Using HTML5 for App Development

The current and 5th major language of HTML standard is HTML5. HTML5 is a tool which can be used for cross-platform mobile applications, as it has features designed with low-powered devices in mind. Since its launch in 2014, HTM% is getting immense popularity and acceptance worldwide. But for those, who are still unaware of this new concept, let us inform you in brief about HTML5 and its use in application development.

What is a HTML5 app?

HTML5 apps enable write once, run anywhere mobile app development.  It is a collaboration of web pages optimised for streaming video and audio, managing graphical data or animation and providing offline support.

Most HTML 5 apps integrate CSS. It includes the APIs for working with text, objects, and arrays. All major browsers support these technologies, making it possible to implement Web-based apps across a wide range of devices.

What to keep in mind when building HTML 5 apps

The developer will have to pay attention to the memory and performance limitations in the case of HTML5 mobile application development. The developer will have to control the page flow, but also the DOM.

Developers should keep UX in mind. To make sure of the quality of UX, HTML5 mobile apps should be lightweight so that its performance doesn't lag. In addition, admins should test the app on various platforms and for different device types, screen sizes, browsers and operating systems. Most apps also need to support offline operations to handle disruptions in connectivity.

HTML5 apps vs. native apps

Contradictory to HTML5 apps, native apps are based on the native language of the platform the app runs on. In native apps, each platform requires its own app, and some platforms require different versions of an app to support different devices on that platform.

In the case of HTML5, as long as users access the app through a browser that supports each language's capabilities, the app would perform the same across platforms.

In addition, administrators can deliver bug fixes and updates whenever necessary and even perform live testing with their users without the distribution headaches of native apps. But if not carefully designed, HTML5 apps can experience lengthy load times.

Plus, HTML 5 enables to write a truly responsive app. The responsive app is an intuitive app that will automatically resize according to the browser and screen size; automatically detect and change the user interface (UI) to fit in the platform on which the app is running.