Before we get you involved with the Ionic app development field let’s give you a brief description about what hybrid and native apps are!
The native apps are developed in languages such as Java, Objective - C, Swift etc which the platform requires.
There is a large difference between their behaviors on their different platforms as the code is not shared across platforms. App can access all features of the platform directly without any restriction.
On the other hand, hybrid mobile application is actually a website embedded in mobile apps via WebView.
They are developed using HTML 5, CSS and JavaScript and implement the same code on different platforms. Native features of the device can be used with the help of tools such as PhoneGap and Cordova.
Understanding Ionic
Most of the time you might be facing the problem of developing a mobile application for several platforms with a lack of time and resources.
But yes, there is a solution that may help you save all those resources! Ionic app development services are your saviour here!
Ionic Framework is an amazing tool that enables developers to build hybrid mobile application using only JavaScript, CSS and HTML. It is able to develop native-like cross platform mobile applications in a short time period.
Hold On! Yes, you might be thinking what is cross platform framework now? Another terminology to understand? Don’t worry we got you covered!
A cross platform framework provides numerous features and tools to help the developers carry out their work with a single project. Yes, you got it right! No need to build projects for every mobile OS!
Ionic Framework is just that which adapts the code to every mobile OS available.
It is important for you to understand what was the idea behind developing Ionic before we tell you what Ionic Framework has to offer.
What went behind the Ionic Framework?
Ionic framework was built on the belief that HTML 5 would rule in mobile app development over the time, exactly like it has happened on desktop. The intention with Ionic was to build an HTML 5 mobile app development framework that was focused on native or hybrid mobile application instead of mobile websites.
Above everything, the purpose was to make sure that Ionic was as open source as possible by having a permissive open source license that can be used in both open source and commercial apps as well as by developing a strong community around the project.
The need was for a completely open source framework was felt because there were too many frameworks that were technically open source but cannot be used in both closed and open source projects without obtaining a commercial license.
Features of Ionic that make all the difference!
Ionic CLI
Command Line Interface is where you can create your Mobile App with Ionic Framework and add some components like pages, services and providers. With simple commands all the files can be generated that are needed to develop your hybrid mobile application. To install Ionic-CLI you need only Node.js and NPM installed.
$ npm install -g [email protected]
To build the project you just have to type:
$ ionic start myNewProject
The CLI will provide you with some template options. After that, cd myNewProject is required and just run your app!
$ ionic serve
Due to the above mentioned command your mobile app with Ionic Framework will run in a local web server and pop up in the browser. All the changes you make will appear automatically on the webpage as it is automatically refreshed.
If you want to check how your Ionic app will behave in different platforms, you can enter the command $ ionic serve --lab and check it in the three platforms that Ionic supports.
UI Components
A major advantage in Ionic app development is its documentation. Even for a web developer, who is a beginner it can be considered the best documented framework to use. Anything that you need to know is mentioned in a straightforward and aesthetically appealing manner.
Ionic offers you UI components of its own which include modals, popups and cards. Moreover, the syntax is really easy!
As soon as the syntax becomes familiar, you can use the API to customize your components. Documentation of these components offers a simulated UI with examples so that you can verify the results of those snippets when applied.
Icons
As you go through the Ionic framework documentation, you will notice that it has Ionicons. Basically, a complete list of icons to add to your Ionic application. It’s a time saver as you don’t have to go around searching for native-like icons or ask a designer to build with correct sizes.
Dashboard
Now, here’s an exciting feature! It’s a decent graphical dashboard which has features like GitHub and other git clients. When the project is created, the ionic-cli will prompt you to link it to your account which will enable the usage of this dashboard in all projects along with benefits such as error tracking and deployment.
It has so many features that a separate article can be written just to list them down.
Native Features
Cordova plays a significant role here. The documentation will show you a variety of features that let your app interact with the native components of the device. Import a plugin to your app and the rest is a cakewalk. Everything is simply demonstrated on their documents.
Navigation
It works like a stack - you can push a page to navigate into it or pop it to go back. Its a very simple to understand concept for even the people who don’t have the complete knowledge of Ionic mobile app framework.
Let’s Conclude!
Ionic mobile app development can thus be considered an overall profitable deal for small scale industries or startups that dream of taking their business online keeping in mind their budget constraints. An Ionic app development company that is a combination of quality services and cost effective plans that fit in your budget will turn out to be an appropriate choice to take your business online.
Planning to hire Ionic developers? Talk to the experts at Kody Technolab!
