What Is a Technology Stack for Mobile App Development
The technology stack for mobile application development refers to the combination of programming languages, software development kits, frameworks, and, actually, any other technologies that contribute to the final product.
Generally, there are four main components of tech stack:
Frontend Development
Also known as client-side development, frontend development is the practice of building graphical user interfaces through the use of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, so that users can interact with them directly. Buttons, links, animations, etc, are products of frontend developers who are responsible for the look and feel of the website.
Backend Development
Server-side development or backend development is focused on scripting, databases, and website architecture. It’s a combination of “behind-the-scenes” activities that occur when users interact with the website. It might be an account login, making a purchase from an online store, and so on. Users browse websites without even knowing how much work was done in the backend to connect the web to a database.
Development Platform
A development platform refers to the type of software that allows businesses to build, test, and deploy their products in a short period of time. The development platform can be created yourself though most frequently, organizations decide to buy third-party products. Such products usually offer frontend development tools, mobile backend as a service, and management tools for APIs.
Additional Needs
Different tools and technologies to improve the performance, security, and flexibility of the application.
Why Is It Important to Make the Right Decision?
The mobile development stack you choose and the end product you receive are completely interconnected. Therefore in the initial phase of development, you should decide on the functionality of the application, the budget you have on it, expected user experience, and precisely learn the technology stack options that can meet these needs.
Most programming languages have established performance strengths and limitations, the mobile app stack can hint at the final strengths and weaknesses of your application.
Technology Stacks for Different Kinds of Mobile App Development
The success of your application is directly bound to the app platform that you’ve chosen. Let’s assume that your target audience is located in the US. Approximately 58% of the US mobile operating system market share is held by iOS, and 41% by Android. If your target audience lives in India, the situation is different - 94% of the market share belongs to Android. Therefore in the process of choosing a tech stack for mobile app development, business owners have different paths to choose among, that in the future will dictate not only the functionality of their products but also their popularity.
Native App Development: iOS and Android
Native mobile applications are built for a specific platform. The most popular two are Android and iOS. Native applications flawlessly integrate into the target operating systems, magnify user experience, allow developers to immediately publish all updates and fix bugs.