How To Choose The Best Technology Stack For Mobile App Development

Today, the digital world is pacing at a speed like never before. There lies tremendous competition between mobile app development companies in London as they try to build apps capable enough of generating the desired traction. Starting with a unique idea, to embedding optimal features, app development takes a lot of efforts. And of the varied elements to take care of in the process of app development, choosing the right technology stack is one you should not to miss.

No matter if you have one of the best app ideas, has lined up some extraordinary features but the absence of an ideal technology stack would drag your app below the expected level. It is the technology that adds value to an app making it rich in features and correspondingly feasible. An efficient technology stack reduces the total cost of development and also quickens the process rendering technology driven apps.

Well, we are now convinced that having an optimal technology stack is more of a necessity but what do we mean when we use the term "technology stack"?

Technology Stack - What Does The Term Mean 

 

In layman's term, it is the list of technologies (programming languages, tools for designing, database servers and modern frameworks) that aid the development of a mobile app. Employing the right set of technologies lay an impact on the front end, backend and the overall development of the mobile app. The right tool helps to develop robust apps with high-end security leveraging the performance of apps.

However, these vary based on the app being developed. As in, the technology stack for native apps would not be the same as the tech stack for hybrid or cross-platform apps. And so, you need to choose accordingly. Before we head towards the things to consider while choosing the best technology stack, let's have a quick look at varied technologies used in a different type of app development.

Native App Development

To start with, we have the most common form of app development i.e. native apps. These are platform specific apps and can run only on the OS it has been built for. This further applies to technology too. You need to be selective when choosing a tech stack for development of native apps.

Android App Technology Stack

Programing Language

When it comes to choosing a programming language for Android app development, Java and Kotlin are the top choices. Where Java is the pioneer in the industry of Android app development, Kotlin has gained tremendous traction surpassing the pros of Java and naming itself as the official language of Android.

Java has an extensive set of libraries and modules that accredits the development of scalable apps. On the other hand, Kotlin is continuously working to reach the number one spot. It has extended support to Android studio and the fact that Kotlin is inter-operable makes it the ideal choice for Android app development.

IDE

Android Studio and Android Developer Tools are the two options available for Android toolset. Where the former has been backed by Jet Brains Company helps in deploying performance rich valuable apps, the latter extends support to building quality rich apps.

SDK for Android

Installing all version of SDK is important so that the app functions well on all devices without missing any of the embedded features. 

iOS App Technology Stack

Programming Language

For the iOS-based app, Swift and Objective-C are the two languages used popularly. Objective-C is the language used for iOS app development since ages. The fact that it works well with complex and large projects accounts for its current day usage. On the other hand, Swift is a modern language yet being used at a faster pace. Nearly all developers today, prefer Swift over Objective-C. It is light weighted, open source, allow developers to reuse code and further builds high class, cost-effective solutions thereby being the top choice for iOS app development.

Toolset

iOS app development can be done using X-Code and App code. X-Code is the most popularly used toolset for iOS. An excellent development tool, it helps build gaming apps, native iOS apps providing support to tvOS and apple smartwatch. App code, on the contrary, is a third party developer given to x-Code. However, one can build excellent apps with faster performance using app code.

SDK for iOS

iOS SDK acts as an interface between software applications and the OS along with usage of API. It offers a range of libraries and tools to help developers deploy excellent solutions.

Technology Stack For Hybrid Apps

We saw what all tools and languages do you need to build native apps (iOS or Android). Next, to native apps, we have hybrid apps. Hybrid apps are meant to deal with web applications taking help of web technologies and tools such as JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. Hybrid apps are the fusion of a web page and an app screen. So let's see what all technologies aid the development of hybrid apps.

PhoneGap

One of the best frameworks for the development of hybrid apps, PhoneGap is open source and allows the JavaScript-based app to function seamlessly on mobile devices. JavaScript APIs give the sense of native apps whereas the applications based on HTML gives developers the ease to control events that are device specific. It has been an extensive set of the library that extends the development of app using other Angular and jQuery.

Ionic

Another framework used by mobile app developers in London is ionic. It is based on angular and has a wide range of community support to adds to its wide usage.

React Native

The best framework used for the development of cross-platform apps is react native. Based on JavaScript, react native integrates building blocks the same as native UI elements thereby giving the app a sense of native development. Instagram and Skype are the best instances of cross-platform apps built using react native framework.

Xamarin

Another popular framework used for deploying cross-platform apps is Xamarin. The base code is written in C# which is then compiled in native binary of iOS and Android. Also, mobile app developers in London embed device specific APIs to add features from with the C# language. 

Things To Consider When Choosing The Technology Stack

Once you are aware of the types of app development and the technology stack required for each, it's time for you to make a choice. However, you cannot simply choose one based on trial and error basis. You need to be mindful while selecting the best technology stack for app development.

This will narrow down the entire process of app development and further better the app quality and performance. 

The Project Type 

The first thing you need to look after is the project type. Based on your project requirements, you can determine which kind of app you need to build and then select your technology stack. For instance, if you want to deploy an app that is not so complex and should run both on Android and iOS devices, you should go for cross-platform app development. 

Idea Validation 

If you are a newbie and just started your career in the industry of mobile app development, then you need to have huge user traffic and so developing a cross-platform app is the ideal choice. In this case, you can move ahead with react native framework as it is cost effective and caters to the needs of developing performance rich apps. 

App Promotion 

Another aspect of the technology stack is promoting and marketing your app. Your technology stack should be such that it helps scan higher traffic in the least possible time. One that offers seamless integration, faster development, and attractive design should be your choice of the technology stack.

Conclusion

Choosing the right technology stack is more of a necessity. If you aren't sure on which framework to choose, get along with your development team to end up choosing the best. Of course, you would not want to let go off a project only because of a poorly designed app. So be wise and let your app rise.