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Mobile App Development in Details

Introduction

 
This article explains mobile app development, related technologies, types of applications in the current scenario, from the past and the future along with their related operating systems. So buckle up and prepare for this app journey.
 
Here we go.
 

Applications | Overview

 
We are in an era of applications that are continuously making our life easier, better and I can say extended. So just go through all these types and be a part of this app era.
 
Applications Overview
 

Definition

 
An application is nothing but a set of programs or codes designed for performing some required or pre-defined operations.
 
There can be several types of applications. Based on their functionality their definition and working methodology, technologies also differ from each other.
 
Definition
 
Now I am taking you into an ocean of applications.
 

Current scenario | App Development

 
Here I am comparing the data of a few years of mobile-based devices like tablets, smartphones, tablets and so on with the internet on machines so that you can have a feel of the current app development market.
 
Current scenario
 

Application | Types

 
When we talk about applications, our mind generally takes us to several types of utility apps, gaming apps, and social networking apps, that's it, but that's neither the end nor the beginning. In the current scenario when we talk about applications, we need to be specific and more generic about what type of app we are talking about and what the scenario is for that.
 
So in this portion of this blog, I will talk about several existing categories of applications and further, I'll discuss them in detail. (Here we will cover app categories from the past and future perceptions along with the present needs and usefulness).
 
Application_types
 
In spite of all these major categories, there can be some derived categories too that fits in every major category depending on their development procedure and various functionalities.
 
Generally, the most commonly used derived categories are:
  • Static Apps
  • Dynamic Apps
  • Single Page AppsEtc.

1. Native Applications

 
In simple words, we can say that Native applications are developed for specific platforms and are installed on a computing device.
 
Native apps are generally developed using an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). IDEs are used in this kind of app development because IDEs provide: 
  • Built-in support
  • Built-in support of libraries
  • Debugging
  • Version control tools
  • Project management tools
And some other useful utility tools for providing full support in app development.
 
Native Applications
 
We need to use IDEs because native apps are difficult to build because there are no direct development options such as you just only need to copy and paste some code snippet and it's over.
 

Native App | Features

 
Some of the most common features of native apps are as follows.
 
Pros
  • MultiTouch support
  • Fast graphics API
  • Fluid Animation
  • Ease of use
  • Built-in Components
  • Documentation
Cons
  • Expensive Development work
  • Single Platform

Native App | Technologies 

 
Some of the most commonly used technologies are:
  • Native iOS
  • Native Android
  • PhoneGap
  • Accelerator Titanium

Native App | Example

 
Some popular apps are:
  • Walgreens
  • PIM Calendar
  • NFC MAC Address
  • Falling Blocks
  • Place Picker

2. Hybrid Applications

 
In very common words we can define hybrid apps as Applications that are a combination of both native and web applications.
 
As I explained, native apps are developed for specific platforms and are installed on a computing device and web applications are those that are built for multiple platforms and can work globally. These types of applications can be simply accessed or used by the browser via an active internet connection.
 
Hybrid Applications
 
Thus hybrid apps are a combination of both of these categories, having more features than native and web applications individually.

Hybrid App | Features

 
Some of the most common features of hybrid apps are as follows.
 
Pros
  • It can function whether or no the device is connected.
  • Integration with device files system.
  • Integration with web-based services.
  • An embedded browser to dynamically update online content.
  • Works on multiple platforms.
Cons
  • Functionality distractions
  • Feature overlapping 

Hybrid App | Technologies

 
The most used technologies are:
  • Blackberry native
  • HTML5
  • PhoneGap

Hybrid App | Example

 
Some of the popular apps are:
  • Banana Republic
  • Financial Times
  • App shot
  • Bucket List

Native VS Hybrid

 
Here will compare and contrast between a native app and hybrid apps, how they differ and scenarios depending on their functionality through this picture.
Just go through this image and feel the difference:
 
Native VS Hybrid
 

Native VS Hybrid VS Web Applications

 
In this portion I am showing a real scenario of these 3 major app categories:
 
Native VS Hybrid VS Web Applications
 

3. Generic Apps

 
In simple words, we can say A mobile website will work with all the mobile platforms and phones as well.
In the diagram shown below, represents an overview or model of how generic applications actually work and their processing from one step to another without any difference. So the generic application concept is not really new, it was in the market but not at its peak but in the current scenario, it's crossing several leaps and bounds and giving tough competition to the mobile application development market.
 
Generic Apps
 

Generic App | Features 

 
Some measured features of generic apps are:
Pros
  • Doesn't require specific GUI
  • Content oriented
  • Compact and cozy view
  • Web API based app development
  • Works on multiple platforms
 Cons
  • Less user interaction
  • Functionally dependent on the requirement
  • Generally static apps
  • Requires active internet connection

Generic App | Technologies 

 
Some preferred technologies are:
  • C# (Microsoft)
  • Android
  • Objective C (iOS)
  • FI_WARE (open Tech)

Generic App | Examples 

 
Some popular apps are:
  • NHL series
  • Tomb Raider
  • HTML5 Learner
  • Flipkart Application
  • eBay application

4. Dedicated Apps

 
In common words, Dedicated apps are requirement-specific static apps that are directly dependent upon the few module requirements and limited functionality.
 
Dedicated apps are better than bookmarked apps because several well defined and designed functionality depend on the requirements.
 
Dedicated Apps
 
Some people define dedicated apps as a website that is tailored to work on mobile devices.
 

Dedicated App | Features 

 
Some features of dedicated apps are:
 
Pros
  • Supports various platforms.
  • Functionality dependent app development
  • Can be static or dynamic
  • Based on client requirement architecture
 Cons
  • Less functionality
  • Outdated
  • Less user friendly

Dedicated App | Technologies

 
Some preferred technologies are:
  • HTML5/CSS3
  • Android
  • WIN 8 Environment

Dedicated App | Examples 

 
Some popular apps are:
  • Swift key Keyboard
  • Food planer
  • Timely
  • Keep
  • Duolingo
  • Path talk
  • Minecraft

5. Bookmark Apps

 
In simple words, bookmark apps are applications that let users save web resources that they wish to access later into organized lists that can be shared online or we can say bookmark apps are mobile websites. Bookmark apps make your website compatible for viewing in mobile or tablets or mobile versions of a website.
 
Bookmark Apps.
 

Bookmark App | Feature 

 
Some specific features are:
 
Pros
  • Works in an organized way.
  • Have a name different from a link.
  • You just need to customize your website.
  • It can be organized into several folders.
  • Drag and drop functionality
 Cons
  • Generally static apps
  • Less user interaction
  • Outdated

Bookmark App | Technologies 

 
Bookmarks applications don't use any specific technology, these applications are generally based on browser interaction, so these applications use:
  • HTML5/CSS3 
  • Basic Scripting Languages
  • Graphics/API's
Bookmark App | Example
  • Reddit
  • How-To-Geek
  • InstaPaper
  • Blogmarks
  • Goolge Bookmarks
  • Pocket

6:  Cross-Platform Apps

 
In most simple words we can say In computing, cross-platform means applications/software that can work freely on various platforms or multiple platforms.
 
Cross-platform applications can be based on the following two types of functionalities:
  • Run time packages
  • Standard components
Cross Platform Apps
 
Cross-platform applications are widely used and accepted these days due to their performance and capability of supporting various platforms without serious causes. In spite of all these, it also gives developers some additional support of libraries, utility tools and so on.
 

Cross-platform Design | view

 
This view represents the support and design architecture.
 
Cross platform Design
 

Cross-Platform App | Features 

 
Some features of cross-platform apps are:
 
Pros
  • Can be used is multiple platforms
  • Can function both online and offline mode
  • User-friendly environment
  • Ease of development
  • Fully function-oriented
  • Combination of hybrid and native apps (in general)
  • Multi-touch functionality
  • Integration with web-based services
 Cons
  • Security aspects
  • Testing issues
  • Hidden privacy flaws
  • Data lose
  • Requires execution environment

Cross-Platform App | Technologies 

 
Some preferred technologies/frameworks are:
  • Phone Gap
  • Open GL
  • Mozilla application platform
  • WebDev
  • WinDev
  • TCL/TK

Cross-Platform App | Example

 
Some popular apps are:
  • Team Play
  • Team Fortress
  • UNO
  • Whatsapp
  • BBMS
  • Shadow Run
  • Lost Planet
  • DUST 514


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