What are Cloud Native Applications?
Tags: devops, cloudnative, beginners, awscommunitybuilders
Published: 2023-03-18 08:21:27

In recent years, cloud computing has revolutionized the way businesses approach IT infrastructure. Cloud Native Applications (CNAs) have emerged as a new paradigm of software development, which leverages the power of cloud computing to create highly scalable, resilient, and agile applications.

In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of Cloud Native Applications, including what they are, their uses, pros & cons, career opportunities, and their future in our world.

##What are Cloud Native Applications?
Cloud Native Applications (CNAs) are software applications that are designed and built to run on cloud infrastructure. These applications are built using a microservices architecture, which allows for the application to be broken down into smaller, more manageable components.

CNAs are designed to be highly scalable and fault-tolerant, so they can quickly adapt to changing business needs. They leverage cloud-native technologies, such as containers and orchestration tools, to automate and streamline the application deployment and management process.

Cloud native applications differ from traditional monolithic applications in several key ways. Here are some of the main differences:

###Architecture
CNAs are built using a modular architecture, where each service is broken down into smaller, independent components. These components can be deployed and scaled independently, making it easier to maintain and update the application. In contrast, traditional monolithic applications are built as a single, large codebase that is deployed and scaled as a single unit.

###Deployment
CNAs are typically deployed in containerized environments like Kubernetes, which provides a standardized way of managing and scaling the application. In contrast, traditional monolithic applications are often deployed on physical or virtual servers, which can be less efficient and more difficult to manage.

###Scalability
CNAs are designed to be highly scalable and resilient. Because the application is built using a microservices architecture, each component can be scaled independently to meet changing demand. In contrast, traditional monolithic applications can be more difficult to scale, since scaling one component of the application often requires scaling the entire application.

###Development process
CNAs are typically developed using DevOps practices, which emphasizes collaboration, automation, and continuous delivery. This allows developers to quickly and efficiently iterate on the application and release new features. In contrast, traditional monolithic applications may have a more rigid development process that can be slower and more cumbersome.

##Uses of Cloud Native Applications
CNAs are used across various industries, from finance to healthcare, to e-commerce. Some common uses of CNAs include:

###1.Agile Development
CNAs support agile development methodologies, enabling developers to quickly iterate on new features and updates. This results in faster time-to-market and better customer satisfaction.

###2.Scalability 
CNAs are highly scalable and can quickly adapt to changing business needs. This means that as the demand for an application increases, the application can automatically scale up to meet that demand.

###3.Cost Savings
CNAs can help reduce infrastructure costs as they can be run on any cloud platform. This eliminates the need for expensive on-premise hardware and software licenses.

##Here are some popular examples of cloud native applications:

###1.Netflix 
Netflix is a streaming service that operates entirely in the cloud. It was designed as a cloud native application from the ground up, using a microservices architecture that enables it to scale rapidly.

###2.Spotify 
Spotify is another popular streaming service that uses a cloud native architecture to deliver music to its users. It relies on a combination of cloud providers, including Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), to provide a scalable infrastructure for its services.

###3.Airbnb 
Airbnb is an online marketplace for renting vacation homes and apartments. It was built as a cloud native application, allowing it to quickly scale up or down as demand for its services fluctuates.

####4.Slack 
Slack is a messaging platform that is used by businesses around the world. It was designed as a cloud native application, allowing it to easily integrate with other cloud services and scale as needed.

###5.Uber
Uber is a ride-sharing service that relies on a cloud native architecture to deliver its services. Its app runs on a microservices architecture that enables it to process large amounts of data and quickly respond to user requests.

###6.Dropbox 
Dropbox is a cloud-based file storage and sharing service that was built as a cloud native application. It uses a distributed architecture to ensure that data is always available and accessible to its users.

###7.Zoom
Zoom is a video conferencing platform that has become increasingly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was built as a cloud native application, allowing it to quickly scale up to meet the demands of millions of users around the world.

##Pros & Cons of Cloud Native Applications
###Pros
####1.Scalability
CNAs are designed to be highly scalable and can quickly adapt to changing business needs.

####2.Resilience 
CNAs are resilient and can quickly recover from failures, ensuring minimal downtime.

####3.Agility 
CNAs support agile development methodologies, enabling developers to quickly iterate on new features and updates.

####4.Cost Savings
CNAs can help reduce infrastructure costs as they can be run on any cloud platform.

###Cons:

####1.Complexity
CNAs can be complex to develop and manage, requiring specialized knowledge of cloud-native technologies and deployment strategies.

####2.Security 
CNAs can be more susceptible to security threats, as they rely on various microservices to work together seamlessly.

####3.Skill Gap 
There is a shortage of professionals with the skills required to develop and manage CNAs, which can lead to challenges in recruitment and retention.

##Career Opportunities in Cloud Native
The demand for cloud-native professionals is on the rise. As more organizations migrate to cloud infrastructure, there is a need for skilled professionals to design, develop, and manage CNAs. Some of the roles in cloud-native include:

###1.Cloud Native Architect
Cloud Native Architect is responsible for designing and developing cloud-native applications.

###2.Cloud Native Developer
Cloud Native Developer is responsible for writing and testing cloud-native applications.

###3.Cloud Native Engineer 
Cloud Native Engineer is responsible for deploying and managing cloud-native applications.

###4.Cloud Native DevOps Engineer
Cloud Native DevOps Engineer is responsible for integrating cloud-native applications with other tools and systems.

##Future of Cloud Native Applications
The future of CNAs is promising. As more organizations continue to migrate to cloud infrastructure, there will be a need for more scalable and resilient applications. CNAs are expected to become the norm for software development, enabling organizations to quickly adapt to changing business needs and remain competitive.

Furthermore, the rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning is expected to further drive the adoption of CNAs, as these applications require highly scalable and agile infrastructure to process large amounts of data.

###Conclusion
In summary, Cloud Native Applications are a new paradigm of software development that leverage cloud infrastructure to create highly scalable, resilient, and agile applications.
They are able to run on a variety of different cloud platforms. To build cloud native applications, developers typically use technologies such as containers, orchestration tools, and microservices architecture, and also use best practices such as automating the deployment process using CI/CD.