Your thought of building your own mobile app brought you here, isn’t it? But before stepping into the world of coding and programming applications, let’s talk strategy. Gone are the days when “iOS means Objective-C/Swift and Android means Java.” Now, we are in an era where multiple mobile app programming languages promise to be the key to innovative performance. However, it’s important to understand that “One size definitely does not fit all.”
Understand this, what’s ideal for a simple utility app can turn out to be a performance nightmare for a graphically intensive game. So, how will you choose the right programming language that sets your app for success? Here’s your guide that will help you to choose the right programming language to build your dream app.
Understanding the Types of Mobile Apps
How do you classify the category of your app? You won’t be able to select the ideal app development language without understanding the types of mobile apps.
There are majorly three types of mobile apps jotted down below along with functionalities and features. A clear understanding of these types of mobile applications can help you find what’s the best for your app.
1. Native Apps
Have you ever seen a mobile app working on any specific operating system, be it iOS or Android? These apps are called Native apps. To define it, we can say, Native apps are customized mobile applications built for any specific operating system or platform (iOS or Android). The languages used to build these types of apps are supported natively by the platform.
With this approach, app developers get the highest level of customization and are able to leverage native device components, making it ideal for resource-intensive apps like games, VR applications, and those with extensive graphics. However, native development necessitates separate codebases for each platform.
2. Hybrid Apps
Apart from the platform-specific apps, there are mobile apps that work on both iOS and Android. These cross-platform solutions built using a single app programming language are known as Hybrid apps. Since it requires a single language, the developers write the code only once, and this ultimately accelerates the development process and reduces the cost. While comparing it to Native apps you may feel Hybrid apps have some less flexibility, but they are anyhow suitable for the majority of applications.
3. Progressive Web Apps
To define Progressive Web Apps, we can say an app that runs in the URL of any device’s web browser. PWAs just feel like any other mobile app, but the only limitation is it can’t be delivered natively on the device. If you have good experience with web development, you will be easily able to create PWAs without finding yourself in the chaos of multiple mobile app programming languages.
Best Programming Languages for App Development
Here is a list of some of the best and most used programming languages to bring your search for the “best language for app development” to an end. Each programming option has its own specific pros and cons, depending on the type of project you are taking over.
1. iOS Programming Languages
If all you ever thought about was developing and deploying top mobile app ideas for iOS devices, including iPhones and iPads, then you would require an Apple Developer account and Xcode, the integrated development environment (IDE) for macOS.
You will get a chance to use all the essential tools like code editor, simulators, and debugger with Xcode on iOS.
Objective-C and Swift are the native app development languages you can utilize to build an app specifically for iOS devices.
a. Objective-C
The first programming language that Apple bought to support the build process of its application was Objective-C. It was the original for iOS app development. It is an OO (object-oriented language) that uses syntax from C. Although it’s one of the most developer-friendly languages, its syntax and debugging challenges have led to its decline in popularity.
b. Swift
Another big name in the list of best mobile app programming languages for iOS apps is Swift. The programming language is quite easy to use, has compact syntax, and includes modern features, making it the right choice for building contemporary iOS applications.
2. Android Programming Languages
Android is an open-source platform built by Google. When it comes to hardware and software flexibility, Android has some unmatched standards. Similar to iOS app development, you will require an Android development toolkit and Android Studio to build an Android programming app.
Specifically, Android Studio is the best and most popular IDE in the list of Android app development languages.
a. Java
Java came into the picture after Android was launched. It became the primary programming language being used by developers to write Android apps. It has been widely adopted by developers because of its object-oriented nature and the ability to run on a virtual machine.
b. Kotlin
Another best language for app development is Kotlin. It is an alternative to Java for Android development. Kotlin runs on the Java Virtual Machine and offers interoperability with Java. Interestingly, Kotlin and Java are interoperable and can share and make use of the same information.
What are the Pros and Cons of Native App Development Programming Languages?
No matter what sort of app development language you are using, it will indeed have some pros and cons. Identifying these pros and cons will help you to utilise the programming language at its best.
Here’s a list of all the pros and cons of the Native programming languages:
Pros
- You can get maximum control on your device
- You will have access to all the top-notch technologies and their features
- Fastest access to all the newly available features
- Benefits of optimal execution speed
Cons
- It may take a lot of time to develop
- It demands more development cost
- Developers with specialized skills can only access it
- Limiting Competitors with high barriers to entry
If you find it challenging to keep note of all the pros and cons, then it’s ideal to collaborate with an AI development company in India to connect with industry experts and streamline the process.
3. Hybrid Programming Languages
With Hybrid app development, a developer can write a code once and deploy it across multiple platforms. In most cases, a single development can work across both iOS and Android. Still, in a few exceptions, the Hybrid app programming language can extend its functionality to other platforms like Progressive Web Apps (PWAs).
a. C#
The C# the programming language is developed by Microsoft. It is an object-oriented language that is used for creating games and command-line scripting on Android. If used with appropriate IDEs, C3 code can be cross-compiled to run natively on iOS and Android devices.
b. Appcelerator
Appcelerator is a programming language similar to React Native. The language brings Javascript into use to communicate with native framework functions. Native apps for platforms like iOS, Android, and Windows can be created using Appcelerator Titanium. There are surely pluses and minuses with Apprecelarator that a developer must be aware of.
c. Dart
An objective-oriented open-source programming language, Dart is designed for building web, mobile, and desktop applications. Dart is popularly known for its client-optimized approach. It supports multiple platforms and offers various features like ahead-of-time (AOT) and just-in-time (JIT) compilation for flexible and fast code execution.
Advantages of Appcelerator
- Appcelerator leverages JavaScript to manipulate native elements
- It provides direct access to native functionality from JavaScript
Disadvantages of Appcelerator
- Appcelerator lacks support for HTML5 and CSS, which further leads to limitations in UI customization options.
- The Appcelerator presents a medium-level barrier to entry
d. Cordova/PhoneGap
Cordova/PhoneGap and the Iconic are the frameworks powered by the Apache Cordova programming language. The approach behind this language involves porting a web experience into a native application, empowering web developers to leverage their existing skills. It uses other mobile app development languages, including Javascript, HTML, and CSS, which means that the web environment is ported to iOS and Android.
4. PWA Programming Languages
PWAs are applications that utilize modern web capabilities to help users experience app-like features. To build these languages, standard web technologies are being used, allowing it to work across various platforms. Here’s the list:
a. Ruby
Ruby, a versatile general-purpose language, is well-suited for PWA development due to its simplicity. However, it has certain limitations when it comes to debugging.
b. Python
Another name in the list of general-purpose languages is Python. It offers flexibility for both small and large-scale PWA deployments. Python has wide applications in data analytics, data visualization, and website development. You must know that Python has some coding complexities, and it is hard to learn compared to Java. However, experienced developers can easily navigate the way through it.
c. CSS
CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets, a rule-based language used to style code written in other app programming languages like HTML. CSS is an essential component for styling and presenting applications, but the twist is that CSS alone cannot create a PWA.
d. JavaScript
Most web developers choose JavaScript among all the other app development languages for PWA due to its low barrier to entry. It can also be used alongside HTML and CSS to create web applications from scratch.
e. PHP
Being one of the general scripting mobile app development languages, PHP can assist in PWA development, particularly on the backend. However, the integration of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript on the front end is required to deliver a complete PWA experience.
How do you Choose the Right Programming Language?
For selecting the right programming language you must figure out certain factors in mind, like the type of app you want to create, your budget, timeline, and technical expertise.
- Native development offers maximum control and performance but demands significant resources and specialized skills.
- Hybrid development provides a faster and more cost-effective approach that is suitable for applications that don’t require extensive native features.
- PWA development leverages web technologies to create app-like experiences within a browser, offering a balance between functionality and ease of development
Conclusion
While concluding the discussed margins about the selection of the best language for mobile development, you will now understand how critical and complicated this decision can be. It hinges on the project’s specific needs and constraints.
Whether you prioritize native performance, cross-platform capability, or web-based accessibility, it’s very crucial to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each language. However, if navigating this complex landscape seems challenging and chaotic, you can hire mobile app development company or your desired location that ensure to offer a team of experienced and skilled professionals ready to bring your vision to life.
