The document discusses various cross-platform mobile app development frameworks. It describes frameworks that use web technologies like HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript to build apps that are portable across platforms (e.g. PhoneGap, Rhodes). It also discusses frameworks that use cross-compilation to build truly native mobile apps from a common codebase (e.g. Xamarin, Appcelerator). The document provides brief overviews of popular frameworks like Sencha Touch, Appcelerator, and MoSync, outlining their pros, cons, and capabilities.

1. Uday Kothari
uday@compulinkacademy.com
CEO, CompulinkAcademy

2. App must provide consistent user experience
and behave similarly across different devices
and platforms.
Device capabilities such as screen size, input
types and display capabilities can vary
dramatically from vendor to vendor
Minimize cost of development and
maintenance

3.  Separate Build Environment fromTarget
Environment
 Framework provides platform independent API
 Developer uses mainstream languages like JS,
Ruby or Java and API to build App (UI, Business
Logic, Data Persistance)
 App processed by Cross Compiler into Native
Code
 Adv: High Performance

4. Software Implementation of Machine
(Device)
PlatformAPI + Runtime Environment
AppCode VM Device OS
Pro: Portability Con: Bit Slower than Native
Flexibility

5. Uses HTML5, CSS, JavaScript
Runs on Mobile Web Browser
Lowest cost of Development
Portable across wide range of devices
and platforms
Pure Web
Hybrid Web (Using Web Viewer) and
wrapped by thin layer of native app.
Useful for common business app but
not for CPU intensive apps like games

6. Rhodes
PhoneGap /Cordova
SenchaTouch
Appcelerator
Xamarin

7. Open source
Ruby for Business Logic,
HTML/CSS/Javascript for UI
ComprehensiveTool set,VM interpreter
Widest Platform Coverage (Android. iOS,
Windows, Blackberry)
MVC, ORM
Ruby – Not many developers available
http://rhomobile.com/products/rhodes/

8. Build Mobile NativeApps using only HTML,
Javascript, CSS
Build Apps quickly
Familiar tool set
Webview – renders UI and support for major
device capabilities (Camera, Contacts,
Geolocation etc)
Best suited when one has existing web app
PhoneGap* –> Adobe, Cordova -> Open Source

9. Uses Cross Compilation
Provides JavascriptAPI for Device
Functionality
3 Step process:
 Pre-compilation, Front end Compilation, Platform
& Package compilation
Creates NativeAPP
Alloy MVC framework
Marketplace to buy components developed
by others

10. Cross Compilation
Can use PhoneGap/Cordova tools to build
finalApp
HTML5, JavaScript, CSS based common code
base
Free and Paid versions
www.sencha.com

11. SenchaComplete
SenchaTouch Bundle
SenchaTouch – Basic FreeVersion
Sencha Ext JS
SenchaGXT
SenchaArchitect - IDE
SenchaAnimator
Sencha Space – Mainly for Enterprise
MobilityApps management

12. Build NativeApps for iOS, Android,Windows
using C#
Leverage your .NET skills, knowledge and
experience
Can use existing C or Java code
Visual Studio Integration (Business Edition) or
Xamarin Studio
Expensive (Per Developer/PerYear/Per
Platform Pricing)

13. MoSync Reload – HTML/CSS/JavaScript to
build native apps
MoSync SDK – C/C++ to build native apps.
iOS, Android,Windows Phone builds
Use Reload to build quick prototypes and if
required use SDK to build true native apps.
Reload has very nice development tools.
 Reload Client – Runs on devices
 Reload Server – Communicates with Client(s) to
see how it looks on diff devices, emulators

14. MoSync (SDK) IDE is based on Eclipse
Very stable and works out of the box
For Android it can build APK directly for
distribution
For iOS it generates xcode project which can
be compiled and packaged on Mac devices
Not many HTML examples found.
Good set of C/C++ examples.