Cross-platform apps development gained a huge popularity as it allows to develop apps that can run on various platforms. These apps uses reusable code that can be used across platforms to produce the same features. Hence it saves time and money for developers. But Cross-platform development can result in slew of performance and usability issues. Apart from these, there are some more challenges while developing best cross platform app. Let’s see these challenges and their solutions. But before digging into it, let’s see what is cross platform app development.
What Is Cross Platform App Development?
Term “cross-platform application development” or “multi platform app development” is self-evident. It allows programmers to create mobile solution that is compatible with multiple operating systems and platforms simultaneously(Android, iOS, Windows).
Main reason of why developers are switching from native to cross-platform development is the faster development time. There are lots of cross-platform app development frameworks available to meet the user’s requirements.
Challenges In Cross Platform App Development –
Although cross-platform apps development offers many appealing features, there are some challenges in cross platform app development. Here are some of those.
1. Poor UI/UX-
This may seem surprising, but most cross-platform apps fail due to unnecessary features and difficult to navigate designs. Native apps are all about animation features, 3D effects and beautiful blend of graphics enhanced by hardware features. But most cross-platform apps cannot take advantage of all functionality that mobile devices provided, which results in poor user experience.
Every device has its unique characteristics, that makes it difficult to provide same functionality with single universal code. As a result, programmers must simplify features to ensure that screen layouts and images are consistent across all devices.
2. Switching The Platform-
Most of the cross-platform frameworks use their Javascript subject and this create issues when you use reusable codes. Thus, finding the issue amongst the whale coding becomes a hectic task that increases time and cost required for mobile app development.
3. Delayed Access To Latest Features-
One who choose to design a cross-platform mobile app will tuned to the framework they choose. Issue with them is they have a delay in updating. Apple provides new capabilities to iOS and Google adds new features to Android, frameworks must adapt their development tools to integrate new functionality. It needs some time. The integration process with local settings becomes lengthy with this platform. The integration process with local settings becomes quite lengthy with this platform.
4. Limited Updates-
Sometimes, operating system does not support all features that the framework uses. For example, when iOS platform introduces new update or adds new element, you need to update iOS version of app accordingly, but you can’t do the same with Android until google releases the same update.
5. Poor Customizations And Navigation Integration-
Development frameworks couldn’t support every features that you need, including some options connected with hardware functionality, integration with device local settings and inbuilt storage access. Lack of features support may result in blocking the app operation.
6. Loss Of Code-
Using a framework for cross platform development is a cost-effective option. Platform ties you into your project just like a site builder allows you to create pages but don’t allow you to reuse them on other sites. Always think before you select the framework. If in case you want to switch to another framework, all your efforts can be lost.
7. Limited Tool Support-
Go with cross-platform app development only if you are sure about the features that you want to include in your project and confident about the framework that it will handle all. There might not be enough tools for app customization. According to the techies, the greatest programming languages for cross-development are Java, javascript and ruby on rails. Though they aren’t ideal. Then what are your options to deal with this? Hiring experienced cross platform developers will be a great idea.
Solutions-
1. Platform-
You must select whether your software will be available on a single or several operating systems. If you want to grab a broader audience, cross platform is a way to go. Whereas, if you want to reach ios and android customers, creating a great user experience with native solutions would be your top priority.
2. Native Feel-
You must consider how native your mobile app to feel to the user. App designing with material design or human interface guidelines makes digital products very attractive and user friendly. Whereas you can achieve this by using some popular cross-platform frameworks.
3. Flexibility-
Obviously, flexibility is important in any app development. It allows you to go from one framework to another. Just ensure that the structure you’re working with is adaptable.
4. Complexity-
It refers to the extent to which you want to take the product. To deal with this issue, determine whether you want to use an MVP to test idea or whether you’re ready to go with a full-fledged app.
5. Costing-
While choosing cross platform development, you should consider both sides of the issue. It is feasible. It’ll initially cost you less and you can develop it at lower cost. But due to maintenance and upgraded features the price will rise. Multiplatform mobile app development will be useful for small projects.
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