Any notable invention is the solution to the pressing needs of a group of really bored or overworked people. In other words, necessity is the mother of invention. When it comes to cross-platform app development, its emergence was a result of the silent cries of developers who had to develop the same app for different operating systems like Android and iOS. Ever since cross-platform app development came into wide usage, both clients and companies alike have started saving tons of time and money.
Cross-platform app development allows programmers to create a single version of software applications that can run on multiple platforms like Windows, iOS, and Android. Earlier, they had to create separate versions of the application to run on each OS, which, as you can imagine, was too time consuming and boring. So what advantages does cross-platform app development have?
Writing code once and using it across platforms is a major benefit. Development time is reduced since developers don't need to construct platform-specific codebases.
Businesses can save money on development resources and time by working on a single codebase. Hiring and managing platform-specific teams is much cheaper.
Cross-platform frameworks generally include hot reloading, which lets developers preview changes without recompiling the software. This accelerates development.
Cross-platform frameworks frequently include UI components that appear and perform the same across platforms. This standardizes user experience.
It reaches a wider audience by targeting various platforms with a single app. Users on different platforms can use your app without downloading separate versions.
One codebase allows bug patches, updates, and upgrades to be applied to all platforms at once. This streamlines maintenance.
This is great! I mean, for once, we have a win-win situation that actually feels like it is a win-win for both parties (the client and the company). But let me be fair with you, there are some things to keep in mind while implementing this approach to your projects. Just like any program, the output given by cross-platform app development can vary depending on the specifics of your project. Read these points, and you’ll get an idea:
For graphics-intensive or complicated programs, cross-platform apps may run poorly. Cross-platform frameworks add layers that might slow performance.
They often lack access to the newest platform-specific functionality. Some complex or niche features may be unavailable or need customization.
Cross-platform frameworks seek uniformity, yet a smooth user experience across platforms is difficult. Some platform-specific design principles and interactions may not be recreated.
It may take time to incorporate platform upgrades or new features, delaying app updates.
These programs can have bigger file sizes owing to the framework and libraries needed to support several platforms. Users may experience longer download times and more storage consumption.
Now that that’s out of the way and you have a complete idea of what you are in for, let us look at some of the best tools available on the market that are excellent for cross-platform app development:
React Native: Developed by Facebook, this tool lets developers construct mobile apps with JavaScript and React. It lets you develop native iOS and Android components while sharing a lot of code.
Flutter: Google-developed Flutter uses Dart and offers a comprehensive range of customizable widgets. For speed, it compiles to native code and provides a uniform user experience across platforms.
Xamarin: Microsoft-owned Xamarin lets developers construct C# and.NET apps. A single codebase can target iOS, Android, and desktop platforms.
Ionic: Ionic creates cross-platform mobile, web, and desktop apps using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It's ideal for hybrid apps that use device functionality in a web view.
PhoneGap/Cordova: These frameworks let developers construct native mobile apps using web technologies. They connect web code with native device APIs.
Congratulations! You have just completed a crash course on the basics of cross-platform app development. Make the most of it and make informed decisions for your business. Good luck!