The world is mobile these days. So, the demand for functional and innovative mobile applications is improving day by day. Have you ever thought about how the mobile apps you use were built? Otherwise, you might also have the idea of engaging in mobile app development yourself. In this case, it is better to gain some fundamental knowledge. This blog post will provide you with some valuable insights into app development.
The Fundamentals: Languages and Platforms
The first thing you will have to understand is that mobile app development basically revolves around a couple of major platforms. They are iOS and Android. The former belongs to Apple, while the latter is related to Google. These platforms use different programming languages. Similarly, they use different development environments.
iOS
This platform basically uses intuitive, powerful and swift programming language. On this platform, Xcode is the integrated development environment. Developers use it for building applications suitable for iOS devices.
Android
This Google platform traditionally used Java. However, now, the preferred language is Kotlin. The reasons for this shift are improved safety and modern features. The official integrated development environment for Android App development is Android Studio.
Mobile app developers select one of these platforms based on their target audience. For instance, if you intend to reach iPhone users, you should choose iOS Path. On the other hand, if you wish for your mobile app to reach a larger audience, you can opt for Android.
Types of Mobile Apps
Mobile applications can be broadly classified into three types. They are as follows:
Native Apps
These applications are built particularly for a single platform. The platform can either be Android or iOS. This type of mobile app offers the best performance. Also, it will offer access to device features like sensors, GPS and a camera.
Web Apps
These are essentially websites optimized for mobile devices. They are developed using web technologies like JavaScript, CSS and HTML. The good thing about this type of mobile app is that they do not need separate installation as they operate within a web browser.
Hybrid Apps
Hybrid apps combine the features of the two types mentioned above. These applications are developed using web technologies. However, they come covered in a native application. Due to this coverage, they can access mobile features. Flutter and React Native are popular for developing hybrid applications.
The Development Process
The process of mobile app development involves multiple steps. This process begins with developing an idea and planning. It does not come to an end with app development. Rather, it becomes an ongoing process where the application is maintained. Also, updates are introduced regularly to improve the performance of the application.
Conclusion
Newbies to the field of mobile app development should start small. They should learn the fundamentals and make effective use of the resources. They should continue to improve their knowledge with regular process. The thing to remember here is that mobile app development is a rewarding journey that needs ongoing learning and dedication.
