Writing code that works on all platforms is a challenge that many programmers face, especially when they want to reach a wide audience or create cross-platform applications. How can you achieve this goal without sacrificing performance, quality, or compatibility? In this article, we will explore some of the strategies and tools that can help you write code that works on all platforms.
One of the most obvious ways to write code that works on all platforms is to use a programming language that supports multiple platforms natively or through a compiler or interpreter. For example, languages like Java, Python, C#, and JavaScript can run on different operating systems and devices, either by using a virtual machine, a runtime environment, or a browser. However, you should also consider the trade-offs of each language, such as speed, memory usage, syntax, and libraries.
???? "Speed vs. Portability: The Eternal Tradeoff" ???? The article notes trade-offs but skims over the crucial balance between ?? speed and ?? portability. ?? Performance Buffs: Languages like C and C++ offer raw speed but demand more work for cross-platform compatibility. ?? Ease Lovers: Python and JavaScript excel in portability, yet often pay the price in performance. ?? The Real Deal: This isn't a nerdy debate; it's a strategic choice. Your language selection impacts not just coding but user experience and long-term success. ?? Decision Time: When picking your language, think beyond the keyboard. What are you willing to trade off? Because let's face it—compromises are unavoidable.
My first encounter with cross-platform development was in a startup environment, where the primary objective was to reduce costs and reach a wider audience efficiently. In the startup, the emphasis on cross-platform development stemmed from a pragmatic need to minimize development time and resources while ensuring our product could run on both iOS and Android devices. This real-world experience taught me the importance of practical, cost-effective solutions. Conversely, when I learned cross-platform development in college, the focus was more on theoretical and academic aspects, providing a solid foundation for understanding the concepts.
Writing cross-platform code involves using platform-agnostic languages and libraries and adhering to key practices ? Choose Cross-Platform Languages ? Use Platform-Agnostic ? Avoid Hard-Coded Paths ? Handle Line Endings ? Check Platform Features ? Test Across Platforms ? Leverage Cross-Platform Tools ? Consider User Experience Adhering to these principles ensures your code works consistently across diverse platforms, enhancing usability and versatility.
This is pretty interesting, for instance in Mobile many companies have developers that build for iOS or Android. Hence choosing a multi platform language in this scenario might be very challenging since you have to convince your bosses why you need to change from native and start using multi-platform. That said however, if you're an indie developer and want to build for mobile you can easily go with a multi-platform language like Flutter, KMM or React and build quickly for Mobile apps. Similar with PWA (progressive Web Apps). So, I would say this is good but also is driven by the market trends.
For multi platform you have to check different use cases and available community support for framework or programming language. Sometimes if you have less support from the community then you are stuck at some point and you have to start again from scratch.
Another way to write code that works on all platforms is to use a framework that abstracts the platform-specific details and provides a common interface for developing applications. For example, frameworks like Flutter, React Native, Xamarin, and Qt can help you create mobile, web, and desktop applications with a single codebase, using languages like Dart, JavaScript, C#, and C++. However, you should also be aware of the limitations and dependencies of each framework, such as native features, performance, and updates.
Flutter and React Native are the leading cross platform mobile app development frameworks. While other frameworks also have their pros and cons choosing the right framework depends the technologies that you are going to use, the features that you want to have and the future roadmap for your product. When it comes to technology, to use React Native you should know Javascript and React.js while if you know Dart then Flutter is a great choice. Qt is a great framework if you know C++ and similarly to use Xamarin, developers should know C, C# and C++. Apart from the above factors, while choosing the right framework one should also check if there is a strong developer community for that framework to help you with doubts and questions.
Framework which works only on a single platform or support only a single specific use case is more of an engine with extensions than a framework. If you’re using a framework and you say “save file”, the framework should take care of how to save a file on any supported platform. After all that’s why you use the framework, to have a stable platform to work on top of, and the platform should be flexible enough to wrap whatever you’re working against.
A third way to write code that works on all platforms is to follow coding standards and best practices that ensure the readability, maintainability, and portability of your code. For example, you should use consistent naming conventions, indentation, comments, and documentation for your code, as well as avoid hard-coding values, paths, or dependencies that might vary across platforms. You should also use version control, testing, and debugging tools to keep track of your code changes and fix any errors or bugs.
Although all practices mentioned above are good practices, they have nothing to specifically with cross-platform software as such. Good code structure and version control will not make your software magically run on some esoteric new operating system. They might help you find external contributors to help you introduce support for the new platform, but you should not rely on this as your main way for broad compatibility.
Writing code you can remember 10yrs down the line does require following good code standards and best practices. Especially if you plan on maintaining it or if you leave where you work, which means someone else will advance that codebase. Tech debt is one of the most pressing issues facing developers when they join new companies, so being a developer that follow best practices and really be beneficial.
You can follow the best practices in general. But over optimisation & over engineering will also consume time, that may need to spend somewhere useful.
A fourth way to write code that works on all platforms is to test your code on different platforms and devices, either physically or virtually. For example, you can use emulators, simulators, or cloud services to run your code on various operating systems, browsers, and screen sizes, and check for any compatibility or usability issues. You can also use tools like Selenium, Appium, or Cypress to automate your testing process and ensure the quality of your code.
This is key even if you target (theoretically) a single platform. If you release an application written in C# intended for Windows only, test agains different versions of Windows and different combinations of your external dependencies (dynamic libraries etc.).
If you want to create a code that works on all platforms, it is crucial to thoroughly test the code on each specific platform. This is because different platforms have their own unique software and hardware configurations, which can introduce variations and inconsistencies in code execution and behaviors. Testing the code on various platforms allows you to identify platform-specific issues, such as compatibility problems, dependencies, or performance disparities. By assessing these issues, you can ensure that the code will run smoothly across platforms, providing a consistent user experience. Also, testing on multiple platforms allows you to verify the code's compatibility with different operating systems, devices, and screen sizes.
A fifth way to write code that works on all platforms is to learn from other programmers who have experience in cross-platform development. For example, you can read blogs, books, or tutorials that share tips and tricks on how to write code that works on all platforms, or join online communities, forums, or courses that offer feedback and guidance on your code. You can also review or contribute to open-source projects that showcase cross-platform code examples and best practices.
Remember that learning from others is an ongoing process. Stay curious, keep up with industry trends, and actively engage with the programming community to continuously improve your cross-platform development skills. Over time, you'll build a strong foundation of knowledge and expertise in writing code that works effectively on all platforms.
If you want to write code that works seamlessly on all platforms, it's crucial to learn from programmers who specialize in different platforms. They possess invaluable knowledge and experience, enabling them to employ platform-specific tricks of the trade to optimize performance and overcome common challenges. Programmers familiar with various platforms understand the nuances and intricacies of each operating system, programming language, and hardware architecture. They know how to take advantage of platform-specific features and APIs to enhance functionality, improve user experience, and ensure cross-platform compatibility.
A sixth way to write code that works on all platforms is to adapt to changing technologies and trends that might affect the platform landscape. For example, you should keep yourself updated on the latest developments and innovations in programming languages, frameworks, tools, and platforms, and learn how to use them effectively and efficiently. You should also be flexible and willing to refactor, rewrite, or migrate your code if needed, to meet the changing needs and expectations of your users and clients.
Depending on your system you may be able to divide your project into platform specific and platform agnostic modules. By defining sensible interfaces between platform/architecture specific and platform/architecture agnostic portions of your code you can limit the scale of a porting effort. You can see this in projects like the Linux Kernel which has x86, x86_64, ppc etc specific portions and architecture agnostic portions. Getting the Linux Kernel running on a new architecture then is a matter of providing the architecture specific portions. You also see this in games which wrap a game engine in a thin OS specific wrapper.
It will consume more of your energy if you try to keep with the latest tech that should be used in your code or project considering software landscape that is changing everyday. What's better is select a stable software platform, and implement your solution that will keep it running without any issues for a while. And you may need to do some modifications along the way.
To adapt to new technologies that allow multi-platform execution, it's essential to stay up-to-date with the latest advancements. Keep a close eye on emerging technologies like cross-platform frameworks, containerization, cloud computing, and virtualization. These technologies enable the development of code that can run on multiple platforms. One such technology is the use of cross-platform frameworks like React Native, Xamarin, Flutter, or Ionic. These frameworks allow developers to write code once and deploy it across multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, and web. They abstract away platform-specific details, providing a unified development experience and reducing the time and effort needed to create cross-platform applications.
?? Embrace Containerization for Platform Agnosticism ?? The article has useful points but overlooks containerization. Tools like Docker ensure your app runs consistently across platforms. Imagine having an app with various dependencies. Instead of juggling environment differences, you package your app into a Docker container. Now, this container can run uniformly on any machine with Docker, erasing the "it works on my machine" excuse. ?????
In cross-platform frameworks like Flutter, some internal libraries and plugins are designed to function exclusively on particular platforms. When you run your code on different operating systems, you may encounter issues. To mitigate this, it's crucial to acquire the skill of setting up multi-staging and flavors within your project. This enables you to avoid the need for extensive code modifications when exporting your application for various platforms.
Writing code for multiple platforms reduces time to market and improves business value. It eliminates the need for separate versions of the software, saving developers time and speeding up development. This is especially beneficial in competitive markets. It also allows for a wider audience by running on various operating systems, leading to increased adoption and revenue. Additionally, it reduces long-term costs by maintaining a single codebase instead of multiple ones. This saves time, effort, and reduces the risk of bugs.