The top ASP.NET web development firm is Cyber Infrastructure Inc. With open-source ASP.NET, which works on Windows, Linux, and macOS. We provide ASP.NET enterprise solutions, including ASP.NET MVC, ASP.NET migrations, ASP.NET CMS solutions, and ASP.NET integration. We are a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner.
Across all industry verticals that leverage Microsoft technology stacks, our team at Cyber Infrastructure Inc. can design high-performing. NET-based software, web and mobile apps, BI tools, chatbots, and other .NET development alternatives.
Using Microsoft's flagship product, users can build straightforward console apps to produce highly scalable online, desktop, and mobile app .NET. IoT solutions can be developed as well.
This article will discuss the various tools, and methods that.NET offers for creating mobile apps. Let's take an in-depth look.
What is .NET?
First, let's take a look at .NET in general. The conventional definition of .NET is an open-source framework that Microsoft makes available to programmers of various apps on many platforms. It is also a crucial component of Windows OS.
We can see that the .NET ecosystem encompasses a wide range of software products, including languages, libraries, developer tools, libraries, runtime environments, and more platform independence.
These are the main components.
- .NET Framework - The initial item was made available in 2002. It was created exclusively to produce services and apps for Windows.
- .NET core - Cross-platform development is possible using this 2016 platform-neutral framework.
- Xamarin - The development environment for cross-platform mobile apps. It was initially developed by the Mono Project, which Microsoft eventually bought.
- MAUI - The following development in the Xamarin platform will work with Android, iOS, and MacOS.
- C# and F#Visual Basic - Are the most common programming languages. NET.
- Visual Studio - The.NET project's virtual development environment. There are two choices: Visual Studio Code or Visual Studio for Mac.
- Command line Interface (CLI) - A toolchain to create, run, and publish cross-platform apps.
- .NET Standard - A standard set of APIs that guarantee ecosystem unification. Beginning with.NET 5, this unification strategy was no longer valid.
- Expected Language Running time (CLR ) - This environment manages software components written in different languages.
- .NET5 - A step toward creating a single platform that integrates the most significant features of the.NET Framework and.NET Core and enables the development of apps for all devices in one location. In 2022, this release became available.
- .NET6 - A single development environment that enables the creation of cloud, desktop, and mobile apps and IoT, gaming, AI, and IoT applications. This release is scheduled for 2022.
The .NET Framework and.NET Core products that were once a component of .NET five have been combined into one product under the name .NET 6. This implies that with a single version, you can develop any solution. All current products share the same infrastructure parts, libraries, and APIs.
Even though we just briefly highlighted a few of the .NET ecosystem's components, it is clear that there are many of them. Several libraries, runtimes, and other tools can supplement this list.
What is the Purpose of the.NET Framework, and How can it be Used?
According to Statista, the .NET Framework was the most used Framework among developers in 2022. The top two were .NET Core and .NET 5. This demonstrates how the platform is flexible and valuable in a variety of settings, including:
- Desktop applications
- Web applications
- Mobile applications
- enterprise systems (CMS, ERP)
- IoT solutions
- games.
These hints will help you decide when to use.NET products.
- The the.NET Framework is the best option if you need a desktop- or server-based application that runs on Windows OS.
- Create a cross-platform web application with or .NET Core that should work on both Windows and Linux - If you need a highly scalable and effective solution that takes advantage of Docker containers and the microservices architecture,
- If you need native or cross-platform applications for mobile operating systems, Xamarin is the ideal option (iOS, Android)
Front-end Mobile Development in .NET
The front end is what users interact with and see in mobile applications. Together, front-end developers and web designers implement the logic. In.NET offers a wide variety of tools for front-end development.
Xamarin
The most popular open-source front-end framework for the.NET platform is called Xamarin. It permits cross-platform development, allowing the project to target several platforms (Android, iOS) simultaneously. You have two options for producing mobile apps with Xamarin.
First Option - A Separate UI for Each Platform
You may create your Android and iOS apps using Xamarin Native. Using Xamarin's native features (XML files and storyboards), you will need to write original code for each solution. Xamarin or iOS. Android. These solutions' backends can also be shared.
I'll illustrate by displaying the Android layout file for one of our internal programs.
This approach has the advantage that you can code for multiple platforms using one language, C#, instead of Swift, Java, or other languages. You can incorporate third-party SDKs for both platforms using Xamarin's bindings. This makes having everything you require in one location quite simple.
The Second Option - is a Single UI Across all Platforms
You may develop a cross-platform user interface (UI) with Xamarin.Forms. This is quicker than creating different solutions, although you might need to make minor tweaks for each platform.
Xamarin also supports additional platforms like Windows, Mac, Linux (GTK), and Tizen to produce an app that works on a broader range of mobile devices. Front-end developers can use Xamarin to create cross-platform apps.
MonoGame and Unity
MonoGame and Unity are the other options for mobile front-end programming. NET. These frameworks are not limited to mobile front-end development. NET. Still, they can be used to develop mobile gaming apps for iOS and Android.
Games for desktop, console, and mobile platforms can be made with MonoGame. The Microsoft XNA framework, which was used to develop games for Windows a decade ago, was replaced by this Framework. The code for MonoGame is written in C#. It focuses on the iOS and Android mobile operating systems and other game-capable platforms like Windows, macOS Linux, PS4, PS Vita, and Xbox One.
MonoGame It is less potent than Unity. However, it offers various features, including 2D and 3-D rendering, sound management, image and state management, and the ability to manage sounds and pictures.
Unity Offers a full-featured platform that allows you to create 3D films, automobile solutions, and architectural projects in real-time. Unity is a powerful tool that can be used for realistic visualization.
Create objects using Unity's user-friendly editor, then use.NET technologies to implement their logic.
Unity supports the following platforms:
- Mobile - Android, iOS, and tvOS
- desktop - Windows (UWP), Mac, Linux
- web - WebGL
- Console - PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Stadia.
Modern consumers enjoy the gaming engine Unity's powerful mobile development features. Consider all technological requirements before selecting a tool for front-end mobile application development. Mobile solutions can be complex when using frameworks such as Unity that support VR/AR/3D. This is due to the resource limitations of mobile devices (battery, processing power, etc.). It might take more time to complete some activities than required. Writing scripts based on Xamarin is also simple.
Read More: What Should You Choose for Your Next Application - .NET Framework or .NET Core
How to Build and Run Mobile Applications
The process of developing and managing mobile apps differs from that of web or desktop apps because mobile is a more specialized platform. A standard computer is not available for usage. You will need a mobile device instead or an emulator that mimics one.
Making an android application development company is simple. Connect a physical device using Visual Studio, select a virtual machine (emulator), and launch your application.
iOS solutions can only be used on macOS computers. Fortunately, Xamarin offers the Remoted iOS Simulator for Windows. As a result, you can use their emulator to test your iOS apps before running them on a Windows computer.
Backend Mobile Development in .NET
The backend of a mobile solution "lives" on the server, hidden from the user's view. Simple mobile apps that don't store or process data, such as voice recorders and calculators, don't need a backend. The backend development team must put in a lot of effort to produce complex business logic and concrete solutions.
ASP.NET Core, ASP.NET Web API
Mobile app backend development is the same as that for web applications. It is feasible to share the backend service if you have many web and mobile solutions that need the same functionality. This makes it incredibly simple, quick, and economical.
To build the web service infrastructure, you must design a REST API that bridges your mobile backend and the mobile front end. This task can be carried out by using asp .net development services. From the.NET Core infrastructure, pick a web API template. Create a database context next, then use the CRUD method. Configure routing, return values, and URL paths before finishing.
Visual Studio App Center
You should concentrate on the DevOps tools if you need to extend the backend development process and include it with system administration, virtualization, security management, continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), and other techniques.
A website called Visual Studio App Center makes it possible to use DevOps techniques when creating mobile apps. The lifespan of iOS, Android, and Windows programs can be automated by providing integrated development services. You can: use Visual Studio App Center
- Connect to a repository
- Build a project in the cloud
- Test your application simultaneously on a massive number of devices.
- Distribute software to app shops and beta testers.
- Monitor performance in real-time
- Keep track of crash reports and analytics.
You can thus build your application, monitor its performance, and fix any reported errors from one cloud-based platform.
Azure Mobile Apps
Another alternative for developing and hosting the backend of mobile applications based on.NET is Azure Mobile Apps. This technology has a variety of capabilities that can be used to create native and cross-platform applications.
- Cloud data storage or on-premises
- Customer Authentication
- Offline data synchronization
- Push notifications personalized
- Built-in autoscale
Visual Studio App Center is more popular than Azure Mobile Apps. The former tool has more DevOps options and is being actively developed. The project goals, financial resources, and tech requirements should all be considered when choosing the right tool.
Why Choose.NET as an Outstanding Option?
.NET is a well-known brand that has been around for so many years. There are many software products, libraries, and tools available that are designed explicitly for the.NET Framework. This allows you to create unique solutions. NET.
Here are the top reasons to use.NET mobile development.
- Sharable: You can build a single codebase that runs on various platforms. This cuts down on both expenses and development time.
- One Technological Stack: You can find all your resources in one location, including testing IDE, SDK, and analytic tools.
- Security and reliability: Microsoft makes improvements to the security features in its products and the dependability of its servers. If you use.NET to develop solutions, you can be confident that they will provide reliable and secure solutions.
- Support: A supported technology is NET, an open-source platform with considerable corporate backing from Microsoft. Millions of developers worldwide that use the platform are happy to help you with any issues that might crop up in your project.
As you can see,.NET has proven to be the most successful platform for developing software for a wide range of operating systems, including iOS, Linux, macOS, and Android.
The following competencies have been awarded Microsoft Partner certification to Cyber Infrastructure Inc.
- Gold Application Development
- Gold Content and Collaboration
- Silver DevOps
- Silver Cloud Platform
Read More: What Is The Difference Between A .NET Developer And An ASP.NET Developer?
The Core Stages of The App Development Process
Confirming the Idea
To ensure that you marry the right idea and that the investment of time and effort is worthwhile, answer these questions before you plan to move forward.
- App Objective: Why do you want to make an app for mobile devices? Are you utilizing it for your company? Are you sure that your idea will appeal to your intended audience? Can you successfully spread the word about your concept?
- Target Audience: Who are your target audiences? Who are your potential users?
- App USP What are the most critical features? What is your app's core value? What is the core reason your audience should use your app? What will make you different?
- Analysis of Competitors: Who is your competition? Are they using a similar app? Do they have a similar application? If so, what is your solution to the problem that is better than theirs?
- App Investment: Every app development demands resources like cash, time, effort, and patience. In readiness?
- App Marketing: How and when will you promote your app? How will you advertise your application to the first 500 users?
Market Research
The optimum moment to begin your journey's most crucial step is right now. You can view the market's current demand and interest, which you can change to fit your ideas. You can also get a list of criteria from the study to help you organize and prioritize your work. How do you conduct market research properly is the question. Here is a step-by-step tutorial on conducting market research:
There are many other benefits to market research.
- It allows you to have a better understanding of your customers.
- Gain a better understanding of your competitors
- This tool will help you evaluate your product before it goes on sale.
- This tool will help you to define your audience.
- Identify business opportunities
- The functionalities and user requirements are visible.
Create your App's Wireframe
It's time to use wireframes to give your idea form after you've made an idea list. Your app's wireframe serves as its blueprint. This will display your app's features and layout. It will also help you understand your app's design and functionality.
App wireframes let teams follow the theory more easily by organizing it. It might also be used by developers as a manual or a reference.
Here are some ideas to assist you in creating the wireframe for your app.
Map out The User Flow
The user flow map is critical at the outset because your program must accomplish a specific objective. You should be able to view every step. Let's discuss them.
- Create a Mobile Frame
The best option is to select a frame that is the same size as your device. The structure should first act as a natural restriction. You can only add a little to one screen if you do this. A frame should provide the appearance of having a frame design.
We advise you to begin with a device with a mid-screen size. We use the XS framework for the iPhone because we are an iOS app development company.
- Design Patterns
UX design is based on familiarity. If users recognize parts of the User Interface, they can rely on their prior interactions with new items. Native design patterns are available for both iOS and Android, which might make it simpler for designers to produce a recognizable user experience. Design patterns can be used to build reusable content blocks that address common issues.
- Ensure Your Content Scales Well
On the iPhone XS, your screen design will look fantastic. I love that! It will appear great on screens of all sizes. Your plan will appear excellent on an iPhone XS Max screen but not on an iPhone 5. While it is acceptable to wireframe at the medium screen size, evaluating how the material appears on other screen sizes is crucial.
The most popular wireframe tools can be used to help you build your mobile app's wireframe.
- inVision: Screens are brought to life by InVision using Prototype and mirror Studio files. Everything is accessible everywhere, anytime.
- UXPin: You can quickly preview your prototypes on devices with UXPin Mirror. Mobile prototypes can look and function exactly how you want with only a few clicks.
- Balsamiq: Using Drive and the G Suite apps, Balsamiq Wireframes enables you to create, edit, and share wireframes of sketch quality (Docs Sheets Slides).
- Fluid UI: Free Fluid UI companion app. Install the Player to see beautiful full-screen mockups made using FluidUI.com. Scan the QR code in the FluidUI.com Project Preview to simplify and accelerate the app design process.
- Proto.io: Full-interactive, high-fidelity prototypes are created by Proto.io and function precisely as your app should. No coding is necessary.
- JustinMind: You can examine Justinmind prototypes offline using the Justinmind App, which is a prototype viewer. Prototypes that you import from your Justinmind account can be seen locally.
- Prott: Your ideas can quickly go from a sketch to an interactive prototype with Prott. Prott provides collaboration features and an easy-to-use user interface. It is the ideal design and communication tool to facilitate excellent teamwork at any time or location.
- Figma Mirror: On all Android devices, Figma Mirror lets you view your designs immediately from the Figma desktop application.
Design Sprints: Design Order can Bring Order to Design Chaos
You will have a lot of questions when wireframing. One layout might be better, or some xx features should be added. The Design Sprint is a scientifically-proven process that encourages collaborative brainstorming and helps to decide which parts should be built first and which ones should be eliminated. This helps save development time and money by solidifying ideas and laying the foundation for wireframing, designing, and other activities.
Design Sprint
Every stage of a project can benefit from design sprints. Let's explore:
- Create a new product/service
- Redesign of the existing product/service
- Add new features to existing products/services.
We will highlight the critical steps of the design sprint to give you a deeper understanding.
- Understanding Get into the design problem
- Definition The fundamental strategy and focus of the organization
- Diverge Quickly. Develop as Many Solutions As Possible
- Choose your best ideas
- Create a quick and dirty prototype
- Get user feedback find out what works and what doesn't
Platform Choice
There are three options available in this sector of development.
- Native App Developers: can create applications for specific platforms, such as Android and iOS, with the help of tools and development language.
- Cross-Platform/ Hybrid App: A single HTML5-based mobile application that works across all platforms. Like native apps, they may be downloaded from any app store.
- HTML5 App: These mobile websites are optimized to look and function like native applications. They can be accessed via a mobile browser. This web app is platform-independent and offers superior functionality and user experience. It is most useful when the app is not allowed by the relevant app stores or when end customers are not anticipated to be compelled to use the app.
Development
The usability test was successful for your mobile app design. It's now time to put the Framework for your ideal project together. It's time to offer structure to your perfect project once your mobile app design passes usability tests. This covers the mobile app development services of your app's code and its implementation. Setting up the development environment, writing various pieces of code, testing them, and finally producing an installable program are all steps in developing a mobile app. A crucial tool for rewriting or retrying network calls during development is the Android interceptor.
Programming and setting up the development environment would be necessary for one development project. Any app typically consists of three parts: the front end, APIs, and back end. Interim builds from your developer will be available for you to use on your hardware. This is a common way of developing apps.
Server Technology
For your mobile app to function correctly, you will need server-side and database objects. Configuring and modifying an existing backend platform may be necessary to make the desired functionality available. This stage requires the configuration and testing of server-side objects with other components.
Application Programming Interface
An API comprises conventions, procedures, and resources to create software applications. It explains how parts communicate with one another. GUI components can also be programmed using this programming interface.
Mobile App Front-End
Users of your software communicate with the front end, commonly referred to as "client-side" programming. When you open web apps, mobile apps, or websites, it provides the structure, design, animation, and behavior you see.
You may build your app with the help of several tutorials. You could assign the design to a freelance developer or company that creates Android apps.
Conclusion
Over the years, our skilled and driven .NET developers have completed numerous projects and garnered the respect of multiple clients. Feel free to contact us if you want to turn your concepts into mobile solutions or anything else.
