While first four phases of software development life cycle take most efforts initially but it is the last phase that lasts longer than others. A typical maintenance period of a project can go from 3 to 10 years. Before you can deploy an application, you must build a server (hardware) that can host your Web application. The maintenance phase includes deployment of an application to a production server, monitor it regularly, update software, update code versions and so on.
This is where the Cloud Computing comes in picture. By joining a cloud, you do not need to worry about most of this. You do not need to install operating system, database and any other software accept your application and you do not need to update any other software. A company that provides you cloud hosting takes care of everything for you. Only you need to worry about is your application.
Other biggest advantage of cloud hosting is software licensing. You do not need to buy any software. For example, if you are building a Web application using ASP.NET and SQL Server as a backend database running on a Windows 2008 Server, you do not need to buy anything. You get a cloud hosting account with the software you need and software cost is involved in your monthly or annual cost. So your initial setup cost is nothing.
And the best part is you do not need to worry about maintaining the server or any other hardware upgrades.
So cloud computing is Software as a Service (SaaS) and the good part is, you only pay as much as you need it. Now if you are a large corporation, cloud may get costly for you but if you are a small to medium size business or an individual, cloud may be a way to go. Here is a list of a few articles on cloud and saving money.
In a recent poll, 43% of our members think, Cloud development is the future of software and services development and desktop development is slowly dying.
So going forward, I see a major impact on Network and System Administrator's roles and jobs. By migrating more and more applications to the cloud, small to medium size organizations will need less Systems Administrators but large corporations will be hiring more Systems and Network Administrators. If you are one of the network or systems guy and interested in getting your data center cloud ready, here is a good article: Building the Cloud-Ready Data Center Network « Data Center Knowledge
Learn more about Cloud Computing and Windows Azure here.
Ibrahim ErsoyPosted Nov 20, 2010, 2:31 PM
Well of course! Mobile and Cloud are very popular nowadays.
Mahesh ChandPosted Nov 20, 2010, 12:56 PM
Yes Ibrahim. We will always need Windows Client applications no matter what. It's just matter of what percentage and I am sure you agree too that the growing market and more job opporunities are in Mobile and Cloud development.
Ibrahim ErsoyPosted Nov 20, 2010, 11:03 AM
Mahesh, There is reason for me(Environment) to explain this: from Game Developer companies to other Software Development companies,R&D Companies and anything related to Software Development will need Windows(or kinda) Development Environments.They need a strong and widescreen computer to develop games or applications.When Desktop Development really die? Answer is: When Cloud Computing has become much more effective! But until that time we all need Windows Environment for Development. I agree on Windows Phone 7,ZUNE and other devices or consoles.They are becoming competitive to desktop lately.and the industry goes there.In this point i agree with you and Mike. I hope there will be great games built for Windows Phone 7.Its Integrated Graphics Card is strong enough
Mahesh ChandPosted Nov 20, 2010, 10:04 AM
Our lives are so mobile these days, and if I can play my game while waiting at the airport, I would rather have that then come home and wait for the desktop. Even, Cable TVs are offering all cable program mobile so customers don't miss while traveling. So I agree with Mike Gold about Desktop is migrating to mobile and tablets.
Mahesh ChandPosted Nov 20, 2010, 10:00 AM
I am not sure Ibrahim. XNA is being used for Windows Phone development and iPhone games are pretty popular. In US, the trend I see is more on Mobile games than Desktop games. XNA has just got a new life in Windows Phone 7 development. For example, I have never played a game on Desktop. I don't even have a Desktop. I have all laptops and mobile. With evaluation of Wii and other motion games, Desktop games are dying. I don't see any desktop games in stores anymore. Only people playing desktop games who were used to old games and still doing the same.
Ibrahim ErsoyPosted Nov 19, 2010, 6:17 PM
As long as Game Industry lives Desktop wont die :)
Mahesh ChandPosted Nov 19, 2010, 3:21 PM
Don't forget to add scalability and reliability. Let's say, C# Corner moves to a cloud hosting. We do not need to install and configure SQL Server, .NET Framework or any other software. We also do not need to buy any software license either. All maintenance and upgrades will be done automatically too. Only we need to worry about is, our application and data. Plus cloud charges are pay-per-use. That means, if you don't use much, there is no need to pay for costly lincense and so on.
Mike GoldPosted Nov 19, 2010, 2:48 PM
It does seem like there is a big push towards the cloud over thick client apps on the desktop, but as phones get more powerful, more memory, more processing power, I think we'll see a mixture of thick and thin client apps on the phone and I suspect a good percentage of to selling apps (games for example) for iPhone are thick client. We are also starting to see a migration of desktop apps to the phone and the tablets (i.e. iPads)