Mobile App Development: A Step by step Guide

Initially, let’s observe what a mobile application is.

Mobile Application is a set of codes (binaries) that embed an installable software implementing backend services with an API, and testing the application on target devices. The bottom line is that a mobile application is a software bundle developed to run on a mobile device. Usually, mobile applications require a network connection to operate while some do not.

For the past 10 years, mobile app development has emerged as a new mode of business life. With brands, organisations and now even healthcare operating on a mobile application the need for mobile app development company has increased. Luckily, thousands of software houses operating in every part of the world, especially the mobile app development company in Malaysia, have gained extreme popularity because of their tech skills and passion for the digital world.

Mobile Applications and Device Platforms:

On a larger scale, there are two big platforms for which mobile apps are developed. One is the IOS, operating system for Apple Inc. mobile phones and devices, the second one is Android, built by Google, the operating system for Google devices and a bunch of other companies that meet Google’s requirements like having certain Google Application, etc can use Android for their devices.

Between the two there are a number of similarities but mobile app development for the respective platform requires a distinguished set of tools, software development kits (SDKs) and a different development toolchain.

Along with having multiple languages to code with, a mobile application also has 4 different types. With each of its kind having significance and integrity.

There are 4 types of Mobile Applications

• Native Mobile App
• Cross-platform Native Mobile Application
• Hybrid Mobile Application
• Progressive Web Application

Each one of these approaches has its own advantages and disadvantages, with a specified budget and skill set required for each one of them.

1. Native Mobile App Development:

Native mobile applications require the developer to develop a framework based on the programming languages rendered by the platform owner and the native mobile app runs directly on the operating system whether IOS or Android of the device.

PROS:

Native mobile apps ten to have the best runtime among all types, along with that it gives direct access to device APIs

CONS:

To make your app accessible to users of other platforms you’ll be required to set up multiple code bases. Also, native mobile app development and maintenance is expensive as compared to other modes of development.

2. Cross-Platform Native Mobile Applications:

Developers have the ability to write codes in any programming language and at the end of the development process, the software bundle is compiled with a native mobile application already running on the device.

PROS:

A single codebase can work for multiple platforms making it easier to manage and update. Cross-platform native mobile applications are cost-effective and can be maintained in a small budget.

CONS:

Cross-platform applications are dependent on bridge and viaducts for5 native application features which has an adverse impact on its efficiency and speed.

1. Hybrid Web Applications:

Hybrid Mobile Applications require standard web languages like JavaScript, CSS and HTML5, on completion the software is bundled into app installation packages. Hybrid apps are often termed as “web containers” providing a browser runtime and a bridge for native devices APIs via Apache Cordova.

PROS:
Hybrid mobile applications, the one base you prepared is capable of working for your website as well. Web development skill set is used for building mobile applications.

CONS: 

Slower apps in contrast to native apps. A number of native app features are lacking.

1. Progressive Web Applications:

Progressive Web Application or application that does not require installation.  The progressive web application is an attempt by technicians to skip the app store in between. And so far they have been successful with it. PWAs utilize browsing features such as offline working and running in the background while adding a link to the home screen to give an “APP LIKE” experience to the users.

PROS:
Among tons of other benefits, the most vital one is that it works as a web as well as an application, making it exceptional. Secondly, no installation required means users get to save time and add it immediately to their home screens using a URL.

CONS:

Limited or no native app features support. App’s efficiency depends on the browser in use.

A Contrast between Native Mobile Applications and Hybrid Web Applications:

Although both have their own pros and cons, the 1hybrid application seems to be more in demand due to the following four major reasons.

Why not native applications while they provide better speed and efficiency?

Even though native applications work a lot greater than hybrid applications, there are certain factors because of which organizations have to opt for hybrid applications. For instance, in a huge ocean of mobile app development company in Malaysia only a few like Hi! Tech has the complex skill sets and expertise to design a native application. Since it requires greater experience, knowledge and hard work only few people can handle it properly.

How do hybrid and cross-platform frameworks operate?

Hybrid applications allow developers to use HTML5, CSS and JavaScript and then conceal the web application in a container. Since hybrid mobile applications are web applications on the ground state, most of the code from the website is utilized in its development. Hybrid mobile apps are the best to get greater results in a limited timeframe and budget.

Similarly, PWAs are coded using typical web application programming technology like some form of JavaScript/CSS/HTML5. Since it's initially opened using a browser or a URL there is not much to do.

Mobile App Development Process:

Before moving to the development cycle, here are some interesting facts you need to know about mobile apps:

• More than 50 percent of digital media consumption accounts for mobile apps;
• Ninety percent of the time smartphone users spend on their mobiles goes to mobile apps;
• A typical user has about 30 apps installed on his mobile and spends more than 35 hours a month using them;
• Forty-two percent of the mobile purchases were completed from mobile apps;
• Eighty-five percent of consumers prefer native mobile apps over mobile websites.

Here’s the life cycle of a typical development project done by Hi! Tech mobile app development company in Malaysia.

• Planning: Hi! Tech’s project managers, marketers and analysts are involved.
• Technical Documentation: Hi! Tech’s technical writer does his job.
• Prototyping: UI/UX designers show up to spread their creativity and tech skills.
• Development: Developers join the tech team.
• Quality Assurance: performed frequently almost after every small step to prevent bugs and issues.
• Publishing and Maintenance: Publishing it to the App Store/Playstore accordingly. Working on new updates and maintenance..

Planning:

While creating a mobile app it’s vital to take notes as if it’s your application. Take a complete business analysis, SWOT analysis, ROIs, requirements scope and idea evaluation and competition analysis. On completion of these analyses, you’ll be capacitated with enough knowledge to identify the direction of your application and mark the requirements for mobile app development.

The second half of the planning stage is a mobile strategy, tools assessment, competitors and much more comes into the discussion with mobi8le strategy.

Technical Documentation:

This is a written technical blueprint, mentioning all the requirements, scopes, business logic, to sum up, it’s a detailed summary of your project. Technical documentation makes your project readable/understandable to almost everyone. It also provides flexibility to the project, adds value to the application with a clear cut development manual.

Prototyping:

From creating a sketch to designing app skins and putting all the small software bundles together to form a mobile application not finalised though.

A clickable prototype is prepared which helps to clear the inconsistencies and gaps in the technical documentation. And helps foresee how the application might look.

Development:

This consists of two major steps

FRONT END DEVELOPMENT:

The visual state of any mobile application is its front end. The application resides on your screen, all the visible part is the front end. From interacting with the icons to placing your order, the visible side is developed by specific developers known as front-end developers.

BACK END DEVELOPMENT:

The hidden side of a mobile application is its backend. Have you seen the backstage of a theatre? How mu7ch stuff does it hold before that stuff is displayed on the stage? The same is the case with the back end of a mobile application. For its development experience and expert developers are hired labelled as the back-end developers.

Quality Assurance:

It is a continuous process, used by our developers to complete the project flawlessly.

• Compatibility testing
• Interface testing
• Device compatibility testing
• Low-level resources testing
• Security testing
• Beta testing

Publishing Test:

The last step is the publishing of the prepared application on the App Store or Play Store respectively.

MOBILE APP DEVELOPMENT BY Hi! TECH MOBILE APP DEVELOPMENT COMPANY IN MALAYSIA:

Hi! Tech mobile app development company in Malaysia is the leading mobile app development company, with over 1000+ projects in a time span of 10 years. Hi! Tech has proved to be the best not only at mobile app development but also at mobile app hosting. Hi! Tech is explicit with its hosting capabilities. Mobile App development host is one of the many expertise by Hi! Tech.

Coming back to mobile app development, native Application, cross-platform or hybrid Hi! Tech knows it all! If you are looking for a competent tech company in Malaysia do avail a free consultation by Hi! Tech and yes, it’s exclusive only for those who have read this far. Use the code “Digital2022” and win a free consultation. For more information consider visiting our website.

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