From http://www.codeproject.com/Articles/799651/Mobile-App-Development-Description

App_Dev

Mobile App Development & Description Introduction In this blog, I am going to discuss about mobile app development, related technologies, types of application in current scenario, from past and the future along with their related operating systems. So buckle up and get ready for this app journey..  Here we go!  Applications | Overview We are in an era of applications that are continuously making our life easier, better and I can say extended. So just go through all these types and be a part of this app era.    Definition  Application is nothing but a set of program or codes that are designed for performing some required or pre defined operations.  There can be several types of applications. Based on their functionality, their definition and working methodology, technologies also differ from each other.    Now, I am taking you in an ocean of applications…  Current Scenario | App Development  Here, I am comparing the data of few years on mobile based devices like tablets, smartphones, fablets, etc. with internet on machines so that you can have a feel of current app development market.    Application | Types  When we talk about applications, our mind generally takes us to several types of utility apps, gaming apps, social networking apps that’s it, but that’s neither end nor beginning. In the current scenario, when we talk about applications, we need to be specific and more generic like what type of app we are talking about and what the scenario is for that.  So in this portion of this blog, I am going to talk about several existing categories of applications and further I’ll discuss about them in detail. (Here, I am going to cover app categories from past, future perception along with present need and usefulness.)    In spite of all these major categories, there can be some derived categories too that fit in every major category according to their development procedure and different- different functionalities.  Most commonly used derived categories general speaking are:  Static Apps Dynamic Apps Single Page Apps Etc.  1. Native Applications In simple words, we can say:  “Native applications are developed for some specific platforms and get installed on a computing device.”  Native apps are generally developed using an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). IDEs are used in this kind of app development because IDEs provide:  Built in support Built in libraries Debugging Version control tools Project management tools And some other useful utility tools for providing full support in app development.    We need to use IDEs because native apps are difficult to built because there is no direct development options such as you just only need to copy and paste some code snippet and it's over.  Native App | Features  Some most common features of native apps are:  Pros MultiTouch support Fast graphics API Fluid Animation Ease of use Build in Components Documentation Cons Expensive Development work Single Platform Native App | Technologies  Some most used technologies are:  Native iOS Native Android PhoneGap Accelerator Titanium Native App | Example  Some popular apps are:  Walgreens PIM Calendar NFC MAC Address Falling Blocks Place Picker 2: Hybrid Applications In very common words, we can define hybrid apps as:  “Applications that are a combination of both native and web applications are called hybrid applications.”  As I explained, native apps are developed for some specific platforms and get installed on a computing device and web applications are those that are built for multiple platforms and can work globally on these types of applications can be simply accessed or used by the browser via active internet connection.    Thus hybrid apps are a combo of both these categories, having more features than native and web applications individually.  Hybrid App | Features  Some most common features of hybrid apps are:  Pros Can function whether or not device is connected Integration with device files system Integration with web based services An embedded browser to dynamically update online content Works on multiple platforms Cons Functionality distractions Feature overlapping Hybrid App | Technologies  Mostly used technologies are:  Blackberry native HTML5 PhoneGap Hybrid App | Example  Some of the popular apps are:  Banana Republic Financial Times App shot Bucket List Native VS Hybrid  Here, I am going to compare and contrast between native app and hybrid apps - how they are different and scenarios according to their functionality through this picture.  Just go through this image and feel the difference:    Native VS Hybrid VS Web Applications  In this portion, I am showing real scenario of these 3 major app categories:    3: Generic Apps In simple words, we can say:  “A mobile website that will work with all the mobile platforms and phones as well.”  The diagram shown below represents an overview or model of how actually generic applications work and their processing from one step to another without any difference. So, generic application concept is not really new, it was in the market but not at its peak but in the current scenario, it's crossing several leaps and bounds and giving tough competition in the mobile application development market.    Generic App | Features  Some measured features of generic apps are:  Pros Doesn’t require specific GUI Content oriented Compact and cozy view Web API based app development Works on multiple platforms Cons Less user interaction Functionally dependent on requirement Generally static apps Requires active internet connection Generic App | Technologies  Some preferred technologies are:  C#.NET (Microsoft) Android Objective C (iOS) FI_WARE (open Tech) Generic App | Examples  Some popular apps are:  NHL series Tomb Raider HTML5 Learner Flipkart Applicaion Ebay application 4: Dedicated Apps In common words:  “Dedicated apps are requirement specific static apps that are directly dependent upon the few module requirements and limited functionality.”  Dedicated apps are better than bookmark apps because of several well defined and designed functionality according to requirements.    Some people define dedicated apps as:  “A website that is tailored to work on mobile device.”  Dedicated App | Features  Some features of dedicated apps are:  Pros Supports various platforms Functionality dependent app development Can be static or dynamic Based on client requirement architecture Cons Less functionality Outdated Less user friendly Dedicated App | Technologies  Some preferred technologies are:  HTML5/CSS3 Android WIN 8 Environment Dedicated App | Examples  Some popular apps are:  Swift key Keyboard Food planer Timely Keep Duolingo Path talk Minecraft 5: Bookmark Apps In simple words, bookmark apps are:  “Bookmark Applications let users save web resources that they wish to access later into organized lists that can be shared online or we can say bookmark apps are mobile websites.” Bookmark apps make your website compatible to get viewed in mobile or tablets or mobile versions of website.    Bookmark App | Feature  Some specific features are:  Pros Works in organized way Have name different from link You just need to customize your website Can be organized into several folders Drag and drop functionality Cons Generally static apps Less user interaction Outdated Bookmark App | Technologies  Bookmarks applications doesn’t use any specific technology, these applications are generally based on browser interaction, so these applications use:  HTML5/CSS3 Basic Scripting Languages Graphics/APIs Bookmark App | Example  Reddit How-To-Geek InstaPaper Blogmarks Google Bookmarks Pocket 6: Cross Platform Apps In most simple words, we can say:  “In computing, cross platform means applications/software that can work freely in different platforms or multi platforms.”  Cross platform applications can be based on these two type of functionalities:  Run time packages Standard components   Cross platform applications are widely used and accepted these days due to their performance and capability of supporting various platforms without and serious causes. In spite of all these, it also gives developers some additional support of libraries, utility tools, etc.  Cross platform Design | view  This view represents the support and design architecture.    Cross Platform App | Features  Some features of cross platform apps are:  Pros Can be used in multiple platforms Can function both online and offline mode User friendly environment Ease of development Fully function oriented Combination of hybrid and native apps (in general) Mutitouch functionality Integration with web based services Cons Security aspects Testing issues Hidden privacy flaws Data lose Requires execution environment Cross Platform App | Technologies  Some preferred technologies/frameworks are:  Phone Gap Open GL Mozilla application platform WebDev WinDev TCL/TK Cross Platform App | Example  Some popular apps are:  Team Play Team Fortress UNO Whatsapp BBMS Shadow Run Lost Planet DUST 514