The fact that mobile app technology is revolutionizing the IT industry is highly observant by a report at Statistic, which has analyzed that currently there are over 4 billion mobile users across the globe and this number is estimated to exceed by 2019. This analysis ensures how important it is becoming for every business or individual to build their online and offline presence with the use of mobile apps and why most businesses are resorting to building their business propositions on a mobile app itself.
The two major mobile app development platforms are the IOS and Android operating systems. Both these platforms are prevalent in rendering different functionalities and features but another report on the statistics of app downloads suggests that as of 2018 the number of app available on the Google Play Store were over 3.8 million, making it the leading mobile app store while Apple App store comes second with 2 million available apps.
Why Android For Mobile App Development?
The comparison of both Android and IOS platforms depends on several factors. Some of these factors relate to audience demographics, cost, and trends and most importantly, the features each platform offers however, the main reason Android apps work on a wider scale is because more mobile devices support Android instead of IOS.
As Android operating system supports a wider market scale, the demand for skilled Android app developers is profusely increasing. However, this fact alone does not ensure every app developer would be able to earn his place in the industry as the way to differentiate a great app developer from a good one entirely depends on the skill set he possesses.
Android Studio
Claiming itself to be the fastest tool for building android apps is not an exaggeration, as Android Studio is one of the widely used IDEs for Android app development. The reason why it is the prime choice of many app developers is that it encompasses features from basic to advanced level android app development.
Being the prime toolset for most developers, it even offers unlimited user support and functionalities that let you integrate various features with your Android app alone. Developers can also overlay several layouts and build a UI with its Layout Editor. As Android Studio supports Java and C++, you can write your desired code and it will create APK files that let you analyze the contents of your code file.
Unity 3D
Unity 3D is not used for Android app development alone as it is supports multiple-platform app development platforms. Mostly used for developing games, it is the perfect choice if you intend to create an Android game app. Unity 3D is also a perfect fit for 2D game development but is preferable for virtual or augmented reality mobile apps due to its all-inclusive quality game development functionalities.
You can even create games with other IDEs such as the Android Studio but Unity 3D offers a more detailed and advanced game development environment due to which it becomes easier for app developers to opt this tool and incorporate a wider variety of features in their game application.
Eclipse
Before the emergence of any other Android tool, Eclipse has existed as a prominent IDE for Android application development. Android Studio might have replaced it but many developers use Eclipse to create engaging applications that also work on cross-platform apps.
It supports programming languages such as Java and even has a development kit incorporated for Android. Eclipse existed before Android Studio therefore, it is a bit outdated but if you are new to the field of app development, Eclipse can work as a great practice tool.
B4A
Basic for Android or widely known as B4A, is an Android app development Company that focuses on rapid app development. Allowing developers create apps using the BASIC programming language; B4A is a tool that focuses on a programming language that is simpler to run and execute.
BASIC might be easier to understand but Java has a wider spectrum of tools and libraries. B4A allows users to perform the same programming procedures as Java but it is not free. It has many unique and advanced features such as a visual editor and is the simplest platform to develop native mobile apps. It might not be free-to-use but if you intend to be quick with your app development endeavors then B4A is the perfect choice.
AIDE
AIDE is an app development tool solely dedicated for creating Android apps. The main advantage of using this tool is that developers can test the apps they create on their smartphone and even better – you can create your app on the phone itself.
It might not have many advantages over Android Studio or Eclipse, as it does not offer as many features as these two platforms do however, if you are new to Android development and your focus is to get better at developing apps then AIDE can be used as an effective learning tool.
Wrapping it up
There are several tools present for developing Android apps and we have not even mentioned all of them. However, being the basic toolkits for Android app development it is necessary for Android app developers to be proficient and skilled at using at least one of these platforms. Every developer has his own preference but that aside, they first need to analyze and research the core requirements of the app they intend to make and then opt a tool that is relevant to their app requirements.
