Choosing the right platform for your next application development project is not an easy feat. The selection process typically involves a lot of research, discussions with stakeholders and developers, and finally, deciding which platform to use. But what are the key factors to consider when selecting the platform?

While each company's needs are unique, you can use some general guidelines when choosing a platform. In this article, we will discuss how you can choose the right platform for your next application development project.

The best way to choose the right platform is to evaluate several options, including the following:

• Evaluate complexity and cost. Most developers will tell you that they prefer to work in one language over another. For example, some developers prefer working with Java, while others prefer C++. If you want to use a specific language, choosing a platform that supports that language makes sense.
• Consider whether your application will be deployed on-premises or in the cloud. As earlier stated, different platforms offer different deployment options. If your application runs in the cloud, make sure it's compatible with your preferred cloud provider (e.g., Amazon Web Services).
• Evaluate user experience and developer productivity. Some platforms make it easier for users to interact with them than others — for example, they provide better support for mobile devices or offer more features out of the box e.g., security. It's also important to consider how easy it is for developers to build applications on each platform; this can affect productivity and code quality.
  

Android and iOS are two of the most popular operating systems today. Both are very powerful and can be used to create applications of all kinds.

1. Open-source/closed-source

However, there are some critical differences between them. The main difference between Android and iOS is that Android is an open-source platform, while iOS is a closed-source platform. This means that developers can take advantage of the many apps available on Google Play Store, but they will not be able to access the same Apple App Store.

2. Programming language

On the other hand, iOS apps are developed using Objective-C or Swift programming languages while developing Android apps on Java, Kotlin, Dart, and others.

3. Geography

Still, iOS is more commonplace in developed countries like the United States and Europe. And not as flexible as Java or Kotlin, which are used for developing Android apps. However, Apple has recently introduced Swift as its official programming language for developing iOS applications.

4. User interface

When it comes to user interface (UI) design, both platforms offer great flexibility to their users and developers. But when it comes to user experience (UX), iOS still has the edge over Android due to its simplicity and intuitive design.

5. Market share

According to Statista, Android has a market share of 85%, while iOS has a market share of 15%. Android is more widely used in emerging markets such as India, Brazil, and Russia, while iOS is more prevalent in developed countries like the United States and Europe.
This is because Android devices are cheaper than iPhones due to their open-source nature. Hence, many people who cannot afford iPhones use Android phones instead. But this does not mean that Android cannot be used in developed countries like Europe or America because it can be used by anyone who wants to buy it, no matter their income level.

Advantages of Operating Systems:

An operating system is essential software that manages and controls the computer hardware.

It provides a base on which other software can run. Operating systems are made up of many different components, including the following:

• Processor supervisor (or kernel): This component handles requests from applications, controls access to hardware devices, and manages memory allocation.
• User interface: The user interface allows users to interact with their computers using a keyboard and mouse or touchscreen input.
• File system: This component organizes files on computer storage devices into directories that allow for efficient retrieval of data by searching for specific file names or contents.
• Security features protect computers from unauthorized access or damage by viruses or malicious software programs known as viruses.
  

Disadvantages of Operating Systems

• The operating system is responsible for managing the computer's resources, such as memory and CPU time. There may be a memory or CPU time issue if you are running many applications simultaneously.
• Some third-party products may not work correctly on the operating system.
• There is a chance that the operating system could crash or become corrupted if it is not maintained correctly.
  

What is a native platform application development?

Native platform application development is a broad term that includes developing an application for a specific operating system. It can be thought of as the opposite of cross-platform development, which involves developing code for multiple platforms using a single codebase.

Native platform application development is the most common type of software development, with thousands of businesses in every industry using it to build their products and services. It's so common that many people are unfamiliar with other options, such as cross-platform development, which may seem more exotic or even futuristic but can be just as effective.

There are several reasons why native platform application development is so popular:
It allows developers to use all the features provided by the host operating system, including new features added in future versions.

For example, if you're developing an iOS app today, you'll want to use all the latest features available on iOS 11 and beyond. However, if you're creating an Android app today, there are still some older features missing from this version and some new ones coming soon — but they won't be available until Android 12 . While this may seem like a disadvantage at first glance, it's pretty helpful because it means that apps are built on older versions.

What is cross/hybrid application development?

Cross-platform development refers to creating applications that can run on multiple platforms. This can be achieved in various ways, but the most common is using a single code base and compiling it for different platforms.

Cross-platform development is a relatively new concept, gaining popularity over the past few years thanks to the increased availability of open source frameworks that allow developers to create applications for multiple platforms using a single code base.

There are many different approaches to cross-platform development, ranging from building native apps using HTML5 and JavaScript (using PhoneGap or Cordova) to using web technologies such as AngularJS or ReactJS to create web apps that work on mobile devices without requiring any code changes.

What is web application development (Progressive web app development)

Web application development is a process of developing applications using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These applications run in browsers and are accessed through the internet.
Web applications are built using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript technologies.

A progressive web app is a web application that can be installed on the user's mobile device or desktop computer for offline access. Users can get an app-like experience by using progressive web apps which use recent browser technologies.

It uses the service worker technology, which helps provide a reliable experience to users when they are offline. It works across different devices like desktop computers, laptops, and smartphones.

Mobile apps take longer to load than conventional websites because of their size and complexity. Therefore, it takes more time for mobile apps to load than other simple websites. But with progressive web apps, you don't have to worry about all these things because they don't require any installation on your device or downloading from the store; they work just like any normal website would work but with some additional features like push notifications etc.

Advantages of web application development

1. Web applications are easy to use and administer.
2. They can be accessed from anywhere in the world by using a browser, with no need for installation or configuration.
3. They can be integrated with other applications and databases, making them very flexible and powerful.
4. They provide a framework for rich Internet applications (RIAs).
5. Web applications are secure; they protect against injection attacks and other security threats such as cross-site scripting (XSS) and cross-site request forgery (CSRF).
   

Disadvantages of Web Applications

1. Web applications are prolonged to load compared to native mobile applications.
2. Web applications require a constant internet connection to function correctly, whereas native mobile apps can work with or without an internet connection.
3. Web applications cannot be shared more easily than native mobile apps, which can be shared easily through Google Play or Apple Store.
4. They are not as secure as native mobile apps because they run on web servers that can be hacked easily by cyber criminals using malware and viruses.
   

The right platform will depend on a few different factors, including but not limited to: the project budget and timeline, the complexity of the application and its required functionality, preferred programming language or technologies, and support staff development needs.

There is no simple answer to which platform is best as every project differs based on these factors. However, there are some clear winners (native mobile development platforms) as app development becomes an increasingly popular option for companies interested in reaching their customers through today's most popular channels. Talk to us at Midis, and let us help you choose the correct application for your business.