Posts in "Employer"

How are Java and JavaScript Different from One Another?

August 2, 2021 Comments Off Roxana read

The name in both Java and JavaScript can be deceiving. While both languages utilize the Java programming language, that is essentially where the similarities end. In fact, JavaScript used to be referred to by a different name!

But let’s look at what the differences between the two are and what they really do.

What is Java?

Java is a programming language that was released in 1995 by Sun Microsystems. Since then, it has become an instrumental feature in most technology. One of its biggest benefits is its stable structure and reliability. Some features of Java include:

Used in Android and general mobile app development
Supports scientific computing and large analytical data

Advantages of Java

It allows for detailed data reports to be generated.
There is a large community of dedicated and supportive developers backing it up.
It’s multithreaded, lets developers reuse code, and has helpful third-party libraries for information.

Disadvantages of Java

Its JIT (Just In Time) compiler makes it slower.
The complexity of the language means more money is charged to use its software.
It isn’t compatible with garbage collection.

What is JavaScript?

Dynamically typed and released the same year as Java, JavaScript was initially introduced as LiveScript. However, its creator, Netscape, renamed it to capitalize on the popularity of Java. Similarly, like Java, this language is object-oriented. Some of the features of JavaScript are:

Deep integration with HTML and Java
Compatible across various platforms

Advantages of JavaScript

It’s supported by Microsoft.
It can be run on all browsers with Java compatibility.
Elements like interfaces and classes are supported within it.

Disadvantages of JavaScript

JavaScript is limited since file writing or reading isn’t supported for users.
It isn’t as popular as Java and doesn’t have significant backing by a large community.
It won’t work with multithreading or with multiprocessors.

Side by Side

Here are some of the most important differences between Java and JavaScript:

Java is a programming language while JavaScript is a scripting language.
JavaScript must be incorporated into HTML or Java code to be used.
Specific codes have to be used in Java while JavaScript is predictive.
Web browsers aren’t necessary for Java programs, but they are for JavaScript programs.
The learning curve for Java is steeper than the curve for JavaScript.
JavaScript’s predictive element makes it less memory-heavy than Java.

Final Thoughts

Initially, Java and JavaScript seem more similar than they are different. However, this closer look highlights specifically what each language can do. They are indeed more different than they are similar. Nonetheless, both languages are Java-based, which makes them invaluable tools to learn. Current technology is almost completely integrated with Java software. Learning how to use both Java and JavaScript, while it isn’t necessary, can significantly improve the skillset of a developer. The use of Java programs has only increased since 1995 and is likely to continue increasing due to how widely used Java itself is.

Employer

Tech Stacks in Application Development: The Travel Industry

July 29, 2021 Comments Off Roxana read

Across the world, travel is an important resource for both business and pleasure. Many people have to travel for work, are visiting family and friends as restrictions are loosened, and have decided to take vacations while they have the time. But even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the travel industry was still highly influential for similar reasons.

This industry is known for being frustrating with regard to:

Wait times
Flight delays or cancellations
Luggage claim issues
Layovers
The complex boarding and disembarking process

One thing that can make flying less stressful is a smooth booking system, also known as an example of a travel portal application.

What is a travel portal application?

This is the place where people go to book flights, look for hotels, compare ticket rates, see boarding times, and so on. Having apps that can contain this information are useful for individuals traveling as well as travel agencies helping clients set up their destinations.

Development of Travel Portal Apps

Like any app, these are constructed with a tech stack. Primarily, tech stacks consist of frontend and backend software but include any other elements used in the app’s development. The travel industry also contains consultants or companies who aid businesses in travel portal app development, which are a highly recommended resource. Development in different areas of the travel industry such as hotels, flights, Airbnbs, and more will require varying tech stack elements due to the complexity and uniqueness of each type of travel.

Frontend Development

This is everything consumers and travel agencies see. It could be the appearance of the app, checkout system, inventory/lists, etc that they interact with. The most popular frontend development software are:

JQuery
HTML
CSS
js
JavaScript
Angular
React

Backend Development

As its name suggests, this encompasses everything that goes on behind the scenes. These elements include performance speed, scalability, updates, support, security and data privacy, and app management. The following are recommended for this kind of development:

.Net
Ruby on Rails
js
Python
Java
Python

It is important to note that .Net isn’t a programming language. Instead, it’s a framework used in programming. Flexible and most useful with financial-based apps, .Net works similarly to programming languages.

Final Thoughts

The largest factor to consider when constructing travel portal apps is what the app is going to be used for. As previously mentioned, even within the travel industry, there are several different types of travel. Each of these will work better by using frontend and backend tools tailored to that particular app’s goal. Ultimately, app development should look ahead at how big it may grow to. Travel apps must hold large amounts of data or forms and the tools used in development could help or hurt it depending on the tools in its tech stack.

Developer Employer

Why Use Golang for Your Development Project?

July 28, 2021 Comments Off Roxana read

What is Golang?

Go was founded in 2009. ‍It is an open-source programming language. Golang aims to make the development process a little bit easier, reliable, and efficient. Golang was designed by a Google team and is built in C programming language.

With Go, you can build more efficient and faster applications for companies. A number of organizations are starting to use Golang as their first programming language of choice. Here are the most famous companies that are using Golang: Google, Apple, Facebook, Docker, The New York Times, and BBC.

What are the benefits of using Golang?

Here are the main advantages of using Golang as a programming language.

Golang is fast
Golang is easy to learn
Golang is well scaled
Comprehensive programming tools
A growing pool of talent

What are the downsides of using Golang?

Although it is growing in popularity, Golang is not the number one choice of programming language. Here are the weak sides you need to know before start using Golang as a programming language.

Time-consuming
It is a young language
Golang does not support generic functions

What are the best projects that you can build with Golang?

There are ups and downs for every programming language, and the same applies to Golang. For example, executing the code with Golang is faster and simpler than the execution of the code with Python. Still, it is not suitable for building every type of apps because it is a very young programming language.

Golang is the perfect language if you need backend developments where servers have a number of requests. Dropbox is one of the services that is using Golang. Another thing we can say about Golang is that he is the perfect language for building an e-commerce website with a high volume of users. In other words, we must state that Go is a very promising language.

When should you choose to switch your project to Golang?

For every startup, it is very important to have great marketing strategies for getting the product to the market. With clever marketing strategies is only natural to have a large number of users. This is the time when you should consider using Golang.

Netflix and Uber are some of the companies that switched to using Golang because of its service delivery speed. Migrating to Golang was a wise option because there were risks of ruining the user experience. Golang is the best programming language if your organization is expecting growth and if you want quick server responses.

Is Golang the future?

The short answer is yes. Golang has it all when it comes to web programming. With Golang, you have the opportunity to write all functions that other languages are doing separately, regardless if you want to watch a log, manage data from users, or send some regular tweets.

Conclusion

Golang got a lot of developers excited. It is a brilliant new programming language developed by Google. Golang provides a lot more benefits for companies of different industries. Switching to Golang is something your company should consider in the near future.

Employer

6 Tips to Developing an Amazing mHealth App

July 26, 2021 Comments Off Roxana read

Within the mobile app development industry, a popular—though often undervalued—category is health. Specifically, this refers to fitness-based and health-related apps. Mobile health apps are most commonly called mHealth apps and can center around exercise, workout progress, healthcare information, calorie intake management, and so on.

Developing a mHealth app requires attention to:

User base and purpose

Have a clear plan for what kind of users might download the app and what they will get from it. Identify its main purpose before beginning development to have a better understanding of what the app should look like and how it functions.

Data protection and privacy

For an app that will contain sensitive information, the app must be safe and secure. Data protection and privacy are crucial for mHealth apps. Research the appropriate laws and regulations regarding mHealth app development and how it should protect the users’ data.

6 Tips for mHealth App Development

Make the app pleasing and attractive.

Unless the intent for the app is to have a professional appearance, the app should be colorful and lively. Give it a pleasing appearance with colors that complement one another. One such design focus should be on the app’s logo. It needs to stand out among the over 300,000 mHealth apps currently out there.

Navigation should be simple.

Users often get frustrated with apps that are complicated or take them to several pages before they reach their destination. Keep navigation simple and clear throughout the app. Minimalism for login and signup pages are recommended as well. Apps asking for a lot of information may make users feel uncomfortable. If a user feels either uncomfortable or frustrated, they are much more likely to uninstall the app.

Stick to the app’s purpose.

The app should serve one central purpose. If it tries to encompass too many things, the app will lose that purpose and thus, lose the user. mHealth apps are also designed to provide and/or request information. For many, this is their purpose with regard to calorie counting apps, self-help or journaling apps, medication recording apps, and so on.

Allow for data to be collected and displayed.

Many mHealth apps keep track of records entered by the user or through an electronic system from, for example, a hospital. Users need to be able to have that data collected and displayed in a variety of formats.

Limit the number of screens.

Similar to keeping navigation simple, the number of screens a user is taken to should be kept to a minimum. Additionally, those screens need to be clear and easily understandable to prevent confusion.

Make sure data is ALWAYS secure.

Data protection and privacy is perhaps the most important element of an mHealth app. Users are trusting these apps to secure their data and information as well. Firewalls or other safety measures should be in place to prevent the app from being hacked. If it ever is, lawsuits, identity theft, and other dangers are possible.

Employee Employer

Why is Golang a Great Choice for Development Projects?

July 23, 2021 Comments Off Roxana read

Of the numerous programming languages out there, why is Golang a great choice? But, what is Golang and how does it work?

Golang is an open-sourced programming language released in 2009 by Google. Three engineers from the company—Rob Pike, Ken Thompson, and Robert Griesemer—sought to take the best qualities of popular programming languages at the time and combine it into one language for universal use.

One of the things Golang, most commonly referred to as ‘Go’, achieved is a quick performance speed. Corporations such as Facebook, The New York Times, BBC, and Apple incorporated the language into their systems because of this.

How Does Go Work?

Building onto the C language, Go is designed to be both faster to run and easier to use than other programming languages. It is based on the C language, thus incorporating some of its features like syntax and memory management.

Advantages of Go

Performance Speed

Go is fast because it is a compiled language, meaning that the code is translated to the appropriate structures automatically.

Small Learning Curve

One of the primary focuses of Go is its easy to learn features and structure. Backgrounds in Java or C are also very useful for developers.

Concurrency Capabilities

Goroutines, or concurrent functions that are both simultaneously and independently running alongside one another, make Go much more scalable. In comparison, Java threads are heavier and referred to as ‘blocking’ while Go is ‘non-blocking’. These goroutines can be run in the millions and not back up the system, unlike Java threads.

Disadvantages of Go

More Code is Still Needed

Despite being much faster than other languages, Go is still simpler than languages like Python. Many more lines of code may be needed in Go to equal the same process in Python, where that language would only need a few lines, for example.

Not Too Young, Not Too Old

Go has been in the world for over a decade, making it not quite a ‘new’ programming language, but not considered an old one either. Veteran languages that can keep up with current, newer languages are always preferred, but Go doesn’t quite fit the bill…yet.

Struggles with Generic Functions

As a reminder, Go is a simple, compiled programming language. It can only be so detailed and specific, even with updates. Python outshines Go in that it doesn’t have any problems utilizing generic functions. Reusability and efficiency of code functions are negatively impacted in Go as a result.

What Go Does Best

Go is frequently used by developers for its simplicity and speed. These features make it a good fit for heavy backends. It excels at handling complex collections of data. Even with its compiler limitations, Go helps run some of the largest companies and software in the world like Dropbox and Netflix. Looking forward, for developers who anticipate big numbers of activities that may overwhelm and crash a system, adding Go to backend development could help keep that from happening.

Employer

How Tracking KPIs Helps App Developers

July 21, 2021 Comments Off Roxana read

Developers go through the arduous process of creating their apps. Then they may think, once they release it, they can just sit back and watch the downloads roll in. But it isn’t that simple. Sure, developers can go that route; however, it’s unlikely to gain any real popularity.

There’s another element to app development—KPIs.

What are KPIs, and why are they important?

KPI stands for Key Performance Indicator. It also goes by another name: application performance metrics or app metrics. KPIs are how app developers track what interactions users have with their apps. Two places developers can go to look at their app’s statistics are Google Play Console (Android) and iTunes Connect (iOS).

What do KPIs track?

The elements of the apps’ KPIs track have increased over the years, providing developers with different tools to use. Some of those include:

Downloads/Installs
Benchmarks (aka how well the app does on a regular basis)
Rate of Installation/Download
App ratings
Reviews
Ranking in Categories
Popular Keywords

What Happens After the Download/Install

It often doesn’t take much to convince people to download or install an app. They know they can delete it if they aren’t satisfied. As a developer, this should be something to avoid. Nearly one-fourth of global app usage reports apps being used only once. The goals of every developer should be to attract as well as keep their users.

KPIs help with this by looking at a few more specific features of apps. Things such as:

Average Daily Active Users (ADAU)
Daily Active Users (DAU)
Weekly Active Users (WAU)
Monthly Active Users (MAU)

Focusing on WAUs or MAUs is the best option, particularly for smaller developers, since it gives a more accurate long-term rate of usage. Retaining long-term users is beneficial because it also creates a positive relationship between the developer and the user.

On the other end of that spectrum is the ‘churn rate,’ which is the number of people who stop using the app altogether. Apps with high churn rates don’t do well among users or in rankings. Alternatively, if a developer is able to keep users, they are often MAUs. A positive thing regarding MAUs is that they can turn into WAUs or even DAUs.

For apps that offer in-app purchases like subscriptions or product purchasing, KPIs can analyze how long it takes for users to make those purchases. The lower the time spent considering a purchase, the better an app’s analytics will look. If users are spending a lot of time debating whether or not to make a purchase, it becomes less likely they will purchase anything at all.

Closing Thoughts

App developers who keep a regular eye on their KPIs may have much more success than developers who aren’t interested because they don’t think it’s important. Analytical tools are available for developers as ways for them to be successful. Something vital to remember is that there are more businesses and people out there who want developers to be successful than not. When an app thrives, others thrive too.

Developer Employer

Tech Stacks: What They Are and How to Choose One

July 20, 2021 Comments Off Roxana read

Choosing tech stacks are the first step to web or app development. Before any other progress can be made, developers must plan their tech stack. It can positively or negatively impact how the site or app functions in the future. But first, what exactly are tech stacks?

A tech stack consists of all the technology needed for developers to make a website or app. Things that make up a tech stack are:

Frameworks
Servers
Programming Languages
Libraries
UI and/or UX solutions

Building a Tech Stack

All tech stacks include front-end tools, middleware, and back-end tools.

Front-end

This is the part of a site or app that users can see. It’s what they interact with and what can lead to a pleasant or disappointing user experience. When creating a website, HTML code organizes the site’s data while CSS formats it. JavaScript comes in to improve interactivity through libraries (i.e. Slick, Bootstrap, JQuery, etc) and frameworks (i.e. React.js, Vue.js, Angular, etc).

Apps on the front-end encompass one of three categories—native, hybrid, and cross-platform. Native apps rely on programming languages like Java, Swift, and Objective-C. Hybrid apps use JavaScript, Cordova, HTML, and other similar technologies. Flutter and React Native are software used in the front-end of cross-platform apps.

Middleware

Essentially invisible, this part of a tech stack bridges the front- and back-end elements. It consists of app and web servers, as well as management processes.

Back-end

This is everything users can’t see that makes websites and apps function properly. Things like frameworks, databases, programming languages, and operating systems are a part of the back-end. Some popular languages and frameworks include:

Ruby on Rails (RoR)
Python
C++
PHP
and more

Things to Consider When Choosing a Tech Stack

The Best Fit (Project-Based)

Different programming languages, for example, are better fits for certain kinds of projects. Deciding on a tech stack should be based on the project itself and what’s best for it.

Size and Complexity of the Project

Larger projects will contain more data and be more complicated. This can impact things like loading speed, which could hinder user experiences.

Time to Complete the Project

Some software was created to make coding easier and quicker. The grand scope of the project, combined with the software a developer is considering, will factor into the time it takes to complete the project. Whether an individual or development team is working on the project would also affect this.

Level of Scalability

The chosen software and future potential intricacy may impact the functionality of the site or app that is being developed. If it grows significantly but the software used to build it can’t keep up with that growth, or scalability, user experiences (among other things) will be impacted.

Data Security

The protection of data is crucial to any website or app, particularly if it collects sensitive information such as credit card numbers, addresses, and so on. Not all software (on the front- or back-end) will contain good security for data. Developers should be aware of this and incorporate alternatives if necessary.

Employer

Comparing Laravel and Core PHP

July 15, 2021 Comments Off Roxana read

App development is one of the most popular tasks in the tech industry. Millions of apps are being created every month and developers use two primary methods of building them:

Utilizing a framework, or
Building it from the ground up with a programming language.

Developer preference, the details of the project, the skills of a developer, and the resources available are some of the things that contribute to how apps are put together. From integration capabilities to high-quality functionality, two systems that come to mind for app development are Laravel and Core PHP.

Core PHP

Used to construct dynamic web pages, Core PHP is a pure programming language that helps developers build an app from scratch. With this language, code is written from the beginning rather than relying on a framework. Frameworks of PHP still use the PHP language in addition to:

Debugging and code repairing tools
MVC, MVVM, and more that separate certain layers of code (i.e. business and appearance)
Pre-programmed actions for repeated coding

Laravel

This is a PHP framework that is known for being adaptable to large, complex apps and maintains a speedy performance. Compared to Core PHP, which is considered an expert-level development tool, Laravel is simpler and recommended for novice app development.

The Comparison

Quality of Development

Made for developers with little experience, Laravel has a structure that makes code solid, protects it, and allows for easy comprehension. On the other hand, Core PHP is developer-based. This means a developer’s skills determine what the code looks like and how it functions.

Simplicity/Complexity to Learn

Its automated features make Laravel much easier than Core PHP for developers to grasp the function of. However, as with any new software, the application and use of development tools still take time to master. For developers who are easily adaptable to their changing field, they have more freedom in how to put their app together. By learning how to use Core PHP, it will make using frameworks constructed in PHP much simpler.

Level of Protection

Due to its basic, loosely-based structure, Core PHP doesn’t contain any internal security measures. Developers must code their own security protocols into the software. Alternatively, Laravel does have a security system in place with authentication protocols. It protects against cross-scripting attacks and prevents SQL injection, among other features.

The Result

Core PHP and Laravel utilize the PHP language or framework. While Core PHP is a programming language and Laravel is a framework, they are both beneficial to app development. Out of the two, Core PHP is certainly better suited for more experienced developers, but it can be a good practice tool as well. Laravel is also trusted by the developing community with access to many tools and features. It isn’t necessarily hindered by how simple or complex the app’s code is. It’s viewed as a trustworthy aspect of the development process.

With every development project, the tools used can play an important role in how efficient and successful the project is. Doing personal research into each potential avenue for development is a great way to get accustomed to what tools and software are best for what kind of project.

Employer

Why Are Progressive Web Apps Becoming Popular?

July 14, 2021 Comments Off Roxana read

There are three different kinds of apps: native, hybrid, and progressive. While each has its own approach, progressive web apps are slowly taking over the app industry. An evolving technology-dependent society has heavily contributed to this but what is it about progressive web apps that are so appealing?

What are progressive web apps?

Similar to Java’s main goal, progressive web apps have adopted a ‘code once, use anywhere’ motto. This allows them to be used through a phone app or a website. However, the code is universal and is used for both versions. Teams of developers prefer to use progressive web apps because they are restricted to the number of resources they can use or they want to release their app to the market faster.

What are native apps?

Native apps are the oldest of the three types. They are coded individually to suit different platforms, meaning there is essentially as many versions of the same code as there are platforms the app is on.

What are hybrid apps?

These apps utilize third-party frameworks with similar basic codes to build apps. Some of the frameworks used are React Native, Cordova, and Ionic. The third parties help developers release the app on different platforms without having to completely alter the app’s code. They serve as a bridge—thus, becoming a hybrid of native and progressive web apps.

FIRE

The acronym, FIRE, stands for Fast, Integrated, Reliable, and Engaging. This is the goal of every progressive web app.

Fast

Patience among users is decreasing significantly as time goes on. They want fast loading and performance speeds as well as pleasant experiences. If they have to wait for apps to load, it’s likely they will uninstall the app. Ensuring that an app processes quickly and efficiently is crucial.

Integrated

Integration and ease of access across multiple devices and platforms plays a significant role in the success of an app. This is often combined with the Fast element of progressive web apps since users want availability just as much as speed when it comes to their apps.

Reliable

Data privacy and an app’s dependability are ‘make or break’ features for users. They need to know that any information collected is protected from hackers or viruses, as well as being able to consistently use the app without being concerned it will crash.

Engaging

Modern society has evolved to be visually-focused. If an app functions properly but isn’t appealing due to its plain format, a user is highly likely to uninstall it. Aside from the general visual appearance, users want to be able to interact with the app’s features. Having features that are broken will deter users from using the app—again, assuming they do not uninstall it.

The Consensus

Progressive web apps have been utilized by major companies such as Twitter, Pinterest, and Uber. However, as long as the app follows the FIRE characteristics, users won’t concern themselves with whether it was built with a native, hybrid, or progressive structure. Developers should, on the other hand, keep in mind the difficulty of building apps using each of the three types and apply that to the criteria for deciding which to use.

Developer Employer

Comparing Technology: Flow vs TypeScript

July 12, 2021 Comments Off Roxana read

As the evolution of software development continues to expand, the need for complex coding increases as well. There are numerous programs and programming languages to help with projects within every aspect of the tech industry, but the decision to use one over another may affect the functionality of the project. Thus, it’s important to make smart choices on the software that is used to construct websites, applications, and so on. Two such languages that have made an impact in the tech industry are Flow and TypeScript.

What is Flow?

Although not a programming language like TypeScript, Flow was developed by Facebook, the same company that created the popular software React. It’s a static type checker that works specifically with JavaScript.

When checking type with Flow, the code ‘//@flow’ must be used so the system knows to use Flow to check for errors in the code. Additionally, file types don’t have to be changed to do this, which makes this program even more useful. However, Flow requires developers to manually run scans for errors.

What is TypeScript?

Created by Microsoft, TypeScript is an open-sourced programming language. It’s typed, meaning that developers have to assign ‘datatypes’ to specific pieces of code in order for it to function properly. Considered a ‘superset’ as well, TypeScript encompasses all of the tools JavaScript has available.

Unlike Flow, TypeScript doesn’t have to be run manually. When a function is executed, TypeScript automatically checks it for errors. This cuts down the time developers would have had to take manually running a check and allows for code to be fixed as it’s being created.

Comparing Flow & TypeScript

TypeScript has many extra tools and layers that Flow doesn’t. For example, decorators and interfaces are tools TypeScript can implement via JavaScript. This makes TypeScript a great choice for more complex projects for businesses with large amounts of data to be coded. Similarly, to be able to complete those kinds of projects, this language is consistently updated by Microsoft and adapts to the changes in the tech industry. The community behind it is extensive and highly active due to Microsoft’s reputation, as well as its functionality. On the other hand, the complexity of TypeScript means it’s a harder language to learn.

Flow is much simpler than TypeScript, primarily in its learning curve. It’s designed to be easy to learn while also being integrated into current projects. Having been released by Facebook, Flow and React are often used together. They are highly compatible with each other, which can be a benefit for developers with less experience. Since Flow is a type checker displaying no other significant functions, it also doesn’t have as big of a community as TypeScript. The lack of questions being asked and problems solved could be a result of being clear and simple enough that nothing needed clarification or fixing.

Ultimately, the developer’s preference and details of a project should be considered prior to choosing Flow, TypeScript, or another development tool. Each software has benefits and weaknesses, but many more factors should play into the decision to use one over the other. Development experience, project details, time to complete the project, and so on are just some of the elements a developer should consider before making their decision.