Understanding Platform Technologies

What is a Platform?

• A platform is a group of technologies used to develop other technologies.
• Abstraction is the creation of well-defined interfaces to hide the inner workings of computer programs from users.

Types of Platforms

Operating System Platforms

• Provides essential functions to use hardware.
• Manages application software and programs on a computer.
• Lowest level of technology platforms, intermediary between computer hardware and programs.

Computing Platforms

• Consists of hardware and operating system to run an application.
• Comes with input/output devices to aid user interactions.

Database Platforms

• Enables deployment and management of different database types.
• Can store small databases on a file system.

Storage Platforms

• Allows storage of files and objects.
• Cloud storage is the most popular storage platform.
• Allows users to store and transmit data on remote storage locations.

Application Platforms

• Virtual platform relied upon by application programs to conduct standard operations.
• Enables development of application software.
• Operates across development tools to offer flexible solutions to end users.

Mobile Platforms

• Combines software tools to create, design, and maintain mobile applications.
• Includes operating systems and environments enabling development of mobile apps.
• Supports development of mobile apps using different programming languages.

Web Platforms

• Enables discovery and sharing of information over the internet.
• Includes web servers, web application servers, and digital elements for sharing information online.
• Can be free or paid.

Content Management System Platforms

• Enables creation, management, and publishing of content, media, and documents.
• Manages content better and publishes website content.

Media Platforms

• Provides and delivers media to users.
• Allows feedback from users to make platforms more interactive.
• Establishes an effortless and meaningful relationship between readers and media creators.

Application Programming Interface (API) Platforms

• Acts as an intermediary software for different applications to communicate.
• Manages APIs and related applications easily.
• Exposes data, resources, and assets in a machine-readable format to other users.

Analytics Platforms

• Takes a systematic and computational approach to analyzing data or statistics.
• Creates meaningful, easily interpretable, and communicable patterns around given data.
• Allows users to capture, process, analyze, and visualize data for better decision-making.

Security Management System Platforms

• Provides security teams with a centralized hub.
• Eliminates inefficiencies that hinder effective protection of business networks.

Robotic Platforms

• Provides the framework for developing, managing, and using robotic programs or devices.
• Allows people with little or no technical expertise to create robotic programs or devices.

AI Platforms

• Enables creation and management of AI applications.
• Integrated set of technologies to create, develop, and operate AI applications.

Gaming Platforms

• Electronic or computer hardware and software to run video games.
• Supports multiplayer online games.
• Most popular gaming platforms are personal computers, video game consoles, and mobile devices.