Which language is best for app development 2022?
Software developers today have myriad choices when it comes to programming languages. They can code their applications in native platforms. They can choose to focus on languages used for hybrid or cross-platform development. Developers who want to code for iOS choose Swift. Developers who want to code for Android use Kotlin. And those aiming to create cross-platform applications may use Java or React, among many other options.
Software developers usually have three main ways to create an app. They can choose to code a native app, a hybrid app or a progressive web app. Developers create native apps to function on one specific platform, usually either iOS or Android. They create these apps using Swift or Objective C for iOS. For Android they use C++, Kotlin or several other languages. Developers create hybrid apps by using languages like JavaScript. Hybrid development starts with creating a common backend and then skinning the app for iOS and Android.
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What is the best programming language for app development?
Let's take a look at the best programming languages for app development.
1. JavaScript
According to Statista, JavaScript hold the #1 spot for app developers. 59% of developers report using JavaScript in the last twelve months. Many developers choose JavaScript because of its strength in cross-platform development. JavaScript comes in many flavors. It underlies many frameworks and libraries. Developers use JavaScript for many purposes. They often use JavaScript to create Progressive Web Apps (PWAs).
JavaScript Pros
Fast
Versatile and flexible
Easy to use
JavaScript Cons
Browser support varies
Vulnerable to malicious use
Scripting unpredictable at times
2. Python
Software developers use Python to create web and desktop applications. They also use Python for several other purposes, including network server administration. Python has many fans because of Python’s library support, easy integration and interactive controls. Many start-ups choose Python. Python works best for creating Hybrid and cross-platform applications.
Python Pros
Fast, easy to learn
Supports many operating systems
Many frameworks available
Python Cons
Not great with tasks that require a lot of memory
Slow to execute
Data access issues
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3. Swift
Software developers use Swift to create apps for iOS. Swift is open-source. Developers love Swift because of Swift’s flexibility and scalability. Apple released Swift in 2014 as a language and made it available for mobile application development a year later. Going forward, Apple has signalled that Swift is the preferred language for coding apps for iOS.
Swift Pros
Works on Cocoa and Cocoa Touch platforms
Easy scalability
Concise syntax
Fast
Less buggy than Objective C
Swift Cons
Fairly new and untested compared to Objective C
Requires frequent updates
4. Java
Software developers use Java as a server-side language and for creating Android apps. Java is an object-oriented language. Java has many open-source libraries. Many developers also use Java to create cross-platform and PWAs. Many developers consider Java the go-to language for Android development. Sun Microsystems initially developed Java in 1995, Oracle currently owns Java. Java uses bytecode that Java Virtual Machine interprets at runtime.
Java Pros
Code is reusable and portable
Works on the widest variety of devices
Flexible and versatile
Java Cons
Java Virtual Machine has some bugs
Class syntax and libraries have writing issues
Complex to implement
5. Kotlin
Google announced in 2017 that they would support Kotlin for Android application development. Kotlin is open-source and uses Java bytecode, libraries and Virtual Machine. You can think of Kotlin as a refined version of Java. Kotlin works a bit more slowly than Java, but Kotlin does have native support. Many Android IDEs work with Kotlin as well.
Kotlin Pros
Clear and concise language
Allows for functional programming
Large community of users, good support
Kotlin Cons
Relatively new
Slower than Java
Limited learning resources
6. Dart
Google created Dart in 2011 as an open-source and object-oriented programming language. Software developers use Dart for both client-side and server-side programming. Dart uses a C-style syntax. Developers use Dart to create both Native and cross-platform applications.
Dart Pros
Easy to learn
Code works for both web and mobile applications
Large community of users, good support
Dart Cons
Requires writing sub and generic domain packages
Not strong on backend/server side
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7. SQL
Software developers use SQL (Structured Query Language) to manage relational databases. SQL became the go-to programming language for relational databases as early as the 1970s. SQL manages and performs many operations on relational databases. SQL meets both ANSI and ISO standards. Many enterprise users choose SQL for this reason. SQL works to create all kinds of apps, from native to PWAs.
SQL Pros
Powerful and popular
Handles large number of transactions in a single query
Fast at data retrieval
Data highly available and consistent
SQL Cons
Complex and difficult to add code
Inflexible
Only scales vertically
Difficult to convert data from objects into tables
8. Ruby on Rails
Ruby works in the back end as an object-oriented scripting language. Developers use Ruby to create web applications, administrate servers and create standard libraries. Ruby has evolved to serve many purposes over the years. Ruby directly executes instructions instead of compiling into machine language. Developers use Ruby to create all kinds of apps, especially cross-platform applications.
Ruby Pros
Supports dynamic input
Easy to maintain
Intuitive syntax
Easy to learn
Ruby Cons
Slower than other popular languages
Not flexible
Updates and bug fixes slow to release
