For web developers looking to venture into swift app development, Cordova offers a rapid path to creating mobile apps. With its ability to build applications for various platforms using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, you won't need to learn new programming languages. This means you can leverage your existing skills to create engaging mobile experiences.

Getting Started with Swift App Development

To begin, you'll need to install the Cordova Command-line Interface (CLI). This is a simplified tool that simplifies project creation, emulation, and app building. To get started, ensure you have Node.js installed on your computer. Then, open your Terminal or Command Prompt and enter the following command:

`

npm install -g cordova

`

This installs the Cordova CLI globally, allowing you to access it from any directory on your computer. To check the version of Cordova installed, type cordova -v.

Launching Your Swift App Development Project

Once the Cordova CLI is installed, creating a new project is straightforward. Even if you're not familiar with command-line operations, the process is designed to be user-friendly. To create a new project, use the create command along with your desired project folder name:

`

cordova create hongkiatcom

`

This step gathers all necessary files and some example files to kick-start your development journey.

Navigating Your Swift App Development Project

After creating your project, navigate into the project directory using the following command:

`

cd

`

Inside, you'll find several essential folders for your project:

  • The hooks folder, where scripts can be added to customize Cordova's native commands.
  • The merges folder, housing platform-specific HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files that will replace those in the www folder upon deployment.
  • The platforms folder, containing native app files for each target platform.
  • The plugins folder, for Cordova plugins that enhance your app.
  • The www folder, with general web files used across all platforms.

Selecting an IDE for Swift App Development

Before moving forward, you'll need to choose an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) compatible with your target platform – Xcode for iOS apps, Android Studio for Android, or Visual Studio for Windows Phone. In this example, we'll demonstrate adding the iOS platform to our project.

To include the iOS platform in your project, execute the following command:

`

cordova platform add ios

`

This command adds the necessary native files for the specified platform. For iOS, you'll find an ios folder filled with .xcodeproj files and various others as shown below.

Integrating Your Swift App Development Project into IDE (Xcode)

Next, we'll integrate our project directory with Xcode. Start by launching Xcode, then navigate through File > Open, and proceed to the platforms folder – for instance, /platforms/ios. Click Open to load the folder in Xcode.

Within the www folder, you're free to adjust HTML, CSS, images, and JavaScript files as needed. After making your modifications, hit the play button at the top left corner of Xcode to compile the app and launch it in the iPhone Simulator.

Wrapping Up Swift App Development

Cordova simplifies the mobile app development process, making it as straightforward as website creation. This guide has walked you through starting a Cordova project and previewing your app in the iOS simulator, but there's much more to discover within Cordova. It's our hope that this introduction will pave the way for your journey into swift app development with Phonegap.