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Getting Started With Javascript Application Development

There’s no need to learn a new programming language from scratch or adopt entirely new concepts to harness the amazing features of these mobile platforms. All you need is a basic grasp of Meteor, a platform for building mobile and web apps using a single JavaScript code base. In this chapter, you have been given a powerful introduction to Apache Cordova. You now know what Apache Cordova is, and understand the current challenges of today's mobile development and how it can reduce the complexities of these challenges. You should now understand the differences between mobile web, hybrid mobile, and native mobile applications.


javascript mobile app framework

Many of these areas I'll discuss are common across the entire ecosystem of JavaScript development, and the skills learned here are transferable. Instead of only explaining how to start with these, I also wanted to compile a list of resources that can be valuable for getting started. Framework7 - is a free and open source framework to develop mobile, desktop or web apps with native look and feel. It is also an indispensable prototyping tool to show working app prototype as soon as possible in case you need to. Tom Bray has been developing for the web since the browser wars of the late 90s when DHTML was the buzzword of the day. Creating great user experiences using the cutting edge technologies of the day has always been his passion, from Flash to Flex to Adobe AIR to React, and React Native.


Learn Javascript And Practice Writing Javascript Code


In order to develop good-looking mobile applications, this book also utilizes jQuery Mobile. JQuery Mobile is one of the best available frameworks for developing mobile-friendly web applications. Mobile applications are build to make one’s life easier, whatever the requirement be it gets fulfilled by just one click. These applications have been possible just by the use of Frameworks creating responsive, cross platform applications.


So in this post we`ve listed some popular Javascript frameworks that are facilitating developers to build cross-platform native and hybrid mobile apps. Using Apache Cordova will reduce the complexity of these challenges. It will give you the ability to use a single programming language to write your application on the different mobile platforms; you won't need to have a big set of programming languages anymore after using Apache Cordova. Apache Cordova gives you the ability to have a common code base for all of the implementations of your application on the different mobile platforms. This means that the complexity of developing, testing, and maintaining your mobile application will be greatly reduced. As a result of this previous challenge, developing, testing and maintaining a single application that has different implementations on mobile platforms is really hard and costly.


You will have many code bases that are usually inconsistent, because every code base will be written in a different language by developers from different backgrounds. This is because it is really hard to find a single developer who is aware of all of these programming languages and tools. Reimplementing the same logic on every platform that you have to support is a pain. This is because you will need to use the mobile platform programming language and handle different types of problems, which you will face on every platform. Although hybrid and native mobile applications have the same physical formats, they are developed using totally different technologies.


When Google and Apple add new features to Android and iOS platforms, native solutions can immediately start using them. But hybrid apps have to wait until these updates are adjusted to the chosen cross-platform framework. Whether you are developing a mobile app for iPad or on a Windows Phone, you need to learn the specific languages and technologies for that device. Cross-platform application development is about building a single java mobile apps development application that can run on various operating systems, instead of developing different app versions for each platform. Creating separate native apps for each platform is expensive, while a hybrid application uses a single sharable code, which helps you keep within your budget. Now that you have a grasp on the language, it's likely that the tutorials mentioned above resulted in a Node application to run your JavaScript.


javascript mobile app framework

You should also know the architecture of Cordova and how it works behind the scenes with an example of a photo capture using a camera. Finally, you have an overview of Apache Cordova APIs and what every API does from a high-level point of view. From the developers' perspective, if you are a web developer, then creating hybrid applications using Apache Cordova is a great option for you as you will not have to spend time learning JavaScript, CSS, and HTML. Using your existing skill set with Apache Cordova allows you to develop cross-platform mobile applications in less time. After finishing this book, you should be able to develop your very own mobile application on different mobile platforms using only JavaScript, without having to learn the native programming languages of every mobile platform.


Jquery Mobile


Given the benefits of a hybrid approach, enterprises have started to opt for hybrid app development services. The hybrid app development approach allows developers to build mobile apps compatible with various platforms. This is a mobile application development framework that can be used to create cross platform mobile apps using HTML5 and pure JavaScript. This is a JS framework for building hybrid mobile apps using HTML, CSS, and Javascript. Onsen UI is compatible with both AngularJS and Angular 2+, React, Vue, and jQuery so that developers can switch between different libraries and frameworks for building interactive UIs.


  • Creating separate native apps for each platform is expensive, while a hybrid application uses a single sharable code, which helps you keep within your budget.
  • Putting thought into your application architecture before you write a single line of code is an important starting point.
  • Thus, this framework can convert the source code into native elements, contributing to native user experience.
  • Learning about the JavaScript ecosystem involves learning JavaScript and practicing JavaScript coding.
  • React Native is one of the top cross-platform mobile development frameworks.
  • Being new to the web development field I could learn some new things here.

Thus, this framework can convert the source code into native elements, contributing to native user experience. Depending on the tool you use, the process and deliverables of software development can vary. To create a native-like application, it is crucial to pick the right framework. https://globalcloudteam.com/ We’ve compiled a list of the five best frameworks for cross-platform mobile development that are more frequently used. We've more recently focused on delivering React-based applications since we found that the majority of our users were standardizing on that framework.


Cordova Architecture


Today, most companies create mobile versions of their websites to remain competitive. Cross-platform development is the most suitable solution for businesses as it allows them to efficiently create reliable applications that are compatible with all customer devices. You now know more about hybrid app development frameworks that you can use to develop your perfect app.


Native developmentrelies on tools and programming languages designed specifically for one platform. For example, Objective-C and Swift are used for iOS apps; Java, C/C++ and Kotlin help create Android solutions; C# and Visual Basic are optimal for Windows Phone. Learn about mobile app development with React Native, a popular framework maintained by Facebook that enables cross-platform native apps using JavaScript without Java or Swift.


javascript mobile app framework

When creating native applications, developers are guided by specific OS requirements. Installed on a targeted computing device, a native app can fully use the available features and capabilities. Mobile apps have become a must for many businesses across various industries. It’s essential that such applications run seamlessly on multiple platforms such as iOS, Android and Windows. Leveraging the cross-platform mobile development approach, you can create such solutions quickly and cost-efficiently. For many developers who have never built a JavaScript web application before, the first steps can be daunting.


Backed by Adobe, PhoneGap is a distribution of the Cordova framework. This open-source mobile application development framework is usually regarded as the best and the most popular tool for hybrid solutions, not least because of its ease of use. Multiplatform mobile app development is continuously evolving due to emerging technologies, becoming more dynamic and attractive for developers.


In practice, you can use JavaScript and modern front-end frameworks to develop mobile apps after integrating the WeexSDK. Adding to these challenges, handling the incompatible behaviors of mobile platforms is a challenge that cannot be ignored. On the other hand, in Android, you can send SMS messages using the platform API directly from your application code. It is the open-source mobile app development framework that makes it easy to build top quality native and progressive web apps with web technologies.


Professional And Lifelong Learning


This course picks up where CS50 leaves off, transitioning from web development to mobile app development with React Native. Expo is a set of tools, libraries, and services that let you build native iOS and Android apps by writing JavaScript. In Module 2 we’ll show you how to take advantage of React Native.


javascript mobile app framework

Let’s talk about the pros and cons of cross-platform app development and discuss the top tools you can use to build multiplatform solutions. Node can be used to execute JavaScript files outside the browser. It is also a key part of building and working with web applications.


Transition Javascript Skills To Web Applications And Their Architecture


React Native is one of the top cross-platform mobile development frameworks. It is based on React — a best-in-class JavaScript library for creating user interfaces — and targets mobile platforms. This book is the learning resource to use when you want to efficiently develop your own mobile applications using Apache Cordova as the platform for your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.



Apache Cordova is currently one of the most popular frameworks for building Hybrid applications. Native mobile development has its advantages, however, cross-platform applications also have their strong sides. It’s great that every business can now choose the most appropriate option. It’s very helpful for me to understand which platform is more reliable for mobile native apps.


The Differences Between Mobile Web, Hybrid Mobile, And Native Mobile Applications


With such stunning set of UI components that Framework7 provides right from the box, it allows to create web apps, progressive web apps and iOS and Android apps with native look and feel. This is a HTML5-based user interface system designed to make responsive web sites and apps that are accessible on all smartphone, tablet and desktop devices. I like the idea of developing a single application that will be equally compatible with all devices. If a decade ago it was a problematic task, with today’s technologies, it can be done easily. Anyone who is looking for developers and developing applications I advise always prefer to develop applications who easily run on various systems. Really good overview of the technologies used for cross platform development.


It has a reputation for having a steep learning curve, but we’ll make it easy for you, making sure you make full use of your existing knowledge and getting you up and running with a sample application. You’ll also learn how to create components, how to create multiple screens, as well as using native UI components and accessing native APIs. If the user requires the result of the captured image as a file or native URI string, then the file URI of the image file is retrieved and sent to the JavaScript Cordova client using this.callbackContext.success(). The following diagram includes the main components of an Apache Cordova application . It can also contain helper files (such as application's JSON resource bundle files). In order to access a device's native feature, JavaScript application objects call Apache Cordova APIs.


I've also found You don't know JS Yet to be an indispensable resource for developers expanding their JavaScript knowledge. The author describes this resource as "a series of books diving deep into the core mechanisms of the JavaScript language." With that in mind, I wanted to break down an approach that can help you prepare for the world of front-end development.




Author Bio

Jitendra Yadav

As a senior team lead, Mr. Jitendra Yadav is well versed in all stages of the development cycle for dynamic web projects along with front-end and back-end development in-depth knowledge. He has been working with PHP, Angular CLI, and React JS languages for more than 13 years.

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