cross-platform mobile development

Cross-platform mobile development is the creation of software applications that are compatible with multiple mobile operating systems. Originally, the complexity of developing mobile apps was compounded by the difficulty of building out a backend that worked across multiple platforms. Although it was time-consuming and expensive, it was often easier to build native applications for each mobile operating system (OS). The problem was that the code built for one operating system could not be repurposed for another OS.

Today, it is easier for programmers to develop cross-platform apps. Newer approaches to cross-platform development include:

• Hybrid mobile app development - developers write the core of the application as an HTML5 or JavaScript mobile app and then place a native device wrapper around it.
• Rapid mobile app development (RMAD) - developers use code-free programming tools. RMAD offers business users the ability to quickly build and manage “good-enough” internal apps to address specific business issues.
• Windows universal apps - one codebase for all Windows devices. The goal is to enable the same app to run on a Windows PC, tablet, smartphone, smartwatch or XBox.
• Progressive web apps (PWAs) - websites that look and behave as if they are mobile apps. PWAs are built to take advantage of native mobile device features, without requiring the end user to visit an app store, make a purchase and download software locally.