Mobile Applications: Choosing An Architecture

3 families of mobile applications

We can identify three distinct families of mobile applications:

1. The WebApp

The WebApp is developed from web technologies by imposing a strong

“Responsiveness” of the site. It can then be used directly via the mobile browser. But for reasons related to the visibility of the application, a browser component is integrated into a mobile application (very light) to make the application deployable in stores. These applications do not work without the webserver.

2. Hybrid application

The hybrid application is developed with technologies using the JavaScript capabilities of mobiles. We find solutions like Sancho, Phone Gap, Ionic, and Corona. These solutions make it possible to generate applications that can be deployed on stores and to start using the resources of mobile devices.

3. The native application

The development of a native application consists of using a development environment specific to each terminal (Swift / Objective-C for iOS, Java for Android). This implies a double development but ultimately very advanced user experience. As an alternative to this dual development, the Open Source Xamarin solution (Microsoft) offers a .NET development environment to then convert the code developed into native code by the operating system.

If you would like to learn more about Pentagon mobile development services.

A choice that must be backed by a mobile strategy

The choice of technology should be determined by the intended purpose of the mobile application.

In an iterative approach, a WebApp is a minimalist starting point where the existing web can be reused. This solution is therefore economical and can be deployed quickly. However, the teams have the knowledge but the use of local sensors is limited to reallocation only. In addition, the Internet connection is still required to use the application.

In a second step, hybrid applications make it possible to go a step further to take into account certain sensors (camera, calendar, microphone, etc.). Developing a hybrid mobile application.

Then has the advantage of being fast with simple maintenance which will require only one development.

Finally, for maximum experience, a native application will allow you to go further in the capacities of the mobile application. Indeed, with a native application, the user experience will be maximized and the Internet connection will not be required for its use. However, its development represents more complex maintenance, the updates must be done on each application and are constrained by the evolution of the stores.

But it is not necessarily necessary to reach this level. It can be tempting to start directly with the development of a mobile application because that is the final target. Why then go through intermediate stages?

Let us start from the following postulates:

• We must provide a similar experience for iOS & Android mobiles
• We must discover the expectations of users for the mobile service and be able to adapt quickly
• You have to optimize your development budget

With these few rules, it is necessary to adapt the technology to the maturity of the service to be put online. These different technologies will clash, new ones will appear to respond to specific contexts.

Stay tuned to market developments

With the arrival of new types of devices such as augmented reality glasses, immersive masks, or even connected watches, new environments will appear. We can hope that existing technologies will extend to these new requirements to limit the technological scope.

I do not advocate the race for technologies, for new solutions. On the other hand, I encourage you to set up a technological watch on new solutions to be ready for changes for new needs.

This is David’s work as a digital content marketer at maven digital App Development UAE, besides that, I love to read and love to play video games and I like to ride a sports bike too.