3 Ways Web Development Is Different than Mobile App Development

I’ve been working in the software development field for 8 years.

When I tell them I work on web applications, they also ask:

“Nick do you do mobile app development?”

I do not. This is a misconception that App Development and Web Development are the same.

Here are 3 reasons why they are not:

1. Web Development Is Easier To Learn

When you start with web development, you are learning the basics of “coding”.

You will learn:

• HTML
• CSS
• JavaScript
• Python
• PHP
• SQL (Intermediate — Advanced)

These are critical building blocks for more advanced programming like Mobile App Development.

2. Web Development Is For Both Desktop & Mobile Devices

When you build on the web, most front-end (everything the user sees and interacts with) frameworks come responsive out of the box.

When a framework is deemed “responsive”, it means the design is already programmed to handle Desktop and Mobile devices. This usually comes in the form of CSS Media Queries. These queries can grab your mobile device screen metrics behind the scenes and display the website to fit your phone.

This innovative technology has changed the game for designers and developers.

3. Mobile App Development is a new field

On August 6th, 1991, the first website was introduced to the world.

And if you don’t count “Snake” from your TracFone (oh the memories), the mobile app store was released in 2008. 1 year after the June 2007 launch of the iPhone with native apps.

The Mobile App field is new.

With something being relatively new, this opens the doors for opportunities. The field is rapidly expanding as more users only buy smartphones and more companies onboard their businesses to mobile apps.

Overview

Web Development and Mobile App Development are not the same.

If you are a beginner, the best place to begin is with Web Development. This will give you the best footing, which will allow your career to grow. After you get the footing, you can move on to Mobile App Development.

The key is to always be willing to learn!