The right technology stack is essential for developing a mobile app today. This article will help you understand the questions that you need to answer before you start building your development team.
Technology Stack for a Mobile App
Before the advent of mobile apps, tech workers had to choose which language and platform to use. It is the same for creating mobile apps: A developer must choose between iOS and Android, as well as a supportive framework.
To answer the question What is an App Stack? It is a collection of tools, languages and frameworks. These are essential for application development.
There are native apps that only work on Android and iOS. There are also cross-platform apps. Hybrid apps are basically web-based versions of web apps. Each app requires a different technology stack, which includes:
Front-end (client-side), development – Focusing on how the user interacts with the app
backend (server-side development – databases, scripting and app architecture
development platforms– interfaces and libraries to build the app;
support Security, functionality, and future enhancements.
All technical requirements are maintained using different programming methods depending on which platform you choose. Native apps use the language and tools specific to that platform. Cross-platform apps and hybrid apps employ the third party technology.
iOS
Languages, Swift. Objective C
Toolkit Xcode and AppCode
UIframeworks: UIKit and SwiftUI
Android
Languages: Java and Kotlin
Toolkit: Android Studio, Android Developer Tools
UI-frameworks: Android UI, Jetpack Compose
Cross-platform
Framework: Flash, React native, Xamarin
Hybrid
Framework: Cordova/PhoneGap/Ionic
How do you choose which platform and technology stack to use to build your application? Here are some questions you should ask before you start a project.
How to choose the right technology stack for your app
These questions can save you a lot of time, even if your only developer. You might choose to concentrate on a single platform product if you’re thinking about a cross-platform app. If you work with other developers or have a team, this questionnaire is vital.
General Requirements
First, you need to understand the market demand for your product and who it is targeting. What are the needs of your application?
What problems does it solve Who will use it? Teens, adults, seniors, or men and women over 60. The technical requirements can be viewed through a draft of the target users and their problems.
You can do market research to see what’s available. Which platforms are used by your competitors? What are their most popular apps? What are the problems users have with their apps? What can you do to improve?
The main Goals
You can choose a tech stack that is capable of supporting different latency levels depending on the questions you app will answer. Choose a stronger stack if the app requires heavy load processing. A lighter stack is better if the app’s mechanism is simple.
Type of app and platform
Now you have identified your target audience and done competitor research. You are ready to start developing. This is the time to decide on the app type and platform that you will use.
It is possible that you will find your competition only in App Store. In Google Store, there are not many quality apps to match theirs.
Instead of trying to compete in App Store, it makes more sense to create an Android app that meets the demand. It is tempting to create a cross-platform application, but it is worth asking yourself whether it is worthwhile.
It is better to create a competition app for Android and promote it. Then, you can sell an iOS version of the app. This may not work if you attempt to promote a cross-platform application.
Data security and Safety
A quality app must be high-quality, but data security is something you cannot compromise on. Users must be confident that the app will not cause problems on their phones or computers.
If they are required to enter personal information, they should feel secure. While you might be able to concentrate more on the front-end, end users will still be concerned about the back-end.
Budget and Deadlines
App development is a complex process that involves financial considerations. App development costs will rise with more complex functionality.
This will also increase the app’s price. The cost of creating a complex, expensive app in a short time span will increase. This is where you need to answer the first question:
Who will pay? Is there a free alternative? What makes your app different? You may also want to address some minor issues, such as the team’s skill set and compatibility.
Developers’ skills
You should have answered the above questions before you hire a development team. Perhaps you have an existing team that specializes in app development for a particular platform. Although they can develop apps on other platforms, it may take them longer to master the skills. This is important to remember when setting deadlines.
Compatibility
Today’s technology is constantly evolving. Those who stay on top of the latest developments create the best apps. You don’t have to be a developer, visionary or programmer.
Think beyond the current version of your app. Imagine how the world may change in a year. This will give you many insight into the technology stack that is best for your project.
Conclusion
Mobile apps can be used to entertain, teach and assist users with a variety of tasks. It is not surprising that developers are trying to meet this growing demand. To ensure your app is compatible with the right platform and technology stack, you must think about your users.