Mobile app development has become a hot topic in software development, and as a web developer, you may have noticed the emphasis on building native mobile applications. However, it's essential to recognize that browser technology has improved significantly, making it possible to build rich mobile web applications easily. Still, users tend to look for apps first, expecting applications to come from an app store.
The Challenge of Swift App Development
Building native mobile applications can be a daunting task, especially when you need to support multiple platforms. You have to develop separate applications for iOS and Android, which means learning new programming languages and SDKs for each platform. This can lead to confusion and complexity, making it difficult to maintain and update your apps.
Meet Apache Cordova
Apache Cordova offers a cross-platform solution that lets you use standard web technologies like HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript to build mobile apps. By leveraging this technology, you can target all device platforms simultaneously and deploy your app in the store. Microsoft has recently released a preview of Visual Studio Tools for Apache Cordova, providing excellent integration for building Cordova applications.
How Cordova Works
Cordova works by hosting a full-screen web browser control that runs your web application. You implement your web interface using standard web technologies, and Cordova takes care of the native device integration. The Cordova host container provides resources required for the host OS to load and bring up the app on the device. This includes settings like app name, operating modes, splash screen, and home screen icons.
Cordova Plug-ins
One of the significant advantages of Cordova is its plug-in architecture. Plug-ins let you extend your Cordova apps beyond the limited HTML5 mobile features, providing access to native APIs and software features. There are hundreds of plug-ins available, covering various device-specific features like camera, microphone, accelerometer, and more. These plug-ins provide a single API that works across all platforms, making it easy to integrate with native device features.
Visual Studio and Cordova
Microsoft's Visual Studio Tools for Apache Cordova provides an excellent development experience for building Cordova applications. This add-in package allows you to build Cordova applications directly within the familiar Visual Studio environment. The toolset includes a single point installer that installs all required platform SDKs, making it easy to get started.
Conclusion
Cordova offers a unique approach to swift app development by allowing you to use standard web technologies to build mobile apps. With its plug-in architecture and Visual Studio integration, Cordova provides an excellent solution for building cross-platform mobile applications. By leveraging this technology, you can focus on building great apps without worrying about the complexities of native development.