The creation of applications that function across multiple mobile operating systems through a single codebase is a specialized field. This approach combines elements of both native and web application development, resulting in software that can be deployed on platforms like iOS and Android with reduced development time and cost. A business might, for example, commission such work to create a customer-facing application accessible on both Apple and Android devices.
This method offers several advantages, including a wider reach to potential users, simplified maintenance processes, and potentially faster time-to-market. Historically, organizations have faced the challenge of either developing separate native applications for each platform or relying solely on web applications accessible through a browser. This strategy provides an alternative that seeks to balance the benefits of both approaches, offering a cost-effective solution while still delivering a relatively native-like user experience.