What is Firebase?

 

Firebase is a Backend-as-a-Service (Baas). It provides developers with a variety of tools and services to help them develop quality apps, grow their user base, and earn profit. It is built on Google’s infrastructure.

Firebase is categorized as a NoSQL database program, which stores data in JSON-like documents.

"In Firebase, a document is a set of key-value pairs defined by a schema. A group of documents makes up a collection."

Key Features

  1. Authentication

     It supports authentication using passwords, phone numbers, Google, Facebook, Twitter, and more. The Firebase Authentication (SDK) can be used to manually integrate one or more sign-in methods into an app.

 2. Realtime database

  Data is synced across all clients in realtime and remains available even when an app goes offline.

 

3. Hosting

 Firebase Hosting provides fast hosting for a web app; content is cached into content delivery networks worldwide.

 

4. Test lab

The application is tested on virtual and physical devices located in Google’s data centers.

5. Notifications

Notifications can be sent with firebase with no additional coding.

Users can get started with firebase for free; more details can be found on the official website.