Mobile app development: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 12:21, 4 December 2024

Revision as of 13:07, 4 December 2024

Line 2:

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}

'''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 [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software| 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, keyboards, touch screens with or 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>

The mobile app development sector has experienced significant growth in Europe. A 2017 report from the Progressive Policy Institute estimated there were '''1.89 million jobs''' in the ''app economy'' across the EU by January 2017, marking a 15% increase from the previous year. These jobs include roles such as mobile app developers and other positions supporting the app economy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Atkinson |first=Robert D. |title=The App Economy in Europe: Leading Countries and Cities, 2017 |date=October 2017 |url=https://www.progressivepolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/PPI_EuropeAppEconomy_2017_.pdf |website=Progressive Policy Institute |access-date=3 October 2024}}</ref>

Line 10:

In order to facilitate the development of applications for mobile devices, and the consistency thereof, various approaches have been taken.

Most companies that ship a product (e.g. Apple, iPod/iPhone/iPad) provide an official [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_development_kit| 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 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, which 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.