Native iOS application development is more of an obstacle course than a walk in the park. Developers must be able to operate within Apple’s integrated development environment (IDE) and write code using the Swift or Objective-C programming languages. They must also understand the basic abstraction layers that define iOS and how the app’s files are bundled. To launch a successful app, developers must deliver an effective user interface (UI) that enhances the user experience (UX) at all levels.
Developers can picture iOS as four abstraction layers that define its architecture:
- Cocoa Touch: supports the basic app infrastructure and delivers key application frameworks such as push notifications, multitasking and touch-based input.
- Media: enables the app to deliver audio, video and graphic capabilities.
- Core Services: where developers will find basic system services such as the Core Foundation and the Foundation Framework. This layer also supports features such as location and networking services.
- Core OS: provides such services as the Security, Local Authentication and Core Bluetooth frameworks.