HTML5, JavaScript, top choice for building cross-platform app

WALTHAM, USA: Telerik, application development tools provider for building cross-platform and mobile applications, today announced the results of its latest Mobile Application Development Survey.

Titled, "The HTML5 vs. Native Debate is Over. The Winner is...," the survey was conducted in October 2013 and polled 3500 respondents from around the world, ranging from developers to CIOs and CTOs.

"Developers are taking the time to really understand the advantages and best practices for hybrid and native development and are quickly realizing that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all' solution for their mobile development process," said Todd Anglin, Telerik's EVP of Cross-Platform Products and Solutions.

"Many developers are finding that the choice between native and hybrid approaches is dependent on business needs, app requirements, developer skill, development timeline and other factors. When considered in context, we're seeing plenty of cases where hybrid is the right choice for a given app, and others where native still makes the most sense. What developers need, then, are tools that can help them be effective, regardless of the chosen approach," added Anglin.

Key findings include:

* There are no ‘one-size-fits-all' solutions for mobile application development. Many developers are finding mid-project that the approach they started with, Hybrid/HTML5 or Native, might not be the best, whether it's changing requirements or due to an improved understanding of the capabilities each mobile solution offers.

* Web and hybrid approaches are becoming increasingly popular with developers.

* The Web Platform (HTML5 & JavaScript) is the top choice for building cross-platform apps.

While native approaches were perceived to be the best choice for mobile application development in the enterprise a few years ago, today, 57 per cent of those surveyed believe that HTML5 is either enterprise-ready or will be within 12 months.

This demonstrates that the lines are blurring between developer preference for mobile app development approaches, not simply in terms of the end-user experience, but also the app development experience.

In addition, the survey posed questions around standards adoption, number and types of apps that will be developed in 2014, cross-platform adoption and the cost and time savings benefits of non-native approaches.

To read the full report and see all of the survey findings, click here.