Introduction 

Today, almost everyone has a mobile phone, from kids to adults. So the popularity of mobile apps has resulted in a growing demand. People want apps for various things like games, messaging, shopping, learning languages and more.

This increasing need for mobile phones has transformed the way we live and interact with technology.  

As per Research, there will probably be more than 7.1 billion different people using mobile phones around the world in 2024. And that number keeps going up. 

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that people are addicted to mobile phones 24/7. They always have their phones with them and remain active on them.

So in the end, the demand for mobile app development is increasing day by day. Also, the demand for mobile app developers is increasing. This means that more businesses and people are realizing they need their own mobile apps to keep up with others and meet what their users want. 

So you may have a question in mind about Mobile App Development languages, like what kind of programming languages are used in Mobile App Development.  It’s a common query, especially for those who are more interested in App development or more curious about understanding the technology behind their favorite mobile applications. 

Let’s first understand What is Mobile App Development?

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What is Mobile App Development?

Mobile app development is about making software for phones and tablets. 

It includes –

• Designing
• Coding
• Testing
• Launching apps that work well on these devices

A group of skilled developers work together, using their technical knowledge and understanding of what users want, to create it. The main motive of developer’s is to make apps that people find useful, enjoyable, and easy to use.

These apps can be downloaded from app stores like Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS) or accessed through a mobile web browser.

There are primarily three types of mobile app development:

1) Native – Native apps are made for particular platforms like iOS or Android using languages like – 

• Swift 
• Objective-C for iOS
• Java or Kotlin for Android

2) Web Apps – 

Web apps are programs you can use directly through your web browser without needing to download or install them. 

Examples of Web Apps are – 

• Gmail
• Google Docs
• Trello
• Netflix (for streaming on web browsers)
• Facebook
• Twitter

3) Hybrid Apps – 

Hybrid apps are a combination of native and web features, using web technologies but acting like regular apps on your phone.

Examples of Hybrid Apps are – 

• Instagram
• Uber
• Twitter
• Evernote
• Basecamp

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What are the top 6 programming languages for Mobile App Development?

1. Java Programming
2. Python Programming
3. JavaScript (and its frameworks)
4. C#
5. Kotlin
6. Swift

1) Java Programming

In Android app development, the Java programming language is mostly used to write code for creating applications that run on Android devices.  

Mobile App Developers use Java programming to do different things when they’re making apps, such as –  

• UI Design (User Interface Design)
• Data Storage
• Networking
• Security
• Performance Optimization
• Platform Compatibility

So, if you’re starting out in Android app development and want to become an Android App Developer, learning Java Programming is a great first step!

2) Python Programming

Python is not commonly used for native Android app development, as Java and Kotlin are the main languages for App development. 

But, you can still use Python Programming for Android app development with different frameworks and tools such as – 

• Kivy
• BeeWare
• Chaquopy

Its many libraries and tools make development easier, so it’s good for both freshers and experienced developers.

3) JavaScript (and its frameworks)

As we know JavaScript is mostly used in Web development, but it’s also used in Android app development, particularly through frameworks like React Native and NativeScript.

i) React Native: 

React Native is a framework developed by Facebook that allows developers to build mobile apps using JavaScript and React, a popular JavaScript library for building user interfaces. 

With the React Native framework, mobile app developers can write code once and deploy it across multiple platforms such as – 

• Android
• iOS
• Windows 
• macOS

This happens because React Native turns JavaScript code into native parts, giving fast performance and a look and feel like regular apps.

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ii) NativeScript: 

NativeScript is like React Native but helps developers use JavaScript, TypeScript, or Angular to make native mobile apps. It also gives access to native features and looks while coding in JavaScript.

4) C#

C# is a programming language often used with a framework called .NET. While most Android apps are made with Java or Kotlin, some developers use C# with tools like Xamarin or Unity to make Android apps. 

Using C# with tools like Xamarin or Unity helps developers write code once and use it on Android, iOS, and Windows. It’s handy because it saves time and effort. 

Additionally, C# has lots of helpful tools and resources for making Android apps.

5) Kotlin

Kotlin is a programming language that Google introduced as an official language for Android app development with Java Programming. 

So basically Kotlin is like a tool that developers use to write the code that makes Android apps work.  Kotlin is like a newer, simpler version of Java Programming, which was the main language for making Android apps before Kotlin became popular.

Kotlin makes coding easier and faster with its neat features, needing fewer lines than Java. Plus, it works smoothly with Java Programming in the same app, which is helpful when switching from Java to Kotlin.

6) Swift

Swift is a programming language developed by Apple primarily for – 

• iOS
• macOS
• watchOS
• tvOS app development

So Swift is not used for Android app development as it was created by Apple as a modern and powerful language for building apps specifically for Apple devices, like –  

• iPhones
• iPads
• Macs
• Apple Watches
• Apple TVs

 
Cross-platform tools like Kotlin Multiplatform and React Native help developers write code for both iOS and Android. But instead of using Swift, which is for iOS, they use Kotlin or JavaScript. So, developers can make applications for both types of phones (Android + iOS) without needing separate code for each one.

How to choose the best Mobile Application Development Languages to learn?

Choosing the best mobile application development languages to learn depends on three factors such as – 

1. Your goals
2. Interests
3. Platforms you want to target (Android or iOS)

Here are some things to think about:

1) Platform: If you’re interested in Android app development, learning Java or Kotlin is important, as they are the primary languages for Android. For iOS development, Swift is the preferred language.

2) Cross-Platform Development:  If you want to build apps for both Android and iOS simultaneously, consider learning cross-platform frameworks like – 

• React Native (JavaScript)
• Xamarin (C#)
• Flutter (Dart)

These allow you to write code once and deploy it on multiple platforms.

 3) Market Demand: Research the demand for different languages in the job market and consider learning languages that are in high demand. 

• Java Programming
• Kotlin
• Swift,
• JavaScript 

These are popular and can lead to good job opportunities.

4) Personal Preference – My personal preference is that you have to choose a language that you enjoy working with and feel comfortable learning. 

Consider factors like syntax, community support, and available resources when making your decision.

Also Read: What is the Structure of Java Program 

What Skills are Required to become a Mobile Application Developer?

1) Programming Languages

You need proficiency in programming languages like – 

• Java Programming  (for Android)
• Swift (for iOS), Kotlin (for Android)
• JavaScript (for cross-platform development) to write code for mobile apps.

2) Mobile Development Frameworks 

Familiarity with frameworks like Android – 

• SDK
• iOS SDK
• React Native
• Xamarin
• Flutter 

These framework helps you build apps more efficiently.

3) UI/UX Design

Understanding user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design principles is essential for creating visually appealing and intuitive interfaces that users love.

4) API Integration

You should know how to integrate APIs and web services into your apps to enable features like data retrieval, authentication, and push notifications.

5) Database Management

Knowledge of database management systems like SQLite, Firebase, or Realm helps you store and retrieve app data efficiently.

6) Version Control

Proficiency in version control systems like Git allows you to manage and collaborate on app development projects effectively.

Conclusion –  

• Popular mobile app development languages are Java, Kotlin, Swift, and JavaScript.
• Each Programming language has its strengths and is used for different platforms or needs.
• Choose a language based on what works best for you and the app you want to build.
• Learning one of these languages can result in job opportunities in app development.

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