Cross–platform is a type of software application that which works on multiple operating systems or devices, which are often referred to as platforms. A platform means an operating system such as Windows, Mac OS, Android or iOS.
Cross platform development provides the flexibility to build your app using a universal language like Javascript which can then be exported to various smartphone platforms. This allows one “app” to work across multiple habitats. This can be done in two ways:
- Native App – Cross Platform Development
- Hybrid Apps – Cross Platform Development
There are several advantages to using cross platform development:
- Expenses are reduced as the need to code in two or three separate languages disappears. In addition bugs that are present in the common code base need only be fixed once (for the most part).
- Time to market is reduced since developing one program takes a lot less time than building two or three apps for each device platform.
- Uniformity increases between different operating systems creating a more seamless user experience.
- Companies are able to reach many more customers right from the get-go which increases exposure and future ROI.
- The development tools are familiar as they employ common programming languages.