Summary
Every mobile usage statistic appears to provide an impressive case for the development of mobile apps:
- Mobile apps make up a quarter of people’s time using online media.
- Smartphone users spend around 90% of their time with apps.
- Eighty-five percent of customers would prefer mobile applications that are native over mobile web pages.
- A typical user has more than 30 apps installed on their mobile devices and spends more than 35 hours a month with them.
While all of these statistics support the development of mobile apps, these decisions shouldn’t be made lightly. With 1.5 million apps in Google Play and Apple’s App Store, it is essential to understand the process of Mobile Application Development and all the elements involved in their creation.
What’s Mobile Application Development
Mobile apps is creating software applications for mobile devices, such as tablets and mobile phones. A typical mobile application depends on a network connection to connect to a distant computing resource. So, in developing mobile apps, Similarly, it is necessary to develop executable software bundles (including binary code assets. ) and deploy backend services and then test the app on the device it’s intended to be tested on.
Mobile applications, as well as Device platforms
The two top platforms on the market application development services are the iOS platform and Android Google.
Moreover, The iOS platform was created by Apple Inc to power its flagship line of smartphones, the iPhone. However, the Android operating system is designed through Google and is utilized not just by Google devices but also by a variety of other OEMs who make their own mobile devices.
Development for iOS as opposed to. Creating for Android has a few points in common. However, some distinctions between them are worth examining. The first is that each has various Software Development Kits (SDKs) along with a toolchain. Moreover, The second reason is that Apple solely utilizes iOS exclusively for the devices it owns. But, Google’s Android is accessible to other companies, provided they can meet the platform’s requirements.
Methods for Building Mobile Apps
When it concerns mobile app development, These are the four most well-known methods:
- Native Mobile Applications
- Native Mobile Cross-Platform Applications
- Hybrid Mobile Applications
- Progressive Web Applications
Every one of the approaches to creating mobile apps comes with advantages and drawbacks.
When looking at the development of mobile apps, it is important to take a look at the desired user experience as well as the resources for computing and native features that are required for the application, as well as the budget and timeline, the time frame and the resources that are available for maintaining the app.
Native Applications
Native mobile apps are developed using the programming language and frameworks offered by the platform owner. Moreover, Apps run straight on the OS of your devices, such as iOS or Android.
Pros
- The best result in the area of time to run
- Access to APIs of the device directly
Cons
- Costs higher for creating and maintaining applications
- Different code bases are available on each platform
Cross-Platform Applications
Applications for cross-platform platforms are written in various frameworks and programming languages. They are, however, bundled into a native app that runs within the system operating.
Pros
- The single code base for multiple platforms
- Easy to create and maintain
Cons
- Relying on libraries and bridges for native capabilities
- Limitations in performance due to bridges
Hybrid-Web Applications
Hybrid mobile apps are developed using standard web technologies, for example, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML5. They are integrated into app installation software. Similarly, Contrary to native apps, applications run on a web container which provides the browser’s runtime and an interface to native device APIs through Apache Cordova.
Pros
- Mobile and Web applications with the same base of code
- Utilizing web development languages for developing mobile apps
Cons
- Performance is lower compared to native applications
- Limited support for native device features
Progressive Web Applications
Progressive Web Applications are an alternative method to traditional mobile app development, in which the app store’s delivery and installation are omitted. Instead, PWAs are web-based applications that use browser features like working offline or running background processes and displaying a link on your device’s home screen – to offer an app-like user experience.
Pros
- The same application is available on both the web and mobile devices.
- No installation is requires. Accessible via an URL
Cons
- Limited support for native device features
- App capabilities are based on the browser.
The differences between Native and. Hybrid Mobile Applications
You can distinguish a native mobile application from a hybrid app using these four ways.
- Native Hybrid
- Platform-specific Cross-platform
- Compiled Language Scripting / Compiled
- Access to Hardware Device Native Modules and Plugins
- Platform Frameworks Web Frameworks
Why Choose the Hybrid/Cross-platform Approach?
Development of native mobile applications requires highly skilled skills and is often an issue. Most developers have a basic understanding of C and Java, two of the most used languages to develop native applications. But, not all are proficient in the platforms-specific versions of these languages and the IDEs they use. In addition, This is why native app developers are always in demand. A lot of companies outsource developing mobile applications to third partners;
What is HTML0? Hybrid, as well as Cross-platform Frameworks, Perform?
Regarding hybrid apps, developers can use web languages (HTML5/CSS/JavaScript). They can then put these web applications within containers that allow them to work as a native app on the device.
Since hybrid mobile applications are web applications that run in browsers, a lot of the code from an online application can be utilizes to create an app for mobile devices. In addition, the performance of runtime rendering and rendering of mobile browsers are constantly improving, allowing developers to use a hybrid environment to create mobile applications.
Similarly, PWAs are typically program by traditional web application technology, which includes a variant that combines JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS. Initially, they can access using a browser installed on your device or computer.
Many cross-platform frameworks, such as React Native and Native Script, provide native components that integrate with cross-platform code. Other frameworks like Flutter and Xamarin convert cross-platform code into native code for faster performance.
Most Popular Mobile App Development Approaches
The type of mobile application approach you select will determine the team members, the timeline, and the final result. However, Below are the five most widely use methodologies you can use to develop your mobile app.
Waterfall Methodology
The waterfall is possibly the oldest method for developing software and applications. With this method, your team can move sequentially from one stage to the next. This means you must complete the previous phase before moving on to the next.
The main drawback to this approach is that there is no way to go back. The waterfall is plans from beginning to finish. Moreover, The only way to make changes is during the maintenance phase following the product launch.
However, Prototype Methodology The prototype can be call the evolutionary or incremental design. This approach to mobile app development a more refine version of the waterfall approach. In addition, It allows team members to change their ideas in the design stage.
The concept behind this method is that the team needs to develop a prototype to fully comprehend the project’s requirements before the design phase.
Spiral Methodology
This is a form of mobile app development based on the risk method. It is based on the risk pattern of the project and employs multiple methods during the process. In a certain sense, spiral app development is a method that combines the waterfall method and iteration.
In the spiral model, it is essential to define the expectations for each stage. Moreover, Each stage in the spiral depends solely on the project’s risk. However, This makes it perfect for risky, large projects.
Agile Methodology
Agile is an agile, mobile application method of development design to be use for complex projects. It permits iterations. Moreover, which helps in reducing the chance of mistakes.
The model splits the mobile application development into cycles or brief time boxes. As it is collaborative, it permits the continuous modification of requirements. In addition, agile is flexible as it accommodates any changes in requirements that occur during the entire development process of mobile apps.
There are also many variants of Agile. They are
- Feature Driven Development (FDD)
- Lean software development
- Scrum
- Crystal Methods
- Rapid Application Development (RAD)/ Rapid-application building (RAB)
- Adaptive Software Development (ASD)
- Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM)
- Extreme Programming (XP)
- Kanban
Lean Startup Methodology
The goal of this mobile application approach is to address many of the problems startups face in developing applications.
Lean startup requires an initial Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to develop mobile apps. In addition, The lean startup approach allows you to create, track and learn about the mobile app you’re building.
Final Words
Developers can benefit from hundreds of cloud-based and 3rd party solutions to speed up the creation and distribution of mobile apps. It’s, however, not possible for the developer to be an expert on all these services individually.
What mobile app developers need to do is seek out a development environment in which they can easily incorporate and utilize the most frequently required features. Moreover, their app with the ability to use various accessible services.
