What is PhoneGap?

PhoneGap is an Adobe Systems software development framework for creating mobile applications. To develop apps with it, the developer does not need to be familiar with mobile programming languages but rather with web-development languages such as HTML, CSS, and JScript. When developing apps, this framework supports all major mobile operating systems, including iOS, Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Mobile.

It is one of the most popular mobile app development languages, originally known as “Apache Cordova” and introduced by Nitobi. Adobe acquired Nitobi and rebranded Apache Cordova as “PhoneGap.” This article will detail the open-source framework for developing mobile applications created by Nitobi Software (now Adobe).

Why Should You Use It?

There are several reasons why it stands out from the crowd of frameworks available. Some reasons include cross-platform compatibility, cost-effectiveness, and so on. Please continue reading to learn why it is still one of the best Android frameworks for application development in a highly competitive technology space.

No Need for Additional Training for Development
Cross-platform Compatibility
Cost Effectiveness
Improved Access to Native APIs
A sizable community base
Web Technology Flexibility
Robust Backend Support
Focuses on Functionality
Improved User Interface by UI Libraries

1. No Need for Additional Training for Development

As previously mentioned, developing apps with PhoneGap requires no additional training or learning new programming languages. It employs HTML, CSS, and JS, common languages and technologies. As a result, you could use team members who are already proficient in these technologies. It will save you a significant amount of time in training.

2. The Cross-platform Compatibility

Creating a mobile app takes a lot of work, so the platform the developers use must be trustworthy. PhoneGap makes use of widely compatible standard technologies.

It is a reliable cross-platform solution that works with various mobile application development platforms, such as iOS, Blackberry, Android, WebOS, Symbian, Tizen, and Bada.
The development team for the app only needs to write one piece of code, which saves time and effort compared to writing programs for various platforms.

3. Cost Effectiveness

It is the best tool for you if you have a limited budget and want to leverage your resources as much as possible with minimal outlays. Multiplatform applications can be written using a single program. It will help you save a tonne of time and money.

4. Improved Access to Native APIs

It offers mobile app developers access to the Native APIs. So your app can take advantage of the camera, geolocation, accelerometer, contacts, and all the other native features. It also allows users to gain firsthand experience with native apps, which are far superior to web applications.

5. A Sizable Community Base

It will be very beneficial for a beginner when sufficient support is available. So, when you first start using Cordova, the expanding development community will be there to support you and provide solutions to the majority of your issues. There will be many examples available to you, and there will be members with experience who can offer you tremendous support.

6. Web Technology Flexibility

Some more basic languages, like CSS, HTML, and JavaScript, are used to create Cordova apps. You don’t need to pick up any additional languages if you want to start using Cordova to develop mobile applications.

Programming can be done easily using existing languages.
Since it has been around for a while, you can find many libraries and frameworks to help you.
Therefore, you can use the various options for better programming.

7. Robust Backend Support

Strong backend support offered by PhoneGap facilitates the development process and saves time for developers. Due to the time saved by using the framework, the app you are developing would be released to users much faster.

The mobile app developer could use existing skills and readily available SDKs to achieve the result in a shorter period.
They also offer a beginner’s guide to help new developers understand the entire project.

8. Focuses on Functionality

Developers could use the most recent native SDKs without having to keep up separately with each platform. It frees up a lot of time that would otherwise be spent on monitoring changes to the various platforms, allowing them to concentrate on the functionality of the app that they would be developing. You could upload your Javascript, CSS, and HTML to the cloud using PhoneGap Build and get an already-finished app.

9. Improved User Interface by UI Libraries

Most mobile users find it difficult and inconvenient to view websites that are only compatible with devices with large screens, such as computers and tablets. Accessing the pages will take a lot of work to scroll down to them, check them, and perform other tasks.

The UI libraries included in the framework have dramatically enhanced the user interface of the apps and websites.
It helps to improve the viewing experience for various target viewers.

Applications

These are some of the PhoneGap examples. The apps below were developed on the framework platform and have provided a commendable user experience for their users.

Wikipedia
DHS Program
Paylution
TripCase

1. Wikipedia

There are so many people using this free encyclopedia app worldwide. It is built using the PhoneGap framework and functions like a native app.

2. DHS Program

For small screens, this can be considered big data. DHS stands for Demographic and Health Survey. Adobe created the app, which provides health-related and survey-related data.

3. Paylution

It facilitates more manageable international payments. This app uses Hyperwallet technology for payment processing. Instead of wiring money or writing checks, this app is an excellent alternative for making payments.

4. TripCase

It is an innovative mobile application that will help users on their travels. It is one of the best PhoneGap apps ever created.

Therefore, we discussed some noteworthy features that make PhoneGap mobile app development relevant and mentioned some well-known apps created using the framework. So, once you’ve decided to create a hybrid app, you have many options regarding the framework you use. PhoneGap is unquestionably one of them.