Which Is The Best Technology For Mobile Apps Development?

Smartphone application development is no easy task given the variety of operating systems and hardware in use. It must also be kept in mind that apps for phones must be compact and yet highly functional in order to prove useful and keep users engaged. That the operating systems are based on different platforms is another challenge. For instance, Android is mainly Java-based whereas iOs has underpinnings of C. Windows is another matter.

A smartphone app development company can offer native apps for a particular OS or a hybrid app or web apps or even progressive web apps depending on the purpose of the app, speed to market desired and budgets. As such using any one technology platform for mobile app development may not deliver fine-tuned apps with high performance and compromises are inevitable as happens in hybrid apps. The positive side is speed to market and easy transforming to web apps. Still, if a client desires an app for specific purposes and targeted at specific platform users then mobile app development services are likely to choose from the well-established technology stacks.

 

Native Apps for the iOS environment

Companies specializing in web and mobile app development services for the iOS platform have a choice of a few technology stacks and tools to come up with native iOS apps.

The iOS SDK

Developers of iOS apps looking to deliver apps with seamless integration and performance rely on the good old iOS SDK with a set of core functionalities.  However, there are other tools as well.

Xcode and App Code

AppCode serves as the integrated development environment for iOS apps developed using Swift, Objective C, Javascript and C++. It is fast and supports these languages making it better than Xcode but Xcode has its uses. Xcode is perfect for web and mobile app development services to come up with a native user interface for apps on iOS for the Mac OS environment and for tvOS.

Swift

Since it superceded Objective C, Swift has gone on to become the favourite of smart app development companies to come up with superior apps for the iOS platform. Swift has built-in code reusability leading to faster development and versatility for apps for iOS, watchOS, TvOS and MacOS environments. It has security and reliability as well for best performing native iOS apps.

Objective C

While its use for iOS apps has declined, it does still survive to take care of existing enterprise-grade apps and their upgradation. Those using objective C have stepped up to C++ since it is inherently more sophisticated and helps in the creation of dynamic apps that can work on multiple platforms.

One cannot say that a particular technology stack or tool is the best. Experienced mobile app development services make use of one or the other or a combination to achieve the desired objective of an app.

Tools for Android apps

Java

Android works on Java and Java still remain the best technology stack for android app development. It is favoured by web and mobile app development services since it is open source and has a rich library with access to hundreds of APIs. Where complex native Android apps are desired then a smartphone app development company may go the Java route.

Android Studio

Android Studio simplifies the work of app development with its integrated development environment that allows performance tooling and debugging as well.

Kotlin

Kotlin is open source and based on the Java Virtual Machine, declared as the official second language for Android programming and app development. It can also be used in Java environments besides building apps that can run on iOS. This being the case, web and mobile app development services may favour Kotlin under certain circumstances, especially where hybrid apps are desired.

Not everyone may wish to go to the core and use pure platforms like Java for android app development. There are tools available such as:

• Fabric: This platform lets developers view progress at each stage and speeds up app development, making it ideal for compact apps.
• Codota: This is an AI-powered tool that speeds up app development and it also integrates with Java and Android Studio.
• Figma: This tool excels in helping developers design highly functional user interfaces for apps.
• Firebase: This is Google’s offering that aids mobile app development services build feature rich android apps with support for iOS too. Where real-time database integration is indispensable then Firebase proves its worth.
• Flutter: Unlike other tools that make use of Java or Javascript, Flutter by Google uses Dart, a new programming language that helps create native as well as cross-platform apps with ease.

These nifty tools can add to the Java tech stack for Android developers to come up with apps as may be required by clients within their budgets and with the desired functionality. However, clients may request hybrid apps in order to save cost and speed up availability.

Hybrid app development tech stack and tools

Hybrid apps save development costs and time and if a client prefers to go this way then web and mobile app development services such as Smart Sight Innovation make use of a variety of different tools.

Ionic

Ionic is based on the Cordova and Angular JS framework. It has reusable DOM elements and it has a short learning curve. It does require plugins to achieve desired functionality so the versatility of the app may be limited.

Phone Gap

Adobe took over Apache Cordova and rebranded it as PhoneGap. This is one of the most ideal platforms for high performing hybrid apps since it makes use of CSS, JavaScript and HTML. Functionality may be limited but an app developer can work within its limitations and yet deliver fast within prescribed budgets.

Appcelerator

Appcelerator makes use of PHP, JavaScript and HTML to help app developers craft apps that work natively on iOS, Windows and Android platforms. If a client desires an app for all these platforms at a minimum cost then the app developer may use this tool.

WidgetPad and RhoMobile

These are tools that are based on CSS3, HTML5, Ruby and JavaScript and they are open source as well. Smart app developers leverage the features of these tools to craft apps that work on any of the three most popular OS for mobiles.

Conclusion

However, as can be seen, no one technology stack or tool can be considered the best. Each excels in a specific area. It can work well when integrated with the native platform like Java or C or used in conjunction with other tools. What matters is that the smartphone app development company fulfils requirements of its clients and uses the appropriate tool for the purpose.