Programming Languages for Mobile Apps

August 22, 2022
Programming Languages for Mobile Apps

If you’re interested in learning how to code to create mobile apps, then it’s necessary to choose a programming language. In the past, programming languages were rather limited. Today, however, you’ll find many languages, SDKs and frameworks for mobile app development. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at the most popular programming languages and frameworks. We’ll just go over the basics here, but at least you’ll have a better idea of what’s available. We hope the article will make it easier for you to choose a programming language too. 

Types of Mobile Apps

Before we jump in, it’s important to review the different types of mobile apps. These include: 

Programming Languages for Android App Development

Android is an open-source software development platform, which is operated by Google. To develop an Android app, it’s necessary to get the Android development toolkit, which contains emulators, debuggers, and the SDK. The most popular integrated development environment (IDE) is Android Studio. You’ll find others available, but most developers find Android Studio the best option. 

Android programming languages include: 

Programming Languages for iOS App Development

The iOS platform has been developed by Apple. As a developer for iOS apps, you’ll need to first create an account with Apple and install the Xcode IDE on a Mac computer. Xcode includes everything needed to create apps for all Apple devices, including a code editor, SDKs, and a debugger. 

There are two native programming languages for iOS: 

Native Development Programming Languages Pros & Cons

When it comes to using native programming languages, there are pros and cons to be aware of: 

Pros: 

Cons: 

Programming Languages for Hybrid Apps

Hybrid apps are only developed once; however, they are written in a language that works across multiple platforms. Here are the most common hybrid languages for app development: 

Pros & Cons of Hybrid App Programming Languages

Hybrid app programming languages come with pros and cons, including the following: 

Pros: 

Cons: 

MBaaS (Mobile Backend as a Service)

All hybrid frameworks and native languages are built from scratch and are missing a major component. That missing component is the massive mobile backend as a service (MBaaS). 

MBaas does the following: 

MBaaS is available on cloud servers and is needed to develop and support applications. 

BuildFire JS

BuildFire JS enters at this point. This is a framework that enables developers to build as they would in a Cordova Hybrid platform. This means they can use web technology such as CSS, HTML, and JavaScript. What’s more, with this framework, developers don’t have to build from scratch. 

This means analytics servers, databases, push notification servers, and more are part of MBaaS through BuildFire. The end result is that it’s easy for developers to add new features to the platform. Then other developers can integrate these features into their own apps without worrying about licensing or security. 

BuildFire also includes a backend control panel, which makes it easy to administer the app over the air without publishing or upgrades. 

Because the apps have been built with MBaaS, there’s no need to be concerned about new policies, regulations, compliance issues, and features with iOS and Android. BuildFire keeps the app compliant. 

Summing It Up

Is there a programming language that’s best for app development? In the end, there is no right or wrong answer. Each programming language has its pros and cons and is a valid option to consider. 

Which programming language is best for you? It depends on your business and your goals. Ask yourself these questions: 

Your answer to these questions will determine which programming language is best for you. The main goal is to ensure you can get the app to market quickly and efficiently. 

hello@pragmaticdigital.co.uk

Compass House, East Street,
Leeds, LS9 8EE

0113 534 9949

Toggle theme

© 2025 Pragmatic Digital Ltd. All rights reserved.
View our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.