Why is Ionic still a great mobile app development framework?
Ionic is, without a doubt, one of the most well-liked mobile app development frameworks. It hasn’t changed much over the years.
Many developers have extensively used it to create mobile and desktop applications because of its features and functionality. The different versions of the platform helped them make the apps more creative and unusual.
There are many hybrid platforms available on the market. But it stands out because of its improved speed, interactive user interface, and great Ionic and Angular combination. Besides them, there are many other reasons why it is still a great mobile app development framework. Read more to learn more.
Why is the framework a good option?
It was developed in 2013 as an open-source SDK for hybrid mobile applications and has created more than 5 million different apps. Developers used it to develop cutting-edge and captivating cross-platform mobile applications that meet the needs of all kinds of businesses. This platform is a good option for your mobile app development projects for the following reasons.
- A free and open-source platform
- Platform independent
- Interactive user interface
- Strong community support
- Use of one codebase
- Easy to test
1. A free and open-source platform
The open-source frameworks tend to be unstable. Still, in the case of Ionic, it is pretty stable, reliable, and faster. The apps created have a native feel and can be done efficiently as it is freely available.
2. Platform independent
Developing native apps for both iOS and Android requires proficiency in two languages, which takes time. But Ionic gives you the power to make cross-platform apps quickly.
Users can create high-end UIs with extra capabilities quickly, and you can develop apps for different platforms using the same code. Because the code does not need to be written from scratch, a lot of time and effort is saved.
3. Interactive user interface
The apps built using the platform have an interactive user interface, making them user-friendly. Ionic supports both CSS and Javascript, which provides the developer with customization options for menus, buttons, colour schemes, etc. Using premade UI elements, you can make prototypes of your future applications relatively quickly.
4. Strong community support
Starting to work with a new framework might be challenging. With Cordova and Angular as its foundation, however, Ionic has a vibrant community where you can find a variety of experts to help you with your problems.
Developers can easily contact the communities to address any issues they may be having with complex functionality codes, bugs, design issues, etc.
5. Use of one codebase
It has one codebase for both iOS and Android. It will take a lot of time to develop native applications for iOS and Android. However, Ionic allows you to design cross-platform applications with premium user interfaces and reusable parts. It will help you spend less time rewriting.
6. Easy to test
Mobile app testing is made simpler on this platform. For iOS and Android apps, you can test them using Cordova commands in a desktop browser or a simulator. Additionally, you can run tests using an iOS device’s Safari or a mobile browser.
Debugging is even possible remotely. To get a sense of how the app will work, you can test it natively or as a hybrid app directly on the platform.
Ionic framework: Is it worthwhile to use?
It allows developers to create mobile apps quickly and easily by utilising a single, manageable code base. However, businesses may encounter some security issues that are more serious but can be resolved with a little diligence. So there are no more difficulties in creating a cross-platform app than in other technologies.
- Additionally, businesses that choose Ionic mobile apps save a sizable sum of money.
- They get a fully functional app with all the most recent features that run simultaneously without a hitch across numerous platforms and the web.
- Therefore, it is evident that spending time and money on app development is worthwhile. Businesses won’t pay more, and they can get a beautiful app that fits their budget.
Downsides you should be aware of
Ionic is indeed a great mobile app development framework. It plays a major role in the development industry by allowing developers to create scalable applications. But as you know, every one of them has its own downsides. Here are some of the downsides you should keep in mind when deciding to go with it:
- It makes debugging a time-consuming and annoying task. It can be challenging to pinpoint the exact location of the problem because the platform delivers nuclear error notifications.
- When anything in the original folder gets corrupted, builds can crash at random and for no apparent reason.
- Storing sensitive data in the local storage devices will be a bad idea since the data is vulnerable to exploitation.
- It relies on live reloading because hot reloading is not supported, and it takes some time for users to get used to this.
- When they want to modify the app, the developers must restart their program.
- Reloading the app after each time a business makes a code change might seem reasonable, but it could actually slow down development speed.
- The apps are larger because they require a great deal of code and libraries, plugins, and dependencies, all of which add weight to the program compared to native apps.
The article covered Ionic’s benefits, shortcomings, etc., and why it is still thought to be a fantastic choice for developing mobile applications. The platform is a user-friendly technological tool that can meet user needs while also assisting businesses in surviving the intense competition found in a thriving market.
The success of an app is determined by its users. Choose the best app development frameworks by making use of the information above.
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Advantages and Disadvantages of Ionic Development
Hi, my name is Rahil. I work at YUHIRO Global and I help web agencies and software companies from Europe to build developer teams in India.