A Quick Guide to Mobile App Development Technologies Stack Up
The most crucial requirement for the success of developing a digital software product is your choice of mobile app development technologies stack. Whatever method of development you choose, it must take into account all recent developments in software engineering in order to be successful.
Business people typically have a clear understanding of the business side of their digital project, but they frequently lack the experience and skills needed to connect that to the implementation of the actual product. They struggle in particular with selecting the appropriate programming language, development tools, software framework, etc.
In addition to making your software future-proof, the right technology stack can also make it simple to maintain, compatible, and secure to support the expansion of your company.
Most startups turn to specialized mobile software development companies with extensive experience in designing, developing, deploying, and supporting a wide range of mobile, web, and desktop apps in order to accomplish these goals.
Rhomeson has the expertise to ease the pain of your app development process and can give you a clear idea of the features your tech stack should include as an award-winning, custom software development company. We wrote this manual to help you successfully implement your product while utilizing the cutting-edge software technologies of today.
To learn more about various tech stacks for mobile development and how to choose the best one for your business project, continue reading.
What is the meaning of a Software Development Stack?
Let’s define the tech stack before we delve into the various architecture options and programming languages for creating mobile apps. A programming language, framework, library, and tool combination used to build a mobile or web application is known as a “technology stack.”
Front-end development and back-end development are the two main components of a complete tech stack. The client-side and server-side of an application are other names for these. The anatomy of an application also includes other crucial components, such as the development platform, user experience, security, robustness, scalability, etc.
Your decision regarding the mobile app tech stack will have an impact on the performance and success of your application in the future; any rash or poor decision could end up costing you money, time, and resources, as well as result in project failure. Therefore, before deciding on the best tech stack, it is crucial that you thoroughly explore the mobile app design and development process to identify and assess your app idea.
Development of Native Apps
A software program created in a particular programming language and designed specifically for the iOS or Android device platform is referred to as a native application.
Building software solutions specifically for a mobile device is known as native mobile app development. In particular, native apps perform more quickly and flexibly than cross-platform apps because they integrate the device’s unique hardware or software and do not need third-party APIs.
Typically, when we discuss native apps, we are referring to the creation of apps for Android and iOS. Separate software development kits and proprietary languages are used by the two platforms (Xcode and Android studio). Native apps are thought to be the most popular among users because they can make use of a variety of features and functionalities on the device, such as images, the camera, the GPS, or push notifications.
Now that you are familiar with the concept of a native application, let’s examine the tech stacks that are most frequently used for Android and iOS development.
Android Tech Stack
The most popular languages for creating Android applications are Java and Kotlin. Java is an object-oriented, platform-independent programming language that was created with the specific purpose of enabling developers to run compiled Java code on all platforms that support Java. There are 3 billion devices running Java around the world, making it the most widely used programming language.
A general-purpose, cross-platform language called Kotlin was initially created for Android and the Java Virtual Machine. Google stated that it was the “first-class” and second-most popular language for Android development in 2017. The JVM version of Kotlin’s library depends on the Java class library and compiles the same byte code as Java.
Toolkit: Android Studio and Developer Tools for Android
Android studio is a unified development environment that enables programmers to create applications that run on Android-compatible mobile, desktop, and other devices. With the help of an intelligent code editor, a feature-rich emulator, build templates, plugins, and many other tools, it offers programmers the greatest amount of flexibility for writing the best possible code.
For patterns like the view pager and navigation drawer, Android Studio offers code samples and templates.
To find examples of any code sample, perform a search for API in the editor and click Find Sample Code.
In-depth tools are also available to assist you in prototyping your Android app and testing it using UI testing frameworks. For instance, using the Espresso test recorder, you can record your interactions with a device to create UI tests for your upcoming app.
SDK for Android
A complete set of standard-line tools required for Android app development are provided by the Android Software Developer Kit. It mainly consists of libraries, APIs, a debugger, a phone emulator, and source code samples for example projects.
The tools are identical to those of Android Studio, as you may have noticed, with the exception that Android Studio keeps all of your designs and other essentials in one location and offers an environment to complete the entire process of building the structure of your app.
You should install a target SDK version for a particular phone if you intend to include some of Android’s most recent technology in your app.
A professional or novice coder can easily create a high-quality, scalable app with a quick loading time and user-friendly interface using this Android tech stack.
Due to the many benefits it provides, developing Android apps is very popular among businesses. An intuitive Android toolset, along with SDK, code libraries, and IDEs, makes developing mobile apps a breeze. Therefore, to help your business reach new heights, we advise that you invest in Android app development.
Tech Stack for iOS
Swift and Objective-C are two programming languages.
You can select one of the following languages if you decide to create a native iOS app.
Objective-C
Create mobile applications for OS X and iOS with Objective-C, a “strict superset” of C. A very mature, flexible language that offers simple solutions to programming problems, Objective-C gives developers the ability to be more detail-oriented and supportive of objects and other languages.
If an existing project written in Objective-C needs to be supported or if there aren’t any Swift developers available right now, developers will typically choose this option.
Swift
Swift is a user-friendly general-purpose programming language created to simplify the process of creating programmes. Given that it employs an easy-to-read syntax and logical English function names, it is frequently compared to natural English.
The primary traits of Swift are readability, performance, and expressiveness; it was initially developed as a replacement for C-based languages and can be regarded as a quicker and more effective language. Swift is used on Linux and all Apple platforms, and it aims to spread far beyond Apple.
Swift vs. Objective-C is still up for debate as the better language for iOS development; both languages are used extensively in application programming and are in direct competition with one another.
However, we would advise selecting Swift over Objective-C. Swift is the ideal choice for building high-performance iOS native applications because it supports the use of dynamic libraries, provides more powerful tools and clear syntax, and is additionally not restricted to Apple OS.
Toolkit: Xcode and IntelliJ AppCode
As we previously mentioned, toolkits offer an integrated framework that directs developers through the creation of mobile applications. Apple Xcode and IntelliJ AppCode are the two that iOS developers use the most frequently.
iOS SDK
The iOS SDK, developed by Apple, is a software development kit that includes the XCode IDE, Instruments, iPhone simulator, frameworks, compilers, APIs, and many other things. The iOS SDK provides developers with access to various iOS device functions, such as tools for Apple’s touchscreen interface and its proprietary iOS operating system, which is used to power Apple’s mobile devices.
This iOS technology stack has been crucial in the creation of native Apple applications and the realisation of business solutions. The Apple app development industry has a reputation for being one of the most consistently innovative in the world.
Choose iOS app development if you want to get involved and build a dynamic, cutting-edge app that will revolutionise industries and motivate thousands of users.
Development of hybrid apps
Hybrid apps combine both native and web solutions, as the name suggests. In particular, hybrid development incorporates shared code into a native app after using common web technologies like HTML, CSS, or Javascript. Hybrid apps operate similarly to websites but use a native application’s built-in browser.
Back-end and native shell are the two categories into which hybrid development can be divided.
Ionic and Apache Cordova are two programming frameworks.
Apache Cordova
Apache Cordova, also known as PhoneGap, is an open-source mobile development framework for creating apps that use standard web technologies such as HTML, Javascript, and CSS.
Cordova’s primary function is its ability to translate your code into native applications. A native shell application, which is simply the platform’s web view component in which your web application is loaded, is created by the framework by embedding code into a special native “wrapper” that can access the device functions of various platforms.
With such a solution, hybrid applications can be published and sold in app stores similarly to other natively developed apps.
Developers have access to native device APIs and features like GPS, file systems, sensors, cameras, etc. thanks to a set of pre-built plugins that are included with Cordova. Therefore, installing a plugin will make it simple to allow users to log into your app using TouchID or connect to a Bluetooth device.
Ionic
The open-source SDK Ionic was developed for creating cross-platform desktop, web, and mobile applications. Ionic offers a platform for integrating services like push notifications and analytics because it makes extensive use of AngularJS features for core functionality.
The framework will seamlessly integrate into your front-end stack and is primarily focused on Web Standards. Ionic provides pre-made UI components, typography, and other helpful tools to assist you in building fantastic apps that look great on all mobile platforms and devices.
Ionic seamlessly integrates with a variety of front-end frameworks, including Angular, React, Vue, and Javascript, so your team can enjoy selecting their preferred stacks. Additionally, the platform offers a robust command-line interface (CLI) created with TypeScript and Node.js.
Although Node.js CLIs are also available, Ionic’s CLI gives developers access to features like Live Reload, cross-platform deployments, and integrations.
Ionic or Cordova-based hybrid applications can perform any task that a conventional native application can.
Your development team will be able to create complete application experiences with the aid of Ionic’s collection of native API integrations and its access to any native SDK.
Similar to this, the Cordova CLI tool makes the development process enjoyable by enabling you to build for various platforms and install plugins. So, take into account hybrid app development if you want to make a quick, highly interactive app with stunning graphics and UI.
Development of Cross-Platform Apps
The process of developing software applications that work across various mobile platforms is known as cross-platform app development. Since a large portion of the app’s code can be reused across platforms, this type of development is much faster.
Since the cost of implementing and developing the app is relatively low, most businesses opt for the cross-platform strategy.
Cross-platform apps are also well-liked by large audiences and are compatible with most devices.
Cross-platform technology stack
Native React and JavaScript
Facebook, Inc. created React Native, a JavaScript framework for developing natively rendered mobile apps for iOS, Android, Web, and UWP.
React Native’s key feature is that it enables programmers to use a single code base to power both iOS and Android apps. React apps can interact with native APIs thanks to the JavaScript library and React’s UI paradigm, which boosts the development team’s efficiency.
The framework provides an innovative and radical way to develop reliable apps with simple user interfaces. Because of its widespread acceptance and established presence, this programming tool is thought to be the most efficient way to develop cross-platform applications.
Xamarin + C#
For the development of cutting-edge, high-performing mobile applications for iOS, Android, and Windows, Microsoft created the open-source Xamarin platform.
Xamarin is widely regarded as the best framework for developing mobile apps and the most similar to native. In order to make Xamarin apps resemble their native counterparts, Xamarin compiles native code into various mobile binaries using C# and the .Net framework. Additionally, it enables the use of device-specific APIs from C# code.
The most important aspect of this framework is that it gives programmers the power to author their own libraries that can be used by any .Net application and share up to 96% of their code across platforms.
Flutter
Flutter is Google’s user interface software development kit, created by Google from a single codebase for Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Windows, Google Fuchsia, and the web. You can use the framework’s powerful compose features to build expressive and adaptable mobile UI thanks to its layered architecture.
Flutter includes fully customizable widget sets that use iOS and Google design and offer flawless native performance across various platforms. Flutter’s hot reload feature allows you to quickly view newly added app features or bug fixes without having to restart your app, making app development quick and reliable.
Make sure you hire a highly qualified development team with experience in C#,.NET, XML, and well-known mobile platforms if you’re considering using the cross-platform approach.
How to Choose the Best Tech Stack for Developing Mobile Apps?
The best mobile app development technologies stack for your product is the result of careful consideration and analysis of a variety of factors. The following are the variables that frequently affect the mobile app technology stack selection for mobile app development:
1. Considerations for Apps
Numerous elements differ from one app to another, including:
- The platform that the app would run on
- The network environment in which it would operate Your desired user experience
- The anticipated time of market entry
- among other things, the platform it would utilise.
- The combination of all these app components aids in selecting the framework, library, languages, and the software to develop the app.
2. Mobile app’s objective
The objective that your mobile app will pursue greatly influences the tech stack that is selected for its development.
When deciding between a low latency, quick response mobile app and a high latency app, there would be a clear difference in the technology stack.
A mobile app that depends on processing a lot of data requires a much more robust tech stack than one that revolves around simple interactions.
3. The skill-set of the development team
Many different languages and frameworks tend to produce the same results, but they each have unique characteristics that set them apart from one another.
Now, the best course of action is to rely on the developer’s skill-set when choosing between two tech stacks that are somewhat similar.
Your team will need more time to develop your mobile app and you will pay more money if you use a tech stack that they are not familiar with. However, using a mobile app development technologies that your team is familiar with will speed up the procedure while maintaining quality.
4. The parent company of technology
The parent company of the technology stack you choose also has a significant impact on your decision.
Some brands provide significantly better documentation and community support than the competition. For example, it is well known that Google, Microsoft, and Adobe provide much better community support and cutting-edge development options than Facebook does with React Native.
5. The Decision to Use Several Platforms
An app that runs on one platform would have a very different technology stack than one that runs on Android, iOS, and the Web.
In order to make your mobile app portable across platforms, such as in the case of hybrid apps or cross-platform app development, you will need to introduce a higher level of scalability than would be necessary for native app development.
6. The Tech Stack’s Level of Security
Every mobile app development technologies is equipped to address security flaws that an app may experience after it is released on the market. The issue arises when you select a mobile tech stack that is either poorly documented or necessitates writing numerous lines of code.
The element of developers’ skills follows after that. If your mobile app is not developed securely, hackers will find a way in regardless of the technology stack you are using. Your team of app developers therefore needs to be skilled in addition to the tech stack.
7. Compatibility with the Technologies Currently in Use
It is crucial that you choose a mobile technology stack that is compatible with the project’s technology. particularly if you are integrating a new tech stack after the process of developing a mobile app has begun.
Along with making sure the mobile tech stack is compatible with the current project, you should also make sure it is compatible with any potential future tools you plan to include in the app.
You now possess all the knowledge about the technology stack required to begin working on your first mobile app development project. Regardless of the technology you choose, make sure it integrates well with your current app structure and that your mobile app is ready to be creative and scalable
Conclusion
Now that we’ve gone over the most popular technology stacks for developing mobile apps, you know which strategy to employ for your business idea to be successful. Keep in mind that the type of mobile application you choose has a huge impact on your technology stack selection.
In order to guarantee a high level of mobile app performance, reliability, and security, we use both cutting-edge and tried-and-true technologies. We can provide you with advice on the following tech stack based on our more than ten years of experience developing mobile apps:
Do you need help developing mobile applications? Our specialists work with a wide range of platforms, frameworks, and languages. For the best technology development and advice, contact Rhomeson.
