Mobile app development


Mobile app development is the act or process by which a mobile app is developed for mobile devices, such as personal digital assistants, enterprise digital assistants or mobile phones. These applications can be pre-installed on phones during manufacturing platforms, or delivered as web applications using server-side or client-side processing to provide an "application-like" experience within a Web browser. Application software developers also must consider a long array of screen sizes, hardware specifications, and configurations because of intense competition in mobile software and changes within each of the platforms. Mobile app development has been steadily growing, in revenues and jobs created. A 2013 analyst report estimates there are 529,000 direct app economy jobs within the EU then 28 members, 60 percent of which are mobile app developers.
As part of the development process, mobile user interface design is also essential in the creation of mobile apps. Mobile UI considers constraints, contexts, screen, input, and mobility as outlines for design. The user is often the focus of interaction with their device, and the interface entails components of both hardware and software. User input allows for the users to manipulate a system, and device's output allows the system to indicate the effects of the users' manipulation. Mobile UI design constraints include limited attention and form factors, such as a mobile device's screen size for a user's hand. Mobile UI contexts signal cues from user activity, such as location and scheduling that can be shown from user interactions within a mobile app. Overall, mobile UI design's goal is mainly for an understandable, user-friendly interface. The UI of mobile apps should: consider users' limited attention, minimize keystrokes, and be task-oriented with a minimum set of functions. This functionality is supported by mobile enterprise application platforms or integrated development environments.
Mobile UIs, or front-ends, rely on mobile back-ends to support access to enterprise systems. The mobile back-end facilitates data routing, security, authentication, authorization, working off-line, and service orchestration. This functionality is supported by a mix of middleware components including mobile app server, mobile backend as a service, and service-oriented architecture infrastructure.
Mobile app development is becoming more critical for many businesses with more than 3 billion people worldwide using smartphones, more than 1.5 billion using tablets as of 2019. Users, on average, spend 90 percent of their mobile time in apps and there are more than 700 million apps downloads from various app stores.

Platform

The platform organizations needed to develop, deploy and manage mobile apps are made from many components and tools which allow a developer to write, test and deploy applications into the target platform environment.

Front-end development tools

Front-end development tools are focused on the user interface and user experience and provide the following abilities:
Notable tools are listed below.
PlatformProgramming languageDebuggers availableEmulator availableIntegrated development environment availableCross-platform deploymentInstaller packaging optionsDevelopment tool cost
AcceleratorHTML5, C#Microsoft Visual Studio
All platforms, mobile apps are browser-basedMobile WebCommercial licenses available
MobileTogetherXPath/XQuery, Action Trees visual programming languageProprietary IDEAndroid, iOS, Windows, Windows Phone, browserThe native distribution for each formatFree
AndroidJava but portions of code can be in C, C++,
Kotlin
Debugger integrated in Eclipse, standalone debugging monitor availableEclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, Android Studio, Project Kenai Android plugin for NetBeansAndroid only, because of Dalvik VM, March 2009apkFree, IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition - Free
App Inventor for AndroidVisual blocks-based programming language, with Interface designerLimited debugging tools built into IDEWeb-based interface designer, with connection to Java web-start program for blocks programmingAndroid devicesapkFree
AppceleratorJavaScript, in Titanium Studio.Emulator is available using native emulatorsTitanium Studio based on EclipseAndroid, iPhone; BlackBerry, Tizen, mobile webThe native distribution format of each platformFree, open-sourced Apache 2.0 licensed, commercial and enterprise licenses available
Basic4androidVisual Basic similar syntaxEmulator is available using native emulatorsProprietary IDEAndroidThe native distribution format of each platformCommercial licenses available
BlackBerryJavaDebugger integrated in IDEEclipse, BlackBerry JDEBlackBerry only, because of RIM APIalx, codFree
Codename OneJavaEclipse, NetbeansAndroid, iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, J2METhe native distribution format of each platformOpen Source GPLv2 and subscription-based build server
Corona SDKLuaXcodeAndroid, iOS, Nook ColorNative deployment for each platformFree unlimited trial; commercial licenses available for deployment
DragonRADVisual drag & drop tilesUses third-party emulatorsProprietary IDEAndroid, BlackBerry, Windows MobileOTA deploymentFree & commercial licenses available
GeneXus for Mobile and Smart DevicesKnowledge representation and declarative programming-modeling for easy development, then code is automatically generated for each platformGeneXus utilizes pre-tested code libraries and user debugging of code not necessary after code generation.Publish in the cloud, test native in the device, no emulator neededProprietary IDEAndroid, iOS, BlackBerry OS, and even HTML5 if neededThe native distribution format of each platform and also cloud-browser-basedFree to try, commercial and enterprise licenses available
IBM MobileFirst StudioHTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and native SDK languages w/ Native Worklight API, Mobile Browser Simulator or integration with Native SDK DebuggerEmulator is available using native emulators or Browser Simulator w/ Cordova PluginEclipse plugin, Eclipse-based stand-aloneAndroid, iOS, BlackBerry 6,7, & 10, Windows Phone 7.5 & 8, Windows 8, Adobe AIR, Mobile Web App, desktop browser web pageThe native distribution format of each platformDeveloper edition free via Eclipse Marketplace, commercial license for deployment
Intel XDKHTML5, CSS3, JavaScript and Node-Webkit back-endStand-alone, bundled with IDEAndroid, iOS, Windows 8, Amazon, Facebook, Chrome, Nook, Firefox Marketplace, TizenThe native distribution format of each platformFree
iOS SDKObjective-C, SwiftDebugger integrated in Xcode IDEBundled with iPhone SDK, integrated with Xcode IDEXcode, AppCodeiPhone, iPad, iPod TouchOnly via App Store, needs review and approval by Apple Inc.Apple tools are free for an Intel-based Mac. Simulator testing is free, but installing on a device needs a fee for a developer signing key. AppCode - commercial licenses available.
Since 2015, Apple allows installing the app in your own device without a developer paid membership.
iOS SDKObject PascalDebugger integrated in Xcode IDEIncluded in Delphi XE2 professional or higherEmbarcadero Delphi XE2iPhone, iPad, iPod TouchOnly via App Store, needs review and approval by Apple Inc.Development requires Intel-based Mac besides the IDE on Windows. Design is on Windows, Compiling and deploying must be done on Mac. Simulator testing is free, but installing on a device needs a fee for a developer signing key
Java MEJavaFree emulator, Sun Java Wireless Toolkit, mpowerplayerEclipse, LMA NetBeans Mobility Pack although many VM implementations have device specific bugs necessitating separate buildsJad/Jar packaging; PRC files under Palm OSFree
LazarusObject Pascal, can debug in IDE via ActiveSync for Windows CEUses the emulators of the platformsLazarus IDE, including integrated GUI designer and debuggerCompiled language available for Windows CE, Linux-based devices, Symbian port in developmentThe native distribution format of each platformFree
LambdaNativeScheme but can build and test on the localhostEclipse All native binaries: Android, iOS, BlackBerry 10, Windows, OS X, Linux, OpenBSD, OpenWrtThe native distribution format of each platformFree
LiveCodeLiveCode iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, server, HTML5. Installer packagingThe native distribution format of each platformfree open-source edition, commercial and enterprise editions available
Macromedia Flash LiteActionScriptBundled with IDEMacromedia Flash MX2004/8, EclipseSIS-CAB deployment or OTA-IR-Bluetooth SWF filesVaries, free but limited with MTASC
MarmaladeC, C++Visual Studio, XcodeAll native: Android, BlackBerry, BREW, iOS, Maemo, Palm-webOS, Samsung bada, Symbian, Windows Mobile 6.x and desktop, OS XThe native distribution format of each platformCommercial licenses available
Meme IDEMemeScriptValidation is provided in the problems view, Android emulator can be integratedEclipse RCPAndroid, Windows MobileThe native distribution format of each platformFree for development
MendixHTML5, Java, the Mendix app platformAll platforms, mobile apps are browser-basedNot applicable, Mendix is a platform as a serviceCommercial licenses available
MonacaHTML5, CSS, JavaScriptPreview is available on cloud IDE and local toolCloud-based IDE, Visual Studio, third-party IDE/editorsAndroid, iOS, windows8.1, 10The native distribution format of each platformFree, up to 3 projects. Commercial and enterprise license available
Mono for AndroidC#Visual Studio 2005 and MonoDevelopAndroidThe native distribution format of the platform
MonoTouchC#Visual Studio 2005 and MonoDevelopiOSThe native distribution format of the platform
MoSyncC, C++, Lua, HTML5, CSS, JavaScriptEclipse, Visual Studio 2005 and later, MoBuild w/ text editorsAndroid, iOS, Java ME, Moblin, Smartphone 2003, Symbian, Windows Mobile, Blackberry SIS, CAB, JAD, JAR, APK, OTA deploymentFree, GPL 2.0, Free Indie Subscription; commercial subscription available
NetBeansC++, JavaJava development toolsAndroid, Nokia, etc...Free
ProtogridNo coding needed. JavaScript can be used for Business Logic. using browser debug tooling browser-based, iOS simulatorProprietary IDEWeb, iOS, Mobile WebThe native distribution format of each platform, OTA deploymentTrial and commercial licenses available
OpenPlugActionScript, XMLOpenPlug ELIPS plugin for Adobe Flash BuilderAndroid, iOS, Symbian, Windows MobileThe native distribution format of each platformFree & commercial licenses available
OutSystemsOutSystems, CSS, JavaScriptTest directly in browserOutSystems Service StudioAndoid, iOS, Windows Phone 7NAFree community edition for personal use, or subscription licensing for commercial use
PhoneGap and Apache CordovaHTML, CSS, JavaScript A lot of functionality can be tested directly in browser. Running native emulators on iOS and Android is also possible. Many IDEs exist for Cordova-based tools like Ionic Studio or Appery.ioiPhone, Android, Tizen, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, Symbian, Palm, BadaThe native distribution format of each platformApache 2
Qt SDKC++, QMLQt CreatorAndroid, iOS, Symbian, Maemo, MeeGo, Linux, Windows, OS XThe native distribution format of each platformFree and commercial licenses available
RhomobileRuby with HTML interface features compiled through an interpreter into native applicationsN/A, applications can run in Win32 runner, or in device emulators for supported platforms.Xcode or Eclipse, on-demand RhoHub version includes full IDE, supports Android 1.6+, iOS 3.0+, Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard, BlackBerry 4.6, 4.7, 5.0, 6.0, SymbianOTA deployment, iOS through App store,.SIS,.CAB,.APK,.CODRhodes is free and open source under the MIT License, RhoSync is under GPL or commercial, Commercial support available. Subscription for RhoHub
RubyMotionRubyAny text editor. As an IDE, RubyMine.Android, iOSThe native distribution format of the platformRubyMotion is a commercial product.
Sencha TouchHTML, CSS, JavaScriptSencha Architect 2Android, iOS, Kindle, BlackBerry, BadaWeb delivered, or hybrid via native shells for each platformGPLv3, free for commercial, paid for OEM and embedded systems
SmartfaceWYSIWYG design editor with JavaScript code editorSmartface IDE and SDK Android, iOS, Kindle, Gear, Google GlassThe native distribution format of each platformCommunity license and commercial licenses available
StencylDrag-and-drop editor based on Scratch, Objective-CXcodeiOS The native distribution format of each platformFree and commercial development licenses
Telerik Platform, and AppBuilderHTML5, CSS and JavascriptTest right in browser or deviceIn-browser client, desktop client, Visual Studio, Sublime Text or command-line interface Android, iOS, Windows phoneThe native distribution format of each platformFree to try, commercial and enterprise licenses available
UnityC#, JavaScript, Boo, other.NET-based languagesRemote used to simulate device interaction before app is uploaded to the device.Unity Editor, also works with Visual Studios and MonoDevelop.Android, iOS, PC, Mac, desktop browser, Xbox 360, PS3, Wii. BlackBerry Playbook, Nokia Symbian, Roku 2 and others available through company's Union program.Native distribution format of each platformFree and commercial development licenses.
Verivo AppStudioWYSIWYG, graphical drag and drop, JavaScript,.NET-based languages. Replaced by Appery.ioTest right in browser or deviceProprietary design studioAndroid, iOS, BlackberryNative distribution format of each platformFree development licenses; per-CPU deployment licenses
ViziAppsWYSIWYG, graphical drag and dropTest right in browser or deviceOnline design studioAndroid, iOS, Windows Phone plannedThe native distribution format of each platformFree to design, test, demo, update, app; fee to publish
V-Play EngineObjective C, C++, JavaScript, QML, JavaQt CreatorAll PlatformsThe native distribution format of each platformFree, Indie and Enterprise licenses are available
WakandaHTML5, JavaScript Wakanda StudioAndroid, iOS, Windows 10 and browser-based appsapkOpen Source and Commercial licenses available
XamarinC#Xamarin Studio, Visual Studio Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Windows Store appsThe native distribution of each platformFree community edition, pro edition included in Microsoft MSDN licensing
XojoXojo Xojo IDEiOS, mobile web appsiOS apps are native iPadFree trial with no time limit; commercial licenses available

Back-end servers

Back-end tools pick up where the front-end tools leave off, and provide a set of reusable services that are centrally managed and controlled and provide the following abilities:
Available tools are listed below.
PlatformProgramming languageIntegrated development environment availableCross-platform deploymentDeployment optionsDevelopment tool cost
Altova MobileTogether ServerBrowser-based interfaceProprietary IDEServer available for Windows, Linux, macOS. Supports mobile devices running Android, iOS, Windows 8, Windows 10 Windows Phone, HTML5 browser-based clientOn-prem, cloud, or hybridDevelopment tools are free, commercial license needed for deployment
GO!AppZone by Globo plcJavaScript. Custom integrations connectors/server-side logic: C#, VB.NETYes, GO!AppZone StudioAndroid, BlackBerry, iOS, Windows Phone, 8.x, RTOn-prem, cloud or hybridDevelopment tools are free, commercial license or subscription needed for deployment
IBM MobileFirst ServerHTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and native SDK languages w/ Native Worklight APIEclipse plugin, Eclipse-based stand-aloneAndroid, iOS, BlackBerry 6,7, & 10, Windows Phone 7.5 & 8, Windows 8, Adobe AIR, Mobile Web App, desktop browser web pageOn-premDeveloper edition free via Eclipse Marketplace, commercial license for deployment
MetismoJavaEclipseAndroid, iOS, Java ME, BREW, BlackBerry, Nintendo DS, Palm/webOS, Sony PSP, Samsung bada, Symbian, Windows Mobile, Windows Phone 7, Windows Desktop, OS XOn-premCommercial licenses available
WakandaJavaScriptUse Wakanda StudioAndroid, iOS, Windows Phone 10, HTML5 appOn-prem or cloudCommunity and commercial editions
Verivo AkulaJavaUse any front-end IDEAndroid, iOS, Windows Phone7On-prem, cloud, or hybridFree development licenses; per-CPU deployment licenses. Replaced by Appery.io
WebORB Integration ServerC#, VB.NET, Java, PHP, ActionScript, JavaScript, Objective-C,
XML
Works with Eclipse, Visual Studio, intelliJ IDEA and Amethyst IDEAndroid, iOS, BlackBerry Playbook, Windows Phone 7On-premFree development licenses; free and commercial deployment licenses

Security add-on layers

With bring your own device becoming the norm within more enterprises, IT departments often need stop-gap, tactical solutions that layer atop existing apps, phones, and platform component. Features include
Many system-level components are needed to have a functioning platform for developing mobile apps.
PlatformProgramming languageDebuggers availableEmulator availableIntegrated development environment availableCross-platform deploymentInstaller packaging optionsDevelopment tool cost
Adobe AIRActionScript, HTML, CSS, JavaScriptFlash Builder, Flash Professional, IntelliJ IDEAAndroid, iOS, BlackBerryThe native distribution format of each platformFlash Builder, Flash Professional, IntelliJ IDEA - commercial licenses available - Free
BREWC; the APIs are provided in C with a C++ style interfaceDebugger support for the native ARM target code. Can use Visual Studio to debug the x86 testing codeNo Emulator for the target ARM code, has a simulator for the x86 testing codeVisual Studio 6.0, Visual Studio 2003.NET, Visual Studio 2005Compile for the specific BREW version available on the handsetOTARelated dev fees typically needed for Brew App Certification - VeriSign annual fee for becoming a certified developer. Realview ARM compiler for BREW. TRUE BREW testing fee for distributing the application.
Firefox OSHTML5, CSS, JavaScriptNo, but simulator available.Firefox browser, FirebugWeb browser on other platformFirefox Marketplace, Web URLDevelopment requires Mozilla Firefox and the simulator add-on
.NET Compact FrameworkC#, VB.NET, Basic4ppcFree emulator, source code available, also bundled with IDEVisual Studio 2008, 2005, 2003, Basic4ppc IDEWindows Mobile, Windows CE, Symbian-based devices via third party toolsOTA deployment, CAB files, ActiveSyncMost tools free, but commercial editions of Visual Studio needed for visual designers
OpenFLHaxe IntelliJ IDEA, FlashDevelopAndroid, iOS, BlackBerry Playbook, WebOS, HTML5, Flash, Windows, LinuxThe native distribution format of each platformFree
Palm OSC, C++, PascalOS 1.0 - 4.1: free emulator provided by PalmSource ; OS 5.0: - 5.4 device-specific simulators provided by Palm Palm OS Development System, CodeWarrior, PocketStudio, HB++, Satellite FormsPalm OS handhelds, or Windows Mobile with StyleTap emulatorPRC files, PalmSource Installer Free, or commercial, or various commercial rapid-development frameworks
PythonPythonAdd-on to Nokia EmulatorSeveral, including plugins for EclipseInterpreted language available natively only on Nokia Series60 though ports exist to other mobile platforms, including Palm OSSis deployment with py2sis or can use Python RuntimeFree
SymbianC++Free emulatorMany choicesCompile per targetSIS deploymentCommercial and free tools available
TizenWeb-based: HTML5, CSS, JavaScript Native: C, C++Free emulatorTizen SDKWeb-based app to be available on web browserTizen through App store, Web URLDevelopment needs Windows, OS X, or Ubuntu Desktop
Ubuntu TouchWeb-based: HTML5, CSS, JavaScript Native: QML, C, C++Ubuntu SDKHTML5 app to be available web browser.Ubuntu Touch through App store, Web URLDevelopment requires Ubuntu Desktop 12.04 or higher, Free
webOSJavaScript, CSS, HTML, C and C++ through the PDKFree emulatorEclipsewebOS, Palm onlyOTA deployment, webOS through App store, Web URL, Precentral,.ipkFree
Windows MobileC, C++Free emulator, also bundled with IDEVisual Studio 2010, 2008, 2005, eMbedded VC++, Satellite FormsWindows Mobile, Windows CEOTA deployment, CAB files, ActiveSyncFree command-line tools or eMbedded VC++, or Visual Studio
Windows PhoneC#, Visual Basic, C, C++Free emulator, also bundled with IDEVisual Studio 2012, Visual Studio 2010Windows PhoneOTA deployment, XAP files

Criteria for selecting a development platform usually contains the target mobile platforms, existing infrastructure and development skills. When targeting more than one platform with cross-platform development it is also important to consider the impact of the tool on the user experience. Performance is another important criteria, as research on mobile apps indicates a strong correlation between application performance and user satisfaction. Along with performance and other criteria, the availability of the technology and the project's requirement may drive the development between native and cross-platform environments. To aid the choice between native and cross-platform environments, some guidelines and benchmarks have been published. Typically, cross-platform environments are reusable across multiple platforms, leveraging a native container while using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for the user interface. In contrast, native environments are targeted at one platform for each of those environments. For example, Android development occurs in the Eclipse IDE using Android Developer Tools plugins, Apple iOS development occurs using Xcode IDE with Objective-C and/or Swift, Windows and BlackBerry each have their own development environments.

Mobile app testing

Mobile applications are first tested within the development environment using emulators and later subjected to field testing. Emulators provide an inexpensive way to test applications on mobile phones to which developers may not have physical access. The following are examples of tools used for testing application across the most popular mobile operating systems.
Tools include
Many patent applications are pending for new mobile phone apps. Most of these are in the technological fields of business methods, database management, data transfer, and operator interface.
On May 31, 2011, Lodsys asserted two of its four patents: U.S. Patent No. 7,620,565 on a "customer-based design module" and U.S. Patent No. 7,222,078 on "Methods and Systems for Gathering Information from Units of a Commodity Across a Network." against the following application developers: