SDK stands for Software Development Kit. It is a set of development tools that allows developers to create applications for specific software platforms. SDKs provide frameworks for developers to build compatible apps across different device types and platforms, and make it easier to produce apps that can take advantage of new features as platforms evolve over time.

1. What is SDK Technology?
Danielle Gatsos
UW Smart Phones-MCDM
Creative Commons
7/31/10

2. SDK stands for Software Development Kit.

3. It is a set of development tools that facilitate
the creation of applications for specific software.

4. SDK can be utilized for all types of platforms

5. There are various levels of complexity in SDK.
Simple API interfaces to specific
programming language
Complex
Sophisticated hardware links
with embedded system.

6. We often see SDK used for debugging and other utilities
in an integrated development environment.

7. How it works.
Target System
Developer
writes SDK
SDK is manipulated to
produce a new
application
Software engineer
Downloads SDK.
SDK is made
available on
the internet

8. Often SDKs are free to encourage more developers
to purchase the application.

9. Some SDKs have licenses that restrict use.
Proprietary SDK
Typically won’t
work with
Free Software
SDK under
General Public
License
Proprietary SDK

10. There is one type of SDK license that is typically universal.
SDK under Lesser
General Public
License
Proprietary SDK

11. Apple and Microsoft refer to their SDKs as
“Driver Development Kits” because they are created
for specific systems or subsystems.
Trying to Sound Fancy

12. You can download SDKs for iPhones and Androids
directly from their websites and begin producing apps.

13. SDK development can occur in 1 of 2 ways
with smartphones.
1. Build for a specific version that is forward-compatible with later
versions but cannot take advantage of new features.
2. Build for a range of versions, so it can launch in older versions
but take advantage of new features as well.

14. Software Development Kits make it easy for the
development of compatible applications on all types of
platforms by providing a specified framework for
developers.

15. “Overview of SDK Based Development.” Retrieved on July 30, 2010 from
http://developer.apple.com/iphone/library/documentation/DeveloperTools/Conceptual/cross_development/Overview/overview.h
tml#//apple_ref/doc/uid/20002001-BABEBGCF
“SDK.” Webopedia: Internet.com. Retrieved on July 30, 2010 from http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/SDK.html
Sources