Did you know that there are 281 million internet users in India as of 2017? This is a massive outcome of the mobile applications releasing every year.
These statistics keep growing rapidly. Today it has become compulsory for any business to own a mobile app. But what about the database that holds all your data? Keep reading to know more about this.
Introduction
Every field is using mobile applications widely today. All age groups use some kind of mobile applications for some purpose. As far as revenue is concerned, India is the leading market for mobile applications. This is inclusive of mobile applications from both Android and iOS app stores. We are all aware that a vast market like this needs vast requirements too. One of the biggest challenge and requirement for developing a mobile app is a database. An app development companies use a database to organize its data.
An enormous amount of data is received and sent in this database to manage the app. Here is a small example to understand the importance of a database. When your app users register themselves to use the app, they register. The next time they use it, they use the log-in option. Technically, your database quickly responds to the customer and displays exclusive data. This definitely explains the importance of a database.
So how does an app development company choose the right database? And how do you choose a suitable type of database?
Databases for mobile apps
A database is a basic component in developing a mobile app or software. There are several types of databases available. We will discuss in some of the most common databases available. You can select the database based on the requirement for developing a mobile app.
1. Operational database
Operational Database (ODB) is a database that can manage, store data in real time. This is based on SQL but nowadays, enterprises are opting for NoSQL methods. They are capable of maintaining payroll records, employee data, customer data, business management data, etc. This allows addition, removal, and modification of records with the Operational Database Management System. This is ideal for customer, inventory and personal database. The main advantage of this Operational Database is that it gives real-time data management. This is unlike the other database management systems.
2. Relational database
A relational database is data input that fully based on a set of described tables. These tables are accessed, reassembled without reorganizing them. This is one of the most widely used types of a database management system. This also uses SQL as its API (Application Program Interface). It involves relations or tables that have primary keys and foreign keys to link different tables. You can easily store and categorize the input data. Additionally, you can use this database to generate specific information for creating reports.
3. Data warehouse
A data warehouse stores all your data for a long span of time. Also, this is highly recommended for guiding the management decisions in an app development company. One can use this instead of transacting process. It manages business query and customer analysis.
4. Distributed database
When data needs distribution within the several branches of your company, the distributed database is used. It allows easy and quick access to data in different locations. You may need one database in every branch, so you can prefer distributing the database.
5. End-user database
This end-user database is like a shared database that is used to satisfy the needs of end-users.
Tips to choose the right database for the mobile app
This task of choosing the right database needs little research and testing strategies. Here are some of the tips that you can follow.
– For a mobile application, there is the involvement of different data formats. So to save time while retrieving
or collecting data, you can structure them. Selecting a good data structure is vital. This helps you a lot when
it comes to fixing data related issues.
– Flexibility in a database to change and modify whenever you need is essential. Your cross-platform app
the development will need frequent updates. So having a flexible database option like NoSQL is preferable.
– Selecting the right network topologies is also a vital choice to make. You will need a star topology to maintain
a clear record of every single node. This also gives the benefit of operating offline. Other topologies may or
may not work offline depending upon the size.
– Another aspect of choosing a database is the scalability and speed. Your customers will like apps that are fast. One can determine this by how the database handles input and output data. They are based on read-heavy apps and read heavy solutions. So make sure to go for one that is suitable for your app development company.
– Data security and customization is one of the most important requirements. Especially with cross-platform app development. Choose a database that supports you to access, transmit and store data. Make
sure it allows friendly data authentication for your customers.
– When you distribute the data to several other branches, it creates conflicts and confusions. Today a number of
databases have developed that handle such conflicts effectively. Along with this, the syncing of data regularly
should be considered.
– If you choose a data in the motion model, SSL or TLS interactions are common. For data at rest and access for
reading or writing you might need different authentication. Choosing a database here should allow good access
and modification of data.
Conclusion
Database management is really vast. The potent of an app development company is determined by its ability to maintain data. This happens effectively with a wise choice of selecting the database. These tips are fundamental steps to follow when you want to choose a database. A strategic approach to this gives you better results.
Analyzing the amount of data input/output is the first thing. You can then analyze the type of database to choose from. A relational database is one of the commonly used DBMS in most development companies. This itself consists of some more types of database.
To wrap up, let us quickly know about the three main points on which one selects a database.
– Size of your app.
– Whether your app belongs to cross-platform app development or not.
– Mode of syncing your data.
