Selleo Labs spółka z o.o.

I'm a passionate React and React Native developer with four years of commercial experience. I push software boundaries, using cutting-edge technologies and fresh approaches to achieve more efficient products. With a strong drive for problem-solving, I help  CTOs, start-ups, and POs stay on top of Modern Technology Trends.



Michał Firszt

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Real-time functionality in your apps provides constant updates on any activities that occur within the software. Real-time technology has recently been added to apps’ **primary functionalities**.

People want regular updates, news, and stories, making mobile applications with real-time technologies the primary interaction component for meeting their expectations. The adoption of mobile applications allows for superior user experiences. As a consequence, users can see real-time changes on a map (food delivery or taxicab applications), follow timetables (train departure apps), and receive fast messages from their friends (social media apps) without having to reload the page they're on. Users want to be free of the constant need to reload their apps.

In this post, you will learn about the importance of real-time features and how they can be integrated.

## What are Real-Time Features?

Realtime technology has grown so ingrained in almost all of our top picks that we no longer think of it as a distinct feature – it's just something we expect.

**Real-time features** are technological advancements that enable people to have a real-time experience. If someone sends us a [WhatsApp](https://www.whatsapp.com/) message, we expect to receive it immediately. If we order meals, we want to know when they will arrive, and if we book a cab using an app, we want to know where the vehicle is. Real-time technology encompasses all of these aspects.

**WhatsApp, Google Docs, Facebook, Zendesk, Twitter, Slack, Trainline,** and **Nest** depend on real-time technologies to provide a seamless experience. There is a new generation of companies that are motivated by innovation.

Real-time features are the basic foundation of social media platforms. If we remove these features, all social platforms will collapse in seconds. Just imagine if you read a WhatsApp message from your friend after 24 hours. What if you received your brother's birthday notification after a long weekend? Will there be any use left for social media then – NO!

### Why are Real-Time Features Useful in Mobile and Web Apps?

![Img](https://a.storyblok.com/f/86602/720x383/23b06183ca/why-are-real-time-features-useful-in-mobile-and-web-apps.jpg)

Businesses should think about the following advantages and include real-time functionality into their apps:

* Users are more likely to engage with apps that provide real-time capabilities. These features allow the app to simulate real-life behavior. Users can, for example, handle many things at once, such as chatting with friends while ordering a taxi.
* This technology allows users to connect with other app users somewhat more gradually. These applications, for example, can be used to share actual locations, follow contacts, and send online messages.
* Real-time functionalities also allow developers to concentrate more on the applications' main abilities. An upgraded user interface, unique integrated app features, interactive user experience, and so on are among them.
* While using cloud delivery networks, developers no longer worry about maintenance and other fees when creating new software.

### What Are The Top Real-Time Features To Implement In Your Software?

There are a variety of real-time features available in the industry, but it depends on the demand of users. Here’re some of the most demanded real-time features.

#### Alerts

To keep apps operating, it's critical to send rapid alerts indicating system component failures. These alerting functions may be hidden from the user, but including them in the list of capabilities allows the app's system to initiate a new process when an alert is received. 

<Baner name={react} />

#### Notification Messages

Social networking apps frequently utilize **notification bars and pop-ups** (Twitter, Facebook, InVision) to tell users about real-time updates. Short messages alert users to new data which may be of interest to them but do not "flood" them with related alerts without their permission. When a user is ready or wants to check the specifics of any changes, they click on the notification bar.

#### Social Media Streaming

The ability to notify a user about the most current activities of persons on their list of contacts or to add events that have recently occurred or are now occurring is perhaps the most important component of employing real-time data for a user's convenience. News, live event updates, and current information from smart home devices are the finest uses for the activity stream function.

#### Visual Effects

It is sometimes more beneficial to deliver information in an image format than text—visual representations aid in comprehending the material and recognizing and responding to changes in data quickly. Changing colors on a map, making visual elements bigger or smaller, and trending representations that depict rises or declines are just a few examples.

#### Instant Messaging

![Img](https://a.storyblok.com/f/86602/720x383/b78ebeb45e/instant-messaging.jpg)

Because customers expect immediate replies from the people they're talking to, chat applications and social media messengers are always built on real-time technology. Realtime technology guarantees that users have a seamless dialogue connection.

#### Multiple User Workflows

Collaboration-based mobile applications can save time and effort for a group of people working together. Project management, stock management, shipping, and e-commerce are just a few examples.

### How Can Your Business Benefit From Real-Time Features

Businesses from all industry sectors now rely on real-time functionality on mobile apps.

Following are among the most notable sectors that have reaped the benefits of these features:

#### Health and Fitness

The applications are meant to remind users of their fitness plans. They are issued goal-push reminders so that they can complete their objectives. Diet plan updates are also delivered through push alerts.

**Examples:** FitBit, FitOn, Calm, SleepScore

#### Ecommerce

Most eCommerce apps have real-time capabilities built-in, which improve the sales process. Customers are given product recommendations based on their past purchasing history.

They send out targeted messaging if they have new items on the market. They achieve this by instilling a sense of urgency in the users. Push alerts can also help you avoid abandoning your cart.

**Examples:** Alibaba, Amazon, eBay, etc.

<ReadMore> Read also: [Why Software Design Is Important For Your Business?](https://selleo.com/blog/why-software-design-is-important-for-your-business) </ReadMore>

#### Cab Booking

Throughout the booking process, real-time alerts are critical. When a passenger requests a cab, the nearest cab driver is notified.

Another notice is given to the user when he or she accepts or rejects the offer. When the driver approaches the boarding spot, the user receives another notification.

The passenger receives a message when the trip is completed, allowing him or her to provide input and rate the experience.

**Examples:** Uber, Careem, etc.

## What is a WebSocket?

It is a communication protocol designed to provide full-duplex channels over a single TCP connection. WebSocket is a native JavaScript class (in the front-end), but an ES library is used for the backend JS (Node.JS). 

### What Does A Websocket Connection Look Like?

This is how it looks:**  
![Img](https://a.storyblok.com/f/86602/720x414/d66530ee63/przerobiona-grafika.jpg)**

## What is HTTP?

HTTP is the principal communication channel of the World Wide Web and is simply a request/response protocol in the client-server computer architecture. Tim Berners-Lee developed the protocol as an application protocol in 1989, but it was swiftly expanded to include more browser and server functions.

## Why is WebSocket different from HTTP?

The difference between WebSocket and HTTP can be seen in three different factors: 

### Factor # 1: Communication Protocol

**WebSocket Connection**

By utilizing the existing connection channel, WebSocket is a two-way communication protocol that can deliver information from the client to the server or from the server to the client. The connection is maintained until either the client or the server terminates it.

**HTTP Connection**

The HTTP protocol is a one-way protocol that runs on top of the TCP protocol, a connection-oriented transport layer protocol. We can establish a connection by using HTTP request methods, and once we receive a response, the HTTP connection is closed.

<Baner name={react-native} />

### Factor # 2: Usage in real-time Applications

**WebSocket**

It is used by almost all real-time applications, such as (trading, monitoring, and notification) services, to receive data through a single communication channel.

**HTTP**

The stateless HTTP protocol is used in a simple RESTful service.  

### Factor # 3: Speed

**WebSocket**

Because WebSocket is quicker than HTTP Connection, it was employed in all regularly updated applications.

**HTTP**

An HTTP connection is slower than WebSockets when we don't want to keep a connection open for a specific length of time or reuse it for data transmission. 

![Img](https://a.storyblok.com/f/86602/720x383/736732b272/websocket-pros-and-cons.jpg)

### WebSocket Pros and Cons

It is very important to consider all pros and cons before investing in any technology. Here’re some of the Pros and Cons for WebSocket.

#### WebSocket Pros

* Because WebSocket is an **event-driven protocol**, it can be used for true real-time communication. Unlike HTTP, which requires you to request updates regularly, WebSockets provide changes as soon as they become available.
* WebSockets maintains a **single, permanent connection** while removing the latency issues associated with HTTP request/response protocols.
* Because WebSockets don't often employ XMLHttpRequest, headers aren't supplied every time we require further information from the server. As a result, the costly data loads transmitted to the server are reduced.

#### WebSocket Cons

* When connections are terminated, WebSockets do not automatically recover — this is something you must handle yourself, which is why there are so many client-side libraries available.
* WebSocket connections aren't supported by browsers older than 2011. However, this is becoming less of an issue.

## When to use WebSocket?

In general, WebSockets will be the best option for real-time, continuous communication.

HTTP-based approaches are substantially more resource expensive on servers, but WebSockets have a very little footprint on servers. On the other hand, long polling necessitates a lot of bounces between servers and devices, and these gateways typically have different notions about how long a normal connection can remain open. Anything might kill it if it stays open for too long, even if it was doing something useful.

<ReadMore> Read also: [How To Improve Customer Satisfaction Using Technology?](https://selleo.com/blog/how-to-improve-customer-satisfaction-using-technology) </ReadMore>

### Why you should build with WebSockets:

* Websockets are event-driven (unlike HTTP). Arguably, event-driven is a prerequisite for true real-time. 
* Full-duplex asynchronous messaging. In other words, both the client and the server can stream messages independently.
* Good security model (origin-based security model)
* chats, message bots
* likes, reactions (states that are updated in real-time) in social media, e.g., Twitter, Facebook live streams
* dashboards

## Summary

When it comes to developing mobile apps for smartphones, real-time technology has become a need. The **Internet of Things (IoT)** uses real-time data to provide consumers with useful information. Tracking health and fitness activities using Fitbit and other gadgets is one example.

Users can regulate their household bills even while at home with Nest, an IoT smart home technology thermostat. The app enables immediate connectivity and information about central heating, and alarms and updates are transmitted to the app in real-time, allowing the user to regulate their surroundings even while away.

To understand more about real-time features and how they can be more helpful for improving the user experience for your business, [contact us at Selleo](https://selleo.com/contact). 

People want regular updates, news, and stories. In this post, you will learn about the importance of real-time features and how they can be integrated.

All You Need To Know About Real-Time Features In Applications

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**Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)**, usually referred to as cloud-based software, has become widespread. Nearly half (48%) of Gartner's 2021 Emerging Technology Product Leader Survey respondents who are investing in data and analytics [chose cloud-based software as one of their three leading emerging technology investments.](https://www.gartner.com/en/articles/cloud-ai-and-software-are-top-investment-areas-for-data-analytics)

This article will get to know why ReactJS is a perfect fit for a SaaS solution.

## What is SaaS?

SaaS provides users with access to data from any device connected to the internet and a browser. Software providers host and manage the servers, databases, and codes that make up an application under this web-based approach.

The traditional on-premise software delivery model differs from SaaS in two key ways:

* **SaaS deployments that don't require extensive hardware** allows purchasers to outsource the majority of the IT tasks usually associated with troubleshooting and maintaining software in-house.
* **SaaS systems are typically paid within a subscription model,** whereas on-premise software is usually purchased through a perpetual license, paid upfront.

## What is React.js?

If you do not know what **ReactJS** is yet, it is a rather popular JavaScript library created for building User Interfaces. Facebook created this component-based library, and it is often confused for being a framework, tool, or stand-alone language. Its features allow improving applications' runtime, load time, and scalability. ReactJS uses **Virtual DOM**, reducing the problems with manipulating live DOM.

Even though React is more of a framework than a language, it is frequently utilized in web development. The library debuted in May 2013 and has since grown to become one of the most widely used frontend libraries for web development.

Beyond only UI, React provides several extensions for full application architecture support, such as **Flux and React Native**.

The library helps create large web applications while allowing users to change the data used without reloading. Therefore, React is simple, scalable, and fast.

![Img](https://a.storyblok.com/f/86602/720x383/f0b28df937/key-features-of-react.jpg)

## Key features of React.js

React has several unique characteristics that have helped it become the most extensively used library for frontend app development. The following is a list of the most important characteristics.

### JSX

JSX is a syntactic extension for JavaScript. It's a phrase used in React to define the appearance of the GUI. JSX allows you to write HTML structures with JavaScript code in the same file.

![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/dF4H0XAfgfnibDgSAQ1DwMEy-acCORFDDy5-MCy8FYoqUM5yHGD9jNlFbl-CO3E7bo2Gi7rKq_VunyPcTV5gxVdBrwwPZyaYRqkZ5eyMZDlDKkBHXsC04IzkXS3lAbbdSxKTgA3M)

The code above demonstrates how JSX is used in React. It's neither a string nor a piece of HTML. Instead, HTML is embedded in JavaScript code.

### Virtual Document Object Model (DOM)

React's a lightweight counterpart of the Real DOM is the Virtual DOM. Actual DOM manipulation takes much longer than virtual DOM manipulation. When the condition of an object changes, Virtual DOM only updates that object in the real DOM, not all of them.

**What is the Document Object Model (DOM)?**

![Img](https://a.storyblok.com/f/86602/720x546/f9be7e2565/document_obszar-roboczy-1.jpg)

The DOM (Document Object Model) handles XML or HTML content as a tree structure, with each node representing a section of the document as an object.

### Architecture

In a **Model View Controller** (MVC) architecture, React is the 'View' responsible for how the app looks and feels.

Model, View, and Controller (MVC) is an architectural style that divides the functionality into three parts: Model, View, and Controller. The Model is responsible for all information logic, while the View is in charge of the application's UI logic, and the control system serves as a link between the Model and the View.

### Extensions

React is more than just a UI framework; it has a slew of extensions that span the entirety of an application's architecture. It aids with the development of mobile apps and allows for server-side rendering. React can be extended with Flux and Redux, among other things.

### Data Binding

All operations remain modular and speedy because of React's one-way data binding. Furthermore, the unidirectional data flow, nesting child components within parent components as usual while working on a React project.

![Img](https://a.storyblok.com/f/86602/720x220/0e6eef7234/action.jpg)

### Debugging

React apps are quick and straightforward to test because of a large developer community. Facebook offers a browser plugin that makes React debugging more accessible and faster.

## Why ReactJS is a perfect fit for SaaS Solutions

Constant improvement and the ability to adapt to the newest technologies is key to staying relevant in the industry. Companies like Netflix, Instagram and Facebook are aware of that and are keeping up with the hottest trends. Recently, the interest seems to be shifting towards ReactJS and its impressive features.

## Perfect examples of React.js SaaS solutions

React's popularity can be proved by the number of applications written using this library. A perfect example of that can be products developed by Asana, Netflix, Dropbox, and Atlassian.

### Asana

Asana is a SaaS application created for better management of everyday tasks. The solution allows assigning tasks to members, prioritizing, and setting deadlines. It also comes with the functionality of adding notes for the created groups. Asana was written using ReactJS and is making the most of its functionalities - working hand in hand with a corresponding mobile app developed in React Native.

<Baner name={react} />

Asana chose React to address the performance problems occurring on the client’s side. The Virtual DOM implementation solved a lot of UI issues, including animations. They also say that it was a perfect fit because of the small code size and ability to integrate it with Luna (Asana’s framework) and the open-source support.

### Atlassian

Atlassian is not an application itself. It is instead a software provider that deals with tools created for collaborations. The most popular tools they made are Trello and Jira, which also were created having a team and task management in mind. They both take advantage of ReactJS as they are fully optimized for mobile use with quick rendering and efficient scaling.

Atlassian also stands behind HipChat - a tool created to help communicate in workplaces. Its functionalities include group chat, video chat, and screen sharing. The development team decided to use ReactJS thanks to its simplicity, component-based nature, and, again, the Virtual DOM. What is more, React components are doing great in tests.

### Netflix app

Reactjs is a godsend for SaaS businesses like Netflix that need to produce high-definition movies quickly. Netflix is the world's second-largest bandwidth usage. Netflix has to analyze a massive quantity of data daily to keep things running smoothly.

Due to its rapid rendering capability, Reactjs assists Netflix in accomplishing this gigantic achievement. Netflix's employment approach is oriented towards hiring excellent Reactjs engineers rather than hiring employees from other areas because the company's management is so pleased with Reactjs.

Now you know why your Netflix is so fast!

<ReadMore> Read also: [Top 5 SaaS Development Challenges You Need To Know](https://selleo.com/blog/saas-development-challenges) </ReadMore>

### Dropbox app

Dropbox, the pioneer in disk-saving solutions, migrated to Reactjs some time ago for improved stability, quicker rendering, and much better SEO capabilities.

Dropbox is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) application that allows millions of users worldwide to save high-quality movies, photographs, and other information. Its USP is that consumers can quickly access their data from any device.

The quick speed and data optimization of Reactjs meet this need effectively. This is why the file-sharing service, which has more than 600 million members and handles 1.2 billion uploads every day, picked Reactjs as its framework.

Dropbox's IT staff can now drastically improve the speed of their development process due to features like code components.

### Milanote

Milanote is a fantastic tool for artists and graphic artists who want to arrange their work into aesthetically appealing boards. It's a helpful tool for freelancers in the design and marketing industries. They can use tactile and visual feedback to simulate the sense of working on a wall in a creative studio.

Milanote comes with several built-in templates that allow users to create various projects quickly.

Reactjs' rapid re-rendering capability allows artists to submit high-resolution pictures and access them more quickly. Artists can also share their work with clients or other artists to receive crucial feedback.

<Baner name={react-contact} />

## Conclusions

ReactJS is great and SaaS companies know how to appreciate it and use its full potential. The undeniable simplicity, speed and scalability allow creating amazing solutions that are used by people all around the world. ReactJS code is reusable and ensures faster rendering while remaining great in testing. Apps created using this library are SEO friendly, which is of great importance for any SaaS solution.

ReactJS is a popular JavaScript library created for building User Interfaces. ReactJS is yet, it is a rather popular JavaScript library created for building User Interfaces.

Michał Firszt

Blog posts that I worked on

All You Need To Know About Real-Time Features In Applications

Why ReactJS Is A Perfect Fit For SaaS Solutions?

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