Should I write my own service for synchronizing notes in my application or use dropbox?

Question

Java

There is a simple notes application. There is an idea to synchronize notes through the cloud. So I think it's worth writing your own service or just use dropbox or google drive? What are the difficulties of developing your own "cloud"? I planned to write in java. I thought about the REST architecture.

Answer 1

If you do it with the ability to sync to the cloud, then it’s better to use ready-made ones (or even better, there would be other options besides dropbox) and then add your own implementation if you figure out why.

Answer 2

Keep everything with you - you can slip targeted advertising into your notes.

Answer 3

Even when using DropBox or Google Drive, there are issues that need to be addressed. How to store notes - each in its own file, or all together? If each is in its own file, then how to inform the application about their change? Obviously, it is necessary to maintain versioning in the file name. If all the notes are in one file - it turns out that in order to synchronize it you need to download it entirely every time? Will it work quickly through a mobile operator? What happens if the same note is edited simultaneously from two different places?
It seems to me that having your own API, if properly designed, provides an additional layer of abstraction that is independent of the store. Of course, you can't put DropBox or Google Drive for your API, but you can take S3 or other cloud storage.

Answer 4

Dropbox allows you to connect your applications perfectly. I met more than once applications that store data this way.

Answer 5

Rhetorical question. To each his own. Both approaches have their pros and cons, the question here is purely what you need. The first option is easier for users (the target audience is individual users and small teams), the second one is more convenient and interesting for the developer and for the integration, scaling and coordination of the simultaneous work of a large number of users. I would recommend adding the first option with support for FTP / FTPS and SFTP.

Answer 6

I, as a user, would prefer to sync via Dropbox/Drive/whatever. And here's why:
* if the application doesn't like it - all the notes are already with me, there is no need to manually export them.
* I have been using dropbox/drive for a long time and I trust it, but what about the stability of the service is still unknown.
* if the developer preferred a ready-made solution, then there is a chance that he spent his time on what is really important.
And then there are people who would like ownCloud support - because they love the clouds, but do not trust "big corporations".