Apps in SharePoint 2013 depict a radical advancement in the manner in which functionalities are added to and incorporated into SharePoint. It is because the two programming paradigms offer more opportunities to create and deploy software that may change and grow over time. Let’s discuss what apps are and how they change the perspective of the SharePoint world.

Definition and Purpose

Looking at the general concept of an application, a SharePoint application can be described as a web application that is discoverable and extensible by SharePoint using an app manifest or as a rather separate piece of functionality that enhances SharePoint’s properties. This approach enabled developers to create and deploy useful and fast SharePoint solutions comparable to applications on a smartphone. The use of the application model in SharePoint 2013 is aimed at overcoming many of the problems and issues connected with the previous models like sandboxed solutions.

A key aspect of technology acceptance research is its historical roots as well as the development of models used in the field.

Originally, the process of solution implementation in earlier versions of SharePoint relied on code and solutions referred to as sandboxed solutions. However, there were problems with identity management and standards compliance. Struggling with these challenges, the app model introduced in SharePoint 2013 uses such technologies of web application development as HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, OData, OAuth, and REST.

Sandboxed Solutions vs. Apps

For instance, before the app model, the SharePoint developers relied on sandboxed solutions for the enhancement of SharePoint functions. Originally, SharePoint contained the Sandboxed solutions that were limited to the site collection level, thus allowing accidental code execution without influencing the overall SharePoint farm.

However, sandboxed solutions were restricted in many ways, the main among which were performance and scale, as well as the impossibility of easy modification. The app model solves these problems because the app model offers a stronger foundation that would enable developers to deploy new custom functionality.

Comparison with Other Models

Like in the case of Facebook, the 2013 application model adopted in SharePoint intended to bring a large number of developers familiar with such technologies. This strategy not only increases the number of persons who have the potential to become developers but also reduces the complexity of the process by working with standards and tools that are already known. This should enable the many SharePoint developers who already have pre-existing experience with web technologies to create bespoke solutions in the platform.

Facebook’s Development Model

The fact is that Facebook applied web standards and open APIs to develop its platform which can be regarded as one of the factors contributing to attracting ample developers. In the same way, SharePoint has targeted to achieve the same success as Office as the app platform with less hassle on development, deployment, or maintenance.

No-Server-Side-Code Approach

Another important note is that SharePoint 2013 holds the no-server-side code style. This implies that through the use of OData remote API, the developers can call back SharePoint from a remote box that hosts their server-side code. This differs the app’s server-side computational capability from servers of SharePoint, enhancing security as well as scalability. Also, with OData, developers are free to use almost any programming language of their choice since OData is an industry-standard.

Benefits of No-Server-Side-Code

SharePoint 2013 minimizes such difficulties by excluding complex server-side code after its previous experience. This also makes it easier to deploy the applications, since developers do not need to test if the application would run on the server or not and they do not need to bother about the configurations of the server as well. Moreover, the app components developed with standard web technologies also have great compatibility with other systems and platforms.

Cloud App Model

With the help of this phenomenon called Cloud App Model incorporated in SharePoint 2013, app developers have an opportunity to use Web technologies together with cloud services which enhances the process of app deployment, its customizations, and upgrades. Generally, applications can be delivered and run from the cloud and this eliminates the expenses incurred in hosting applications locally.

Benefits of the Cloud App Model

The Cloud App Model has some benefits that include scalability, and dependability, and requires minimal effort in this regard to maintain. The following advantages shall be realized by organizations when hosting the apps in the cloud: Cloud providers provide organizations with almost inexhaustible resources and backup systems. This means that applications that are still in use can always be available and as responsive as possible, especially during the most active usage.

Types of Apps

There are several types of apps in SharePoint 2013, each with its own deployment and hosting characteristics: There are several types of apps in SharePoint 2013, each with its own deployment and hosting characteristics:

# SharePoint-hosted Apps

In other words, these apps are resident in SharePoint on its cloud and do not require server-side scripting. They are suitable for cases where you want to use figures and operations with SharePoint content somehow, but there is no need to complicate the application with server-side programming.

• Deployment: SharePoint-hosted apps are running within a SharePoint site since the app itself is using SharePoint lists, libraries, etc.
• Use Cases: It is used for creating basic data entry forms, dashboards, and reporting tools wherein line of business can use the out-of-the-box capabilities of SharePoint.

# Provider-hosted Apps

These are stored outside SharePoint and are frequent license applications, hosted Particularly, in the cloud, interacting with SharePoint with regards to web protocols. This makes the model more scalable than the previous one because the actual functionality of the app is not limited by SharePoint architectures.

• Deployment: Provider-hosted apps are hosted on another server such as Microsoft Azure or a third-party hosting company. Besides, they use API orders to interact with SharePoint.
• Use Cases: These apps are ideal for complicated business solutions that entail a lot of processing on the server side, or the use of additional tools.

# Auto-hosted Apps

These apps run as virtual applications in Azure whenever they are installed. They incorporate the advantage of SharePoint-hosted apps in terms of implementation while having the features of the provider-hosted apps including scalability.

• Deployment: Auto-hosted apps are applications pre-configured for deployment on the Azure platform thus making deployment easier.
• Use Cases: Perfect for the cases where fast creation and further enhancement of the system are essential, for instance, proof of concept solutions, temporary use cases, etc.

# Hybrid Apps

All of these apps use both a SharePoint-hosted model as well as a provider-hosted model to build apps that are both powerful and dependable.

• Deployment: This means that while hybrid apps can use SharePoint as their home server, it is also possible for them to use other servers thus making it possible for them to be deployed in any way.
• Use Cases: Ideally suited to an environment where it is necessary to synchronize the work of SharePoint and data from other systems.

SharePoint and Azure Integration

Whereas SharePoint existed mainly as a collaboration tool with portal characteristics, Azure forms an actual application host. SharePoint and Azure can therefore be used to create highly reliable as well as scalable end-products from the developers’ perspective. This integration helps in improving the functionalities of both environments with the added advantage of engineering complex solutions that are built on SP and Azure.

Benefits of Integration

SharePoint in conjunction with Azure tends to have some advantages such as better scalability, better performance, and flexibility. In the case of Azure, the infrastructure created here allows application developers to design applications that can handle large loads of data and users. Furthermore, it is possible to use services like the Azure Functions and the Azure Logic Apps to expand the possibilities of SharePoint apps.

Practical Applications and Benefits

• Ease of Deployment: Apps can be deployed, managed, and upgraded in the cloud hence experiencing low downtime. This becomes especially handy for organizations that do not have robust IT departments to manage the local infrastructure.
• Scalability: The no server-side code concept and the cloud hosting allow the apps to grow according to the amount of traffic that is defined. This makes an application to be fast and efficient as possible, especially in periods of high usage.
• Flexibility: Developers can use a wide range of programming languages and tools, thanks to the adoption of standard web technologies. This makes it easier to find and onboard developers with the necessary skills.
• Security: By decoupling server-side logic from SharePoint’s infrastructure, apps offer a more secure environment for running custom code. This reduces the risk of security vulnerabilities and ensures that sensitive data remains protected.

Conclusion

The app model in SharePoint 2013 represents a significant advancement in how functionality can be extended and integrated into the SharePoint ecosystem. By leveraging modern web standards and cloud services, SharePoint apps provide a flexible, scalable, and efficient way to develop and deploy solutions that meet the evolving needs of businesses. Whether you are building a simple data entry form or a complex business application, the app model offers a robust framework for creating powerful SharePoint solutions .

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