Mobile Application

iiTworkforce offer Mobile Application live project training from industry experts

What is Mobile Application Development?

From banking to bill payments to ordering food, almost everything is just a tap away on mobile devices. Mobile Applications have caught up with web-based applications, if not surpassed them by now.

Developing applications for small, remote, wireless computing devices by using set processes and procedures is called Mobile Application Development. Any mobile application needs a network connection to establish contact with the remote computing resources. Hence, the concept of Mobile Application Development is broadly divided into two components – first is the front-end where installable software such as the code, binaries, and assets are developed; the second section enables the data access with the API and testing the fully-built application on the mobile phones.

Mobile Application Development for Different Platforms

Currently, there are two dominant platforms in the world of smartphones. Google’s Android OS and Apple’s iOS. Android is the most extensively used platform that is not just deployed on Google devices but other OEMs also install it. iOS, on the other hand, is the only platform supported by Apple’s patented devices. Although on a high-level both platforms appear to be similar, there are some differences in terms of their software development kits (SDK). Usually, mobile application developers target both operating systems for app development.

iiT Work Force Mobile internship program:

Different Approaches for Mobile Application Development

Developing mobile applications that make it to the app store is a niche skill that can be achieved through four approaches. Different procedures are employed based on the type of mobile application you wish to build.

  1.   Native Applications – The Operating System manufacturer decides and provides their programming language version and frameworks to develop the native applications meant to work on Android and/or iOS; ideally, Google develops apps meant for Android platform and Apple for iOS.

Pros-

  • Performance is superior to any other mobile apps as they are meant for that specific OS.
  • They should be able to work without an internet connection.
  • Great look and feel.
  • Secure and safe.
  • They can easily access any device APIs.

Cons-

  • Building and maintaining these apps are expensive.
  • Will need different code-bases for different platforms
  1.   Cross-platform applications – These are the applications that use multiple programming languages and frameworks, however, later compiled to be specific for Android/iOS.

Pros-

  • Same code can be implemented across platforms
  • Building and maintenance are easy.

Cons-

  • Uses bridges and libraries to achieve native device functionality.
  • Performance gets affected due to bridging.
  1.   Hybrid-Web applications – These are applications that are developed using web technologies like JavaScript, CSS, etc. They are then uploaded as installation packages on the website that works on a web container.

Pros-

  • Developed using a web development skillset, no additional skills required.
  • Shared code base between the web and mobile apps.

Cons-

  • Lowered performance as compared to native apps.
  • Limited support as compared to native apps.
  1.   Progressive-web applications- These provide the app-like experience to the users, however, these are not apps, to begin with. They are not available on the app store and do not need installation. They are applications available on the web with all the browser capabilities but can work offline, allows running background applications, etc like a regular mobile app.

Pros-

  • No installation required as it can be accessed using the URL.

Cons-

  • App performance is based on browser capabilities.
  • Limited support as compared to native apps.

Why is a hybrid/cross-platform approach preferred over native application development?

The biggest disadvantage of the native application development approach is the intricacies involved in hiring the candidates with a niche skill set specific to the OS. For native application development, companies such as Apple and Google use their own version of C or Java and experts with those specific skills are hard to come by. Moreover, the native application developers are in such demand that OS manufacturers find it difficult to retain them and hence usually turn to third party companies to develop the mobile applications for them.

Mobile Application Development Cycle:

As established in the first section, the Mobile Application Development Cycle encompasses two phases –

  • The front-end which resides on the smartphone.
  • The backend is built to support the front-end.

Mobile applications have undergone a major shift since their conception. From being a self-contained app pretty much using all the resources within the device, they have evolved as more dynamic applications that are highly dependent on the remote data through improved network connectivity.

In a nutshell, Mobile Application Development is all about developing not just the front-end, but also integrating it with the backend for data access.

For a flight booking app, it could be the wide range of flight details residing in the database; for a mobile game application, it could mean various gadgets, avatars, hairstyles, outfits, or weapons for a specific character.

Mobile Application Front-end

The mobile application front-end is typically the face of the app that the users see. This is what allows them to interact with the application. The front-end encompasses the icon, the interface, color of the background, themes, buttons, etc. The application front-end needs to be installed from the app store. Mobile Application developers can range from a single person who does all the development, icon designing, backend integration with the frontend to a team of people each with expertise in a specific field. Typically, a mobile game app development needs a larger team, consisting of high-end motion graphic designers, software developers, and many more experts.

 

Mobile Application Back-end

However appealing the icon design might be or user-friendly the interface is, the core of the mobile application remains to be the backend. Superior backend development is crucial for the success of the app. The architectural decisions, whether to develop their own services or outsource it to 3rd party developers, are some important choices the backend mobile application developer needs to make for optimal efficiency and productivity. Naturally, for claiming sole rights and meeting the unique requirements of the app, it is ideal to prefer in-house development rather than partly outsourcing the development. Nevertheless, it is always advised to make use of cloud-based services to support backend infrastructure.  

How does the front-end contact the back-end?

Integrating the front-end with the back-end is always the most crucial part of the mobile app development process. Writing code to make service calls to the backend, retrieving the data from the backend, and updating the backend with the data fed into the app are the key aspects of building a mobile application. To achieve this, the developer needs to know the network location of the database, the protocol for accessing the data and then develop the code to extract the data from the database.

 

Alternatively, Application Program Interfaces (APIs) are used to establish a connection between the application front-end and the back-end. While using the APIs, all the developer needs to know are the parameters that need to be passed in the method while calling. Different types of APIs such as REST, GraphQL can be used to access the backend in different methods or styles. Typically, REST API is used to establish a connection with the cloud-based storage. Contrastingly, GraphQL has its advantages. Single API endpoint query support and the use of schema can achieve the easy transfer of different data models on the app to the backend using GraphQL.

Most times, the APIs are available on the platform for the applications to make service calls to the backend. However, in some cases, specialized API services need to be integrated using the SDK. Once the application is linked to the SDK in the development phase, it will be able to use all the APIs included in the SDK.

Here, the APIs could either be owned by the mobile application development company or they can make use of a 3rd party access provider to connect with the backend through some arrangement. Let’s say a particular mobile application needs to access certain social media posts and advertisements. The application developer requests the company for their API access, and the latter decides on the aspects such as payment details, the number of calls the app can make, etc.

Different Mobile Application Services:

To make the mobile application development easier, there is a wide range of third-party development houses that provide API services, database services, analytic services, etc. Although, leveraging these services can expedite the mobile application development process, resorting to these services will keep the developer from becoming an expert in these niche areas.

Scope of Mobile Application Development…

“Mobile is the future of Software Development” – Eric Schmidt, Ex-Google CEO.

 

Listed below are three definite reasons why mobile application development has gained such popularity:

 

  • Users are increasingly depending on mobile apps for carrying out their daily activities than in the past. As established in the earlier sections, the demand for native application developers is so huge due to their niche skills specific to the OS like Android, iOS, Symbian, which is why the future for mobile application developers is quite bright.
  • The demand for creative mobile application developers is constantly on a rise.
  • According to a study, $189 billion mobile app revenue is expected to be generated in 2020.

What are the advantages of doing the Mobile Application Development course?

The list of advantages of doing Mobile Application Development course is unlimited, with proper implementation:

  • With the increasing smartphone users across the world, the demand for innovative apps is also on the rise. It was learned in a survey that 57% of the media usage is from mobile apps, while only 37% are desktop users.
  • Mobile application development can be pursued on a part-time basis and the developed apps can be guided to the Google Play store for installation.
  • Mobile Application Development is expected to gain further momentum with the implementation of technologies such as AI, IoT, blockchain technology, etc.

What topics are covered in the Mobile Application Development course?

A typical 50-hour Mobile Application Development course includes the following modules:

  • Introduction to Android
  • Introduction to iOS
  • Core Java
  • Android Components
  • Creating a first Android app
  • React Native
  • Kotlin
  • Google Flutter
  • Swift
  • C Language
  • SQLite

Who is eligible for the Mobile Application Development real-time project-based training?

The experts in the IT field believe that mobile application development is the future of the software development industry. A real-time project in Mobile Application Development helps aspiring developers build valuable apps for the user entirely on their own.

With a thorough knowledge of Java, C, Swift, Kotlin, one can directly enroll for real-time project-based Mobile Application Development training.

Alternatively, you can pursue a full-fledged Mobile Application Development course to learn about the comprehensive app development cycle.

 

What are the advantages of enrolling for a Mobile Application Development real-time project?

A lot of things can go wrong in the process of mobile application development. There are various phases involved in the app development processes.

The techniques used in retrieving the backend information for the frontend, decisions made on choosing between cloud-based storage and physical database, or whether to build an exhaustive app in-house or partially outsource the services, can be learned through hands-on experience alone.

A real-time mobile application development project can help the intern gain an understanding of a collaborative work environment.

It essentially encourages the trainee to employ novel practices such as the inclusion of features like real-time messaging, multi-user collaboration, integration of IoT devices, while developing an app as the actual development contributes only partially to the success of the app in today’s market.

The project aids the trainee in getting hired immediately.

What can you learn in the real-time Mobile Application Development project?

On completing a typical real-time project-based training in Mobile Application Development, the intern will gain a working knowledge of the following:

  • Working on Android/iOS platforms
  • Managing Bluetooth connection
  • Monitor and manage Wi-Fi connection
  • Understanding and accessing sensors
  • Development and deployment of apps
  • Working on Debugging tools
  • Logcat tool knowledge
  • Emulator control
  • Device Control
  • Connecting Real Devices
  • Executing Application
  • Publishing the Application

What can you expect after the completion of real-time project-based Mobile Application Development training?

The real-time project-based training essentially offers the trainee to get a sneak peek of the various phases of the mobile app development cycle from the icon development through publishing the app.

The project helps in bridging the gaps between theory and implementation.

The project experience can be added to the resume which aggravates the job placement potential of the intern.

The hands-on experience will enable the trainee to crack crucial interviews with confidence.

 

What happens after the Mobile Application Development Project at iiT WorkForce?

Once the real-time project in Mobile Application Development is completed, the Project Leader conducts the resume-building session. The interns then build their resume, by including the recent project experience, with the help of the resident experts.

The staffing team takes over from there and starts circulating the interns’ resume among the pool of requirements.

Our in-house HR recruiters work diligently until the interns are placed successfully!