What is a native application? Mobile app

In English, native means "native". The native application is developed for mobile phones for a specific operating system. This is done by specialists who possess certain knowledge and skills in this field. The native applications have a nice design, they interact freely with the mobile OS, they can work through an Internet connection or offline.

What is it?

The native application is a development available for one device platform. For example, there are mobile applications that are specifically designed for the Android or iPhone platform. With the development of modern technology, the emergence of various applications (native, hybrid, web), there are choices. Native apps are downloaded through special stores (App Store, Google Play) and installed on the smartphone.

The peculiarity is that they are developed for a specific platform, using "native" programming languages when writing them. If the application is created for a specific operating system, it works well and looks organic. In addition, the application easily uses the functions of smartphone software, such as a camera, microphone, player, and saves device resources.

One of the most famous examples of native applications is Shazam. It determines which song is playing on the other device. Shazam is installed from the store, it requires access to the Internet, and for work you need a smartphone recorder. Instagram is a popular native application, which requires a connection to the Network to work.

Purpose

A mobile application in the modern world is a communication channel, communication between people and companies. They are necessary in business. Through them, you can sell a service or goods, communicate with customers, create a business structure with partners. Applications for the phone help to optimize internal communication in the company. Today, through mobile applications, you can read newspapers, learn the latest news, watch TV shows, and watch movies. And all this regardless of the time of day and location. Applications ways to promote the goods, to present services. This is an excellent marketing tool. In addition, through mobile applications you can visit social networks, communicate with friends and do business. The peculiarity is that the application for smartphone developers can make to order, specifically for a particular project.

Development of native applications for business goes through three main stages. The first is the adaptation of an existing website to a smartphone (creating a web application). The second stage is the creation of hybrid applications that combine web technologies and mobile device functions. The third step is writing a native application for a mobile phone. It is the most resource-intensive, but it allows to realize the capabilities of the operating system of the device and to achieve the intended results due to the extended functionality of the smartphone. The popularity of native applications depends on their high performance, debugging, stability, the ability to work without the Internet. Subsequent download to the application store allows you to track the developer's sales statistics. Use native applications if you need to process a huge amount of data and a high speed of work.

Kinds

Types of mobile applications: native, web and hybrid have similarities. Native are written specifically for operating systems, such as iOS. Android, Win Phone. They are downloaded through the application stores and meet their requirements. Native applications run quickly and debugged, thanks to optimizations for specific OSes. They have access to the functions of devices. These applications can run on the Internet or off-line.

Web applications have common features with mobile versions of sites, but they have an enhanced interactive experience. They are created in order to be able to use the site through a smartphone. Its main difference is that the application does not need to be installed. All work is done through the browser. The difference between a native and a web application is the ability to freely manage information.

Hybrid combines the functions of the previous two. The application works with the smartphone software, as it is cross-platform. It is downloaded from the application store, works through the Internet. A hybrid application is the most popular among users. Native is used if you need a high speed of information processing (social networks, games or geolocation). Remember that native Android applications will not work for iPhones or smartphones with a different platform.

Benefits

The native application has several advantages. High performance, interaction with a specific operating system, low power consumption, phone memory, ease of use. The advantages of this application include maximum functionality and excellent speed, access to the smartphone software, in some cases, no Internet connection is required for use. Download and install the application can only through a special store.

disadvantages

The native application has drawbacks. It takes a long time to develop it, the cost of such an application is higher. The developer requires knowledge of a certain programming environment. In addition, the native works with a single operating system. If you need to change anything in the application, you need to release an update.

How to install?

The native mobile application is installed taking into account the operating system of the smartphone. In order to select the required application, go to any store, for example, Google Play, and select the appropriate one. Download it and install it. Typically, the application will work if there is an Internet connection. If you can not install, check the amount of memory on your smartphone. It should be enough to install.

The native code

What does "native application" mean? For many, this phrase seems new, but in fact, almost all modern gadget users face it daily. For the correct operation of the native application, developers write a special code. This command system, machine language, which will be interpreted by the smartphone. The instructions contained in the application will allow the user to realize his capabilities at full capacity. The commands laid by the developer can be of different lengths and ranges. Native applications work quickly because of the capacious, but small code.

The most popular programming language for these applications is Java. It gives developers great opportunities. Its versatility, convenience makes it possible to create simple corporate applications in the shortest possible time. Plus, Java development is that its tools are available on all PC operating systems that include Linux and MacOS. If you want to develop applications in the Java language, you need a computer running MacOS X. The native iOS application differs from Android in the amount of time it takes to develop.

Price

A free designer for native mobile applications helps users create it themselves. There are a lot of designers on the web. The most popular and famous ones are My-apps, Net2Share, BuildApp, MobiumApps, Appsa4u. For example, the My-apps designer builds the application for the iOS and Android operating systems. Users can choose from ten ready-made templates, depending on the purpose of the application. The final result can be published in the store for download.

A full-fledged development of the native application is not cheap. Before you plan it, decide on the budget. It should consist of funds for the promotion of the finished product and the development itself. If the application is being prepared for several operating systems, its cost is doubled. It is about developing for legal entities, for example, trading companies. Hybrid applications cost 30% more native, and the Web has a low price because of a single code base, so they are more profitable to develop than native ones.

Creating native applications is always a huge waste of time and money. There are no standard projects, for each customer applications are developed individually. The price includes design, the number of operating systems, the use of technologies for writing code, the complexity of work, testing, publishing and other nuances. A complex application can cost several million rubles. And this is just a development. Publication, tests and other services need additional funding. That's why applications are ordered by large business companies that are ready to pose such a boon. Applications in the future bring good revenue and pay off over time. Doing business, expanding the client base, increasing demand for products, creating a positive image - the benefits of mobile applications.

Performance

The performance of the smartphone depends on how the application will work. The native has direct access to the phone platform and its functions, which positively affects their performance. Hybrid applications, if properly done, can convert the web into native ones. The performance of web applications depends on the speed of the Internet connection, so for several users it can work in different ways.

Spread

After the development of a native Windows application, Android, iOS should get to the users. Distribution through application stores is the best option. There are special requirements for the finished product, which the developer should adhere to in advance. They depend on the internal policy of the store. If the application is successful, users download it, and the owner earns a profit and an increase in the rating. Remember that adding any content (native and hybrid development) to the application store needs a confirmation procedure.