Mobile Application Development

  • Mobile app development = Making software that runs on phones or tablets.
  • Apps need internet to talk to computers far away (like servers).
  • Final result = Installable app (a file with code, pictures, sounds, etc.).

Examples of what you do:

  1. Write code
  2. Make buttons & screens
  3. Connect to online data (API)
  4. Test on real phones

Two Main Phone Systems

Platform Company Phones Language & Tools
iOS Apple iPhone, iPad Swift, Xcode
Android Google Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel, etc. Kotlin/Java, Android Studio
  • iOS = Only on Apple devices.
  • Android = Used by many companies (if they follow Google rules).

→ Most apps are made for both iOS and Android to reach billions of users.

Mobile Application Development Two Ways to Build Mobile Apps

Type How it works Pros Cons
1. Native Apps Built only for iOS or Android using official tools. Fast Full phone features (camera, GPS, etc.) Best look & feel Must make 2 separate apps Takes more time & money
2. Cross-Platform Apps Write one code, works on both iOS & Android. Save time One code for all phones Slightly slower Some phone features harder to use

Popular cross-platform tools:

  • Flutter (Google) → Uses Dart language
  • React Native (Facebook) → Uses JavaScript

What Decides Which Way to Use?

Question Choose Native Choose Cross-Platform
Need super speed & camera? ✅ ❌
Small budget & fast launch? ❌ ✅
Only one phone type (e.g., only iPhone)? ✅ ❌
Want same app on iPhone & Samsung? ❌ ✅

Summary (Key Points)

  1. Mobile apps = Software for phones.
  2. Two big systems: iOS (Apple) & Android (Google + others).
  3. Native = Best performance, 2 codes.
  4. Cross-platform = One code, saves time.
  5. Final app = Installable file you download from App Store or Play Store.

Quick Quiz (Grade 9 level)

  1. Name the two main mobile platforms.
  2. What is the advantage of cross-platform apps?
  3. Which language is used for native Android apps? (Kotlin/Java)
  4. True/False: Native apps are faster than cross-platform apps.