How much do you check your phone daily – You can't keep track of it. Right? You're not alone; smartphone addiction stats show we're all pretty hooked!
Almost half of the world owns a smartphone, with an average user spending 2+hours on the phone daily. At the user's end, mobile applications are immersive. You connect with friends, obtain information, play games, or lock your smart doors – all from the comfort of your hand.
But on the developer's end, the process is much more complex. It consists of programming languages and frameworks, including JS, Java, Swift, React Native, amongst many others. These languages decode and translate computer commands into human-readable characters. With many languages available, budding appreneuers may be unsure which one is particularly fit for their solution.
That is why Emphasoft company explains the best programming languages for mobile apps. Hence, software startups can have background knowledge of computer languages before consulting mobile app development companies for further advise
Let's get right in.
JavaScript
Being versatile has made JavaScript a highly-regarded programming language among developers. JavaScript was originally a server-side language. But frameworks like Node JS, React JS, Vue, Angular, etc., have enhanced JS functionalities to build backends and front-end UI.
Hence, JavaScript today is a full-stack language. It can create backend databases, front-end user interfaces, games, websites, web apps, mobile apps, and desktop applications. You can also use JavaScript with HTML and CSS to build functional websites.
- React Native: React Native makes the JavaScript framework cross-functional across iOS and Android systems. Using JS, it manipulates native features of mobile devices to create functional applications.
Java
Java is an object-oriented programming language popularly used to build Android apps. However, it can function for every mobile app development. It started as a server-side programming language. However, Android, upon its inception in 2008, adopted the language to build its app.
Java has extensive features. It provides an open-source library, easily extensible, simple, and high-performance. Plus, it is more dynamic and flexible than C++ and C#.
Although usable for iOS apps, Java programming language is cross-functional regardless. It can help build games, websites, web apps, scientific apps, and server apps, amongst other mobile app development.
Kotlin
Google adopted Kotlin in 2017 as an official alternative to Java for Android development. The programming language has neater code than Java but with a 2x slower compilation speed. Being a new language, Kotlin is highly touted as the ‘next-gen Java.’
A plus of Kotlin is its interoperability with Java. It operates on the Java Virtual Machine and can utilize Java's vast library. Its main advantages over Java include
- Simpler, cleaner, and more compact syntax
- Utilize single-type systems, unlike Java, which uses two
- Reduces runtime crashes
- Cost-effective. You don't need to spend money to acquire a license, etc.
Objective C
Apple developed Objective C to support its applications–iPhones, watches, macOS, tvOS, and iPads. It's built on the C language syntax but has added features like Smalltalk-style messaging.
Objective C isn't as easy-to-use as Swift amongst developers. It has a clumsy and awkward syntax that is hard to debug. As Apple adopted a more straightforward language – Swift – Objective C became less used among other mobile app development tools. Plus, Apple stopped updating the language. Hence, becoming a less favored option compared to Swift.
However, that has not diminished Objective C's relevance. Many iOS apps are built with the programming language. Plus, it is much more cost-effective compared to Swift
Swift
Swift replaced Objective C as the top Apple programming language in 2014. In no time, it became the adopted iOS software for startups. Compared to Objective C, it offers a simpler and more compact syntax.
Swift supports modern iOS, tvOS, and OS X applications. It has an expressive, scalable, and adaptable coding pattern, making it easy to use and flexible to new features. It also has server work features that provide industrial systems. Apps written with Swift include Airbnb, Lyft, Flutter Starlight, Pandora, etc.
- XCode: XCode is a user-friendly application used to build Swift. The IDE contains a library, workspace, and XCode Cloud. You can write code faster, edit them, and deploy it on App stores using XCloud.
It also supports multi-platform development where you can create apps for iOS, iPadOS, Mac OS, and tvOS.
Dart
Dart is an object-oriented, open-source programming language for building ultra-fast apps. The coding language was created by Google in 2011 using C syntax.
Dart is well regarded as a versatile alternative to JavaScript. Developers use it to write multi-platform mobile apps, native apps, desktop apps, and backend of websites. It also has a rich core library with API packages to aid software development for startups.
Dart compilers include a native platform and a web-based platform. At the same time, its native compiler uses a Dart Virtual Machine to create apps. Its web version converts Dart code into JavaScript.
- Flutter: Flutter is a user interface framework powered by Dart for building scalable applications functional across different platforms. Using Dart, you can create iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, or Web applications on Flutter.
Python
Another general-purpose and widely-used programming language is Python. It helps create high-performance solutions, including web apps, media apps, machine learning, Blockchain apps, AI systems, administrative apps, etc.
It has a robust graphical user interface from its comprehensive library. It has excellent integration, clean and readable code, and advanced control features. Thus, apprenueurs see it as the best bet to build fast, quality apps with advanced technologies.
Well-known adopters of Python include Instagram, Dropbox, Pinterest, Uber, Quora, and Facebook.
Being accessible to code makes mobile app development and deployment fast. It also supports different complex frameworks that enhance its usage and functionalities. They include
- Django
- Falcon
- Dash
- Flask
- Web2y
Amongst many others.
On the flip side, Python Android doesn't support Python. Yet, it can be used to build Android applications. Using BeeWare and Kivy open-source libraries, developers can code Android apps with Python. But a downside is that these Android apps can't enjoy native features like those coded with Java.
Other Programming Languages And Frameworks
C++ is a general-purpose programming language ideal for building high-performance applications and heavy games.
C# is an object-oriented programming language created by Microsoft and runs on the .NET Framework. It has a clean and straightforward syntax like Java. Its code can also be cross-compiled to support cross-operability on Android and iOS apps.
HTML5 is the 5th release of HTML used to build front-end web and mobile app software. It has to be combined with a backend language to create a fully functional mobile app.
Xamarin: Xamarin is a framework powered by Microsoft to code applications with C#. The platform can help create Android as well as iOS.
So, What Programming Language Is Best For Your App Startup
Well, you decide, not me. Every programming language has its strengths and uses cases as well as weaknesses. Java or Kotlin is best used for Android apps. General-purpose languages like JavaScript, Python (Although rare), C#, and Dart can help build Android apps and web applications.
Apple-created programming languages, Objective C and Swift, are used for iOS apps. But iOS also supports apps built with JavaScript and Dart.
Of course – when starting a software company – other things should be considered beyond choosing a suitable programming language. That's where a software development company can help. For instance, Emphasoft mobile app developers help gauge the viability of your idea, do market research, sum up the cost and suggest changes for improvement.
Once you want to start building your app, they can provide mobile app development outsourcing services. They build apps with Java, Kotlin, Swift, and Objective C, amongst other programming languages.
