When it comes to native app development, each platform demands its own unique code base. As a result, the volume of your code repository grows in correlation with the number of platforms you aim to support.
Even though you might require apps for both iOS and Android, mastering native languages for each isn’t always feasible. Fortunately, there exist technologies that permit developers to code using a single language or framework, making the app compatible with both iOS and Android.
This is especially beneficial for developers who might not be versed in Java or Swift but excel in other domains like Web development or C#.
Several organizations and open-source communities have introduced frameworks tailored to cater to specific developer bases, facilitating the creation of apps for both Android and iOS. These frameworks are usually accompanied by a unique set of tools and IDEs that cater to developers familiar with those specific platforms.
Xamarin is optimized for developers who prefer Microsoft Visual Studio, while Apache Cordova is designed to integrate seamlessly with web-based IDEs like VSCode. However, even while using these cross-platform tools, it’s essential to have Android and iOS development tools installed.
This enables cross-platform solutions to tap into native SDKs and packaging processes. At times, these frameworks might offer their own simulators, but they often rely on the simulators provided by the native development environments.
Cross-platform frameworks typically utilize package managers like maven or NuGet for the distribution of third-party plugins and SDKs. Additionally, some developers offer specialized plugins for purchase within these platforms.
Exploring Apache Cordova and HTML5
Originally named PhoneGap and developed by Adobe, Apache Cordova allows developers to run HTML and JavaScript (JS) inside a dedicated browser instance known as Webview. The advantage of Webview is the ability to write your code once and deploy it across various platforms.
However, a common critique of this cross-platform method is the potential lag in responsiveness due to the execution of JavaScript within the Webview. A deeper dive into the pros and cons of mobile frontend frameworks can be found in the IBM Developer article titled, “Deciding between native and cross-platform mobile frontend programming frameworks.”
With Cordova, the HTML content is bundled directly within the app, facilitating its installation on mobile devices. This method grants developers the flexibility to utilize a plethora of web UI frameworks, ranging from Jquery, React JS, and Bootstrap to Angular JS and Vue.
Further extending its capabilities, frameworks like Ionic, which are layered on top of Cordova, offer additional functionalities. Beyond the realm of UI libraries, Cordova introduces the notion of plugins, which empower JS to access native device features, be it the camera, contacts, or geolocation. The platform is enriched by a vast ecosystem of third-party plugins.
As for development environments, Visual Studio Code and Eclipse are top picks among developers. Ionic, a framework layered atop Apache Cordova that predominantly utilizes Angular JS, offers its proprietary IDE, Ionic Creator, available for purchase. Nevertheless, developing an Ionic Angular JS application is feasible with any of the aforementioned IDEs.
Diving into C# through Xamarin
C# stands as an object-oriented language pioneered by Microsoft. Leveraging this language, the Xamarin framework, now a part of Microsoft’s acquisitions, facilitates development using C# within the .NET framework. On the iOS platform, this framework operates through an open-source implementation named “mono.”
For developers inclined towards C# and Xamarin, Visual Studio Code, also a Microsoft product, remains the IDE of choice. Within this setup, C# code undergoes cross-compilation, ensuring its native run on devices powered by iOS or Android.
The result? A seamless execution experience rivaling pure native development. Extensions specific to Xamarin, known as Xamarin.iOS and Xamarin.Android, enable developers to tap into the native features of iOS and Android, all callable through C#. Notably, for iOS developments, XCode on a Mac is essential to craft the deployable iOS application.
Harnessing JavaScript with React Native
Launched by Facebook in 2015, React Native harnesses the power of JavaScript for mobile app development. Unique to React Native, HTML is not part of the development equation. Instead, the coded JavaScript undergoes interpretation at runtime, using a “bridge” to tap into the native SDK of the device.
By leveraging native UI libraries for rendering, React Native ensures the user interface feels truly native. One of the standout reasons for React Native’s popularity is the relatively gentle learning curve associated with JavaScript.
Embracing Dart through Flutter
Introduced by Google in 2011 and achieving its first stable release in 2017, Dart stands as an object-oriented programming language. To craft mobile applications for iOS, developers utilize Google’s Flutter framework, which leverages Dart. Among the most preferred development environments are Android Studio, IntelliJ, and Visual Studio Code (VSCode). Flutter stands out with its bespoke UI widget framework, grounded in Google’s Material design principles and complemented by iOS-styled UI widgets.
Conclusion
The landscape of mobile app development is as diverse as it is dynamic, with multiple paths available for developers aiming to create applications for iOS and Android platforms.
Whether one chooses the streamlined approach of cross-platform solutions like Apache Cordova or React Native or opts for the object-oriented intricacies of languages like C# and Dart, the goal remains consistent: delivering high-quality, responsive, and native-feeling applications.
Within this vast and complex terrain, BrandFynder stands renowned for housing the best Mobile App Developers in the industry. Their expertise underscores the importance of choosing the right development partner to navigate the intricate avenues of mobile app creation.