It's simply complex!!! The app development on a whole is complex. When you start up the things without the proper understanding of giving it the execution and conclusion, things can get really messed up. A huge herd of developers might come across the phase wherein they take the project with excitement and at a point gets stuck with no idea what to do next. To eliminate this exact situation, developers frustration, and client dissatisfaction, 12-factor app methodology is developed.
Well, this won’t in any situation reduce the complexity of the mobile application development but will ease and streamline it.
Here’s how this method is something you need to implement in process.
- It creates a vision and a roadmap for the development team to follow and get done with swiftly.
- The deployment date is maintained by implementing this methodology.
- It ensures the quality control without any delay in the production process.
- The method is compatible with the latest cloud-based platforms and also works in sync with the operating system as well.
- Allows to make the changes and updates easily without wasting much of the time and complying with the set deployment date.
- Helps to not to get stuck in the middle of the development process.
So, does this sound something you want in your app? If yes, you might be wondering what are these 12 factors? Let's explore each one of them and by the end of this blog, you must be planning to integrate each factor in your next project.
1) Codebase
Be smart here. Build just a single codebase which has to be fully equipped with the revised control that can be put to use for multiple releases. This clearly cuts your efforts, you just have to code once which can run everywhere. Well, there can be tweaks for the different process but you are saved from coding from the scratch. Take some extra time and create a codebase which can be applied at each of the stages with minor changes.
2) Dependencies
The usual preference would be to use the pre-installed software instead of putting the dependencies and relying heavily on the same. If the release is automated and its mandatory to use the tools, you shouldn’t be investing time in searching the library for wrapping.
Consider it right from the intuitive stage whether it needs to declare the isolated dependencies for a standalone app to integrate it in a convenient manner.
3) Backup System
This step of the methodology suggests that the backup services are attached to every resource as every team will be in need of the different database. Allotting separate database and back service to different teams will keep the process smooth and extreme away from any complications and confusions. Every team will have different need of database and backups like the developers will need more as compared to the team of testers and they should be allocated accordingly.
4) Configurations
This feature will assure you the proper storage of your all the files during the on-going development process. You don’t want to lose the important files and do the already done work again. The config files will be different for different development stages but the code will be the same for all. The database uniform resource identifier will be unique in every phase from development to the testing. This factor out of the 12 lay emphases on managing the resources and other backend services while providing credentials to external services to an authorized hostname.
5) Separation of Build and Release Process
This factor suggests to not to mingle the process and stay far away from the confusion. It's better to manage the build, release, and run cycle separately and combine them once they all steer clear of any fixes in a compatible environment.
6) Procedures
The basic code should be stored without any twist and tweaks. During the process of development, the app undergoes testing various times. App testing is not something to be done at the end of the development, it is something you need to do during the ongoing process and at each and every step. Once the app is completed, the testing becomes even more rigorous. The entire procedure of app testing should be properly followed.
7) Port Binding
The web apps by mobile app development company get executed inside web server containers at times. This is why port binding is one of the 12 factors and is on this list. Port binding allows the app to get a backing service for another app. Well, there are haters for this concept. They carry the opinion that exporting the app through port binding allows the external users to get access to the app without passing any security level. They believe this makes the apps insecure and prone to attacks. The solution to this is creating a web-facing service. It is totally self-contained without any runtime injection. The port binding will give you the direct access or introduce you with one of the stacks that are malfunctioning.
8) Decentralize the App
Computers need processors for the execution of different programs. Similarly, web apps also make use of execution programs to carry out the development process smoothly. The 12-factor methodology suggests to break down the app into segments. All the processes are divided and into smaller chunks which will distribute the loads and responsibilities making the process faster and more accurate.
9) Disposability
This indicates the start and stops of any process. Integration of the disposability factor will make the process flexible and take the productivity to a higher level. This factor will give you the liberty to end any process at any point of time without disturbing the other process if they are followed by the previous factor of decentralization.
10) Bridge the Gap
The development is hindered because of the transitions. The launch of the app is delayed because the time is taken for transferring the app from the development stage to the deployment stage. There are several reasons that delay the process like:
- The mobile app developers need time for writing the code of mobile app development which can take weeks or months.
- When it is sent to the deployment team, it will take some time for the transition.
- The difference in the tools used by the developers and deployment team to work on the same coding is different. This can also eat up the time.
11) Logs
The apps will only allow you to create a streamlined event chain. This factor will invite you to feed your logging information into the system. Post that, with such configurations, you can make your decision where you can place the logs.
12) Administration Process
To get done with every task requested from the user, a pre-defined procedure has to be followed. The developers must test the app with the live database and serve the user with a perfectly flawless and smooth functioning, glitch-free app. An app which has gone through testing and devoid of any action that would upset the user.
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