A Jargon Buster for App Development
Have you got an idea for a great App? Yes? Brilliant. But what if you’re not a techie type? No problem, we’ve compiled this list of jargon used in the App development world. It’s a handy introduction if you’re new to Apps, but it can also be used to refresh your memory if you’re already an App-y person!
App development seems particularly prone to using acronyms. And they can be confusing, especially if you’re new to the technology. But at Blue Whale Media, the web design Warrington based agency, we take time to explain everything that you need to know.
First of all, we’ll start with some basic terms and deal with more complex ones as we go along…
UX
Stands for User Experience. For instance, how will the user interact with your app on a mobile? How practical and efficient is it?
UI
Stands for User Interface. How easily can a user make your App perform the function that it’s been designed for?
Mockups
Mockups are an essential part of the design process. A designer can show you what an app will look like, without having to build the App completely. Software UI mockups are similar to an architect’s blueprints and they range from hand-drawn screen layouts to realistic bitmaps.
Wireframes
Similar to mockups, wireframes are drafts that separate the graphics of an app from the functional elements. This allows developers to explain how users will utilise the App.
Backend
This usually refers to databases, often utilised in terms of cloud-based storage solutions.
Push notification
This is a short message that developers can send to users, even if users don’t have the App open at that moment. These messages will be displayed, even when the phone is locked.
API
This stands for Application Programming Interface. In simple terms, APIs are like messengers that take requests and then return responses back to you. An API could be compared to a waiter in a restaurant, who takes your order and then brings you food.
SDK
This stands for Software Development Kit. It’s a programming package that allows developers to create Apps for software platforms or frameworks. It consists of numerous elements, such as APIs and programming tools.
JSON
Stands for JavaScript Object Notation. It’s a data interchange format, which is easy for developers to read. It was originally derived from the JavaScript programming language, but is now considered a code in its own right.
Fork
This is a technical term applied to source code. It allows developers to split the code into different directions, which are known as branches. The place where this kind of data is stored is known as a repository.
UDID
This stands for Unique Device Identifier. It a unique alphanumeric assigned to each mobile device, and it’s usually created by the device’s manufacturer. Having access to this information can be helpful if you want to find out which type of mobile device is downloading your App. Then you can maybe choose to target a specific OS, if you want to.
Contact our Warrington Web Design Agency
There are plenty more technical terms out there for you to discover, but we hope you have found this helpful. At our web design Warrington based company, we’re experts in creating Apps from scratch and ensuring that they function as well as possible.
Email us at: hello@bluewhalemedia.co.uk or call on: 01925 552 050