About Mini-Program

Mini-Program is a new technology that helps merchants to quickly develop high-quality services and grow business on mobile apps. It can be easily acquired with a good user experience for mobile users.

What is a mini-program

A mini-program, also known as a "mini-app" or "micro-app," is a lightweight application that runs within a larger platform or ecosystem, usually known as a "SuperApp" such as a messaging app, a payment app or even a mobile operating system by itself. Unlike traditional mobile apps that need to be downloaded and installed separately, mini-programs are designed to be easily accessible and instantly loadable.

A superapp, also known as an "app of everything," is built entirely from mini-programs, acting as the individual "things" within the larger ecosystem. A superapp is essentially a collection of individual mini-programs, which function as the building blocks of its "everything."

In simple terms, a mini-program is like a small, specialized program that lives inside a bigger app or platform. It's meant to be quick and easy to use, without the need for a separate installation process.

Here are some key points about mini-programs:

1. Instant access: Mini-programs can be accessed instantly, usually by scanning a QR code or clicking a link within the parent app or platform.

2. Lightweight: Mini-programs are generally smaller in size compared to traditional mobile apps, making them faster to load and use.

3. Limited functionality: While mini-programs can perform various tasks, they are typically designed for specific, focused functions rather than being full-fledged apps with extensive features.

4. Integration with parent platform: Mini-programs are integrated with the parent app or platform (the "SuperApp"), allowing them to leverage the platform's existing user base, services, and features.

5. Cross-platform compatibility: Some mini-program platforms allow developers to create mini-programs that can run on different operating systems without needing separate versions.

6. No installation required: Users don't need to go through the process of downloading and installing mini-programs separately. They can access and use them directly within the parent app or platform.

7. Streamlined updates: Mini-programs can be updated more easily and frequently than traditional mobile apps, as the updates are handled by the parent platform.

Mini-programs have become popular in various regions, particularly in China, where they are widely used within apps like WeChat and Alipay. They offer a convenient way for businesses and developers to provide lightweight, easily accessible services and functionality to users without the need for separate app installations.

Feature	Mini-Programs	Web Apps
Execution Environment	Run within parent app (e.g. a SuperApp "host")	Run in browser on any platform
Functionality	Lightweight, single responsibility(as best implementation practice but can be as complicated as it needs to be)	Can be rich and complex
UI/UX Design	Follow parent app guidelines	Control own design
Device Access	Limited access via parent app APIs	Limited access via browser APIs
User Account System	Reuse parent app's system	Implement own system
Development Approach	Use standard web technologies (HTML/CSS/JS) with potential Mini-program platform specific extensions (such as FinClip SDK extensions that enable extra features & capabilities to mini-programs)	Use standard web technologies (HTML/CSS/JS)

Why adopting mini-program technologies

Here are some key benefits of adopting mini-programs/mini-apps in the mobile world:

For Developers

• Faster development: Mini-apps often leverage existing parent app infrastructure and tools, leading to faster development compared to building full-fledged apps.
• Reduced development costs: Utilizing existing infrastructure and potentially smaller development teams can result in lower development costs for mini-apps.
• Access to a ready-made user base: Mini-apps can benefit from the existing user base of the parent app, potentially leading to faster user acquisition compared to starting from scratch.

For Businesses

• Increased reach and engagement: Mini-apps provide a lightweight and easily accessible way to reach a broad audience within the parent app's ecosystem.
• Enhanced user experience: Mini-apps can offer specific functionalities within the familiar environment of the parent app, potentially leading to a more seamless and integrated user experience.
• Lower barrier to entry: Mini-apps can be a cost-effective way for businesses, especially startups or smaller companies, to test new ideas and engage with potential customers without the investment required for a full-fledged app.

For Users

• Convenient access to additional services: Mini-apps offer a readily available and convenient way to access various services and functionalities without needing to download and install additional apps.
• Simplified user journey: Mini-apps can streamline user journeys by providing specific functionalities within the familiar environment of the parent app, eliminating the need to switch between different apps.
• Reduced storage space: Compared to full-fledged apps, mini-apps typically require less storage space on the device.

Specifically, FinoGeeks has transformed mini-program technology into a powerful platform for developing the next generation of enterprise applications. This innovative approach allows businesses to leverage the agility and flexibility of mini-programs while focusing on their core business logic, rather than complex system-level mechanisms.

Runtime environment for mini-programs

A mini-program runtime environment typically has the following characteristics:

1. Secured Sandbox:

• Isolation: Each mini-program instance runs within a secure sandbox, preventing it from interfering with other mini-programs or the underlying operating system. This ensures stability and protects the user's device.
• Limited Access: The sandbox restricts access to resources and functionalities like the device's file system, network, or hardware for security reasons. This prevents malicious mini-programs from causing harm.

2. Embeddable SDK:

• Portability: This implies that the core components of the mini-program runtime environment exist as a software development kit (SDK) that can be embedded within various platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux. This allows developers to create mini-programs that can potentially run across these different operating systems.
• Abstraction: The SDK abstracts the underlying operating system, meaning the mini-program itself doesn't need to be aware of the specific system it's running on. This simplifies development and reduces the need for platform-specific code.

3. Isolated Execution:

• Independent Execution: Each mini-program instance runs in a separate and isolated environment. This prevents resource conflicts and ensures the smooth operation of multiple mini-programs running concurrently.
• Resource Management: The runtime environment manages the resources allocated to each mini-program, ensuring fair and efficient resource utilization.

Additional Considerations:

• Communication Channels: While isolated, mini-programs might have access to controlled communication channels to interact with the parent app or other mini-programs for specific functionalities.
• Security Enhancements: The runtime environment might implement additional security measures like code verification, data encryption, and secure communication protocols to further protect the user's device and data.