The Best Languages to Learn for Mobile App Development

Are you interested in mobile app development? Then, learning the languages of the trade is essential. There is a massive demand for mobile apps on the market. Apps make it easier to shop, do banking, pay your bills, and more. Therefore, the demand for mobile apps and mobile app developers is increasing. If you are interested in a mobile app development, this is an ideal guide. It talks about the best languages to learn for mobile app development. As you know, there are numerous languages and frameworks available for creating apps today. Knowing the best language will help you decide which language to learn, invest in, and use for better app creation.

In this blog, we will discuss the 7 best languages to learn for mobile app development, along with their pros and cons.

7  Best Languages to Learn for Mobile App Development

Swift (Apple devices)

One of the best languages to learn for mobile app development is swift. Apple is the creator of this app and since 2014, developers have been using this instead of Objective-C in almost all Apple products. It is a general-purpose programming language with modern features. It targets server and desktop development.  

Pros	Cons
It uses fewer lines than other languages to code.	Programming using Swift is challenging.
Its syntax is easier to learn especially if you know Python, Java and C++.	No one other than iOS developers can use the language.
It has unique and powerful features like closures, fast compiling time, and so on; it makes coding faster and simpler.	It has stricter type checking, meaning if the code does not match the set type, there will be an error not letting you compile the app.
It has an intelligent compiler that detects errors quickly as it is compiling data.	The code is verbose and challenging to read as it was designed for safety.
One can learn Swift using the multiple online resources available.	The learning curve is higher, which means it will take a long time to learn and create apps.

 

Java (Android)

For android devices, Java is one of the best languages to learn. Created in 1995, it is a general-purpose language offering portability across multiple platforms and OS. Moreover, it is an object-oriented language which is quite beneficial for companies. 

Pros	Cons
Java is an object-oriented language.	It is bloated and overused. Thus, it can run slowly.
A large digital library available online can help developers at any time.	It focuses on storage and not backup, a major drawback.
The syntax is similar to C# and C++, making it easier to learn.	It is not beginner-friendly.
The code is easy to read and understand.

 

C++

C++ is popular and one of the best languages to learn for mobile app development. It is 40 years old, and yet many software engineers and game developers use this language. It is object-oriented and perfect for app development.

Pros	Cons
It has powerful features that let you find bugs quickly to create high-performance and secure code.	It is less user-friendly.
It is ideal for speed-related apps like the OS or video games	Decrease in programmers knowing this language.
It supports both procedural and object-oriented programming styles.	Not every web browser supports C++. It means it is challenging to create web apps using this language.
It has better in-line assembly support.	C++ doesn’t run on low-system RAM devices.

 

Python

A cross-platform language, it is easy to learn and read, making it a popular programming language.

Pros	Cons
It works on multiple platforms, like Mac, Windows, Pi, and Linux.	Unsuitable for large-scale projects.
Its syntax is similar to English, making it easier to read and learn for beginners.	Few libraries make it challenging to find help with tasks.
The syntax allows developers to write fewer code lines than in other languages.
Prototyping is quick due to its ability to execute code soon after writing (interpreter system).

 

Kotlin

Google is endorsing Kotlin as Android development’s official language. It is a versatile and powerful programming language that extends beyond creating mobile apps. It also works for apps on web browsers and iOS.

Pros	Cons
Kotlin’s code has enhanced conciseness and readability. Thus, it makes the coding experience better.	It has fewer resources, so newcomers might face challenges using it.
It has a robust compiler for detecting errors and bugs in the compiling stage only.	The compilation time is slow, impacting the development workflow competence.
It interoperates easily with Java. Thus, it allows developers to use existing Java code libraries and codebases.	It can work with Java, yet developers have to adapt to a newer paradigm to work smoothly.
It is a cross-platform language, making it easier to create apps running on multiple platforms.	It is slow in runtime.

 

Ruby 

Ruby is an open-source programming language focusing on productivity and simplicity. It is a versatile language that supports multiple programming models.

Pros	Cons
The syntax is clear, making it easy to understand the code.	It can exhibit slower performance as compared to other popular languages.
Mobile app developers can change their components. It makes the experience of coding adaptable and customizable.	Its threading model is short compared to a few other languages, affecting its concurrent processing.
It has strong testing frameworks.	The documentation is less, so there are fewer libraries.
It has metaprogramming features. It means the code writes itself.	Its runtime speed lags, which influences the execution speed of apps.

 

C#

Another one of the best languages to learn for mobile app development is C#. Learning this language will give you a great ROI. With C#, you can write programs for Windows devices and apps on Xbox One and Windows Phone.

Pros	Cons
C# is beginner-friendly due to its open source and efficient syntax.	Small developer community, meaning fewer support and code help.
It supports multiple languages.
It has library support for code written in languages like C++ and.NET.

 

Also Read: Choosing Between Custom Development and Off-the-Shelf Solutions

Conclusion

So, these are the best languages to learn for mobile app development. From JavaScript to Swift to C++, all these languages have their own pros and cons. Deciding which language to invest in and learn depends on your chosen niche and expertise level. Also, it never hurts to know more than one language. It adds to your portfolio, and you can do certification courses to become a master of any of these programming languages.