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== Semi-protected edit request on 2 May 2023 ==
{{short description|Process to build apps for various mobile operating systems}}
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'''Mobile app development''' is the act or process by which a [[mobile app]] is [[software development|developed]] for one or more [[mobile device]]s, which can include [[personal digital assistant]]s (PDA), [[enterprise digital assistant]]s (EDA), or [[mobile phone]]s. Such software applications are specifically designed to run on mobile devices, taking numerous hardware constraints into consideration. Common constraints include CPU architecture and speeds, available memory (RAM), limited data storage capacities, and considerable variation in displays (technology, size, dimensions, resolution) and input methods (buttons, keyboard, touch screens with/without styluses). These applications (or 'apps') can be [[Installation (computer programs)|pre-installed]] on phones during manufacturing or delivered as web applications, using server-side or client-side processing (e.g., JavaScript) to provide an "application-like" experience within a [[web browser]].
[https://www.wdipl.com/blog/pain-points-for-mobile-app-development/ Mobile App Development] has been steadily growing, in revenues and jobs created. A 2013 analyst report estimates there are 529,000 direct ''app economy'' jobs within the EU then 28 members (including the UK), 60 percent of which are mobile app developers.<ref>VisionMobile, Plum Consulting, "European App Economy", September 2013</ref>
== Overview ==
In order to facilitate the development of applications for mobile devices, and consistency thereof, various approaches have been taken.
Most companies that ship a product (e.g. Apple, iPod/iPhone/iPad) provide an official software development kit (SDK). They may also opt to provide some form of Testing and/or Quality Assurance (QA). In exchange for being provided the SDK or other tools, it may be necessary for a prospective developer to sign a some form of non-disclosure agreement, or NDA, which restricts the sharing of privileged information.
As part of the development process, mobile [[user interface]] (UI) design is an essential step in the creation of mobile apps. Mobile UI designers consider constraints, contexts, screen space, input methods, and mobility as outlines for design. Constraints in mobile UI design in constraints include the limited attention span of the user and form factors, such as a mobile device's screen size for a user's hand(s). Mobile UI context includes signal cues from user activity, such as the ___location where or the time when the device is in use, that can be observed from user interactions within a mobile app. Such context clues can be used to provide automatic suggestions when scheduling an appointment or activity or to filter a list of various services for the user.
The user is often the focus of interaction with their device, and the interface entails components of both hardware and software. User input allows for the users to manipulate a system, and device's output allows the system to indicate the effects of the users' manipulation.
Overall, mobile UI design's goal is mainly for an understandable, user-friendly interface. Functionality is supported by [[mobile enterprise application platform]]s or [[integrated development environment]]s (IDEs).
Developers of mobile applications must also consider a large array of devices with different screen sizes, hardware specifications, and configurations because of intense competition in mobile hardware and changes within each of the platforms.
Today, mobile apps are usually distributed via an official online outlet or marketplace (e.g. Apple - The App Store, Google - Google Play) and there is a formalized process by which developers submit their apps for approval and inclusion in those marketplaces. Historically, however, that was not always the case.
Mobile UIs, or front-ends, rely on mobile back-ends to support access to enterprise systems. The mobile back-end facilitates data routing, security, authentication, authorization, working off-line, and service orchestration. This functionality is supported by a mix of [[middleware]] components including mobile app server, [[mobile backend as a service]] (MBaaS), and [[service-oriented architecture]] (SOA) infrastructure.
== Platform ==
The software development packages needed to develop, deploy, and manage [[mobile app]]s are made from many components and tools which allow a developer to write, test, and deploy applications for one or more target platforms.
=== Front-end development tools ===
Front-end development tools are focused on the user interface and user experience (UI-UX) and provide the following abilities:
* UI design tools
* SDKs to access device features
* Cross-platform accommodations/support
Notable tools are listed below.
==== First-Party ====
First party tools include official [[software development kit|SDK]]s published by, or on behalf of, the company responsible for the
design of a particular hardware platform (e.g. Apple, Google, etc) as well as any third-party software that is officially supported for the purpose of developing mobile apps for that hardware.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%"
! [[Computing platform|Platform]]
! [[Programming language]]
! [[Debuggers]] available
! [[List of emulators|Emulator]] available
! [[Integrated development environment]] available
! Cross-platform deployment
! Installer packaging options
! Development tool cost
|-
! [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
| [[Java (programming language)|Java]] but portions of code can be in [[C (programming language)|C]], [[C++]],
[[Kotlin (programming language)|Kotlin]]
| Debugger integrated in Eclipse, standalone debugging monitor available
| {{Yes}}
| [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]], [[IntelliJ IDEA]], [[Android Studio]], Project Kenai Android plugin for NetBeans
| Android only, because of Dalvik VM, March 2009
| apk
| Free, [[IntelliJ IDEA]] Community Edition - Free
|-
! [[BlackBerry]]
| [[Java (programming language)|Java]]
| Debugger integrated in IDE
| {{Yes}}
| [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]], BlackBerry JDE
| BlackBerry only, because of RIM API
| alx, cod
| Free
|-
! [[iOS SDK]]
| [[Objective-C]], [[Swift (programming language)|Swift]]
| Debugger integrated in Xcode IDE
| Bundled with iPhone SDK, integrated with Xcode IDE
| [[Xcode]], [[AppCode]]
| [[iPhone]], [[iPad]], [[iPod Touch]]
| Only via [[App Store (iOS)|App Store]], needs review and approval by [[Apple Inc.]]
| Apple tools are free for an [[Intel]]-based [[Macintosh|Mac]]. Simulator testing is free, but installing on a device needs a fee for a developer signing key. AppCode - commercial licenses available.
Since 2015, Apple allows installing the app in your own device without a developer paid membership.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://developer.apple.com/library/ios/documentation/IDEs/Conceptual/AppDistributionGuide/LaunchingYourApponDevices/LaunchingYourApponDevices.html|title=Launching Your App on Devices|website=developer.apple.com|access-date=2016-04-30}}</ref>
|-
! [[iOS SDK]]
| [[Object Pascal]]
| Debugger integrated in Xcode IDE
| Included in Delphi XE2 professional or higher
| [[Delphi (programming language)|Embarcadero Delphi XE2]]
| [[iPhone]], [[iPad]], [[iPod Touch]]
| Only via [[App Store (iOS)|App Store]], needs review and approval by [[Apple Inc.]]
| Development requires [[Intel]]-based [[Macintosh|Mac]] besides the IDE on Windows. Design is on Windows, Compiling and deploying must be done on Mac. Simulator testing is free, but installing on a device needs a fee for a developer signing key
|}
==== Second Party ====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%"
! [[Computing platform|Platform]]
! [[Programming language]]
! [[Debuggers]] available
! [[List of emulators|Emulator]] available
! [[Integrated development environment]] available
! Cross-platform deployment
! Installer packaging options
! Development tool cost
|-
! [[Java ME]]
| [[Java (programming language)|Java]]
| {{Yes}}
| Free emulator, Sun Java Wireless Toolkit, [[mpowerplayer]]
| [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]], LMA [[NetBeans]] Mobility Pack
| {{Yes}} although many VM implementations have device specific bugs necessitating separate builds
| [[JAD (file format)|Jad]]/[[JAR (file format)|Jar]] packaging; PRC files under Palm OS
| Free
|}
==== Third Party ====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%"
! [[Computing platform|Platform]]
! [[Programming language]]
! [[Debuggers]] available
! [[List of emulators|Emulator]] available
! [[Integrated development environment]] available
! Cross-platform deployment
! Installer packaging options
! Development tool cost
|-
! Accelerator
| [[HTML5]], [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|[[Microsoft Visual Studio]]<br/>(no lock-in)
| All platforms, mobile apps are browser-based
| [[Mobile Web]]
| Commercial licenses available
|-
! [[Altova|MobileTogether]]
| [[XPath]]/[[XQuery]], Action Trees visual programming language
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| Proprietary IDE on Windows only
| Android, iOS, Windows, browser
| The native distribution for each format
| Free
|-
! [[App Inventor for Android]]
| Visual blocks-based programming language, with Interface designer
| Limited debugging tools built into [[Integrated development environment|IDE]]
| {{Yes}}
| Web-based interface designer, with connection to Java web-start program for blocks programming
| Android devices
| apk
| Free
|-
! [[Appcelerator]]
| [[JavaScript]]
| {{Yes}}, in Titanium Studio.
| Emulator is available using native emulators
| Titanium Studio based on Eclipse
| Android, iPhone; BlackBerry, Tizen, mobile web
| The native distribution format of each platform
| Free, open-sourced Apache 2.0 licensed, commercial and enterprise licenses available
|-
! [[Basic4android]]
| [[Visual Basic]] similar syntax
| {{Yes}}
| Emulator is available using native emulators
| Proprietary IDE
| Android
| The native distribution format of each platform
| Commercial licenses available
|-
! [[Codename One]]
| [[Java (programming language)|Java]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| Eclipse, Netbeans
| Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, J2ME
| The native distribution format of each platform
| Open Source GPLv2 and subscription-based build server
|-
! [[Solar2D]]
| [[Lua (programming language)|Lua]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| [[Xcode]]
| Android, iOS, [[Nook Color]]
| Native deployment for each platform
| Free using MIT license
|-
! [[DragonRAD]]
| Visual drag & drop tiles
| {{Yes}}
| Uses third-party emulators
| Proprietary IDE
| Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile
| [[over-the-air programming|OTA deployment]]
| Free & commercial licenses available
|-
! [[GeneXus]] for Mobile and Smart Devices
| [[Knowledge representation]] and [[declarative programming]]-modeling for easy development, then code is automatically generated for each platform
| GeneXus utilizes pre-tested code libraries and user debugging of code not necessary after code generation.
| Publish in the cloud, test native in the device, no emulator needed
| Proprietary IDE
| [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]] (iPhone, iPad), [[BlackBerry OS]], and even [[HTML5]] if needed
| The native distribution format of each platform and also cloud-browser-based
| Free to try, commercial and enterprise licenses available
|-
! [[IBM MobileFirst]] Studio
| [[HTML5]], [[CSS3]], [[JavaScript]], and native SDK languages w/ Native Worklight API
| {{Yes}}, Mobile Browser Simulator or integration with Native SDK Debugger
| Emulator is available using native emulators or Browser Simulator w/ Cordova Plugin
| [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]] plugin, Eclipse-based stand-alone
| [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]], [[BlackBerry]] 6,7, & 10, [[Windows Phone]] 7.5 & 8, [[Windows 8]] (desktop, tablets), [[Adobe AIR]], Mobile Web App, desktop browser web page
| The native distribution format of each platform
| Developer edition free via Eclipse Marketplace, commercial license for deployment
|-
! [[Lazarus (software)|Lazarus]]
| [[Object Pascal]]
| {{Yes}}, can debug in IDE via ActiveSync for Windows CE
| Uses the emulators of the platforms
| [[Lazarus (software)|Lazarus IDE]], including integrated GUI designer and debugger
| [[Compiled language]] available for [[Windows CE]], Linux-based devices, [[Symbian]] port in development
| The native distribution format of each platform
| Free
|-
! [[LambdaNative]]
| [[Scheme (programming language)|Scheme]]
| {{No}}
| {{No}} but can build and test on the localhost
| [[Eclipse (software)]] (optional)
| All native binaries: [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]], [[BlackBerry 10]], [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], [[OS X]], [[Linux]], [[OpenBSD]], [[OpenWrt]]
| The native distribution format of each platform
| Free ([[BSD licenses|BSD license]])
|-
! [[LiveCode]]
| LiveCode
| {{Yes}} (integrated into IDE)
| {{Yes}} (iOS and Android emulators may be used)
| {{Yes}}
| iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, server, HTML5. Installer packaging
| The native distribution format of each platform
| free open-source edition, commercial and enterprise editions available
|-
! [[Macromedia Flash Lite]]
| [[ActionScript]]
| {{Yes}}
| Bundled with IDE
| [[Adobe Flash|Macromedia Flash]] MX2004/8, Eclipse
| {{Yes}}
| SIS-CAB deployment or [[over-the-air programming|OTA]]-IR-Bluetooth SWF files
| Varies, free but limited with [[MTASC]]
|-
! [[Marmalade (SDK)|Marmalade]]
| [[C (programming language)|C]], [[C++]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| [[Visual Studio]], [[Xcode]]
| All native: Android, BlackBerry, BREW, iOS (iPhone), Maemo, Palm-webOS, Samsung bada, Symbian, Windows Mobile 6.x and desktop, OS X
| The native distribution format of each platform
| Commercial licenses available
|-
! [[Meme IDE]]
| MemeScript
| Validation is provided in the problems view
| {{Yes}}, Android emulator can be integrated
| [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]] RCP
| [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[Windows Mobile]]
| The native distribution format of each platform
| Free for development
|-
! [[Monaca (software)|Monaca]]
| [[HTML5]], [[CSS]], [[JavaScript]]
| {{Yes}}
| Preview is available on cloud IDE and local tool
| Cloud-based IDE, Visual Studio, third-party IDE/editors
| Android, iOS, windows8.1, 10
| The native distribution format of each platform
| Free, up to 3 projects. Commercial and enterprise license available
|-
! [[MonoDroid|Mono for Android]]
| [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| Visual Studio 2005 and MonoDevelop
| Android
| The native distribution format of the platform
|
|-
! [[MonoTouch]]
| [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| Visual Studio 2005 and MonoDevelop
| iOS
| The native distribution format of the platform
|
|-
! [[MoSync]]
| [[C (programming language)|C]], [[C++]], [[Lua (programming language)|Lua]], HTML5, CSS, JavaScript
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| Eclipse, Visual Studio 2005 and later, MoBuild w/ text editors
| Android, iOS (iPhone), Java ME, Moblin, Smartphone 2003, Symbian, Windows Mobile (Pocket PC), Blackberry (experimental)
| [[SIS (file format)|SIS]], CAB, JAD, JAR, APK, [[over-the-air programming|OTA]] deployment
| Free, GPL 2.0, Free Indie Subscription; commercial subscription available
|-
! [[NetBeans]]
| [[C++]], [[Java (programming language)|Java]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| Java development tools
| Android (Mobile and Tablet), Nokia (Symbian, Seria 60 – 40 – 80), etc...
|
| Free
|-
! [[OpenPlug]]
| [[ActionScript]], [[XML]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| OpenPlug ELIPS plugin for [[Adobe Flash Builder]]
| Android, iOS (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch), Symbian, Windows Mobile
| The native distribution format of each platform
| Free & commercial licenses available
|-
! [[OutSystems]]
| OutSystems, [[CSS]], [[JavaScript]]
| {{Yes}}
| Test directly in browser
| OutSystems Service Studio
| Android, iOS, Windows Phone 7
| NA
| Free community edition for personal use, or subscription licensing for commercial use
|-
! [[PhoneGap]] and [[Apache Cordova]]
| [[HTML]], [[CSS]], [[JavaScript]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}} A lot of functionality can be tested directly in browser. Running native emulators on iOS and Android is also possible.
| {{Yes}} Many IDEs exist for Cordova-based tools like [[Ionic (mobile app framework)|Ionic Studio]] or [[Appery.io]]
| iPhone, Android, Tizen, Windows Phone, BlackBerry, Symbian, Palm, Bada
| The native distribution format of each platform
| Apache 2
|-
! [[Qt (software)|Qt]] SDK
| [[C++]], [[QML]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| [[Qt Creator]]
| [[Android (operating system)|Android]] (technology preview), [[iOS]] (technology preview), [[Symbian]], [[Maemo]], [[MeeGo (operating system)|MeeGo]], [[Linux]], [[Windows]], [[OS X]]
| The native distribution format of each platform
| Free and commercial licenses available
|-
! [[Rhodes Framework|Rhomobile]]
| [[Ruby (programming language)|Ruby]] with [[HTML]] interface features compiled through an interpreter into native applications
| {{Yes}}
| N/A, applications can run in Win32 runner, or in device emulators for supported platforms.
| [[Xcode]] or [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]], on-demand RhoHub version includes full IDE
| {{Yes}}, supports Android 1.6+, iOS 3.0+ (iPhone, iPad), Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard, BlackBerry 4.6, 4.7, 5.0, 6.0 (4.2 and 4.5 supported but database access is very slow on these devices), Symbian
| [[over-the-air programming|OTA]] deployment, iOS through App store, .SIS, .CAB, .APK, .COD
| Rhodes is free and open source under the MIT License, RhoSync is under GPL or commercial, Commercial support available. Subscription for RhoHub
|-
! [[RubyMotion]]
| [[Ruby (programming language)|Ruby]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| Any text editor. As an IDE, [[RubyMine]].
| Android, iOS
| The native distribution format of the platform
| RubyMotion is a commercial product.
|-
! [[Sencha Touch]]
| [[HTML]], [[CSS]], [[JavaScript]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| Sencha Architect 2
| Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch), Kindle, BlackBerry, Bada
| Web delivered, or hybrid via native shells for each platform
| GPLv3, free for commercial, paid for OEM and embedded systems
|-
! [[Smartface]]
| [[WYSIWYG]] design editor with JavaScript code editor
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| Smartface IDE and SDK
| {{Yes}} Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch), Kindle, Gear, Google Glass
| The native distribution format of each platform
| Community license and commercial licenses available
|-
! [[Stencyl]]
| Drag-and-drop editor based on [[Scratch (programming language)|Scratch]], [[Objective-C]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| [[Xcode]]
| iOS (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch)
| The native distribution format of each platform
| Free and commercial development licenses
|-
! [[Telerik]] Platform, and AppBuilder
| HTML5, CSS and Javascript
| {{Yes}}
| Test right in browser or device
| In-browser client, desktop client, Visual Studio, Sublime Text or command-line interface (CLI)
| Android, iOS, Windows phone
| The native distribution format of each platform
| Free to try, commercial and enterprise licenses available
|-
! [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]]
| [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]], [[JavaScript]], [[Boo (programming language)|Boo]], other [[.NET Framework|.NET]]-based languages
| {{Yes}}
| Remote used to simulate device interaction before app is uploaded to the device.
| Unity Editor, also works with Visual Studios and MonoDevelop.
| Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad), PC, Mac, desktop browser, Xbox 360, PS3, Wii. BlackBerry Playbook, Nokia Symbian, Roku 2 and others available through company's Union program.
| Native distribution format of each platform
| Free and commercial development licenses.
|-
! [[Verivo]] AppStudio
| WYSIWYG, graphical drag and drop, [[JavaScript]], [[.NET Framework|.NET]]-based languages. Replaced by Appery.io
| {{Yes}}
| Test right in browser or device
| Proprietary design studio
| Android, iOS, Blackberry
| Native distribution format of each platform
| Free development licenses; per-CPU deployment licenses
|-
! [[ViziApps]]
| WYSIWYG, graphical drag and drop
| {{Yes}}
| Test right in browser or device
| Online design studio
| Android, iOS, Windows Phone planned
| The native distribution format of each platform
| Free to design, test, demo, update, app; fee to publish
|-
! [[V-Play Engine]]
| [[Objective C]], [[C++]], [[JavaScript]], [[QML]], [[Java (programming language)|Java]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| [[Qt Creator]]
| All Platforms
| The native distribution format of each platform
| Free, Indie and Enterprise licenses are available
|-
! [[Wakanda (software)|Wakanda]]
| [[HTML5]], [[JavaScript (programming language)|JavaScript]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}} Wakanda Studio
|Android, iOS, Windows 10 (soon) and browser-based apps
| apk
| Open Source and Commercial licenses available
|-
![[Xamarin]]
|C#
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|Xamarin Studio (Mac only; deprecated), Visual Studio (Windows only), Visual Studio for Mac (Mac only; replaced Xamarin Studio)<ref name="xamarinrebrand">{{cite web |url=https://winaero.com/microsoft-rebrands-xamarin-studio-as-visual-studio-for-mac/ |title=Microsoft rebrands Xamarin Studio as Visual Studio for Mac |first=Roman |last=Linev |date=2016-11-14 |work=Winaero |accessdate=2023-03-05 }}</ref><ref name="zdnetxamarin">{{cite web |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-makes-visual-studio-for-mac-generally-available/ |title=Microsoft makes Visual Studio for Mac generally available |quote=Microsoft is making its Visual Studio for Mac -- a rebranded version of Xamarin Studio for the Mac -- generally available. |first=Mary Jo |last=Foley |date=2017-05-10 |accessdate=2023-04-02 |work=ZDNet }}</ref>
|Android, iOS, Windows Phone, Windows Store apps
|The native distribution of each platform
|Free community edition, pro edition included in Microsoft MSDN licensing
|-
![[Xojo]]
|Xojo (similar to VB)
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|Xojo IDE
|iOS, mobile web apps
|iOS apps are native iPad
|Free trial with no time limit; commercial licenses available
|}
===Back-end servers===
Back-end tools pick up where the front-end tools leave off, and provide a set of reusable services that are centrally managed and controlled and provide the following abilities:
* Integration with back-end systems
* User authentication-authorization
* Data services
* Reusable business logic
Available tools are listed below.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%"
! [[Computing platform|Platform]]
! [[Programming language]]
! [[Integrated development environment]] available
! Cross-platform deployment
! Deployment options
! Development tool cost
|-
! [[Altova]] MobileTogether Server
| Browser-based interface
| Proprietary IDE
| Server available for [[Windows]], [[Linux]], [[macOS]]. Supports mobile devices running [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]], [[Windows 8]], [[Windows 10]] [[Windows Phone]], [[HTML5]] browser-based client
| On-prem, cloud, or hybrid
| Development tools are free, commercial license needed for deployment
|-
! GO!AppZone by [[Globo plc]]
| [[JavaScript]]. Custom integrations connectors/server-side logic: C#, VB.NET
| Yes, GO!AppZone Studio
| [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[BlackBerry]], [[iOS]], [[Windows RT|Windows Phone, 8.x, RT]]
| On-prem, cloud or hybrid
| Development tools are free, commercial license or subscription needed for deployment
|-
! IBM MobileFirst Server
| [[HTML5]], [[CSS3]], [[JavaScript]], and native SDK languages w/ Native Worklight API
| [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]] plugin, Eclipse-based stand-alone
| [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]], [[BlackBerry]] 6,7, & 10, [[Windows Phone]] 7.5 & 8, [[Windows 8]] (desktop, tablets), [[Adobe AIR]], Mobile Web App, desktop browser web page
| On-prem
| Developer edition free via Eclipse Marketplace, commercial license for deployment
|-
! [[Metismo]]
| [[Java (programming language)|Java]]
| [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]]
| Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad), Java ME, BREW, BlackBerry, Nintendo DS, Palm/webOS, Sony PSP, Samsung bada, Symbian, Windows Mobile, Windows Phone 7, Windows Desktop, OS X
| On-prem
| Commercial licenses available
|-
! [[Wakanda (software)|Wakanda]]
| [[JavaScript (programming language)|JavaScript]]
| Use Wakanda Studio
| Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad), Windows Phone 10 (soon), HTML5 app
| On-prem or cloud
| Community and commercial editions
|-
! [[Verivo]] Akula
| [[Java (programming language)|Java]]
| Use any front-end IDE
| Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad), Windows Phone7
| On-prem, cloud, or hybrid
| Free development licenses; per-CPU deployment licenses. Replaced by Appery.io
|-
! [[WebORB Integration Server]]
| [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]], [[VB.NET]], [[Java (programming language)|Java]], [[PHP]], ActionScript, [[JavaScript]], [[Objective-C]],
[[XML]]
| Works with Eclipse, Visual Studio, intelliJ IDEA and Amethyst IDE
| Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad), BlackBerry Playbook, Windows Phone 7
| On-prem
| Free development licenses; free and commercial deployment licenses
|}
===Security add-on layers===
With [[bring your own device]] (BYOD) becoming the norm within more enterprises, IT departments often need stop-gap, tactical solutions that layer atop existing apps, phones, and platform component. Features include
* App wrapping for security
* Data encryption
* Client actions
* Reporting and statistics
===System software===
Many system-level components are needed to have a functioning platform for developing mobile apps.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%"
! [[Computing platform|Platform]]
! [[Programming language]]
! [[Debuggers]] available
! [[List of emulators|Emulator]] available
! [[Integrated development environment]] available
! Cross-platform deployment
! Installer packaging options
! Development tool cost
|-
! [[Adobe AIR]]
| [[ActionScript]], [[HTML]], [[CSS]], [[JavaScript]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| [[Flash Builder]], [[Flash Professional]], [[IntelliJ IDEA]]
| Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch), BlackBerry
| The native distribution format of each platform
| [[Flash Builder]], [[Flash Professional]], [[IntelliJ IDEA]] - commercial licenses available Adobe AIR SDK (command line tool) - Free
|-
! [[Qualcomm Brew|BREW]]
| [[C (programming language)|C]]; the APIs are provided in C with a C++ style interface
| Debugger support for the native ARM target code. Can use Visual Studio to debug the x86 testing code
| No Emulator for the target ARM code, has a simulator for the x86 testing code
| Visual Studio 6.0, Visual Studio 2003 .NET, Visual Studio 2005
| Compile for the specific BREW version available on the handset
| [[over-the-air programming|OTA]]
| Related dev fees typically needed for Brew App Certification - VeriSign annual fee for becoming a certified developer. Realview ARM compiler for BREW (the free GNU C/C++ is available, but with limited function and support). TRUE BREW testing fee for distributing the application.
|-
! [[Firefox OS]]
| [[HTML5]], [[CSS]], [[JavaScript]]
| {{Yes}}
| No, but simulator available.
| Firefox browser, [[Firebug (software)|Firebug]]
| Web browser on other platform
| [[Firefox Marketplace]], Web URL
| Development requires [[Mozilla Firefox]] and the simulator add-on
|-
! [[.NET Compact Framework]]
| [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]], [[Visual Basic .NET|VB.NET]], [[Basic4ppc]]
| {{Yes}}
| Free emulator, source code available, also bundled with IDE
| [[Visual Studio#Visual Studio 2008|Visual Studio 2008]], 2005, 2003, [[Basic4ppc]] IDE
| [[Windows Mobile]], Windows CE, Symbian-based devices via third-party tools
| [[over-the-air programming|OTA]] deployment, [[Cabinet (file format)|CAB]] files, ActiveSync
| Most tools free, but commercial editions of Visual Studio needed for visual designers
|-
! [[OpenFL]]
| [[Haxe]] (similar to Actionscript and Java)
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| [[IntelliJ IDEA]], FlashDevelop
| Android, iOS (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch), BlackBerry Playbook, WebOS, HTML5, Flash, Windows (exe), Linux
| The native distribution format of each platform
| Free
|-
! [[Palm OS]]
| [[C (programming language)|C]], [[C++]], [[Pascal (programming language)|Pascal]]
| {{Yes}}
| OS 1.0–4.1: free emulator provided by PalmSource (Access); OS 5.0: - 5.4 device-specific simulators provided by Palm (palmOne)
| Palm OS Development System (Eclipse), [[CodeWarrior]], [[PocketStudio]], HB++, Satellite Forms
| [[Palm OS]] handhelds, or Windows Mobile with StyleTap emulator
| [[PRC (Palm OS)|PRC]] files, PalmSource Installer (.psi)
| Free (POSE or GCC for Palm OS), or commercial (CodeWarrior), or various commercial rapid-development frameworks
|-
! [[Python (programming language)|Python]]
| Python
| {{Yes}}
| Add-on to Nokia Emulator
| Several, including plugins for [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]]
| [[Interpreted language]] available natively only on [[Nokia Series60]] (and desktops) though ports exist to other mobile platforms, including Palm OS
| Sis deployment with py2sis or can use Python Runtime
| Free
|-
! [[Symbian]]
| [[C++]]
| {{Yes}}
| Free emulator
| [[Symbian|Many choices]]
| Compile per target
| [[SIS (file format)|SIS]] deployment
| Commercial and free tools available
|-
! [[Tizen]]
| ''Web-based'': [[HTML5]], [[CSS]], [[JavaScript]] ''Native'': [[C (programming language)|C]], [[C++]]
| {{Yes}}
| Free emulator
| Tizen SDK
| Web-based app to be available on web browser
| Tizen through App store, Web URL
| Development needs Windows, OS X, or Ubuntu Desktop
|-
! [[Ubuntu Touch]]
| ''Web-based'': [[HTML5]], [[CSS]], [[JavaScript]] ''Native'': [[QML]], [[C (programming language)|C]], [[C++]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| Ubuntu SDK
| HTML5 app to be available web browser.
| Ubuntu Touch through App store, Web URL
| Development requires Ubuntu Desktop 12.04 or higher, Free
|-
! [[webOS]]
| [[JavaScript]], [[CSS]], [[HTML]], [[C (programming language)|C]] and [[C++]] through the PDK
| {{Yes}}
| Free emulator
| [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]]
| webOS, Palm only
| [[over-the-air programming|OTA]] deployment, webOS through App store, Web URL, Precentral, .ipk
| Free
|-
! [[Windows Mobile]]
| [[C (programming language)|C]], [[C++]]
| {{Yes}}
| Free emulator (source code available), also bundled with IDE
| [[Visual Studio#Visual Studio 2008|Visual Studio 2010]], 2008, 2005, eMbedded VC++ (free), Satellite Forms
| [[Windows Mobile]], Windows CE
| [[over-the-air programming|OTA]] deployment, CAB files, ActiveSync
| Free command-line tools or eMbedded VC++, or Visual Studio (Standard edition or better)
|-
! [[Windows Phone]]
| [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]], [[Visual Basic]], [[C (programming language)|C]], [[C++]]
| {{Yes}}
| Free emulator, also bundled with IDE
| [[Visual Studio 2012]], [[Visual Studio 2010]]
| [[Windows Phone]]
| [[over-the-air programming|OTA]] deployment, [[XAP (file format)|XAP]] files
|
|}
Criteria for selecting a development platform usually contains the target mobile platforms, existing infrastructure and development skills. When targeting more than one platform with cross-platform development it is also important to consider the impact of the tool on the [[user experience]]. Performance is another important criteria, as research on mobile apps indicates a strong correlation between application performance and user satisfaction. Along with performance and other criteria, the availability of the technology and the project's requirement may drive the development between native and cross-platform environments. To aid the choice between native and cross-platform environments, some guidelines and benchmarks have been published. Typically, cross-platform environments are reusable across multiple platforms, leveraging a native container while using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for the user interface. In contrast, native environments are targeted at one platform for each of those environments. For example, Android development occurs in the Eclipse IDE using Android Developer Tools (ADT) plugins, Apple iOS development occurs using Xcode IDE with Objective-C and/or Swift, Windows and BlackBerry each have their own development environments.
===Mobile app testing===
Mobile applications are first tested within the development environment using emulators and later subjected to [[field testing]]. [[Emulator]]s provide an inexpensive way to test applications on mobile phones to which developers may not have physical access. The following are examples of tools used for testing application across the most popular [[mobile operating system]]s.
* '''Google Android Emulator''' - an [[Android (operating system)|Android]] emulator that is patched to run on a Windows PC as a standalone app, without having to download and install the complete and complex [[Android SDK]]. It can be installed and Android compatible apps can be tested on it.
* '''The official Android SDK Emulator''' - a mobile device emulator which mimics all of the hardware and [[software]] features of a typical mobile device (without the calls).
* '''TestiPhone''' - a [[web browser]]-based [[simulator]] for quickly testing [[iPhone]] [[web applications]]. This tool has been tested and works using [[Internet Explorer 7]], [[Firefox 2]] and [[Safari 3]].
* '''iPhoney''' - gives a [[pixel]]-accurate web browsing environment and it is powered by [[Safari (web browser)|Safari]]. It can be used while developing [[web sites]] for the [[iPhone]]. It is not an iPhone simulator but instead is designed for web developers who want to create 320 by 480 (or 480 by 320) websites for use with iPhone. iPhoney will only run on [[OS X]] 10.4.7 or later.
* '''BlackBerry Simulator''' - There are a variety of official BlackBerry simulators available to emulate the functionality of actual BlackBerry products and test how the device software, screen, keyboard and [[trackwheel]] will work with application.
* '''Windows UI Automation''' - To test applications that use the Microsoft UI Automation technology, it requires Windows Automation API 3.0. It is pre-installed on Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 and later versions of Windows. On other operating systems, you can install using Windows Update or download it from the [[Microsoft]] Web site.
* '''MobiOne''' Developer - a [[mobile Web]] [[integrated development environment]] (IDE) for [[Windows]] that helps developers to code, test, debug, package and deploy mobile [[Web application]]s to devices such as [[iPhone]], [[BlackBerry]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], and the [[Palm Pre]]. MobiOne Developer was officially declared End of Life by the end of 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=MobiOne Developer 1.0 M4: Create App Store-ready Mobile Web Applications, Experience True Device Behavior on Windows |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/iphone/10/prweb2980934.htm |website=PRWeb |access-date=31 May 2021}}</ref>
Tools include
* [[Eggplant (GUI testing tool)|eggPlant]]: A GUI-based automated test tool for mobile app across all operating systems and devices.
* [[Ranorex]]: Test automation tools for mobile, web and desktop apps.
* [[Testdroid]]: Real mobile devices and test automation tools for testing mobile and web apps.
==Patents==
Many patent applications are pending for new mobile phone apps. Most of these are in the technological fields of business methods, database management, data transfer, and operator interface.<ref>[http://ipwatchdog.com/2011/04/06/increasing-allowance-rates-by-selectively-targeting-patent-class/id=16283/ Nowotarski et al., "Increasing Allowance Rates by Selectively Targeting Patent Class" IPwatchdog, April 6, 2011]</ref>
== See also == <!-- Please don't spam or repeat links -->
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[List of mobile app distribution platforms]]
* [[Lazy user model]]
* [[Mobile application management]]
* [[Mobile backend as a service]]
* [[Mobile business intelligence]]
* [[Mobile computing]]
* [[Mobile-device testing]]
* [[Mobile enterprise application platform]]
* [[Mobile games]]
* [[Mobile interaction]]
* [[Mobile marketing]]
* [[Mobile web development]]
* [[Mobile workflow]]
* [[Multi-channel app development]]
* [[MoSoSo]], mobile social software
* [[On-Device Portal]]
* [[WURFL]] and WALL
* [[JQuery Mobile]]
* [[HTML5]]
{{div col end}}
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Mobile operating systems}}
{{Mobile phones}}
[[Category:Mobile software development| ]]
[[Category:Mobile applications| ]]
[[fr:Application mobile]]
[[pl:Aplikacje mobilne]]
[[fi:Mobiiliohjelmisto]]
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