'''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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Introduction to Mobile Application Development {{!}} IBM |url=https://www.ibm.com/topics/mobile-application-development |access-date=2023-06-24 |website=www.ibm.com |language=en-us}}</ref>. 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).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-10-03 |title=Essential Aspects to Consider While Designing Mobile Apps {{!}} GlobalLogic UK |url=https://www.globallogic.com/uk/insights/blogs/essential-aspects-to-consider-while-designing-mobile-apps/ |access-date=2023-06-24 |website=GlobalLogic |language=en-gb}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is a mobile app (mobile application)? – TechTarget Definition |url=https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/mobile-app |access-date=2023-06-24 |website=WhatIs.com |language=en}}</ref>
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>
