Platforms and Cross-Platform Development

What is a Platform?

Platform refers to hardware and software architecture, acting like a foundation or base on which other applications, processes, or technologies are developed. It includes the firmware, boot loaders, BIOS(Basic Input/Output System), operating system kernels, and BSPs.

A platform stands for an operating system on which software applications are run.

Even an application can serve as a platform if it acts as a base for other programs. For example, The Web Browsers that we use allow the use of Third-Party Plugins, and hence the browser application acts as a Platform for Interfacing.

Examples of Platform:

• Google Android
• Apple iOS
• Blackberry
• Macintosh Operating System (macOS)
• Windows Operating System etc.

There are usually platform dedicated teams in larger organisations responsible for developing and delivering ready-to-use apps for users of that platform. 

Organizations usually decide beforehand or according to their needs during scalability whether to go up with native apps or cross-platform ones!

What is Cross-Platform Software Development?

Cross-platform software development is about building a single application that can run on various operating systems instead of developing different app versions for each platform that we want our app to be on. When an application works on more than one platform, the user can utilise that software in a broader choice of devices. Cross-platform development works on developing shareable and reusable code for building apps for different OS. We write the code once and reuse it on various platforms after making a few required native changes according to the needs.

Why should I choose Cross-Platform Software Development? 

• Cost-Effective :
  •  Instead of having separate teams of developers for each platform, you’ll need only one to create a cross-platform app. Thus saving on the development costs. (Reduced upfront expenses)
  •  Developing cross-platform apps provides access to a broader target audience, which, in turn, leads to increased revenues.
• Time-Saving:
  •  Much Reduced development times as only a single development cycle is required to create an app that runs on multiple platforms.
  •  It, in turn, ensures that the final product reaches the user faster.
• Product Maintenance:
  •  Since there is a single codebase, it becomes relatively easy to test and deploy fixes & updates while experiencing higher accuracy and superior quality applications.
  •  It, in turn, ensures that the improved product reaches the user faster.                
• Code Reusability:
  •  Developers need not write unique code every time for each operating system. 
  •  It’s possible to share up to 96% of code across different platforms.
  •  We can make minor native changes and get our same code base ready for various platforms.

Cons of Cross-Platform Software Development

• Complicated Development Lifecycle: 
  •  We need a smaller but more competent team of developers. We need to be on the lookout for the minor changes and differences amongst operating systems and the hardware they run on.
  •  Developers may find it challenging to access smartphone functionalities like the microphone, camera, and geolocation in ways possible for a native app in some frameworks. 
• ‍Limited UX ‍:
  •  Cross-platform apps are unable to take advantage of native UX components. Therefore, it may sometimes be unable to deliver the same UX experience accustomed to the platform.  

When to choose Cross-Platform Software Development?

• You have to release an application on different platforms with a limited budget, time, and resources.
• You need to target users of both Android and iOS simultaneously.
• You are working under strict time constraints.