Introduction
Cross-platform application development is deemed as one of the most popular trends in app development today. Around one-third of developers, based on a survey, use cross-platform technologies or frameworks. Cross-platform app development is all about creating one app that could run on different operating systems, rather than developing different versions for every platform.
Cross-Platform App Development—What is It?
In mobile app development, cross-platform apps are very popular. The ability to run on numerous mobile platforms enables startups to save on costs and lessen the development time. Cross-platform apps are meant to serve different mobile platforms and operating systems. There are many tools available for cross platform app development.
Cross-platform app development could reach a wider audience due to its compatibility with different mobile operating systems. It is the most suitable solution for businesses, enabling them to create reliable apps efficiently, which are compatible with all customer devices. Unlike native app development, cross-platform solutions allow having one code base written in a single programming language, which then is compiled for various platforms without making changes to the code.
The Advantages of Cross-platform Application Development
Cross-platform app development is extremely beneficial to businesses of all shapes and sizes. Let’s find out.
1. Faster time of development
For every platform, it requires deploying one script rather than writing different scripts. This speeds up development time considerably and therefore, cuts the time to market, which is beneficial to all.
2. Wider Audience Reach
Cross-platform app development provides an opportunity to reach a bigger audience. A bigger number of users could use an app that’s compatible with different platforms and operating systems. This is great for maximising exposure to users in less time and effort.
3. Easier and Faster Updates
Cross-platform apps are internet-based; thus, updates are easy and nice. Users need not download different updates, which would need support and maintenance of multiple versions. The app is automatically updated for all customers to make sure that they have the most current app version all the time, which impacts performance in a positive manner.
4. Simultaneous Launching of Software on Different Platforms
In cross-platform app development, software could be launched fast on different platforms. For all platforms, the source code is written just once. This means that there’s no need to hire another software development team for every platform because it’s possible to launch and update software with the different cross-platform development tools.
5. Lesser Potential Bugs
In a cross-platform development, one team writes a single code, which takes over all platforms. Such code potentially contains lesser errors.
6. Optimum Exposure
Since cross-platform applications benefit both iOS and Android platforms, you get maximum audience exposure. Moreover, since you can target different operating system markets, there is a great chance of attracting a bigger global audience.
7. Boosts Flexibility
Cross-platform tools and frameworks enable making changes to a single code base fast and deploying the app quickly to Android and iOS. Minus the tools, it would take a couple of times longer. Any organization could surely benefit from cross-platform applications through the immense flexibility that they offer.
Conclusion
These days, cross-platform applications are a boon, particularly to SMEs and startups because of the lesser development cost. Moreover, cross-platform app development has given a boost to mobile app developers. Developers who are deft in cross-platform technologies are preferred by organizations.