July 2020 - Galaxy Weblinks

Migrating your Legacy Apps to Cloud

Posted on July 30, 2020October 10, 2024 by galaxy-admin

Cloud usage has increased by many folds over the past few years. Public clouds have become the goto choice of enterprises for enhanced scalability, disaster recovery, reduced maintenance costs, remote collaboration and flexibility.

Moving your enterprise app and infrastructure to the public cloud instead of making it obsolete and declaring it’s EOL is an efficient decision according to many executives.

The most relevant example in the current scenario is Netflix. Long before Netflix went cloud, it was locked in a struggle with Blockbuster to dominate the video rental market.

Then the Netflix executives saw the opportunity and made two favorable decisions.

First – Moving their online streaming service to cloud.
Second – Without making their legacy app and infrastructure obsolete.

As the benefits were clear when they considered the abilities needed to transform their business model.

As a result, Netflix was among the first companies to go cloud during that time. They spent $40 million in the mid-2000s to build its data centers and pay for the license fees to stream just 1% of their movie catalog.

However, there is uncertainty when it comes to migrating legacy applications to cloud. It’s given that legacy apps have served business over the years very well. There is a lot of data, business algorithms, backend, and frontend architecture here.

But, these on-premise data centres are proving to be expensive in expansions and maintenance terms. And many of these applications run on technology that is outdated with no further updates and any active community support.

Thus stakeholders are pushing towards legacy apps migration to cloud. There are many more reasons which may be specific to your organization like:

Your on premise data centre has reached it maximum storage capacity
You need to scale due to mergers or acquisitions
You are facing security threats
Unanticipated growth in short span of time
New compliance guidelines
Looking to optimize your apps from ground up

If any of the above reasons resonate with you, it’s time to take the call and start migrating your legacy app to cloud. Listed below are the several ways of carrying out this process

Lift and Shift Approach

In this approach, you will be migrating your app without any changes done. It will be a simple, untouched migration, very much like cut-copy-paste strategy. This approach is most suited for apps that have a simplified architecture and thus can be migrated as they are. Any well defined commercial apps or apps having less functionalities can go by this strategy.

Refectoring/Rearchitecting

Many applications are bound to fall in this category. Firstly, legacy apps are built using older frameworks and technologies that have deteriorated to a point where they can not be revived and thus are obsolete. Secondly, once these apps start crashing frequently, developers will eventually have to work harder than usual to find a long term solution.

Prior to migration, these applications are given a makeover which is suitable for uploads on cloud platforms and also simplifies their structure.

They are then written in a way that they don’t fall under the legacy application category any time soon. This is very much similar to when people shift their homes, they discard many household things and make space for advanced, newer items.

When applying this to legacy apps, you will be able to remove redundant information, irrelevant functionalities, etc for making it cloud ready.

Retiring the Legacy App

In some odd scenarios, legacy app optimization for cloud may not fruitful at all. You should think of rebuilding it from scratch instead. This is often because of the fact that designing, developing and deploying a new application will be much more time saving and easier than working on the legacy application.

It can be attributed to functionalities that are no longer required and can be removed. This gives a new perspective and ensures that you will utilize the optimum cloud services and storage facilities. You will be freeing up assets which will be used for your redesigned app.

Outsourcing your migration

External vendors are happy to take this migration task off your hands. They are experts in this and can thus do it more effectively and use less time for the whole process. Your outsourced partners can provide insights into which approach to take from the ones mentioned above.

You can also let them manage your cloud for you. They will take the responsibility of your servers, ensuring that they are up and running at all times. Any security breach can be handled by them within a short duration and even help you in switching cloud service providers in the future.

There is no one size for all approach anyway. You can always use a mix of the strategies mentioned above.

Before you jump into migration, make sure that you take into account the possible obstacles and prepare accordingly. These issues can be related to security troubles, unaccounted costs, little differences in requirements, etc. You should involve all your team members, including designers, testers, engineers before going ahead with the final decision.

We at Galaxy Weblinks work around the clock for giving best services to all clients and managed cloud services is one among them. For any consultation, drop us your contact here and we will get in touch.

Atom vs Sublime: Which Text Editor to choose in 2024?

Posted on July 27, 2020October 10, 2024 by galaxy-admin

The coding landscape is ever-evolving, with AI-powered editors like GitHub Codespaces emerging alongside powerhouses like Visual Studio Code. Yet, many developers still choose the familiar battleground: Atom vs. Sublime Text. Both offer extensive customization and loyal communities, but which reigns supreme in 2024?

Choosing the right text editor isn’t just about personal preference; it’s a strategic decision impacting your team’s efficiency, productivity, and ultimately, your bottom line. In 2023, the Stack Overflow Developer Survey revealed that 42% of developers spend over an hour each day battling their text editor’s limitations. That’s valuable time lost not crafting innovative solutions, but wrestling with clunky interfaces and missing features.

This head-to-head comparison explores the latest features, performance metrics, and community support of Atom and Sublime Text. It equips you with the insights to forge the perfect development environment for your team, empowering them to write code like modern-day software artisans.

The Text Editor Landscape in 2024

Gone are the days of generic code editors with limited functionality. Today’s developers demand versatility, efficiency, and seamless integration with their workflows. The market teems with options, each vying for attention with unique features and philosophies. Open-source powerhouses like Atom and Sublime Text remain sturdy, constantly evolving to retain their dominance. However, understanding their individual strengths and weaknesses is crucial for making an informed decision.

Why Does the Right Text Editor Matters in 2024?

Fast forward to 2024, and the stakes in selecting an optimal text editor have escalated. In an era where efficiency, code integrity, and team synergy are paramount, the choice of a text editor is a linchpin for operational success. Here’s why:

Boosting Developer Productivity:

A user-friendly text editor can significantly reduce coding time and streamline project workflows, enhancing efficiency, integrating with version control, and offering intelligent features like code completion and error detection.

Ensuring Code Quality and Consistency:

Advanced text editors enhance software quality by ensuring consistent coding standards, reducing errors, and identifying real-time errors, thereby enhancing the final product’s overall quality.

Enhancing Collaboration:

Remote work necessitates real-time collaboration and integration with version control systems, making text editors crucial for distributed teams and collaborative coding practices.

Customization and Flexibility:

In 2024, development teams need text editors with extensive customization and plugin support to meet the diverse needs of their projects, ensuring adaptability and flexibility.

Cost Efficiency:

The debate between open-source and paid text editors is based on their impact on project timelines, developer efficiency, and long-term value in terms of productivity gains and project efficiencies.

Atom Text Editor

Atom, an open-source framework developed by GitHub, is a popular choice for teams focusing on customization and community-driven enhancements. Its modern interface, customizable package manager, robust plugin ecosystem, and seamless integration with Git and GitHub make it a favorite among developers.

Sublime Text Editor

Sublime Text, known for its fast performance and stability, is a popular choice for large-scale projects. Its standout features include its lightweight design, ability to handle large files, and its ‘Goto Anything’ feature for quick file navigation.

Atom vs Sublime: A Head-to-Head Comparison

Features and Functionalities:

Both Atom and Sublime offer an impressive array of features. Syntax highlighting, code completion, and multi-cursor editing are standard features, ensuring a smooth coding experience. However, there are distinct differences:

Customization: Atom shines with its open-source architecture, boasting a vast ecosystem of over 8,000 packages for customization. This allows developers to tailor the editor to their specific needs and workflows. Sublime offers fewer built-in customizations but supports plugin development, albeit with a smaller community.
Integration: Atom integrates seamlessly with popular tools like Git and GitHub, streamlining development workflows. Sublime requires additional plugins for similar functionality.

Performance and Stability:

Benchmarks consistently rank Sublime as faster and lighter, especially when handling large files. However, Atom’s performance gap has narrowed significantly with recent optimizations. Stability is comparable, with both editors receiving regular updates and a strong community for troubleshooting.

Security and Reliability:

Both editors prioritize security through code signing and regular updates. Sublime’s closed-source nature offers built-in encryption for sensitive data, while Atom relies on community-developed plugins for similar functionality. Reliability is high for both, with active communities providing quick responses to issues.

Learning Curve and User Experience:

Sublime boasts a steeper learning curve due to its keyboard-centric interface. However, its minimalist design and intuitive shortcuts offer an efficient experience for seasoned users. Atom’s graphical interface is easier to grasp for beginners, but navigating its extensive customization options can be overwhelming.

Actionable Insights for Decision-Making:

So, which editor reigns supreme? The answer, as in most complex choices, depends on your specific needs:

For teams seeking extensive customization and open-source flexibility, Atom offers a vast plugin ecosystem and a vibrant community.
For developers prioritizing raw performance, a minimalist interface, and built-in security features, Sublime might be the better choice.

Mitigating Business Risks:

Selecting the wrong editor can have tangible consequences. A mismatch can lead to:

Reduced developer productivity: An editor that feels clunky or lacks essential features can significantly hinder coding speed and efficiency.
Project delays: Frustrated developers struggling with their tools can miss deadlines and impact project timelines.
Increased training costs: Adapting to a new editor requires training, adding to project budgets and potentially delaying onboarding new team members.

Future-Proofing Your Development Team

Beyond immediate needs, consider these factors for long-term value:

Community Support: A strong and active community ensures access to resources, plugins, and timely troubleshooting assistance.

Cross-Platform Compatibility: If your team works across different operating systems, choose an editor with seamless compatibility.

Emerging Trends: Consider features like real-time collaboration, AI-powered code completion, and cloud integration, which might become mainstream in the future.

Choosing the Right Text Editor with Galaxy Weblinks

Choosing the right text editor in 2024 is crucial for your business’s success. It’s not just about the features a text editor offers, but how well it fits into your team’s workflow and your company’s goals. At Galaxy Weblinks, we understand the significance of this decision. Our wide range of services, from custom software development to IT consulting, is designed to boost your team’s productivity and enhance the outcomes of your projects.

Partnering with Galaxy Weblinks gives you access to our deep understanding of the latest development tools and trends. This ensures that your choice of a text editor, whether Atom, Sublime, or another option, is informed and strategic. The right text editor can greatly improve your development process, making coding more efficient, reducing errors, and helping your team collaborate more effectively.

Book a consultation call and explore how we can help you make the best choice for your development needs.The success of your projects—and your business—depends on making informed decisions today, and the selection of a text editor is a critical piece of that puzzle.

Why it is better to partner with a Digital Agency than Freelancers?

Posted on July 20, 2020October 10, 2024 by galaxy-admin

Your business is growing and your team is doing their best to meet the tight deadlines and increased workload. You may be exploring the idea of outsourcing some of your web and mobile design and development projects. The next logical question is to outsource to a digital agency, or hire a freelancer?

I’m sure you’ve pondered over these questions while considering your design and development partner –

Which option among the digital agency or a freelancer will be the most cost efficient?
(Note – not “cheapest.” but “cost efficient”)

You might save some money by hiring a freelancer to manage one particular module of your product development lifecycle. However, you’ll soon realize that one person cannot do it all. You’ll very likely need an entire team of freelancers if you are looking for end-to-end design and development. This may lead your project to go over-budget while missing some critical deadlines.

Many factors should be considered while choosing between a freelancer or a digital agency. In this article, we will discuss how a digital agency can prove to be more economical vis-a-vis freelancer/s.

#1 Quality Of Work

Your freelancer may try and deliver the best quality of work but it may not be in line with your expectations, especially when the scale of the project is big.

On the other hand, a digital agency takes complete accountability of your project and maintains consistency in the quality of services they offer. They can arrange a single point of contact to facilitate all the coordination work. Thereby, you can focus on the larger picture. They also provide stringent quality checks and testing before your web/ mobile application is launched to avoid any nasty surprises.

#2 Project Involvement

Freelancers rely on you for direction! You might risk endless back and forth if there is any miscommunication in defining your requirements. You will need to invest a lot of time and effort while working with a freelancer.

Digital agencies are more equipped to understand your business needs as they may have more domain experts. They can convey your exact requirements to their in-house creative and technical team. Your project manager has the onus to ensure that the project runs smoothly.

For example, Project managers at an agency will assist you and your team in the most tricky questions related to your new product and the main features of a detailed specification for business tasks. Whereas, not every freelancer could single-handedly undertake all the tasks performed by the project manager and his team.

#3 Engagement Models

Among the biggest decisions you are going to make about your project is how the development of your dream product is going to pan out. For that, you’ll need an engagement model.

This is one of the biggest factors that you miss out on if you hire a freelancer.

The successful development and implementation of your project are facilitated by flexible engagement models as they ensure client satisfaction and transparency.

It involves engagement types like:

Fixed price: This is ideal when the client has clear expectations in terms of the project outcomes and timeline. A Fixed-price contract is ideal for relatively smaller projects with determined deadlines, fixed budgets, and MVPs.
Time and Material: Ideal for a long term project with dynamic requirements and uncertain deadlines. The pricing is determined based on the hours spent on developing the project and resources needed. The model is flexible to accommodate changing project requirements and new features.

Why does it matter for you to have the right plan?

Choosing the right engagement model for your project can help avoid undesirable outcomes, such as friction between you and your outsourcing partner, dissatisfaction with the final product, delayed deliveries, and loss of profit.

#4 Technology Infrastructure

Freelancers often lack the skills and resources to adopt new technologies and tools in case of emergency or ad hoc situations.

Whereas, agencies invest in the latest technology across their entire range of services. They have the best subscriptions, platforms, and most up-to-date technology; ensuring that your project is developed using the best of the resources.

#5 Scalability

Generally, businesses switch to outsourcing to scale their business in terms of revenue and services offered.

But, if you hire a freelancer, he may have his limitations when it comes to the quantity of work he can offer. The scalability he offers also depends on the projects he is serving and his time of availability.

On the other end, a well-established digital agency has a big team of different skill sets and expertise areas. In the case, your requirement grows, or you have to meet urgent deliverables, an agency can extend its team of dedicated resources for your project.

#6 Skills

You need to think about the range of skills required for your product development before deciding to choose among a freelancer or digital agency.

The benefit of choosing a digital agency over a freelancer is you’re not responsible for building a team all by yourself based on your project requirements. For instance – IKEA hired separate freelancers for Web developers as well as UI/UX designers just to figure out that they would need mobile app developers, as well.

Alternatively, you can save your time just by hiring a digital agency with a large pool of professionals who have diverse skills – all in one place!

#7 Reliability And Commitment

Freelancers are usually reliable and accountable for the projects they undertake. However, due to the lack of a legal contract, there may be instances where they do adhere to the committed deadlines or couldn’t deliver the project as per your specifications.

Digital agencies swear by their processes that are built up over the years. This makes them accountable for what they do and allows them to make realistic commitments to their clients. Plus, there is always a Plan B in place, in case there are any unexpected glitches to ensure that the project goes on as planned.

#8 Communication Is The Key

Communication remains one of the most important factors to consider while opting for an outsourcing partner. Freelancers are usually easily accessible and easy to communicate with. Different time zones may hinder communications if you choose to outsource your work to an offshore freelancer.

Your digital agency partner will always provide a consistent communication channel. Generally, professional agencies follow a standard communication and reporting procedure, that is discussed initially with the client. Even the time zones are factored in here.

Digital Agencies deliver the required expertise and ensure an efficient work process as a service provider.

#9 Security And Legality

As a company, they’re able to follow proper documentation that offers you protection from legal risks or copyright infringement lawsuits in the future.

Whereas, freelancers hardly offer protection from potential legal risks regarding copyright infringement.

Conclusion:

Choosing the best option between a freelancer and a digital agency can prove to be difficult! While we all want to keep the costs in check, we also do not wish to compromise on the quality and go-to-market.

Choose a freelancer if the scale of your project is small and you do not seek multiple skill sets.

With an agency, pricing is typically based on individual services and projects. They are expensive but they account for every minute they work on your project. We recommend using an agency if you want end-to-end development of feature-rich and intuitive web and mobile solutions.

Why should you consider a Single Page Application for your next project?

Posted on July 16, 2020October 10, 2024 by galaxy-admin

Single Page Applications(SPAs) are all around us. Industry leaders like Google, Trello, Facebook, Gmail, Github, vouch for it.

Their structure is considered the best for seamless user experience and resonates well with the native app-like experience on browsers. However, there are many more reasons that have made SPAs so popular in the developers’ community. Read on to find out more.

Advantages of choosing SPA

– Fast and Flexible Approach

SPAs load only the user’s requested content instead of reloading the entire page repeatedly. Other sources like DOM elements, CSS, HTML are loaded only once at the beginning of the application. Only data is exchanged between the server and the client afterward.

This improves the page loading speed and lessens the waiting time for the users. And given how user’s attention span and patience levels are decreasing day by day, this is a noteworthy feature.

– Works on Lower Network Bandwidths

SPAs can work well in lower network bandwidths. Even when your users are present in remote locations with slow internet speeds, SPA-based solutions will not hinder the overall user experience.

– Enhanced User Experience

You can give your users a simple yet aesthetic experience. This is possible because of transition effects and parallax scrolling. This makes the websites interactive and provides a simple linear website for the users for limitless scrolls, helpful for the mobile experience too.

– Caching Mechanism

Caching of all local data is very efficient in SPA. A single request is sent to the server and all the data gets stored in one ago. This stored data can then be used even when your users are offline.

– Easy Debugging

Debugging is easy in SPA, thanks to Chrome and the apps used to develop it, namely, AngularJS Batarang, React Developer tools, etc. Most of these frameworks have their debugging tools for Chrome. The life of developers is a little less bumpy in the SPA’s debugging in comparison to MPA’s debugging. You can also monitor network operations, look into every page element, and the data associated with them.

SPAs have a lot to offer. However, there are some drawbacks as well! Let us see what they are.

Where SPAs Lack

– SEO troubles

SPA structured apps are believed to be ranked lower in the search results page. They run on Javascript and the data is downloaded on the client’s request only. Thus, these single page apps don’t reload new pages with unique content and URLs making it difficult for the search bots to find and crawl it.

– Security issues

The rage about the security of data is at all times high! SPAs do have security risks associated with them. It is said that SPA is prone to cross site scripting attacks. Via this, hackers can push client side scripts into your web app.

Developers need to be alert with the information sent in the initial page load. Any slip here can lead to data leaks and information may end up in the hand of hackers.

All this said and understood, there are places where opting for MPA is said to be a better option. But in case you are wanting to see if SPA is the answer you are looking for, refer to the next section.

The Ideal Scenario for an SPA

As mentioned earlier, SPAs are not the most optimal option when it comes to SEO optimization. But if you are looking to build a social network like Facebook or Linkedin (both are based on SPA), you can opt for it.

Next in line are closed community groups and SaaS platforms, SPAs are said to be the go to choice for these two categories as well.

SPAs take the spotlight when it comes to building native app experience for browsers with less load time. If you are building a dynamic personal or company website having small data volume then also you should go for SPA.

There are many frameworks that you use to build SPAs. The preferred ones are Angular, Meteor, Ember JS, React, Vue, Backbone JS.

The end choice of course needs to align with your business needs and future perspectives. Feel free to consult with our experts here.

Next.js vs. Electron: Making the Right Choice for Your Project

Posted on July 10, 2020October 10, 2024 by galaxy-admin

The global enterprise software industry is projected to make a remarkable $302.9 billion in revenue by 2025. This fact highlights the critical importance of selecting the right technology stack to ensure your project’s success.

One such decision that holds immense relevance today is choosing between Next.js and Electron for your development needs. This choice is not only relevant to Software Engineers and Technical Project Managers but also to Startups and Tech Entrepreneurs looking to grow their projects.

Next.js: Simplifying Web Application Development

Let’s begin by looking at Next.js, a framework that has gained widespread acclaim for simplifying web application development. It’s an open-source React framework that offers server-side rendering (SSR) and static site generation (SSG) out of the box.

For those seeking a straightforward approach to building web applications, Next.js is a top choice. Its built-in support for SEO optimization ensures that your website performs well in search engine rankings, providing a solid foundation for attracting visitors.

Electron: The Desktop App Dynamo

When it comes to desktop application development, Electron takes the stage. Electron is a framework that allows you to create cross-platform desktop applications using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It offers efficiency and versatility, allowing developers to leverage web expertise and achieve cross-platform consistency on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Notable applications like Slack, VS Code, and Discord are powered by Electron. For instance, Slack’s Electron-powered desktop app seamlessly combines web and desktop functionalities, offering a unified and polished user experience.

Making an Informed Choice

When deciding between Next.js and Electron, there are several factors to consider:

Application Type:

Think about the nature of your project. If you’re building a web-based application meant to be accessed through browsers, Next.js is the natural choice. For standalone desktop applications, Electron is the go-to option.

Performance:

Next.js offers impressive performance for web applications. In contrast, Electron apps can be resource-intensive. Your choice should align with your application’s performance requirements.

User Experience:

Consider the user experience you want to deliver. Next.js excels in creating web experiences, while Electron empowers you to craft desktop applications with native-like interactions.

Development Team:

The expertise of your development team matters. If your team is well-versed in web development, Next.js may provide a smoother transition. Electron might require additional knowledge of desktop application development.

Take Spotify, for example, which utilizes Electron for its desktop app. Spotify delivers a familiar interface and a rich audio experience, seamlessly blending web technology with desktop functionality.

Your Project’s Path Forward

The choice between Next.js and Electron hinges on your project’s specific requirements and your development goals. As a Software Engineer or Developer, mastering JavaScript equips you to tackle both web and desktop application development, enhancing your versatility.

At Galaxy Weblinks, we understand the significance of making the right technology choices. Whether you lean towards the web-centric Next.js or the versatile Electron, we are here to assist you on your development journey. With our expertise in design, Agile methodologies, and web development services, we can help you navigate the complexities of modern software development.

If you’re ready to explore the possibilities, feel free to contact us today.Our dedication to providing excellent software solut

Apple users say hi to App Clips (Instant Apps)

Posted on July 8, 2020October 10, 2024 by galaxy-admin

In its first ever and one of its kind WWDC, Apple unveiled features that will define the newer generation of its system. iOS 14 update has a lot going for the home screen, navigation, Siri, accessibility, and privacy. One of the highlights of the announcement was App Clips.

In this article, we will explore this remarkable new feature of this iOS update. App Clips, which is similar to instant apps on Android lets you use an app without having to download it for one-off tasks, like booking a cab.

How is it done?

You can initiate the App Clip card to pop-up via QR codes, App Clip links, or an NFC tag. This card has an app description and the action you wish to complete; such as, hailing a cab! The card expands on clicking, giving you all the necessary information.

The main advantage of this feature is that the app works seamlessly with other apps (iMessage, Apple Maps, or Safari) as a pop-up without taking over the entire screen. This is especially handy when, say you are on the road, navigating via Maps. The App Clips will not force you to stop the navigation for looking at a food joint’s menu. Instead, it will let you browse and place orders via the App Clip.

The App clips are also compatible with Apple Pay and Sign in with Apple. Therefore, no need to reveal your sensitive information to apps that you don’t trust, as you can pay via Apple Pay.

Another advantage of App Clips is that iOS wouldn’t run them in the background. Thereby, it restricts the background access to your phone’s information that the app could collect if it was to run in the background.

App Clips will save your time as it will lead you to your task directly and will not clutter your home screen. Additionally, your data will be erased in case you do not use App Clip frequently.

Although App Clips is similar to Android’s Instant Apps, it is a new and important feature for iOS users. The beta version is now available for public testing.

There are many more engaging features that have been introduced in the iOS 14 update. Have a look!

Happy Exploring!