Guide to iOS App Development

We don’t need technical knowledge to understand that not all mobile app development is the same. There are various types of mobile apps based on the operating system. However, the most popular domains in mobile app development are Android app development and iOS app development owing to the large number of users each caters to. Consequently, you will find many iOS app development companies and Android app development companies, each with expertise in their specific domain. 

The Technicality of iOS App Development

As the term suggests, iOS app development refers to the development of applications for different Apple operating system devices such as iPhones, iPads, etc. However, though the types of devices are limited, there is a variety in sizes and resolutions of these devices. The user base of iOS is also very high. So, developers find iOS app development very lucrative. 

The popularity of any operating system depends on the tools and technology supporting it. iOS has a wide range of tools, technology, resources, libraries, etc., available for developers developing high-quality applications. Here are the most popular tools and technologies supporting iOS development.   

Tools & Technologies in iOS Development

Let’s have a quick look at the tools and technologies used in iOS app development.

Programming Language 

Be it developers, app development businesses, or even users, all know that app development is based on programming languages. Though mobile app developers have the option to choose from many programming languages for app development, iOS app development requires specific languages. 

Swift

Swift, an open-source programming language, is widely used for iOS application development. Being fast and efficient, Swift facilitates secure coding and high-performance app development. The syntax of Swift has high readability making it easy to learn, understand, and debug.   

Objective C

Despite the popularity of Swift, many iOS developers continue using Objective C if they have to maintain or develop existing applications. So, the skillset and experience available in Objective C are vast, and most iOS developers have expertise with Objective C, making it convenient for them to develop major projects in it. Learning Objective C is not difficult for those familiar with C and C++. 

If the application needs integration with other languages, Objective C could be a good choice as it offers seamless integration with C and C++ codes. Like Swift, Objective C can be used for cross-platform development for platforms such as Windows and Linux. 

Objective C has the availability of a large variety of tools that do not have Swift versions. So, many developers select Objective C for iOS development. 

Whether to choose Swift or Objective C  for your iOS development project should be based on a comprehensive review of your requirements and an analysis of which language matches your needs better.

Suggested Reading: iOS or Android App Development? Top Differences You Must Know

Integrated Development Environment & Editor

XCode

XCode is Apple’s IDE for iOS app development. The list of features of XCode will convince you why you should go for this IDE. 

 

CodeRunner

CodeRunner IDE supports many programming languages, but it is equally good and popular for iOS app development. Here are its features. 

Libraries

iOS app development has advanced over the years, and now the developers enjoy the availability of comprehensive libraries that aid in iOS app development. RxSwift and AlamoFire are the two most popular libraries that fulfill most iOS app development needs. 

Challenges in iOS Development

Many businesses are going for iOS development and some of them believe that iOS development is focussed when it comes to devices and so it is easier compared to Android development. However, iOS development also has its share of challenges. Before starting iOS development, developers must prepare for the following. 

Version Compatibility

Like other operating systems, iOS also has version upgrades very often. As a result, iOS developers have to face regular challenges in keeping their apps compatible with different iOS versions. Though this is not an iOS development challenge specifically, it is a challenge that even the best mobile app developers strive to overcome with persistent effort, irrespective of the OS.

Device Fragmentation

Though many believe that the total scope for iOS devices is limited, they still vary in screen sizes, resolutions, and capabilities. The iOS developers work hard to develop apps for all screen sizes and resolutions. 

This challenge goes a step further when the user interface has to be designed in a way that is user-friendly, engaging, and doesn't fail on any type of device. 

Performance

Very often, we talk about app performance. The first step to app performance is performance monitoring. The expert developers know that they need to have perfect performance monitoring in place. They should gather data about app performance, user behavior, crashes, and security threats regularly and in real-time.

Coming to the next step! Performance optimization is always one of the biggest challenges developers deal with. Developers must ensure that the app is responsive and performs even on older devices. Developers should optimize memory management so that the app doesn't crash on any device.  

Testing

It is necessary to test the iOS app across devices to ensure perfect and uniform performance that results in app success. Is that easy? Testing on different devices and iOS versions is never easy. Moreover, it is costly and time-consuming too. 

Privacy

One of the essentials for app success is security. Users abandon apps that make their data and interactions vulnerable. For this, the developers must keep themselves aware of the best practices in iOS app security. They must also be prepared to spend enough time and effort developing secured apps. 

Suggested Reading: Security Practices That Businesses Can’t Miss in Mobile App Development

Localization

We are living in an era of personalization and customization. The users will love an app that offers customized and personalized experiences, rest will be abandoned. So, no matter how much time, cost, resources, or effort it takes, app developers must take up the challenge of offering personalized experiences. Localization is a crucial element of personalization. If you want your app to be used worldwide, you must make it accessible in different languages. 

Costs

Though we can't say that iOS app development is costlier than Android app development, the cost is still a challenge in iOS app development as you have to look for specialized tools, technology, and resources. You cannot blindly select the resources and developers with expertise in any app development. You must focus specifically on iOS app development. 

You can find expert iOS developers, but quality comes with its costs! Also, if you have to hire focused developers or train them, you will incur additional costs. 

App Store Requirements

No matter how good you think your app is, it can’t ensure a place on the app store unless you have complied with all the guidelines and requirements set by the iOS app store. As we all know, Apple follows strict guidelines for inclusion in the app store in the interest of its users. 

To ensure an app that can get into the app store, and be successful among the users, make sure that you hire the best iOS app development company. 

However, this is not just a challenge for iOS. Android app developers also comply with the Android Play Store guidelines to deploy their apps on the Android Play Store.  

App Store Optimization

Users have the opportunity to choose from a variety of apps in the app store. In such a situation, you must optimize your app so that the users can at least find it easily. Discovering your app is the biggest challenge, even if your app is good enough and the chance of the user selecting it over the competitors’ apps is very high. So, don't be complacent with your technical features and user experience! You must focus on app store optimization too.

Wrapping Up!

There are so many benefits that lure mobile app developers to iOS app development. They can develop simple to complex applications with high performance for audiences worldwide. Programming languages such as Swift and Objective C enhance the development experience, and easy integration with cutting-edge technologies such as ARKit and Core ML facilitates innovation. 

iOS has continued to attract users with its high quality to the extent that a large number of users in so many countries prefer using iOS. To leverage the trend, developers are trying to keep up with all the technological changes. Moreover, overcoming iOS development challenges has always been a part of their job. So, you must select the most competitive iOS developers for the best results.   

If you are planning to go for a high-quality iOS application development, check out Goodtal’s list of the top iOS development service providers.