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 software applications are designed to run on mobile devices, such as a smartphone or tablet computer. These applications can be pre-installed on phones during manufacturing platforms, or delivered as web applications using server-side or client-side processing (e.g., JavaScript) 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 (including the UK), 60 percent of which are mobile app developers.[1]

As part of the development process, mobile user interface (UI) 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(s). 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. Functionality is supported by mobile enterprise application platforms or integrated development environments (IDEs).

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 (MBaaS), and service-oriented architecture (SOA) infrastructure.

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 (UI-UX) and provide the following abilities:

UI design tools
SDKs to access device features
Cross-platform accommodations/support

Notable tools are listed below.

Platform	Programming language	Debuggers available	Emulator available	Integrated development environment available	Cross-platform deployment	Installer packaging options	Development tool cost
Accelerator	HTML5, C#	Yes	Yes	Microsoft Visual Studio (no lock-in)	All platforms, mobile apps are browser-based	Mobile Web	Commercial licenses available
MobileTogether	XPath/XQuery, Action Trees visual programming language	Yes	Yes	Proprietary IDE	Android, iOS, Windows, browser	The native distribution for each format	Free
Android	Java but portions of code can be in C, C++, Kotlin	Debugger integrated in Eclipse, standalone debugging monitor available	Yes	Eclipse, IntelliJ IDEA, Android Studio, Project Kenai Android plugin for NetBeans	Android only, because of Dalvik VM, March 2009	apk	Free, IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition - Free
App Inventor for Android	Visual blocks-based programming language, with Interface designer	Limited debugging tools built into IDE	Yes	Web-based interface designer, with connection to Java web-start program for blocks programming	Android devices	apk	Free
Appcelerator	JavaScript	Yes, in Titanium Studio.	Emulator is available using native emulators	Titanium Studio based on Eclipse	Android, iPhone; BlackBerry, Tizen, mobile web	The native distribution format of each platform	Free, open-sourced Apache 2.0 licensed, commercial and enterprise licenses available
Basic4android	Visual Basic similar syntax	Yes	Emulator is available using native emulators	Proprietary IDE	Android	The native distribution format of each platform	Commercial licenses available
BlackBerry	Java	Debugger integrated in IDE	Yes	Eclipse, BlackBerry JDE	BlackBerry only, because of RIM API	alx, cod	Free
Codename One	Java	Yes	Yes	Eclipse, Netbeans	Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, J2ME	The native distribution format of each platform	Open Source GPLv2 and subscription-based build server
Corona SDK	Lua	Yes	Yes	Xcode	Android, iOS, Nook Color	Native deployment for each platform	Free unlimited trial; commercial licenses available for deployment
DragonRAD	Visual drag & drop tiles	Yes	Uses third-party emulators	Proprietary IDE	Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile	OTA deployment	Free & commercial licenses available
GeneXus for Mobile and Smart Devices	Knowledge representation and declarative programming-modeling for easy development, then code is automatically generated for each platform	GeneXus 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 needed	Proprietary IDE	Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad), BlackBerry OS, and even HTML5 if needed	The native distribution format of each platform and also cloud-browser-based	Free to try, commercial and enterprise licenses available
IBM MobileFirst Studio	HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and native SDK languages w/ Native Worklight API	Yes, Mobile Browser Simulator or integration with Native SDK Debugger	Emulator is available using native emulators or Browser Simulator w/ Cordova Plugin	Eclipse plugin, Eclipse-based stand-alone	Android, iOS, BlackBerry 6,7, & 10, Windows Phone 7.5 & 8, Windows 8 (desktop, tablets), Adobe AIR, Mobile Web App, desktop browser web page	The native distribution format of each platform	Developer edition free via Eclipse Marketplace, commercial license for deployment
iOS SDK	Objective-C, Swift	Debugger integrated in Xcode IDE	Bundled with iPhone SDK, integrated with Xcode IDE	Xcode, AppCode	iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch	Only 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.[2]
iOS SDK	Object Pascal	Debugger integrated in Xcode IDE	Included in Delphi XE2 professional or higher	Embarcadero Delphi XE2	iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch	Only 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 ME	Java	Yes	Free emulator, Sun Java Wireless Toolkit, mpowerplayer	Eclipse, LMA NetBeans Mobility Pack	Yes although many VM implementations have device specific bugs necessitating separate builds	Jad/Jar packaging; PRC files under Palm OS	Free
Lazarus	Object Pascal	Yes, can debug in IDE via ActiveSync for Windows CE	Uses the emulators of the platforms	Lazarus IDE, including integrated GUI designer and debugger	Compiled language available for Windows CE, Linux-based devices, Symbian port in development	The native distribution format of each platform	Free
LambdaNative	Scheme	No	No but can build and test on the localhost	Eclipse (software) (optional)	All native binaries: Android, iOS, BlackBerry 10, Windows, OS X, Linux, OpenBSD, OpenWrt	The native distribution format of each platform	Free (BSD license)
LiveCode	LiveCode	Yes (integrated into IDE)	Yes (iOS and Android emulators may be used)	Yes	iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, server, HTML5. Installer packaging	The native distribution format of each platform	free open-source edition, commercial and enterprise editions available
Macromedia Flash Lite	ActionScript	Yes	Bundled with IDE	Macromedia Flash MX2004/8, Eclipse	Yes	SIS-CAB deployment or OTA-IR-Bluetooth SWF files	Varies, free but limited with MTASC
Marmalade	C, C++	Yes	Yes	Visual Studio, Xcode	All native: Android, BlackBerry, BREW, iOS (iPhone), Maemo, Palm-webOS, Samsung bada, Symbian, Windows Mobile 6.x and desktop, OS X	The native distribution format of each platform	Commercial licenses available
Meme IDE	MemeScript	Validation is provided in the problems view	Yes, Android emulator can be integrated	Eclipse RCP	Android, Windows Mobile	The native distribution format of each platform	Free for development
Monaca	HTML5, CSS, JavaScript	Yes	Preview is available on cloud IDE and local tool	Cloud-based IDE, Visual Studio, third-party IDE/editors	Android, iOS, windows8.1, 10	The native distribution format of each platform	Free, up to 3 projects. Commercial and enterprise license available
Mono for Android	C#	Yes	Yes	Visual Studio 2005 and MonoDevelop	Android	The native distribution format of the platform
MonoTouch	C#	Yes	Yes	Visual Studio 2005 and MonoDevelop	iOS	The native distribution format of the platform
MoSync	C, C++, Lua, HTML5, CSS, JavaScript	Yes	Yes	Eclipse, Visual Studio 2005 and later, MoBuild w/ text editors	Android, iOS (iPhone), Java ME, Moblin, Smartphone 2003, Symbian, Windows Mobile (Pocket PC), Blackberry (experimental)	SIS, CAB, JAD, JAR, APK, OTA deployment	Free, GPL 2.0, Free Indie Subscription; commercial subscription available
NetBeans	C++, Java	Yes	Yes	Java development tools	Android (Mobile and Tablet), Nokia (Symbian, Seria 60 – 40 – 80), etc...		Free
OpenPlug	ActionScript, XML	Yes	Yes	OpenPlug ELIPS plugin for Adobe Flash Builder	Android, iOS (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch), Symbian, Windows Mobile	The native distribution format of each platform	Free & commercial licenses available
OutSystems	OutSystems, CSS, JavaScript	Yes	Test directly in browser	OutSystems Service Studio	Android, iOS, Windows Phone 7	NA	Free community edition for personal use, or subscription licensing for commercial use
PhoneGap and Apache Cordova	HTML, CSS, JavaScript	Yes	Yes A lot of functionality can be tested directly in browser. Running native emulators on iOS and Android is also possible.	Yes Many IDEs exist for Cordova-based tools like Ionic Studio or Appery.io	iPhone, Android, Tizen, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, Symbian, Palm, Bada	The native distribution format of each platform	Apache 2
Qt SDK	C++, QML	Yes	Yes	Qt Creator	Android (technology preview), iOS (technology preview), Symbian, Maemo, MeeGo, Linux, Windows, OS X	The native distribution format of each platform	Free and commercial licenses available
Rhomobile	Ruby with HTML interface features compiled through an interpreter into native applications	Yes	N/A, applications can run in Win32 runner, or in device emulators for supported platforms.	Xcode or Eclipse, on-demand RhoHub version includes full IDE	Yes, supports Android 1.6+, iOS 3.0+ (iPhone, iPad), Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard, BlackBerry 4.6, 4.7, 5.0, 6.0 (4.2 and 4.5 supported but database access is very slow on these devices), Symbian	OTA deployment, iOS through App store, .SIS, .CAB, .APK, .COD	Rhodes is free and open source under the MIT License, RhoSync is under GPL or commercial, Commercial support available. Subscription for RhoHub
RubyMotion	Ruby	Yes	Yes	Any text editor. As an IDE, RubyMine.	Android, iOS	The native distribution format of the platform	RubyMotion is a commercial product.
Sencha Touch	HTML, CSS, JavaScript	Yes	Yes	Sencha Architect 2	Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch), Kindle, BlackBerry, Bada	Web delivered, or hybrid via native shells for each platform	GPLv3, free for commercial, paid for OEM and embedded systems
Smartface	WYSIWYG design editor with JavaScript code editor	Yes	Yes	Smartface IDE and SDK	Yes Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch), Kindle, Gear, Google Glass	The native distribution format of each platform	Community license and commercial licenses available
Stencyl	Drag-and-drop editor based on Scratch, Objective-C	Yes	Yes	Xcode	iOS (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch)	The native distribution format of each platform	Free and commercial development licenses
Telerik Platform, and AppBuilder	HTML5, CSS and Javascript	Yes	Test right in browser or device	In-browser client, desktop client, Visual Studio, Sublime Text or command-line interface (CLI)	Android, iOS, Windows phone	The native distribution format of each platform	Free to try, commercial and enterprise licenses available
Unity	C#, JavaScript, Boo, other .NET-based languages	Yes	Remote used to simulate device interaction before app is uploaded to the device.	Unity Editor, also works with Visual Studios and MonoDevelop.	Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad), 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 platform	Free and commercial development licenses.
Verivo AppStudio	WYSIWYG, graphical drag and drop, JavaScript, .NET-based languages. Replaced by Appery.io	Yes	Test right in browser or device	Proprietary design studio	Android, iOS, Blackberry	Native distribution format of each platform	Free development licenses; per-CPU deployment licenses
ViziApps	WYSIWYG, graphical drag and drop	Yes	Test right in browser or device	Online design studio	Android, iOS, Windows Phone planned	The native distribution format of each platform	Free to design, test, demo, update, app; fee to publish
V-Play Engine	Objective C, C++, JavaScript, QML, Java	Yes	Yes	Qt Creator	All Platforms	The native distribution format of each platform	Free, Indie and Enterprise licenses are available
Wakanda	HTML5, JavaScript	Yes	Yes	Yes Wakanda Studio	Android, iOS, Windows 10 (soon) and browser-based apps	apk	Open Source and Commercial licenses available
Xamarin	C#	Yes	Yes	Xamarin Studio (Mac only), Visual Studio (Windows only)	Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Windows Store apps	The native distribution of each platform	Free community edition, pro edition included in Microsoft MSDN licensing
Xojo	Xojo (similar to VB)	Yes	Yes	Xojo IDE	iOS, mobile web apps	iOS apps are native iPad	Free 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:

Integration with back-end systems
User authentication-authorization
Data services
Reusable business logic

Available tools are listed below.

Platform	Programming language	Integrated development environment available	Cross-platform deployment	Deployment options	Development tool cost
Altova MobileTogether Server	Browser-based interface	Proprietary IDE	Server available for Windows, Linux, macOS. Supports mobile devices running Android, iOS, Windows 8, Windows 10 Windows Phone, HTML5 browser-based client	On-prem, cloud, or hybrid	Development tools are free, commercial license needed for deployment
GO!AppZone by Globo plc	JavaScript. Custom integrations connectors/server-side logic: C#, VB.NET	Yes, GO!AppZone Studio	Android, BlackBerry, iOS, Windows Phone, 8.x, RT	On-prem, cloud or hybrid	Development tools are free, commercial license or subscription needed for deployment
IBM MobileFirst Server	HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and native SDK languages w/ Native Worklight API	Eclipse plugin, Eclipse-based stand-alone	Android, iOS, BlackBerry 6,7, & 10, Windows Phone 7.5 & 8, Windows 8 (desktop, tablets), Adobe AIR, Mobile Web App, desktop browser web page	On-prem	Developer edition free via Eclipse Marketplace, commercial license for deployment
Metismo	Java	Eclipse	Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad), Java ME, BREW, BlackBerry, Nintendo DS, Palm/webOS, Sony PSP, Samsung bada, Symbian, Windows Mobile, Windows Phone 7, Windows Desktop, OS X	On-prem	Commercial licenses available
Wakanda	JavaScript	Use Wakanda Studio	Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad), Windows Phone 10 (soon), HTML5 app	On-prem or cloud	Community and commercial editions
Verivo Akula	Java	Use any front-end IDE	Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad), Windows Phone7	On-prem, cloud, or hybrid	Free development licenses; per-CPU deployment licenses. Replaced by Appery.io
WebORB Integration Server	C#, VB.NET, Java, PHP, ActionScript, JavaScript, Objective-C, XML	Works with Eclipse, Visual Studio, intelliJ IDEA and Amethyst IDE	Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad), BlackBerry Playbook, Windows Phone 7	On-prem	Free development licenses; free and commercial deployment licenses

Security add-on layers

With bring your own device (BYOD) 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

App wrapping for security
Data encryption
Client actions
Reporting and statistics

System software

Many system-level components are needed to have a functioning platform for developing mobile apps.

Platform	Programming language	Debuggers available	Emulator available	Integrated development environment available	Cross-platform deployment	Installer packaging options	Development tool cost
Adobe AIR	ActionScript, HTML, CSS, JavaScript	Yes	Yes	Flash Builder, Flash Professional, IntelliJ IDEA	Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch), BlackBerry	The native distribution format of each platform	Flash Builder, Flash Professional, IntelliJ IDEA - commercial licenses available Adobe AIR SDK (command line tool) - Free
BREW	C; the APIs are provided in C with a C++ style interface	Debugger support for the native ARM target code. Can use Visual Studio to debug the x86 testing code	No Emulator for the target ARM code, has a simulator for the x86 testing code	Visual Studio 6.0, Visual Studio 2003 .NET, Visual Studio 2005	Compile for the specific BREW version available on the handset	OTA	Related dev fees typically needed for Brew App Certification - VeriSign annual fee for becoming a certified developer. Realview ARM compiler for BREW (the free GNU C/C++ is available, but with limited function and support). TRUE BREW testing fee for distributing the application.
Firefox OS	HTML5, CSS, JavaScript	Yes	No, but simulator available.	Firefox browser, Firebug	Web browser on other platform	Firefox Marketplace, Web URL	Development requires Mozilla Firefox and the simulator add-on
.NET Compact Framework	C#, VB.NET, Basic4ppc	Yes	Free emulator, source code available, also bundled with IDE	Visual Studio 2008, 2005, 2003, Basic4ppc IDE	Windows Mobile, Windows CE, Symbian-based devices via third party tools	OTA deployment, CAB files, ActiveSync	Most tools free, but commercial editions of Visual Studio needed for visual designers
OpenFL	Haxe (similar to Actionscript and Java)	Yes	Yes	IntelliJ IDEA, FlashDevelop	Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch), BlackBerry Playbook, WebOS, HTML5, Flash, Windows (exe), Linux	The native distribution format of each platform	Free
Palm OS	C, C++, Pascal	Yes	OS 1.0–4.1: free emulator provided by PalmSource (Access); OS 5.0: - 5.4 device-specific simulators provided by Palm (palmOne)	Palm OS Development System (Eclipse), CodeWarrior, PocketStudio, HB++, Satellite Forms	Palm OS handhelds, or Windows Mobile with StyleTap emulator	PRC files, PalmSource Installer (.psi)	Free (POSE or GCC for Palm OS), or commercial (CodeWarrior), or various commercial rapid-development frameworks
Python	Python	Yes	Add-on to Nokia Emulator	Several, including plugins for Eclipse	Interpreted language available natively only on Nokia Series60 (and desktops) though ports exist to other mobile platforms, including Palm OS	Sis deployment with py2sis or can use Python Runtime	Free
Symbian	C++	Yes	Free emulator	Many choices	Compile per target	SIS deployment	Commercial and free tools available
Tizen	Web-based: HTML5, CSS, JavaScript Native: C, C++	Yes	Free emulator	Tizen SDK	Web-based app to be available on web browser	Tizen through App store, Web URL	Development needs Windows, OS X, or Ubuntu Desktop
Ubuntu Touch	Web-based: HTML5, CSS, JavaScript Native: QML, C, C++	Yes	Yes	Ubuntu SDK	HTML5 app to be available web browser.	Ubuntu Touch through App store, Web URL	Development requires Ubuntu Desktop 12.04 or higher, Free
webOS	JavaScript, CSS, HTML, C and C++ through the PDK	Yes	Free emulator	Eclipse	webOS, Palm only	OTA deployment, webOS through App store, Web URL, Precentral, .ipk	Free
Windows Mobile	C, C++	Yes	Free emulator (source code available), also bundled with IDE	Visual Studio 2010, 2008, 2005, eMbedded VC++ (free), Satellite Forms	Windows Mobile, Windows CE	OTA deployment, CAB files, ActiveSync	Free command-line tools or eMbedded VC++, or Visual Studio (Standard edition or better)
Windows Phone	C#, Visual Basic, C, C++	Yes	Free emulator, also bundled with IDE	Visual Studio 2012, Visual Studio 2010	Windows Phone	OTA 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 (ADT) 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.

Google Android Emulator - an Android emulator that is patched to run on a Windows PC as a standalone app, without having to download and install the complete and complex Android SDK. It can be installed and Android compatible apps can be tested on it.
The official Android SDK Emulator - a mobile device emulator which mimics all of the hardware and software features of a typical mobile device (without the calls).
TestiPhone - a web browser-based simulator for quickly testing iPhone web applications. This tool has been tested and works using Internet Explorer 7, Firefox 2 and Safari 3.
iPhoney - gives a pixel-accurate web browsing environment and it is powered by Safari. It can be used while developing web sites for the iPhone. It is not an iPhone simulator but instead is designed for web developers who want to create 320 by 480 (or 480 by 320) websites for use with iPhone. iPhoney will only run on OS X 10.4.7 or later.
BlackBerry Simulator - There are a variety of official BlackBerry simulators available to emulate the functionality of actual BlackBerry products and test how the device software, screen, keyboard and trackwheel will work with application.
Windows UI Automation - To test applications that use the Microsoft UI Automation technology, it requires Windows Automation API 3.0. It is pre-installed on Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 and later versions of Windows. On other operating systems, you can install using Windows Update or download it from the Microsoft Web site.
MobiOne Developer - a mobile Web integrated development environment (IDE) for Windows that helps developers to code, test, debug, package and deploy mobile Web applications to devices such as iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, and the Palm Pre. MobiOne Developer was officially declared End of Life by the end of 2014.[3]

Tools include

eggPlant: A GUI-based automated test tool for mobile app across all operating systems and devices.
Ranorex: Test automation tools for mobile, web and desktop apps.
Testdroid: Real mobile devices and test automation tools for testing mobile and web apps.

Patents

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.[4]

References

VisionMobile, Plum Consulting, "European App Economy", September 2013
"Launching Your App on Devices". developer.apple.com. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
"MobiOne Developer 1.0 M4: Create App Store-ready Mobile Web Applications, Experience True Device Behavior on Windows". PRWeb. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
Nowotarski et al., "Increasing Allowance Rates by Selectively Targeting Patent Class" IPwatchdog, April 6, 2011

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[1] VisionMobile, Plum Consulting, "European App Economy", September 2013

[2] "Launching Your App on Devices". developer.apple.com. Retrieved 30 April 2016.

[3] "MobiOne Developer 1.0 M4: Create App Store-ready Mobile Web Applications, Experience True Device Behavior on Windows". PRWeb. Retrieved 31 May 2021.

[4] Nowotarski et al., "Increasing Allowance Rates by Selectively Targeting Patent Class" IPwatchdog, April 6, 2011