iOS app development – getting started

Creating mobile applications for Apple hardware is mostly done in Swift programming language or Objective-C, before being deployed to the Apple iStore for users to engage with.

Developing iOS app development can be a relatively simple process, or it can be extremely complex, depending on what the App is, how it will be used, and what functionality is to be included, and as new trends come in, deciding what to do with your app development – and how you are going to do it, requires some careful thought.

Native vs Cross-platform

When constructing your app, native development on iOS means building for Apple specifically, whereas an app created with cross-platform functionality allows adjustments and different operating systems to be accounted for.

There are pros and cons to both development routes, and the choice to specialise or make it more broadly available will depend on what your project is, and who you are targeting.

Pros for iOS native development:

• With only a limited number of devices using iOS, the project can be focused on full compatibility and functionality
• Coding in Swift can take less time than in Java as the language has high readability
• Projects developed on iOS come with advanced security and safeguarding features to help prevent hacking or phishing.

Cons for iOS native development:

• iOS apps are subject to a review process which means apps can take an additional week to go live
• Compared to other mobile platforms, apps on iOS are often considerably larger
• Not all app development projects on iOS support the use of widgets.

Pros for cross-platform development:

• Cross-platform development is often faster and costs less
• App can reach a wider audience
• Maintenance and updates can be done in batches, reducing costs and performance issues

Cons for cross-platform development:

• Unified technology stacks do not generally offer the same flexibility as platform-specific ones
• Design mismatch may occur due to platform operational differences
• Performance and reliability may be reduced

Best Technologies for iOS App Development

When working on mobile app development, there are a wide number of programs, software, and platforms available to utilise. Some of the most popular, and highly successful technologies used in iOS and app development include:

• Swift: An intuitive programming language developed by Apple with iOS, Mac, and other Apple products. The language is considered to be easy to use and being open-source means that it is available for everyone.
• Objective-C: An object-orientated programming language, which has been in use by Apple since the 1990s, much of the core iOS software is written in Objective-C (although this is slowly being phased out in preference for Swift).

Other platforms, such as HTML5 and JavaScript are useful for creating mobile apps, as they are often cheaper and easier to handle with the software and utilise coding languages that are widely used on iOS and Android. The choice of technology and whether you develop an app yourself, or source a highly qualified team to handle the build, will depend on your own needs, experience, and budget.

Ardent mobile app development services

We have been delivering bespoke, user-friendly and highly engaging apps to clients across various industries and locations. Read about the success our clients have had with their mobile apps developed by our team:

Gaining life-changing research with a highly engaging mobile app packed with gamification features for research-driven pharma company

Automating warehouse management processes to save significant time and resource with a simple-to-use mobile app

Increasing engagement with a brand-cohesive mobile survey app for a leading market research firm

If you are looking for a mobile app development company that will work with you to find a solution for your specific challenges and requirements and deliver the project within time and budget, we can help. Our mobile app developers will leverage world-leading technologies to deliver a mobile app that exceeds your expectations and delivers results. Get in touch to bring your vision to life.

---