In this article, we are going to explain the growing importance of developing mobile app using Python along with its popular frameworks, features & advantages.
Python swiftly rose to become one of the favourite programming languages for web development in the past decade and in recent years, Python has begun to capture a significant share in the mobile application development market. The ongoing popularity and the rising demand for this language is because of its simplistic approach to create high-end applications.
The language uses minimised lines of codes and has various features that allow the developers to write complex programs with ease. TIOBE Index identifies Python as the most demanded programming language of 2019. And you can find tons of tutorials about web development in Python, which indicates that it is backed by a ginormous community of quality programmers.
Below is the graph of usage of different programming languages over the last 8 years and Python has seen to be clearly dominating the graph after 2018.
That being said, how Python being popular, can be useful for you? Well, if you work with a popular language, the probability to find a solution for any complex problem becomes higher. In fact, if your problem is common enough, you might get an already available ready-made solution for the problem. Now let us dig a little deeper and explore more about Python and its uses in mobile app development.
Why Go for Python Mobile App Development?
Python is a dynamic object-oriented programming language that focuses on rapid application development. Its easy-to-understand syntax and wide range of libraries put it ahead of other programming languages and make it a preferred choice for the developers. Here are some of the reasons that make Python special:
- Python works on almost all operating systems such as Mac, Windows, Linux/Unix, etc.
- It offers an abundance of tools both for the developers and the system administrators.
- The language is well-efficient to work on small and large scale projects.
- Python is supported by some of the best technological corporations of the world such as Google, IBM, and Yahoo.
- It uses code reusability and provides faster development.
- The language develops portable applications that allow them to run across different platforms.
- Python is a feature-packed language with thousands of libraries and add-on packages.
What are the Most Preferred Frameworks of Python for Mobile App Development?
There are a number amazing Python frameworks that are capable of developing highly-functional applications such as CherryPy, Numpy, Flask, Pandas, Django, etc. However, the two most-chosen options by the majority of mobile app developers are Kivy and BeeWare. Both these frameworks are cross-platform guided user interfaces that give you the benefit of enjoying an app on different mobile devices such as Android, Mac, etc.
Kivy
Source: Realpython.com
Kivy is an open-source Python library that is used for developing cross-platform GUI applications. It is a great choice for developers who love to work with non-native UI toolkits in mobile apps. The default custom-built UI toolkit available in Kivy offers its own version of text labels, buttons, text entry forms, and other widgets.
This saves plenty of rendering time as widgets need not render using the native platform UI controls. It improves the consistency and portability of working your application on different platforms. The graphic engine of Kivy is built over OpenGL that makes it efficient in handling larger GPU-bound workloads when required.
BeeWare
Source: Activestate.com
BeeWare is another graphical user interface mobile app development framework. It includes an abstract layer in its framework and a set of useful tools that develops original-looking mobile applications. BeeWare uses the native UI toolkit that uses elements such as checkboxes, forms, and buttons provided by the base operating system. This gives the application the exact same feel of originality on every mobile device.
More or less both the frameworks function absolutely well in developing commercial apps with high precision.
What Makes Python the Best Language for Mobile App Development?
The numerous perks that Python offers to its developers differentiate it from the other languages. Here are some of its best features:
1) Modularity
The biggest merit of Python is that it is modular. You can create separate modules for your application and combine them later to form a single app. This provides the developers with an advantage to distribute their work without affecting the progress of the project.
2) Security
When you select Python as your application’s programming language, you secure it from all types of cyberattacks. The robust backend and various security added features of its different frameworks make it an extremely difficult language to crack.
3) Extensive Libraries
This is the major reason for Python being so popular among the developers. It has enormous already built libraries available on the web that can be used in your code. Developing applications becomes extremely simple when you can get the code online for the functions you need in your app. This saves huge time for the developers and even reduces the development cost of the app.
4) Easy Integration
As Python is an open-source language that supports modularity, applications made using Python are easy to integrate with other tools and technologies. The app’s functionalities can be extended by integrating third-party tools from the web.
5) Multiple Platform Support
Python, being a machine learning language, has the ability to work with various operating systems from Linux, Unix, Windows, to Mac. You might get amazed to know that a developer can work on over twenty-five different platforms with Python.
6) Better Productivity
Python comes with a complete package of some mind-blowing features. From code reusability to extended function and libraries, a developer can use these features to complete its application within less time frame.
7) Community Support
Another good reason to choose Python for your app development is its reliable community support system. There are thousands of tutorials, discussion groups, and forums available online that can help you with the development process. Moreover, several developers and programmers from across the world regularly conduct sessions to resolve users problems and queries.
Conclusion
Python has already taken over the web application market in the past few years. With its development of popular apps such as Pinterest, Spotify, Instagram, Dropbox, Uber, etc. now it's time for Python to lead the league of the mobile app development market. The simplicity and an impressive set of features that Python offers save a huge amount of time and efforts of the developers, making it their most favoured programming language.
So, if you too are a mobile app developer, you must look forward to using this magnificent language. You can create in-demand software for remote working which are having a good traction due to this pandemic.
On the contrary, if you own a business and want to develop mobile app using Python, you can get in touch with our expert Python programmers for the right guidance.
Previously published at: https://dev.to/citrusbug/developing-mobile-app-using-python-features-frameworks-advantages-96j