Before you understand about app development languages and their importance, take a look at the latest statistics on smartphones. This will give you an idea of why businesses are veering towards mobile app development.
Did you know that around 4.88 billion people own a smartphone as of 2024? Between 2023 and 2024, 635 new users have begun using these devices. That speaks a lot about the convenience of smartphones and how people use them to stay connected.
As a business owner, you can connect and engage with your target audience with the help of smartphones. That is where mobile applications come into play. Today, businesses are continuously seeking efficient, scalable and the best programming language for app development. Why is this important? Choosing the right programming language is crucial as it directly impacts the performance, scalability, and future growth of the application.
But with so many programming languages for app development being touted as the best, how do you determine which one is the best for your needs? Here are a few things that you should be aware of that allow developers to choose the best language for app development. This enables developers to come up with applications that are feature-rich and user-friendly.
Spelling Out Apple: iOS App Development Language
When it comes to iOS app development, the two primary languages that dominate the space are Objective-C and Swift. Understanding which programming language is used for developing native iOS apps is essential for developers targeting Apple’s ecosystem.
1. Objective-C
This is an older language developed in the 1980s, was the original programming language for iOS and macOS applications. It is a superset of C, meaning that it combines C with object-oriented capabilities. For many years, Objective-C was the default choice for iOS developers, and it remains in use today for maintaining legacy applications. It is known for being stable and mature but is considered more complex compared to newer languages.
2. Swift
In 2014, Apple introduced Swift, which has quickly become the best programming language for app development in the iOS space. Swift was designed to overcome the challenges of Objective-C and offer developers a simpler, more readable syntax with powerful features like type safety and automatic memory management. Swift is faster, more secure, and easier to learn, making it the go-to choice for new iOS projects.
Both languages are supported in iOS app development. However, if you’re starting fresh, Swift is almost always the preferred option. Its modern architecture ensures that apps run smoothly, and developers can write cleaner, more maintainable code.
Mobile App Development Languages
When building mobile apps, the choice of mobile app development languages is crucial, as it directly impacts how the app will function on various platforms. The two dominant mobile platforms are iOS and Android. Each platform has its own preferred language. Whereas, cross-platform solutions cater to apps that need to run on both.
For iOS development, Swift and Objective-C are the primary programming languages for app development. On the Android side, Java and Kotlin take the spotlight. While these languages serve different platforms, they all offer unique advantages depending on the app’s requirements.
Mobile App Development Language for Cross-Platform Apps
In recent years, cross-platform development tools have gained popularity as they allow developers to write code once and deploy it on both iOS and Android.
JavaScript powers popular frameworks like React Native, which enables developers to use a single codebase for multiple platforms. Another popular cross-platform tool is Flutter, which uses the Dart language to create high-performance, native-like apps on both iOS and Android.
While cross-platform solutions can save time and effort, native languages like Swift and Kotlin still offer the best performance and access to platform-specific features. Therefore, when choosing the best language for mobile app development, the decision often comes down to whether you want a native or cross-platform approach.
Differences Between Native and Cross-Platform Mobile Development
| Criteria | Native Development | Cross-platform Development |
| Performance | You get top-tier performance since it’s built specifically for one platform. | Performance takes a slight hit because it’s balancing between multiple platforms. |
| User Experience (UX) | The user experience feels smooth and tailored to the platform, making it feel just right for the device. | It works consistently across platforms but might miss some of the finer, native touches. |
| Access to Platform-Specific Features | Enjoy complete, immediate access to all the unique features a platform offers, right out of the box. | You might have to wait or rely on plugins to tap into certain platform features. |
| Development Time and Cost | It’s more time-intensive and expensive since you’re building separately for each platform. | Costs come down with a single codebase and faster development, saving time and resources. |
| Code Reusability | Not much reusability here – what you code for one platform stays there. | You’ll love the efficiency – one codebase works for multiple platforms! |
| Maintenance | Juggling multiple codebases means more maintenance. | Managing one codebase is simpler but framework-specific updates can still be tricky. |
| Stability and Reliability | Built to be rock-solid, native apps generally offer higher stability and dependability. | Stability depends on the framework you use, which can sometimes cause hiccups. |
| Updates and Support | Direct updates from the platform’s own developer community keep you ahead. | You’re tied to the cross-platform framework’s update schedule, which might lag behind. |
| Complex Features | Handles complex and resource-heavy features with ease. | Might struggle with heavy lifting – complex features can slow things down. |
| Development Tools | Full access to every tool native to the platform, giving you a robust toolkit. | You’re limited to the tools available within the framework, which could be restrictive. |
| Community and Ecosystem | Enjoy a strong, vibrant community with loads of resources for both iOS and Android. | The community size depends on the framework you choose – you may find fewer resources. |
| Learning Curve | It’s a steeper climb, especially if you’re mastering multiple platforms. | Easier to get into with one framework that covers it all. |
| Debugging and Testing | Debugging is easier with platform-specific tools, helping you troubleshoot quickly. | Abstraction layers can complicate testing and debugging, making it a bit more challenging. |
| App Store Compliance | You’ll breeze through compliance with the platform’s guidelines when sticking to native. | Framework differences can lead to more compliance issues. |
| Offline Capabilities | Offers stronger offline functionality without much extra work. | You might need to invest extra time to get solid offline capabilities working. |
| Interactivity with Device Hardware | Direct access to hardware like sensors and cameras makes interaction smooth and seamless. | May require extra plugins, and the experience might not be as smooth. |
| Long-term Viability | Native development is a safer bet for long-term support and future-proofing. | It depends on whether the cross-platform framework keeps up with the times. |
| Integration with Other Apps | Integrating with other apps is easier when sticking to the native environment. | You might have to work harder or find creative solutions for smooth integration. |
Best Language for Android App Development
Android holds a significant share of the mobile market, and when deciding which programming language is used to develop android apps, Kotlin and Java are the dominant players.
Since Kotlin was declared the official language for Android in 2017, it has outpaced Java in terms of new app development. So, most recent applications are designed using Kotlin. There is a reason for this.
Kotlin offers enhanced safety features like null safety, which reduces the risk of app crashes. It’s also more concise. This makes the development process smoother. Many developers also appreciate its full compatibility with Java. This compatibility enables them to use both languages interchangeably in a project. Kotlin’s intuitive syntax reduces development time while increasing app performance.
On the other hand, Java has been the traditional choice for Android development for years. Despite being an older language, Java is still widely used and supported, especially for maintaining older applications. Its robust ecosystem, extensive libraries, and long-term support ensure its ongoing relevance in the Android world.
A trendsetting mobile app development company in India will most likely leverage both Kotlin and Java depending on the project. While Kotlin is ideal for new, cutting-edge apps, Java remains a strong choice for legacy systems and larger enterprises.
The Future of App Development Languages
The app development landscape is rapidly evolving, and developers constantly seek the best programming language for app development to meet the growing demand for responsive, efficient, and scalable apps. With the rise of artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and blockchain, future apps will require more than just standard functionality. Mobile apps will need to have advanced features and capabilities.
Languages like Python and C++ are gaining traction in specialized app development. This is especially true for AI-powered apps or apps requiring extensive mathematical calculations. Cross-platform solutions like Flutter (which uses Dart) and React Native (JavaScript) continue to disrupt the market. This enables developers to deploy apps across multiple platforms using a single codebase.
However, for those building native apps, Swift (iOS) and Kotlin (Android) remain the gold standards. As technology progresses, the line between native and cross-platform development is blurring. This makes it essential for developers to stay updated with the latest trends in programming languages for app development.
