Ionic App Development

Posted On August 13, 2021 and By Rinkaj Solanki

a. Ionic is used as an open-source UI software development kit for cross-platform app development.

b. Since, it uses web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript; it provides a platform for app development to those who are already aware of web development.

c. It provides an easy interface to create apps and even add them to an app store.

d. The latest versions of Ionic are using web components paired with JavaScript frameworks such as Angular, React, or Vue.

e. Ionic also offers the choice to drop the frameworks and do the complete development in JavaScript if the developer wishes.

f. Not only for front-end but also backend development Ionic is equipped with features connecting to AWS, Azure, and Firebase.

g. It requires Node.js installed to function as part of the whole JavaScript ecosystem [Front-end technologies and WebView].

h. WebView is an extended functionality that allows to run web pages and display them inside a device browser as a native application.

Advantages Of Using Ionic:

1.  Developer Friendly-

• A major advantage for web developers to use Ionic for App Development is not having to learn new skills like swift for apple or Kotlin for android.
• Since Ionic is built on standardized web technologies, it is easier for developers to find resources.

2.  Easy Customization-

• Ionic opens up a lot of opportunities to change the look and feel of an application with simple HTML and CSS modifications.
• Ionic app development helps to customize the user experience easy to fit the requirements. Making regular updates is also easy.

3.  One codebase, multiple apps-

• With Ionic, multiple apps can be built from one codebase. This is not only beneficial for the development phase but even after deployment.
• When bugs are to be removed or new updates are to be implemented, one codebase serves the purpose for all.
• This is the best practice for long-term development and code maintenance.

4.  Tools with native compatibility-

• Ionic has an in-built library of front-end building blocks, UI components, common app icons for developers to connect to native APIs like Bluetooth, GPS, or a built-in camera without building custom integrations for each purpose.
• In Ionic development, you can even integrate technologies like-  analytical instruments, payment systems, security, etc.

5.  Variety of UI elements-

• Ionic provides a large range of UI web components that can be used to develop any look and feel of a native application required.
• Features like the animation to a button, or advanced scroll type, etc can be added easily.

6.  Great for rapid prototyping-

• Ionic has an amazing prototyping tool known as Ionic Creator which offers a drag-and-drop interface to construct interactive prototypes.
• But one downside is that Ionic Creator can’t be used to build the whole app, still, it helps in speeding up the process.

7.  Testing convenience-

• Since Ionic development uses the Webview feature, the developed app can be tested with the device’s browser in-built testing and debugging tools. 
• This speeds up and makes the testing phase more convenient.
• A major benefit of using Webview is that developers don’t have to deploy to a device or an emulator for a simple preview, which can save time when making UI changes.

8.  Frontend agnostic-

• The latest version i.e. Ionic 4 has Ionic SDK which works with Angular, React, and Vue.
• There is also a choice to not choose any framework at all and code fully in JavaScript.
• This enables more people to use Ionic.
• And the best part is that the transition from web development to app development is smooth and efficient.

Disadvantages of using Ionic: –

1.  Performance with graphics-

• For an app that has to be made with graphics-heavy functionalities, Ionic may not perform nicely.
• This is because Ionic provides graphic elements via a browser, which takes several steps to show images on the screen. Hence the loading time increases.
• However, on modern devices, the difference in loading time is negligible.
• But still, apps that are required to use technologies like augmented reality may not perform effectively with Ionic development.

2.  Harder to set up hot reloading.

• Hot reload is a feature in which gives the ability to make changes in the source code which are implemented simultaneously in the running application with no need to compile source code again or restart.
• Ionic uses live reloading instead. The live reloading feature refreshes the whole application to activate changes i.e. it requires a reboot of the application to apply newly added changes.
• This takes more time and effort and slows down the app development process.
• However, there is an option to Configure Hot Module Replacement (HMR) that can exchange, add, or remove modules while an application is running, without a full reload.

3.  Plugin-dependent system.

• Sometimes when a specific feature is required and its suitable plugin is not available, the developer has 2 choices in Ionic development- either to develop the plugin on his own or to transform any similar native plugin in JavaScript to use it.
• This shows that with Ionic development, even a bit of native code can’t be used.

Summary

Ionic simplifies the process of app development across various platforms, using the latest web technologies for web developers.

This saves budget, time, and effort to implement and manage a separate team for app development if your business already has a web development team.

Also, its Ionic App Development is a boon for businesses that have a web development team with solid expertise in Angular framework and is well-versed in using JavaScript, this enables them to build a high-performing application.

However, if you’re planning to build a heavy application and do not want to compromise with the loading time, native applications will perform better for your business.