What is a developer platform?

A developer platform is a suite of tools, services, and resources that programmers use to build, test, and deploy their software applications. You can think of it like a toolbox for a developer: it has everything they need to construct their project.

These platforms often include programming environments, libraries of pre-written code, APIs (which are basically instructions on how to interact with a particular piece of software), and other tools that streamline the development process.

A few examples of developer platforms you might be familiar with include AWS (Amazon Web Services), Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft's Azure. Each of these platforms offers a variety of services - like data storage, machine learning capabilities, and even tools for creating virtual reality experiences.

What's special about developer platforms is that they enable developers to focus more on creating the unique aspects of their applications, rather than getting stuck on the technical complexities. They provide the building blocks, so to speak, so that developers can construct their innovations faster and more efficiently.