What is PhoneGap?

 What is PhoneGap?

A new revolution in software engineering started through mobiles, handhelds, and easy to carry devices. These devices are efficient and small in size. These devices are capable of running those applications which are designed through high-end programming languages. The mobile device architecture is similar to the architecture of a computer system. The mobile phone architecture contains Application Operating System Firmware, and Hardware.

From these four items in the figure, operating system firmware, and hardware are mostly copyright. These three items are assembled, developed, and engineered under one flagship organization. The Application Software is designed and developed by both developers from outside the organization and flagship organization.

The well-recognized mobile operating systems are available in both the proprietary and open-source categories. These are the most widely used mobile systems:

• Android
• IOS
• BlackBerry
• Windows

Each and every mobile operating system has its own environment and tools for developing applications. The drawback is that the application developed for one OS is unable to run on another OS platform. The reason is that they are entirely different from each other. To increase reachability among the users, developers try to cover all major mobile operating systems.

It is very typical to design an application which may run on all major OS system. We also have to keep its feel, look, and functionality identical on all platforms. For designing such an application, the developers should have knowledge of all platforms and major development tools for each operating system.

What is PhoneGap

A technology used for cross-platform mobile app development is referred to as PhoneGap. All the problems which we have seen above can be solved by PhoneGap easily. PhoneGap is an open-source mobile application framework. It allows developers to develop applications using standard web APIs. PhoneGap was developed by Nitobe Software, which is known as Adobe.

For developing cross-platform applications, the developer should have knowledge of web development using HTML CSS, and JavaScript. The rest of the work, like the feel of the app, portability, and look, is maintained by PhoneGap.

PhoneGap allows us to develop applications for most popular OS like Android IOS Windows, and BlackBerry. There is also no need to have expertise in any of the platforms. If we don't know about programming to code the app from scratch, then it's not a big deal.

By using PhoneGap, the data contents uploaded on the website convert into various App files automatically.

These are the following reasons which make PhoneGap important to build cross-platform applications:

1. We don't need additional training for development.
   To develop applications using PhoneGap, there is no need to learn any new programming language. The standard languages and technologies, i.e., HTML CSS, and JavaScript, are used by PhoneGap.
2. Allows development for multiple devices
   By using standard technology, PhoneGap can work with several devices. The JavaScript APIs are consistent on different platforms.
3. Allows us to focus on functionality
   By using PhoneGap, we can work with the latest version of the native SDK. There is no need to keep up the SDK individually with each platform.
4. Improves collaboration
   For achieving the end result, the team members use their strengths in a collaborative manner.
5. Easy and Fast deployment
   We can quickly deploy our app to the user because more time is saved in developing using PhoneGap.
6. Easy sharing of apps
   By using the PhoneGap Build, we can share the application as soon as it is developed. We share the app by sending a link to our family, friends, and colleagues.

Prerequisite

PhoneGap is a framework for designing cross-platform applications. The user should have knowledge of web development using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.