Glossary | M | Mobile App Developer and Mobile App Publisher

What is the difference between developer and publisher?

Mobile application development is the process of creating software applications that run on a mobile device. The mobile development process involves creating installable software bundles (code, assets, etc.), implementing backend services such as data access with an API, and testing the application on target devices.

Mobile application publishing often refers to publishing the app on mobile app stores (Google Play and Apple App Store) making the app available by for the end user. The apps are usually monetized by adding advertisement in the interface or via paid features.

There are two dominant platforms in the mobile industry: One is Android from Google and the second is iOS from Apple.

iOS is the operating system that powers Apple’s iPhone and iPad while the Android operating system is used not only by Google devices but also by many other OEMs to build their own devices.

Although there are some similarities between these two platforms when building applications, developing for iOS vs. developing for Android involves using different software development kits (SDKs) and different development tools.

What are low-code and no-code mobile application development?

Low-code/no-code development platforms are types of visual software development environments that allow developers to drag and drop application components, connect them together and create mobile apps. Low-code programming removes major part of the coding process. These development platforms cut down on development by using innovative drag-and-drop tools that streamline the process and save on turnaround time.  No-code development platforms allow non-technical users to create apps. There is no need to code anything in the application.