The Evolution of Cross-Platform Development: Why Ease of Adoption Matters

In the realm of cross-platform mobile development, the landscape has shifted dramatically over the past decade. Before the advent of frameworks like Flutter and React Native, options for performant cross-platform development were limited. Early solutions such as PhoneGap and Cordova, which wrapped web views in a native shell, fell short in terms of performance. However, Qt stood out as an exception, delivering performance on par with today's leading frameworks.

The Early Promise of Qt

Qt has been a versatile tool, supporting Android, iOS, desktop, and even web assembly. Many desktop applications and Symbian apps were developed using Qt, showcasing its robust capabilities. Despite this, Qt's reliance on C++ made it less accessible for many developers. The complexity and steep learning curve of C++ posed a significant barrier, limiting widespread adoption.

React Native: A Game-Changer

When React Native was launched, it took the developer community by storm. By leveraging JavaScript, it made cross-platform development more accessible. JavaScript's familiarity, combined with features like hot reload and the ability to utilize existing npm libraries, made React Native an attractive option. Its near-native performance and ease of use drew in both web and native mobile developers. However, the lack of strict typing and object-oriented principles in JavaScript was a notable drawback for some.

Flutter: Meeting Developer Needs

Enter Flutter, with its introduction of Dart, an object-oriented language that resonated with developers from Java and Swift backgrounds. While Flutter initially lagged behind in third-party library support, the developer community quickly filled the gap. Dart's ease of learning and manageability made it a favorite, leading to the rapid creation of numerous community-driven libraries. Flutter's rise coincided with a significant transition among Android developers from Java to Kotlin.

Kotlin and Kotlin Multiplatform: The New Frontier

Kotlin, with its modern features and full interoperability with Java, became the default language for Android development. Its concise syntax and contemporary capabilities made it an appealing alternative. Kotlin's scalability soon expanded its reach into server-side and cross-platform development. The introduction of Jetpack Compose Multiplatform and Google's official recognition of Kotlin Multiplatform has further solidified its position. Now, Android developers can write cross-platform UIs with minimal modifications, enhancing their productivity and efficiency.

The Key to Success: Ease of Adoption

Ultimately, the success of a cross-platform framework hinges on its ease of adoption. If performance were the number one priority, then Qt should have been the most popular cross-platform framework. However, the complexity of C++ hindered its widespread use. If library support were the main criterion, Flutter would not have stood a chance against React Native. Yet, here we are in 2024, and Flutter has become one of the most popular cross-platform frameworks.

Kotlin's ease of adoption has played a significant role in its rise. It is the default language for Android development, interoperable with Java (you can even write Spring Boot and Spring code with it), and Jetpack Compose is the recommended UI framework for Android native development. The facts speak for themselves: everything comes down to how easy a framework and language are to adopt for developers.

Conclusion

The evolution of cross-platform development frameworks underscores a crucial lesson: ease of adoption is paramount. Performance, while important, is only one piece of the puzzle. A framework that balances performance with accessibility, community support, and ease of learning is more likely to succeed. As we look to the future, Kotlin Multiplatform and frameworks like Flutter will continue to shape the landscape, driven by their ability to meet developers' needs effectively.