s needs. To implement this hybrid solution, identifying and comparing these needs to costs should be the first step in evaluating what will work best for you and your organization.

May 16, 2023by klimentinaSoftware development

On a Budget for KYC – AR to the Rescue

What is KYC (Know Your Customer)

Know Your Customer (KYC) refers to verifying the identity of customers or clients to ensure that they are who they claim to be. It is a crucial part of any business that involves financial transactions, such as banking, investments, and insurance. The KYC process collects and verifies customers’ personal and financial information, such as name, date of birth, address, identification documents, and economic status.

KYC helps businesses to identify and prevent money laundering, terrorist financing, fraud, and other illegal activities that could harm their reputation and financial stability. The KYC process also helps businesses to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) regulations.

KYC can be conducted through various means, such as face-to-face, online, and document verification. It is a continuous process, and businesses must update their customers’ information regularly to ensure that they comply with the latest regulations and requirements.

KYC helps prevent wrongdoing, not respond to it. Most financial services ask for customer data during registration – even before they can make financial transactions. In some cases, accounts can be created without going through KYC, but their functions will be limited.

Advantages of KYC

Only some of the benefits of KYC are obvious. This practice helps not only to resist fraud but also to improve the financial system as a whole:

Lenders can more easily assess their risks by knowing the identity and financial history of the client. KYC promotes more responsible lending and risk management.
KYC aims to combat identity theft and other types of financial fraud.
KYC acts as a preventive measure against money laundering.
KYC increases customer confidence in financial service providers and helps monitor these services’ security and accountability. The reputation of services directly impacts the financial industry as a whole and can stimulate investment.

Disadvantages of KYC

The KYC procedure has several obvious advantages but still causes some controversy. Many people are opposed to KYC due to the traditionally anonymous nature of cryptocurrencies. Typically, most of the criticism is based on privacy and fees issues:

Additional costs are associated with performing KYC checks, which are often passed on to the client as a fee.
Some people need the documents or fixed addresses required for KYC verification. All this makes it difficult for them to access certain financial services.
Irresponsible providers may have weak data protection, and then hacks can lead to funds and personal information theft.
This practice contradicts the idea of cryptocurrency decentralization.

Face recognition technology

Face recognition is the automatic localization of a human face in an image or video, if necessary, identifying a person’s identity based on existing databases. There are many people interested in technology: there is a wide range of tasks that they solve.

Public safety. With the provision and maintenance of security, the introduction of biometric identification systems began. Remote facial recognition systems ensure security in places of global congestion. The most difficult task is recognizing a person in a crowd when he does not interact with the system directly, does not look toward the camera, or covers his face. For example, in the subway, at concerts, festivals, and conferences.
Know your customer by sight. People in business also rely on biometrics. This applies to retail. The systems learn the gender and age of customers and the date, time, and frequency of visiting establishments.
Access control and management systems. In addition to the functions listed above, using the face recognition system as an alternative to Proximity cards in access control and management systems (ACS) is convenient. They guarantee high recognition reliability; they are unrealistic to deceive, copy or steal an identifier; they are easy to integrate with existing security equipment. Surveillance cameras are allowed. Biometric face identification systems operate instantly, over long distances, and with the preservation of events in the archive.
Fan passes to the stadium. During the purchase of a ticket at the box office, the face of each buyer is automatically photographed and uploaded to the system. This is how the base of match visitors is formed. If the purchase was made using the Internet or a mobile application, then authorization is possible remotely using biometrics. Later, if a sports fan comes to the stadium, they will let him in without documents.
Internet banking and ATMs. The introduction of biometric systems is taking place actively since the banking sector is more interested in the safety of personal information than others. Now biometrics is on par with paper documents. At the same time, the degree of protection during payment transactions increases significantly: to confirm the transaction, it is enough to look into your phone’s camera.

What is AR (Augmented Reality)

AR (Augmented Reality) is a technology that overlays digital information or virtual objects onto the real world, creating an augmented view of reality. Unlike Virtual Reality (VR), which creates a completely artificial environment, AR enhances the real-world environment by adding computer-generated sensory inputs.

AR can be experienced through various devices, such as smartphones, tablets, smart glasses, and headsets. AR technology uses sensors, cameras, and software algorithms to track the user’s environment and display relevant information or digital objects in real time.

AR has various applications across industries, such as gaming, education, healthcare, manufacturing, and marketing. For example, AR can be used in gaming to create interactive games that incorporate real-world environments and objects. In education, AR can provide interactive and immersive learning experiences for students. In healthcare, AR can be used for surgical training and medical simulations. In marketing, AR can provide customers with interactive product demonstrations and experiences.

AR has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with technology and the world around us. It provides new opportunities for innovation and creativity, allowing businesses and individuals to explore new possibilities and create new experiences.

In what areas is used AR

The technology has practically no restrictions on the content and principles of use, so it is found in different areas:

Industrial production. Assessment of the state of equipment by sensors, the parameters of which are displayed on the screen of a mobile device when pointing the camera at an object. Production optimization is simplified with on-screen tooltips.
Retail. Shopping and mall navigation, product information.
Game industry. The combination of reality and virtual action gives users a new gaming experience. Games like Ingress or Pokemon Go force people to move, not sit at the monitor.
Advertising. Demonstration of 3D models of products and goods, such as furniture and equipment, at the customer’s premises under predictable conditions of use. Selection of wheels for the car. Virtual display of properties to potential buyers.
Beauty sphere. Trying on the outfit, hair color, and makeup before the physical transformation.
Education. Interactive lessons with planets floating in the air or marine life.
Entertainment and benefits. Applications that show how a drug works on a living person using superimposed graphics and diagrams.
Tourism and culture. Routes, virtual guides, animated concerts, and museum exhibits come to life.

Augmented reality gives limitless scope for creative thought. That is why technology will become commonplace in the next 5-10 years.

How AR can help with face recognition, safety, privacy

Augmented Reality (AR) technology has the potential to enhance face recognition, security, and privacy in various ways.

Face Recognition: AR can improve face recognition technology by providing real-time feedback and analysis of facial features. AR can enhance the accuracy and speed of facial recognition systems by using advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques.
Safety: AR can help improve safety in various industries, such as manufacturing, construction, and transportation, by providing workers with real-time information and guidance. AR can overlay safety information and alerts onto workers’ fields of view, allowing them to stay aware of potential hazards and risks.
Privacy: AR can also help to protect privacy by providing users with more control over their data. For example, AR could mask or blur faces in real-time, ensuring the user’s identity is not revealed in public spaces. Additionally, AR can give users more control over their online data by allowing them to share information selectively with specific parties.

AR can improve face recognition, safety, and privacy by providing advanced features and capabilities to enhance existing technologies and systems. However, it is important to ensure that AR is used ethically and responsibly to avoid any potential negative impact on society.

KYC and AR

AR (Augmented Reality) can assist with the KYC (Know Your Customer) process by providing a more efficient and streamlined method for verifying the identity of customers. Here are a few ways in which AR can be used in the KYC process:

Document Verification: AR can be used to verify the authenticity of identification documents, such as passports and driver’s licenses. AR can scan the document and check for security features like watermarks, holograms, and microprint. This can help prevent fraud and ensure the customer’s identity is legitimate.
Facial Recognition: AR can be used for biometric facial recognition to match the customer’s face with the photo on their identification document. This can provide an added layer of security and ensure that the person claiming to be the customer is, in fact, the customer.
Remote Verification: AR can be used for remote customer verification, allowing customers to verify their identity from the comfort of their own homes. This can be done through a mobile app or web browser, where the customer can scan their identification document and use facial recognition to verify their identity.

By using AR in the KYC process, businesses can improve the verification process’s accuracy, efficiency, and security. This can help to reduce fraud, prevent money laundering, and ensure compliance with AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and CTF (Counter-Terrorism Financing) regulations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the use of AR technology in the KYC (Know Your Customer) process has the potential to enhance the accuracy, efficiency, and security of customer verification. AR can be used for document verification, biometric facial recognition, and remote verification, providing a streamlined and convenient method for customers to verify their identity. This can help businesses to prevent fraud, comply with AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and CTF (Counter-Terrorism Financing) regulations, and protect their reputation and financial stability. Moreover, AR technology has a wide range of applications across different industries, such as gaming, education, healthcare, and marketing, providing new opportunities for innovation and creativity. Overall, combining KYC and AR can help businesses create a more secure and efficient customer verification process while also providing new opportunities for customer engagement and experience.

May 16, 2023by klimentinaSoftware development

Pure CSS – What You Need to Know?

What is Pure CSS

Pure CSS is a term used to describe a web design style that relies solely on Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for visual presentation and layout without using other technologies such as JavaScript or images.

In this approach, the HTML markup contains only the content and structure of the page, while CSS is used to style the content and layout. This allows for a clean separation of presentation and content, making it easier to maintain and modify the design of a website.

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is a language used to define the visual style and layout of web pages. It specifies how HTML elements should be displayed, including font size, color, spacing, and positioning properties.

Some advantages of pure CSS include faster loading times, improved accessibility, and better search engine optimization (SEO). However, creating complex layouts or interactive features using only CSS can also be more challenging and may require more advanced knowledge of the language.

Using pure CSS can result in faster page load times and improved accessibility because there are no external resources or scripts to execute.

Pure CSS can also make maintaining and updating a website’s design easier. Changes can be created simply by modifying the CSS code without affecting the underlying HTML markup or functionality.

One of the key principles of pure CSS design is the separation of content and presentation. This means that the HTML markup should contain only the content and structure of the page, while the CSS code is used to define the visual style and layout.

Pure CSS layouts can be created using various techniques, including float-based layouts, flexbox, grid, and CSS positioning. Each method has advantages and disadvantages, depending on the specific requirements of the design.

While pure CSS can be a powerful tool for visually stunning web pages, it also requires a solid understanding of CSS and web design principles. Beginners may need help to create complex layouts or interactive features using only CSS.

In summary, pure CSS is a design approach that relies solely on CSS for visual presentation and layout and offers benefits such as faster loading times, improved accessibility, and easier maintenance and updates. Pure CSS emphasizes the importance of clean, efficient code and a focus on the separation of concerns between content and presentation. However, achieving complex designs may require advanced knowledge of CSS and web design principles.

Advantages of Pure CSS

One of the main advantages of using pure CSS is a more flexible approach to design. You can create a more unique and customized plan that suits your needs. The more flexible approach also means that you can more easily customize the design for each page, which can be useful if you have different types of content.

Another benefit of pure CSS is a lighter CSS file, which means faster page load times. When using a framework, you can include many unnecessary CSS files and scripts, which can slow down the page load time.

Here are some more advantages of using Pure CSS for web design:

Faster load times: Pure CSS websites load faster because there are no external resources to pack, such as images or scripts. This results in a better visitor user experience and can improve search engine optimization (SEO).
Better accessibility: Using semantic HTML to structure content and relying on CSS to style the page makes it easier to create websites accessible to all users, including those who use assistive technology.
Easy maintenance: Because the HTML and CSS are separated, it’s easier to make updates and changes to the design without affecting the content. This can save time and make maintenance more efficient.
Consistency: Pure CSS design ensures the visual style is consistent across all website pages. Using the same techniques throughout the site can help establish a brand identity and make the site easier to navigate.
Responsive design: CSS offers a range of techniques for creating responsive layouts that adapt to different screen sizes. Using pure CSS, designers can develop strategies that look great on any device without relying on additional scripts or tools.
Compatibility: Pure CSS is supported by all modern web browsers, so there is no need to worry about compatibility issues with older browsers or non-standard technologies.

Disadvantages of Pure CSS

One of the disadvantages of using pure CSS is that it takes more time to create a design, especially if you have yet to gain experience with CSS. This can be tricky, especially if you want to create a modern, beautiful design that aligns with the latest web design trends.

Another disadvantage of pure CSS is that it can be easier to create modern designs with additional tools. Some features, such as animations, can only develop with a framework or library.

While CSS is a powerful tool for styling web pages, there are some more disadvantages of using pure CSS:

Limited Layout Control: CSS is primarily a styling language, not a layout language. It cannot be easy to achieve complex layouts using pure CSS, especially when creating responsive designs.
Browser Compatibility: Different browsers interpret CSS rules differently, which can result in inconsistencies in the appearance of web pages. This can make it challenging to ensure that a website looks the same across all devices and browsers.
Lack of Dynamic Effects: Pure CSS is limited in creating dynamic effects such as animations, transitions, and other interactive features. These types of products often require additional programming using JavaScript or other technologies.
Code Complexity: CSS code can quickly become complex, especially when dealing with large, complex websites. This can make it difficult to manage and maintain the codebase over time.
Accessibility Issues: When relying solely on CSS to style a website, it can be difficult to ensure the site is accessible to all users, including those with visual impairments or other disabilities. This is because CSS is not designed to provide semantic information about a website’s content.

Pure CSS approaches

Pure CSS approaches are techniques used to create web design and layout effects using only CSS, without relying on additional programming languages or frameworks such as JavaScript or jQuery. Pure CSS approaches can be powerful for creating dynamic, responsive, and visually appealing websites. However, it is important to remember that pure CSS has limitations and may require additional programming languages or frameworks for more complex design and functionality. Some examples of pure CSS approaches are:

CSS Grid

CSS Grid is a powerful layout system that allows designers to create complex, responsive layouts using a grid of columns and rows. With CSS Grid, designers have a high level of control over the structure without relying on additional markup or frameworks. With its flexibility, browser support, and ability to create responsive designs, CSS Grid is becoming an increasingly popular choice for web designers. Here are some key features and benefits of CSS Grid:

Grid container and items: CSS Grid defines a grid container and its grid items. The container is the element that serves as the grid parent, while the things are the child elements arranged within the grid.
Rows and columns: CSS Grid uses a system of rows and columns to create the grid. Rows are defined by setting the height of the grid container, while columns are defined by setting the grid container’s width.
Grid lines and tracks: Grid lines define the boundaries of each row and column, while grid tracks are the spaces between the grid lines. Together, grid lines and tracks form the grid itself.
Flexibility: One of the main benefits of CSS Grid is its flexibility. Designers can easily adjust the size and position of grid items and the size and spacing of rows and columns to create complex responsive layouts.
Responsive design: CSS Grid is well-suited for creating responsive designs, as it allows designers to define different grid layouts for different screen sizes and resolutions.
Browser support: CSS Grid is supported by all major modern browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.

Flexbox

Flexbox is another layout system that allows for more efficient and flexible positioning and alignment of elements within a container. It is particularly useful for creating responsive designs that adapt to different screen sizes and resolutions.

Here are some key features and benefits of using Flexbox:

Flex containers and items: With Flexbox, designers create a flex container with a set of flex items. The container controls how things are laid out and positioned within it.
Flex direction: Flexbox offers several options for the order of the flex container, including row, column, row-reverse, and column-reverse. This allows designers to easily change the orientation of the layout as needed.

Flex alignment: Flexbox offers several options for aligning flex items within the container, including center, start, end, and space-between. This allows designers to control the layout’s spacing and positioning of elements.
Flex wrapping: Flexbox allows designers to control whether flex items should wrap to the next line when there isn’t enough space in the container.
Responsive design: Flexbox is well-suited for creating responsive designs, as it allows designers to define different layouts for different screen sizes and resolutions.
Browser support: Flexbox is supported by all major modern browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.

CSS Animations

CSS Animations allow for the creation of dynamic effects such as transitions and animations without the need for JavaScript or other programming languages. They can create various products such as hover effects, loading animations, etc. Here are some key features and benefits of using CSS Animations:

Keyframes: CSS Animations define keyframes or specific points during the animation when a certain style is applied. Designers can create keyframes at various points in the spirit to control the appearance and behavior of elements on the page.
Animation properties: CSS Animations offer a variety of properties that can be used to control the speed, duration, direction, and timing of the animation. These properties include animation duration, animation-timing function, animation delay, and animation iteration count.
Ease of use: CSS Animations are relatively easy to implement, as they don’t require any programming knowledge beyond CSS. Designers can define the keyframes and animation properties in CSS and apply them to the elements they want to animate.
Performance: CSS Animations can offer better performance than JavaScript animations, as they are handled by the browser’s rendering engine rather than a separate script. This can lead to smoother and more efficient animations.
Browser support: CSS Animations are supported by all major modern browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.

CSS Filters

CSS Filters are visual effects that can be applied to images, videos, and other elements on a web page. They allow designers to manipulate the appearance of elements in various ways, such as adjusting the color, contrast, and brightness, applying blurs and shadows, and creating artistic effects. Here are some key features and benefits of using CSS Filters:

Filter properties: CSS Filters offer a variety of filter properties that can be used to manipulate the appearance of elements. These properties include filter: blur, filter: brightness, filter: contrast, filter: grayscale, filter: hue-rotate, filter: invert, filter: opacity, filter: saturate, and filter: sepia.
Ease of use: CSS Filters are relatively easy to implement, as they don’t require any programming knowledge beyond CSS. Designers can apply the filter properties to the elements they want to manipulate.
Performance: CSS Filters are handled by the browser’s rendering engine, which can lead to better performance than using JavaScript or other scripting languages to create visual effects.
Browser support: CSS Filters are supported by all major modern browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
Creative possibilities: CSS Filters offer designers a wide range of creative options, from subtle adjustments to dramatic artistic effects.

Responsive Design

Responsive Design is a design approach that aims to create web pages that respond and adapt to different screen sizes and devices. CSS is a key component of responsive design, as it allows designers to control the appearance and layout of elements on the page. Here are some key features and benefits of using CSS for responsive design:
Media queries: CSS offers media queries, which allow designers to define different styles for different screen sizes and resolutions. This means the same web page can look different on a desktop computer, a tablet, and a smartphone, ensuring the page is optimized for each device.
Flexbox and Grid: CSS offers powerful layout tools such as Flexbox and Grid, which allow designers to create complex and responsive layouts that adapt to different screen sizes and resolutions.
Scalable units: CSS offers scalable units like em, rem, and the percentage that allow designers to create layouts and elements that scale proportionally to the screen size.
Performance: CSS is lightweight and fast, meaning responsive designs built with CSS load quickly and perform well on various devices and screen sizes.
Browser support: CSS is supported by all modern browsers, which means that responsive designs built with CSS are accessible to a wide audience.

Conclusion – why Pure CSS is vital at the moment

Pure CSS is vital at the moment because it offers a lightweight, performant, and accessible approach to web design that is well-suited to the needs of modern users and devices.

Pure CSS designs tend to load pages faster than designs that rely on JavaScript or other scripting languages. This is because CSS is handled by the browser’s rendering engine, which can optimize the loading process and reduce the time it takes for the page to load.

Pure CSS designs are generally more performant than designs that rely on JavaScript, as they don’t require additional scripting to manipulate elements on the page. This can lead to smoother animations and interactions and a better user experience.

Pure CSS designs tend to be more accessible than JavaScript designs, as screen readers and other assistive technologies can easily read and understand them.

Another advantage is SEO optimization, or these designs tend to be more search engine friendly than those that rely on JavaScript, as search engines can easily crawl and index the page’s content.

Pure CSS is a key component of responsive design, which is becoming increasingly important as more and more people access the web on mobile devices. Pure CSS allows designers to create responsive designs that adapt to different screen sizes and devices, ensuring the page is optimized for each user.

May 16, 2023by klimentinaSoftware development

How to Hire a React Developer: Top Tips

What is React

React (also called React.js or ReactJS) is an open-source front-end JavaScript library to build interactive user interfaces. ReactJS was created by Facebook and used as the basis for individual web pages or mobile applications. This is very useful when your data is rapidly changing and dynamically generated on the server.

Hundreds of thousands of websites have been built with React.js. It is extremely popular due to its flexibility, simplicity, and development speed. Popular sites using React include Facebook, Instagram, Netflix, Reddit, Airbnb, and Uber.

React.js makes it easy to create UI test cases, build SEO-friendly sites, reuse components on any platform, embed existing code for a website into a mobile app, improve the performance of resource-intensive web apps, and it can be used anywhere it used to be JavaScript was used.

React.JS has held the leading position among many software development frameworks and libraries for several years. It will continue to be a popular tool for front-end development shortly.

Why is React popular?

Many front-end developers use React because of its outstanding functionality and ability to quickly and easily create beautiful interfaces. Here is a whole set of React features that help this library stand out from other front-end libraries and frameworks:

Increased performance – React is one of the fastest JavaScript frameworks; it uses the Virtual DOM, a simplified representation of the Real DOM, to render pages and requires less code, resulting in a more concise codebase;
Simple scalability – React is a modular library. It has reusable and easily scalable components; as a result, software developers can start building their applications from a simple MVP and gradually develop the application to a full-fledged solution;
Sustainability – React is a stable library released by Facebook in 2013; it has rarely changed its interface since then, and all versions of it are backward compatible, meaning that software developers can update all their legacy projects to the latest version of the library;
Quick setup – the library offers developers a framework for a starter kit called Create React App, which provides preset configurations; therefore, software developers do not need to spend time setting up the library, and they can start developing applications much faster;
Component structure – the library has a set of separate ready-made components that front-end developers can reuse to create complex applications from simple blocks of code; this greatly simplifies and speeds up application development;
Optimized for SEO – React.JS Virtual DOM renders in the browser like a regular web page, which does not negatively impact SEO results in search engines.

How to hire a react developer

The global IT market is constantly experiencing a need for more professional talent. According to Gartner, the lack of IT professionals is one of the main factors slowing down the adoption of new technologies in various industries. With this in mind, McKinsey & Company says that global digitalization across industries has accelerated 25 times faster with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. All this leads to a significant need for more professional software developers.

Regarding React developers, finding and hiring highly qualified and reliable people can be even more difficult because the popularity and simplicity of React backfire. Many novice developers are drawn to the library and choose it as a quick way to enter the world of software development. As a result, a wide range of junior and intermediate-level React developers are on the market. However, the share of highly qualified senior React developers needs to be bigger and, therefore, much harder to find.

Many businesses hire professional IT companies for React developers as they provide highly qualified mid and senior-level development teams.

Creating a software application is never a cheap and rather complicated process, so it should be carefully planned and controlled. Before hiring the React development team, you should answer the following questions: what are the business requirements and goals of the project; do you have ready-made terms of reference or need to create one from scratch; what features should be developed first for the application to be successful?

Many companies offer React development services. To find the best React developers among them, you must thoroughly research potential candidates. Here’s what to look for in potential candidates: proven experience in software development in the international market; portfolio with similar software development projects; relevant developer profiles (CVs); testimonials from previous clients that can be found on trusted external sources like LinkedIn, Clutch, etc.

Once the project specifications and requirements are in place, the next step is to decide which interaction model to work with the software development team you need. It could be: a fully staffed dedicated software development team to create a project from scratch under the guidance of project managers from the customer company; several freelancers will join an existing project to add software development experience and take on some of the tasks that need to be done.

Once a few potential software development partners have been found, it’s time to interview the candidates. You can ask an IT outsourcing company some questions like: how will the company connect you and your internal development team; what apps does the company use to track project progress; who will be in charge of the project, and who can you contact in case of an emergency; how will the company report on the progress of the project.

After that, you can ask React developers: what is their previous development experience with React, what languages, technologies, frameworks, and tools are comfortable for them, and what they use daily; what tech stack did they use for their recent project, how they structure their daily work.

Where to Find a React Developer

Thanks to digital technologies, it is now possible to quickly find a lot of potential candidates for the developer role. Here are a few places where you can find your next React developer.

Word of Mouth – Yes, friends and ex-colleagues can be a good source of referrals, so reach out to those who know someone with experience in React development.
Online job search platforms are great sites you can use: GitHub Jobs, Stack Overflow, Toptal, Freelancer, We Work Remotely, Guru, and Glassdoor.
Social Media – Hiring professionals are active on LinkedIn to scour potential candidates. LinkedIn is a special social network created for professionals to communicate.
Traditional media. We may live in the digital age, but the old-fashioned way still works. Place a job ad in the local papers or send flyers if you like.

Hiring the best React developer can be a big challenge, especially if you do all the dirty work yourself. All the necessary steps may require a great deal of patience when dealing with all the paperwork and conducting interviews.

These online job boards and marketplaces are a great place to hire if you are hiring on a project basis. But for large projects that require a long-term commitment and budget planning, a small software development company or an outstaffing company with a solid recruitment process will suit you better.

Consider hiring a specialized software development company to handle the entire process, from screening, profiling, testing, and ending with an interview and a job offer.

Technical or professional skills (hard skills) necessary for React developers

Technical or professional skills (hard skills) are specific skills that are directly required to perform a job. They are studied and developed through education, workshops, training, and certification. Professional skills include:

Excellent command of JavaScript. This is vital to understanding the architecture and flow of the various application features and service components.
Deep understanding of React concepts. Understanding component lifecycle, JSX, Virtual DOM, and other concepts is vital to get started on your projects.
Knowledge of frameworks, libraries, and tools. Knowledge of tools like Create React App, Material Kit React, Redux, and React Router is essential. Not to mention ESLint, Webpack, and Jest, names every JavaScript developer should know.
Ability to write clear and concise code. This skill is necessary to simplify the design and development of applications. As such, good React developers should follow the Google JavaScript Style Guide and other relevant best practices.
ES6, HTML/CSS. Clear, basic requirements for a front-end developer.
Experience with REST API / GraphQL is vital for integrating your applications with third-party platforms.
Experience with unit testing, Git, GitHub, and other DevOps and CI/CD tools. Modern development is flexible in spirit and method, so your future React developers should be able to use the DevOps tools you need to optimize software delivery and management in a production environment.

Soft skills necessary for React developers

Soft skills refer to a person’s ability for interpersonal interactions. By their nature, they are quite difficult to calculate or measure. These skills determine how employees interact with others and whether they have qualities that fit the company’s culture. Soft skills include:

The ability to transform project requirements into technical specifications. By quickly and accurately collecting all the necessary information, you can be sure that your future application will meet customers’ expectations and save time and money.
Sprint planning. Teamwork is important in React development as it covers all aspects of software delivery. Thus, planning and completing tasks within a sprint is vital to meeting project deadlines and quotas.
Communication skills and openness. To be productive and grow steadily, your developers need to be able to share their ideas and take in the opinions of others. This style of collaboration is required every day, not just at the planning stage. Web developers must communicate effectively and consistently with their clients and team. Even when working alone, web developers who share ideas or give active feedback on the results of their work are more successful and more likely to complete their projects on time.
Teamwork. Even if you want to hire one React developer, they must demonstrate that they can work well with you as a client and other stakeholders.
Desire to learn. New tools and approaches are always emerging, so your talents must continue to learn to stay relevant.
Problem-solving skills. These skills are critical to resolving technical debt and maintaining team morale. Some of the difficulties that web developers face in their job are solving problems and managing projects daily or weekly. Like any other job, sometimes things go differently than planned. So, find a developer who has a well-developed ability to solve problems.
Creativity. The development of digital resources makes web developers really in demand in our digital age. Creating web page structures, updating web designs, keeping them mobile, and providing a great overall user experience all require a bit of creativity and a willingness to adapt and learn from the latest technology updates.
Providing and accepting constructive feedback. With the results of the work, only sometimes can everything go smoothly. Effective developers must be able to learn from their mistakes and be able to accept criticism from their peers, superiors, and end users. This is a great character trait that will come in handy even outside the tech industry. And also, in addition to an adequate response to criticism, the ability to be active, asking for feedback or advice from the team, will come to the rescue. Everyone wins when team members look for ways to improve rather than blame anyone else.

Conclusion

React is a very popular front-end development library for building various digital solutions. Many companies are willing to use this technology for the custom development of their web and cross-platform mobile applications.

However, finding and hiring dedicated React developers who can fully meet the needs of your business and project takes work. There are two reasons for this – the lack of talent for software developers in the international IT market and the high popularity of the library.