Python has gained massive popularity as a versatile tool that finds application in diverse fields such as mathematics, physics, engineering, education, and web development. But how does Python fare against other alternatives like Swift, Kotlin, and JavaScript when it comes to mobile app development? Is it feasible to create mobile apps utilising Python?
This guide will offer valuable information on mobile app development with Python. But before we proceed, let’s take a quick look into the reasons behind Python’s enormous popularity among programmers.
A Short Overview of Python
According to the latest report from the TIOBE index, Python has emerged as the most widely-used programming language globally. As a result, developing Python applications has become a highly profitable field for programmers. Being an open-source language, it provides the flexibility to design an extensive range of products.
Its user-friendly syntax makes Python a suitable language for developers of all levels, which is why many experts recommend it as the perfect language for beginners.
Moreover, it can be integrated with big data and paired with other programming languages for enhanced functionality.
Is It Possible to Develop Mobile Apps with Python?
Python’s concise development cycle and effortless legibility are two of its most significant advantages, making it a perfect fit for the fast-paced mobile industry where speed-to-market is critical for success.
It is evident that languages that require an interpreter are not supported by either iOS or Android. Therefore, it is not possible to use Python for native mobile applications. This is the reason why creating Python-based mobile apps wasn’t prevalent until recently.
The advent of various frameworks has brought about a tremendous shift in the landscape. Python GUI frameworks enable applications written in Python to be executed natively on mobile devices.
What Sorts of Applications are Available with Python?
1. Software for Audio and Video Apps
Python provides a variety of tools for developing apps designed for creating music and other audio/video applications. Python empowers its users to search and view online audio and video recordings effortlessly. Additionally, highly effective libraries like OpenCV and PyDub come equipped with it to create more sophisticated applications.
Developing a Gaming App
A significant number of popular video games, including “Battlefield 2” and “EVE Online,” have been developed using Python. Python is employed to create all of the features and add-ons of Battlefield 2 and several of the internal operations of “World of Tanks.”
Python and Pygame allow developers to quickly create and test playable game prototypes in real-time. Furthermore, Python can also be employed to create game design tools that can simplify the process, such as drawing level maps and scripting dialogue.
Applications of Blockchain
Blockchain is one of the most widely embraced trends in IT today, having a significant impact on the industry. Despite the intricacy of the blockchain creation process, using Python simplifies it.
With Python’s programming language, developing blockchain applications becomes simple. Developers can access the blockchain via HTTP requests over the internet.
Using a Python framework such as Flask, developers will create endpoints providing access to various blockchain features. Furthermore, building distributed networks and running multiple programs on different computers can be accomplished through Python, providing an added advantage.
Command Line Interface Programs (CLI)
A console application is similar to a command-line application. Such software lacks a graphical user interface and must be executed in a text-based environment, such as a command prompt or shell.
Python’s Real-Eval-Print-Loop (REPL) functionality makes it a perfect selection for command-line applications. With a variety of open-source Python libraries available, app development firms can create high-quality command-line programs cost-effectively.
Software Utilizing Machine Learning
Machine Learning Development has experienced a rise in popularity within the last ten years. This algorithmic technique is crucial in providing data to operating systems and enabling smart decision-making.
Python has simplified the once difficult task of developing machine learning programs. Two of the free machine learning packages available in Python are Pandas and Scikit. These packages are permitted for use under the GNU Public License.
Business Applications
Python’s versatility and user-friendliness have made it a popular option for developing valuable software. For this reason, Python is beneficial in the development of ERP and e-commerce software.
Odoo is an extensive business application platform that is based on Python. It provides a wide range of management applications suitable for various businesses.
“Tryton” is a well-known Python business program that is used for a variety of purposes and has a 3-tiered architecture.
Python-Based Android Application
Android app development typically uses Java as the programming language. However, to create an Android application in Python, a method to execute Python code on a Java Virtual Machine is needed.
Included in the BeeWare package, the Vestigial Output Compiler (VOC) or Vexing Obtuse Compiler is a tool that allows for access to Java native objects from Python, the use of Java interfaces in Python, and subclassing of Java classes. It also enables connection to the Android native API, thereby providing developers with the ability to begin developing applications immediately.
VOC serves as a transpiler, allowing for the conversion of CPython Python code to Java bytecode. This is accomplished by converting Python code to CPython bytecode, which is then compiled into bytecode that is compatible with Java.
Several tools are available that can convert Python code into Java code, such as Jython, JPype, Jepp, py4j, and others. The selection of the most appropriate tool depends on the project’s scope and purpose.
Python Programming for iOS Devices
The process of developing iOS mobile applications is more intricate than that of Android. For up-to-date information on Python programming for iOS, please refer to the official Kivy package documentation.
To create an iOS application using Python, a Python environment needs to be established, the program must be encoded using Python/Kivy, and the application needs to be deployed through Xcode.
Keep in mind that while it is possible to develop applications using Python, submitting them to the Apple App Store requires an iMac or MacBook.
Python Software for Mobile Devices
1. Instagram
Instagram is a well-known, Python-based mobile application with a vast impact on digital photography, boasting an estimated 400 million daily users.
2. Pinterest
Pinterest is a social media platform where users can save and share photographs. The platform is built on open-source software frameworks Python and Django and has relied on Python since its inception.
3. Disqus
Disqus simplifies the management of comments, engages audiences and fosters conversation while controlling content. The software supports various login methods and cross-site notifications, making it accessible to a broad range of users. Python utilizes Django’s security features and is regularly updated for optimal protection.
4. Spotify
With over €4 billion in annual revenue, Spotify remains the premier worldwide streaming service. Its success is attributed to its efficient Python application, selected for its rapid development cycles and powerful data analysis capabilities. This has allowed Spotify to tailor services such as Radio and Discover based on user’s musical preferences.
Python GUI Frameworks for Mobile Application Development
Python’s lack of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) restricts its capacity to function as a foundation for mobile applications. While Kivy and BeeWare are two of the most popular frameworks, there are several other options available.
1. Kivy
Kivy is an open-source Python package that utilizes a modern user interface (UI) for rapid application development. It features enterprise portability and GPU-accelerated applications, and incorporates Python libraries such as PIL, Streamer, and Cairo.
2. Be Smart with BeeWare
BeeWare is a Python framework utilized for building and releasing native applications. It includes Toga, a cross-platform GUI toolkit compatible with both OS X and Python.
In addition, BeeWare’s toolset includes Rubicon Java, a library that simplifies communication between Python scripts and Java libraries. Apart from this, Briefcase is another alternative for providing clients with Python applications.
In the absence of an official Python installation, the pre-compiled version of Python can be utilized instead. With the help of Rubicon ObjC, Objective-C libraries on macOS and iOS can be accessed and manipulated using Python.
3. Using Python on Android
This tool enables the incorporation of Python into Android applications. It simplifies the process of creating a project directory that contains all the essential components required for the successful deployment of the mobile application.
The project directory includes libraries such as Kivy, Pygame, and SDL. In addition, it contains the Java loader, which functions as a bridge between Kivy and the operating system. After this, developers can build their application using the Android NDK or include their own scripts.
4. PyJNIus
PyJNIus is a framework that enables interaction between Python and the Android Application Programming Interface (API). This API grants developers access to data from various sections of a mobile device, such as vibration, pausing, and restarting.
5. PyQt5
PyQt5 is built on the Qt framework, which can be employed to create applications for multiple platforms.
The Qt application framework’s most recent version, version 5, delivers a comprehensive set of Python wrappers, which are included within the PyQt5 package.
Like the Qt5 framework, PyQt5 is compatible with all major operating systems, enabling developers to build applications for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. By perfecting their knowledge of PyQt5, programmers can construct applications for any platform.
6. Tkinter
Tkinter is commonly known as the most efficient Graphical User Interface (GUI) toolkit for Python programming. It was created to fulfil the requirements of contemporary developers, delivering a conventional Tk GUI toolkit with a Python interface.
In the Tkinter world, Widgets are the widely recognized term for the majority of graphical components, each differing in its level of flexibility.
Python installation includes Tkinter for all leading operating systems, providing users with access to a variety of familiar features.
7. Falcon Framework
Falcon Framework is a robust and secure Python network framework developed to create scalable application backends and microservices. Falcon is compatible with Python 3.5+ and CPython 3.5+, and it can be deployed on any ASGI or WSGI server.
Through its RESTful resource classes and URI template architecture, Falcon provides an efficient and extensible codebase with intuitive routing. Request and response classes facilitate straightforward access to headers and content.
Falcon’s WSGI helper enables speedy unit testing. Additionally, middleware components and hooks handle DRY request processing.
8. CherryPy
CherryPy is a Python-based, object-oriented web framework. Creating a web application in Python is akin to creating any other object-oriented Python application. This application enables multiple HTTP servers to operate in sync.
CherryPy is celebrated for its extensible plug-in system. Offering advanced technologies as standard, such as encoding, caching, authentication, static content, and sessions.
CherryPy offers support for coverage, profiling, and testing out-of-the-box. It not only supports Python 2.7 and 3.5 but also Android, PyPy, and Jython.
Using Kivy To Develop Mobile Applications In Python
Kivy, a Python framework, supports numerous operating systems including Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Raspberry Pi. Additionally, Kivy supports multi-touch input alongside traditional keyboard and mouse input.
Using a GPU and OpenGL ES2 for graphics acceleration and licensed under the MIT license, Kivy can be used in both open-source and proprietary projects. Additionally, Kivy has its own UI toolkit, allowing for consistency across Android, iOS, Linux and Raspberry Pi, without relying on any native platform capabilities.
Developers can create programs with a Natural User Interface (NUI) using Kivy. The framework’s intuitive design ensures users can easily understand and operate the program, minimizing the need for formal training.
Prioritizing a consistent aesthetic experience across all devices running the Kivy application, Kivy does not rely on native controls or widgets. Rather, all widgets are custom-drawn.
On the other hand, this approach may result in your app’s visual style differing from what users are accustomed to, which may be both intriguing and frustrating for some customers.
The Key Characteristics of Kivy
- The same code is used across all platforms
- Stable graphics engine using OpenGL ES 2
- Released under the MIT license, allowing free commercial usage
- Kit for User Interface Software Development
- A single source code can be utilized on any device
- BSD license release for commercial purposes
- Programming with a “native” User Interface and User Experience
- Thousands of developers dedicated to the project as a whole
- A collection of programs instead of a single resource
- Fast and precise
Instructions for Developing Python Applications
Python offers vast possibilities, but some factors need to be considered when developing mobile applications.
- The dynamic scope evaluates an expression by searching for variables in the present block and associated functions, which makes validating each word in all possible contexts challenging.
- Python has limited support for lambda functions, as each statement must be written separately on a new line, and only one statement per line is allowed. This implies that they cannot use return statements in the same way as conventional functions.
- Python programmers use an editor instead of a compiler to write code, and the defects in the program become evident only when executed. The slower pace also necessitates the creation of new tests.
Summing It Up Finally
Python has emerged as the go-to language for software development due to its versatility. Its simplicity, flexibility, and abundance of application development resources and tools offer a myriad of options while creating mobile applications. Depending on the requirements, it can be a fast and cost-effective solution.
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