It is crucial to make a mobile application accessible to users in every way. The best way to achieve this is by providing comprehensive interaction with your product, so that users can appreciate its benefits, as well as adaptation for different operating systems and mobile devices. To do this, everyone who plans to work on creating applications needs to understand what cross-platform development is.
Why is it necessary to use a cross-platform system?
According to research, by the beginning of 2023, the number of active internet users using mobile devices to access the internet exceeded 64% of the world's population. The era of technology, internet accessibility, and high speed as a pleasant bonus from providers allows a huge number of people to make search engine queries or browse photos on Instagram every minute. The age of desktop application popularity is gradually ending, and although there will still be enough of them, mobile devices have much more potential and opportunities.
Revenue from mobile applications is growing, and it is predicted that their budget will reach around $613 billion by 2025. According to statistics, 98% of users use either iOS or Android on their smartphones. However, in order not to lose the audience of one of these operating systems, it is sufficient to develop a program that can be downloaded on any device. This is an opportunity to earn a substantial amount, gain popularity, and stand out in the market.
Cross-platform development of mobile applications is a principle of program implementation when a single code is written and can be used on several operating systems such as iOS and Android. For this purpose, one of the frameworks such as React Native, Flutter, or Xamarin is also used.
Each operating system's cross-platform system has its own SDK - a software development kit. It can be used to implement native programs, and it includes a debugger, compiler, and other tools. There is also a recommended language for each, although it is not mandatory to use it. For Android, it is better to use Java, and for iOS, Objective-C or Swift.
Nowadays, API - an application programming interface is used to realize the development implementation. It serves as a connecting component for the code and the operating system. IDE - integrated development environment is also used.
Assistant = Framework
In the implementation of a software's life cycle, assistants are essential. Xamarin, React Native, and Flutter are convenient frameworks that simplify the process of cross-platform development. Each of them has its advantages and capabilities. Before choosing a specific framework, it is worth assessing the peculiarities of the future program. However, developers often find one optimal tool and use it for all projects.
React Native
This framework is used to develop mobile applications for Android and iOS, as well as desktop applications for various operating systems. It has an open-source code.
To interact with it, knowledge of JavaScript and React is required. This is perhaps the most well-known representative, presented by Facebook back in 2015. Its principles are very similar to React.
To use the framework, there is no need to have knowledge of the recommended platform languages. The code can be written in JavaScript. Facebook was the first to use it to create its cross-platform program - Ads Manager.
Xamarin
A free framework from the Windows company that can be used to develop Android, iOS, and Windows applications. However, it requires the use of the C# language and .NET platform. Xamarin allows for the use of one written code for all platforms, but still 10-25% of this code will need to be modified for other operating systems. Xamarin has open source code, is used for creating desktop applications, and has already proven itself among users.
Flutter
Another free framework with open-source code introduced by Google. It uses Dart programming language to create beautiful and high-performing applications for Android and iOS using a single codebase.
The framework also provides a plethora of ready-made widgets and tools that make development easier. With its help, products can be implemented for Mac, Linux, Fuchsia, Windows, and the web. Despite being launched only in 2017, Flutter has gained a great audience, including The New York Times.
Conclusion
Cross-platform mobile app development is very important for both developers and business owners. It is definitely worth using if you want to reduce development time, attract a large audience and get a convenient tool for work.
