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  • # Gohar Aslam
  • # App SF
  • # 10 October, 2023

Top 11 Easiest Mobile App Development Languages

Mobile app development languages are programming languages designed explicitly for creating mobile applications for smartphones and tablets. These languages write code that can be executed on mobile devices and are optimized to work with unique hardware and software characteristics.

Programming languages are the bedrock of the technology we use daily, whether smartphones, PCs, or smartwatches. They allow humans to communicate instructions to computers in a way that the computer can understand and execute. Different languages have different strengths and are used for various purposes, such as web development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, etc.

Additionally, programming languages are essential for developing software, mobile apps, and other computer programs necessary for modern society. With programming languages, most of the technology we rely on daily would exist.

Read the article to learn more about the significance of top-level programming languages for mobile app development.

Top mobile app development languages

1. JAVA

Java is a popular mobile app programming language, mainly Android. The primary reason is that the Android operating system is based on Java. The Android software development kit (SDK) includes a Java Development Kit (JDK) version and provides tools and APIs for developing Android apps using Java.

Developers can use Java to create apps for Android devices using the Android SDK and Android Studio, an integrated development environment (IDE) for Android app development. Developers can also use Java-based frameworks such as Spring Boot, JavaFX, and Apache Cordova (formerly PhoneGap) to create Android and other platforms mobile apps.

Java’s popularity for mobile app development also stems from its “write once, run anywhere” philosophy. Java code can be written once and run on any JVM platform, including most smartphones and tablets. It allows developers to create one app version that can run on multiple platforms, reducing development time and costs.

Java is an essential programming language for several reasons:

  • Platform Independence: Java code can run on any platform that supports a Java Virtual Machine (JVM), making it highly portable.
  • Object-Oriented: Java is based on the object-oriented programming paradigm, which makes it easy to model real-world objects and their interactions.
  • Large Ecosystem: Java has a large and active community and has developed many libraries, frameworks, and tools.
  • Enterprise Development: Java is extensively used for developing enterprise applications, such as web applications, business software, and Android apps.
  • High Demand: Java is one of the most preferred and crucial programming languages, with many job opportunities for developers who know it well.
  • Security: Java has a built-in security model that helps to protect against malicious attacks and viruses. Java is a robust, mature language with a large, supportive community. It is a good choice for developing various applications, particularly those distributed across multiple platforms.
JAVA

2. JavaScript

JavaScript is a high-level, interpreted programming language primarily used to create interactive and dynamic websites. It is a client-side scripting language, meaning the code is executed by the web browser rather than the server. It allows for creating interactive elements, such as forms that can validate without sending data to the server, and dynamic content, such as animations and interactive maps. In addition, it is also used as a language for app development.

So, why is JavaScript the best language to make an app? JavaScript can also create browser extensions and mobile apps using frameworks like React Native. JavaScript is the world’s leading and most popular programming language, and all modern web browsers support it. It’s often used with HTML and CSS to build web pages and web applications.

JavaScript is an app programming language widely used to create interactive, dynamic web pages and web applications. It is also used for server-side programming and mobile and desktop app development.

JavaScript is significant for several reasons:

  • Interactivity: JavaScript creates interactive and dynamic web pages like form validation, animations, and maps.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: JavaScript runs on all major web browsers, making creating web applications that work across different platforms and devices accessible.
  • Popularity: JavaScript is one of the world’s most widely used programming languages, with a large and active developer community.
  • Server-Side Programming: Node.js, a platform that allows JavaScript to be run on the server side, has become increasingly popular, making it possible to use JavaScript for full-stack web development.
  • Mobile App Development: JavaScript helps to create mobile apps using technologies like React Native, PhoneGap, and Ionic.
  • Desktop App Development: JavaScript also helps to create desktop apps using technologies like Electron. JavaScript is also used to create sophisticated web applications with complex logic and use many web APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) like IndexedDB, WebSockets, WebRTC, and many others.
JavaScript

3. Swift

Swift is a mobile app programming language developed by Apple specifically for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS development. It is designed to be easy to read and write, safe, and fast. Swift is a statically typed language, meaning that the data types of variables must be explicitly declared, providing more safety and better performance than dynamically typed languages.

Swift code is compiled into machine code, which makes it a native language for iOS app development. It also provides access to the complete set of iOS and macOS SDKs, including frameworks such as UIKit, Core Location, and Core Data, which gives developers access to the full range of functionality of the iOS and macOS platforms.

Swift is also open-source, which means that developers have access to the source code and can contribute to the development of the language. It also allows developers to create and share their libraries and frameworks. It is also possible to develop cross-platform apps with Swift, and Frameworks like Flutter or React Native can use Swift as a programming language.

Swift

4. Kotlin

Kotlin is a cross-platform, statically typed language for app development that runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). It was first developed by JetBrains in 2011 and officially released in 2016. Kotlin’s design improves some of Java’s shortcomings and provides a more modern and expressive programming experience. It is fully compatible with Java and can inter-operate with existing Java code.

Kotlin is a general-purpose programming language prevalent for developing Android apps, and Google has officially supported it as a first-class language for Android development since 2017. Kotlin is also used for web development, server-side programming, and desktop applications.

Kotlin features null safety, extension functions, type inference, and higher-order functions, making it more expressive, concise, and less prone to error than Java. It also includes coroutines, data, and sealed classes, making it more powerful and versatile than Java.

Kotlin

5. QML

QML (Qt Meta-Object Language) is a declarative app programming language for designing user interfaces and building multi-platform applications. It is used with the Qt framework, a collection of libraries and tools for building desktop, mobile, and embedded applications.

QML is similar to HTML in that it uses a tree-based structure to define the layout and properties of the user interface elements. However, unlike HTML, QML is designed for various platforms and devices, including desktop, mobile, and embedded systems.

QML allows you to create a highly responsive, fluid, and animated UI. You can also use JavaScript to add dynamic behavior to your application. QML also integrates well with other programming languages, such as C++, this way. You can use C++ code and libraries in your QML application Qt Quick, which is built on QML and provides a library of pre-built UI elements such as buttons, lists, and forms, making it easy to create professional-looking user interfaces with minimal effort.

QML

6. PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor)

PHP is a scripting language generally used for web development but not typically used for mobile app programming language. Mobile apps are usually developed using native languages such as Swift for iOS and Java for Android or cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Xamarin.

However, it is possible to develop mobile apps using PHP. You can do this by using a framework such as PhoneGap or Cordova. It allows developers to build mobile apps using web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and then wrap them in a native container. It will enable the app to access native features of the device, such as the camera or GPS.

Another way to use PHP in mobile app development is by creating a RESTful API that the mobile app can consume. The mobile app would then interact with the API to retrieve data and perform actions on the server.

PHP

7. C#

C# or C-sharp is a modern, object-oriented mobile app development language created by Microsoft in 2000. It is designed to be simple, powerful, and easy to learn and use. C# is based on the C and C++ programming languages and is part of the .NET framework, which provides a large set of pre-built libraries and tools for developing various applications, including desktop applications, web applications, and mobile apps.

C# is primarily used to develop Windows desktop applications, phone apps, and games for Windows and the Xbox. It is also used for creating web applications and services using the ASP.NET framework, which allows for creating dynamic web pages and web APIs. C# is also commonly used for developing Windows services and backend systems for enterprise applications.

C# is a universal coding language for mobile apps and is used at large. It has a rich set of features such as automatic memory management, built-in support for object-oriented programming, and an extensive collection of pre-built libraries and frameworks.

C#

8. Objective C

Objective-C is an object-oriented app programming language widely used to develop applications for Apple’s macOS, iOS, and iPad operating systems. It is a high-level programming language derived from C but with added object-oriented features.

Objective-C is known for its dynamic binding, which allows for the late binding of objects and methods, and its message passing to call methods on objects. It also features a dynamic runtime, allowing for the introspection and manipulation of objects.

Objective-C is the primary programming language used for developing applications on the iOS, macOS, and iPadOS platforms. It is still widely used by many developers and is considered a powerful tool for developing robust and efficient applications in the Apple ecosystem.

Objective C

9. C++

C++ is a high-performance app development language widely used to develop systems software, application software, and video games. It is an extension of the C programming language with additional features such as classes, templates, and exception handling.

C++ is a compiled language, meaning the source code is translated into machine code before it is executed, resulting in faster program execution. It is often used to develop large-scale, complex software systems and is supported on various platforms.

C++

10. Python 

Python is a high-level, interpreted app programming language widely used for web development, scientific computing, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and other applications. It is known for its simple, easy-to-learn syntax and large and supportive community. Python is a universal programming language for various purposes, including mobile app development.

However, it is less commonly used for mobile app development than languages such as Java and Swift. There are frameworks and libraries available, such as Kivy and BeeWare, which allow developers to create mobile apps using Python. These frameworks can be used to develop apps for both iOS and Android platforms.

Nevertheless, the performance of apps created using these frameworks may be better than apps created using languages specifically designed for mobile app development. While it is possible to use Python for mobile app development, better choices for performance-critical apps or developers unfamiliar with the frameworks and libraries are available.

Python

11. Rust

Rust is a systems app development language gaining popularity in the development community for its safety and performance. While Rust is less commonly used for mobile app development than languages like Java or Swift, it is possible to use Rust to develop mobile apps. One way to do this is to use the Rust language to write the app’s core logic and then use a platform-specific tool, such as a Java or Swift wrapper, to interface with the mobile platform’s APIs. Another way is using Rust through frameworks like Flutter, which allows building mobile apps with a single codebase.

It’s worth noting that using Rust for mobile development is still an experimental area and has yet to be widely adopted. However, it is expected to gain more popularity as it continues improving its mobile development capabilities.

Rust
Looking to build an app using any programming language? Check out our mobile app development services.

FAQs

What is a programming language?

A programming language is a set of instructions, rules, and conventions for creating computer programs, scripts, and software. These languages make instructions that a computer can understand and execute.

Which is the best mobile app development language?

Several programming languages can be used for mobile app development, and the best one for you will depend on your specific requirements and the platforms you wish to target. Some popular languages for mobile app development are Swift, Java, Kotlin, and React Native.

Can I use Python for mobile apps?

You can use Python for mobile app development, but it is less commonly used than languages like Swift for iOS and Java for Android. Python is a general-purpose programming language not natively designed for mobile app development, and it may not be as efficient as other languages for mobile app development.

What are typical examples of in-demand programming languages?

Common examples of in-demand programming languages include Python, known for its versatility and application in data science and web development; JavaScript, essential for web and front-end development; and Java, widely used for building Android applications and enterprise-level software.

Senior Content Writer
Gohar Aslam
Coding Pixel

Gohar is a seasoned IT writer specializing in leading technologies. He holds a Diploma and Bachelor's degree from the University of London, with professional experience spanning over five years in the IT sector. His expertise involves a keen focus on mobile applications, web apps, blockchain, content management systems, e-commerce, and fintech. Beyond the professional field, Gohar is an avid reader and reads extensively about emerging and innovative technologies.