Cross-Platform Applications

Perplexity AI explains Cross Platform Applications When people refer to cross-platform applications, they mean software designed to run on multiple operating systems or platforms, such as Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. This allows users to access the same application seamlessly across different devices and operating systems[1][4][13].

Platforms Being Crossed

Typically, cross-platform applications span:
  • Desktop platforms: Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Mobile platforms: iOS and Android.
  • Web browsers: Applications accessible via the internet. Some apps may also support less common platforms like HarmonyOS or KaiOS[2][4][13].

How Providers Create and Maintain Cross-Platform Apps

Developers use several strategies to handle the complexity:
  1. Shared Codebase: A single codebase is written using frameworks like Flutter, React Native, or Xamarin. This code is designed to work across platforms with minimal modifications[2][5][12].
  2. Abstraction Layers: These frameworks abstract platform-specific details, allowing developers to focus on app functionality without worrying about underlying differences[1][5].
  3. Platform-Specific Customization: Some parts of the app (e.g., UI) are tailored to specific platforms to ensure a native-like experience while maintaining shared logic[2][13].
  4. Testing and Optimization: Rigorous testing ensures compatibility across various devices, screen sizes, and OS versions[5].
This approach reduces development time and cost while reaching a broader audience efficiently. However, it requires careful planning to manage performance trade-offs and maintain consistency across platforms[2][5][15].
Sources [1] Cross-platform software - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-platform_software [2] Cross-Platform App Development 101: What Is It and How Does It ... https://www.monterail.com/blog/cross-platform-app-development [3] Cross-Platform vs Native App Development: What's the Difference? https://www.netguru.com/blog/cross-platform-vs-native-app-development [4] What is Cross-Platform Software? | Bobology.com https://www.bobology.com/public/What-is-CrossPlatform-Software.cfm [5] Cross-Platform Application Development Best Practices| Progress https://www.progress.com/blogs/cross-platform-app-development-best-practices--leveraging-progress-openedge [6] What Is Cross-Platform App Development? - Trio Dev https://trio.dev/cross-platform-app-development/ [7] What is cross-platform app development? - Imaginary Cloud https://www.imaginarycloud.com/blog/what-is-cross-platform-app-development [8] Top 10 Cross Platform App Development Frameworks - Appinventiv https://appinventiv.com/blog/cross-platform-app-frameworks/ [9] Cross-Platform App Development Challenges & Solutions https://aglowiditsolutions.com/blog/cross-platform-app-development-analysis/ [10] What is Cross Platform Mobile App Development? - Fingoweb https://www.fingoweb.com/blog/what-is-cross-platform-mobile-app-development/ [11] What is cross-platform mobile development? – TechTarget Definition https://www.techtarget.com/searchmobilecomputing/definition/cross-platform-mobile-development [12] What is Cross Platform App Development? - Addevice https://www.addevice.io/blog/cross-platform-app-development [13] A Guide to Cross-Platform Applications - Seven Peaks Software https://sevenpeakssoftware.com/blog/what-is-cross-platform-application [14] The Six Most Popular Cross-Platform App Development Frameworks https://www.jetbrains.com/help/kotlin-multiplatform-dev/cross-platform-frameworks.html [15] What Is Cross-Platform Software And Why to Implement It? - Intellisoft https://intellisoft.io/what-is-cross-platform-app-and-why-to-choose-it/ [16] What is cross-platform mobile development? | Kotlin Multiplatform ... https://www.jetbrains.com/help/kotlin-multiplatform-dev/cross-platform-mobile-development.html