In this series, you will learn the basic concepts of cross-platform app development and why you would choose a cross-platform app development approach.
A cross-platform app development approach is a framework or methodology that will enable developers to write a single application that can be deployed on multiple mobile platforms. However, this kind of app should not only be deployed for multiple platforms; the actual logic and logic and UI layout should be developed only once. Hence, the cost and effort to develop this kind of app would be less than writing native code.
This could be a great approach for any web-based business that has an interest in building applications for the iOS and Android platforms. Let us look at this in more detail in this guide.
What is a Cross-Platform App Development Approach?
A cross-platform app is a single application that can be deployed for multiple mobile platforms. An example of a cross-platform app would be the LinkedIn app.
In order to develop a cross-platform app, you will need to deploy your app using a single code base. Hence, the core functionality and logic would have to be developed once.
However, for every platform that you wish to deploy your application for, the actual UI layout and design would be different. As a result, the entire development and maintenance cost will be significantly less than what is required for a native app.
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Why Develop a Cross-Platform App?
Cross-platform app development is ideal for any business, such as small businesses or startups, that is already investing in a mobile app. Furthermore, if you are a business that is looking to enter new markets, cross-platform app development will enable you to build and deliver your application without having to build different apps for different platforms.
The main benefits of developing a cross-platform app are:
· Lower development and maintenance costs than native apps
· Lower development costs and faster time to market
· Access to a wider range of developers
The choice of tools used to develop a cross-platform app will vary from business to business. However, in most cases, you will need to use one of the following cross-platform development frameworks:
PhoneGap — Open-source framework that allows you to develop your application for the Android and iOS platforms.
Adobe XD — Tool that allows you to quickly prototype your application for multiple platforms.
Ionic — Tool that allows you to build mobile apps for multiple platforms, such as Android, iOS, Windows, etc.
Appcelerator — Cross-platform app development tools that use JavaScript to develop and design mobile apps.
In addition, tools like the WebStorm IDE will allow you to test your application on several platforms through plugins that enable you to deploy your app through the cloud.
Which Platforms Are Supported?
The cross-platform app development process is very different from native apps. Therefore, the range of devices and mobile platforms you can target using this approach will be much more limited. The mobile platforms that you will be able to target using cross-platform app development will be:
· iOS
· Android
· Windows Phone
· Blackberry
· Symbian
· WebOS
· Tizen
· Roku OS
· Firefox OS
· KaiOS
Cross-platform app development frameworks are also dependent on the browser that you are using.
In general, cross-platform app development would be suitable for any web-based business that wishes to build an application for different platforms. In general, these frameworks and tools will allow you to develop your application once, and the process for deploying your application to various platforms will be similar.
Therefore, for a business that wishes to enter new markets, cross-platform app development will give you the opportunity to develop an application once and then deploy it across different platforms.
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Is Cross-Platform App Development Right for You?
When you are considering developing a cross-platform app, you should look at the potential cost savings and advantages that it would bring to your business. At the end of the day, if you have to invest in a dedicated native app for all your mobile users, the cost savings of cross-platform app development would not be enough to warrant the investment.
However, if you are a startup that needs to test the market with minimal investment, the advantages of cross-platform app development will be significant. In particular, cross-platform app development will allow you to develop a single application once, and then, if you wish, you can deploy it for the different platforms. As a result, if you are testing the market, you will be able to launch your app very quickly.
This will help you understand how your app is performing in the market and if you need to invest more in developing it.
Moreover, you will also have the flexibility to test your app with a minimal budget. For example, if you were developing a cross-platform app for a platform that you would not normally develop for, like Android, it could take you quite some time to invest in training and hiring a mobile app developer to develop your app. However, if you are deploying the application through cross-platform app development, you could deploy your application within the same day of creating the code.
So, if you are planning to test the market by deploying an application to multiple platforms, then the benefits of cross-platform app development could make your life significantly easier.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are looking to enter the market quickly, cross-platform app development is the right approach for you. However, for businesses that are looking to develop a native app for multiple platforms, cross-platform app development may not be the right approach.
If you have developed a cross-platform app using any of the frameworks and tools mentioned in this guide, please share your experience in the comments section below.
