Python Programming for Mobile Applications - Is It Possible?

Unlike other widely used programming languages, Python enables programmers to express concepts without writing lengthy and complex code. The general purpose programming language is further designed with focus on code readability, while featuring automatic memory management system and a dynamic type system. The large and comprehensive standard library provided by Python further makes it easier for programmers to create a variety of applications.

The huge popularity of smartphones, tablets and phablets often makes programmers explore ways to write mobile applications in Python. The high level programming language does not run natively on any of the widely used mobile platforms. So the programmers cannot use Python directly for creating mobile apps for Android and iOS. But they still have option to use a library called Kivy to create mobile applications that run seamlessly on major mobile platforms.

How Kivy Helps Programmers to Use Python for Mobile App Development?

Facilitates Deployment of the Same Code to Multiple Mobile Platforms

Often developers have to put extra time and effort to create versions for the same app for different mobile platforms. But Kivy enable programmers to write the code once and deploy it for various mobile platforms. So it becomes easier for developers to create mobile apps for different platforms. The Python library can also be used for creating the same app for both mobile devices and computers. After creating different versions of the same app, it becomes easier for the enterprise to package it distinctively for each app store.

Can Interact with Mobile Device’s Features

Kivy can further access rendering engines. It can interact with the device’s hardware and execute advanced rendering. For instance, programmers can use built-in adapters for smartphone cameras provided by Kivy to make the app more responsive. Likewise, they can also use the modules included in Kivy to render and play videos. Also, the robust input module of Kivy makes it easier for the app to interact with the users through gestures and multi-touch.

Easily Create an Array of Visual Effects

Kivy also has access to OpenGL. So it can be used for generating and rendering a wide range of visual effects. As it uses PyGame, it becomes easier for developers to create a variety of exciting games. However, the existing PyGame needs to be rewritten for the Python library. The programmers can use the modules of PyGame to play music, draw shapes and manipulate colors. As visual effects are essential to make a mobile app popular, Kivy can be used to make the mobile apps more impressive and eye-catchy.

Supports Asynchronous Request Processing

While using native apps, users want their requests to be processes regardless of the strength and available of network. As Kivy supports asynchronous request processing, it becomes easier for programmers to create apps that can finish the user request once the network in available. For instance, when a user frequently travels in and out of network areas, the feature will make the app sync the user request and finish it as soon as the network is available.

Provides Loads of Widgets and Controls

Kivy also helps developers in creating prototypes of the mobile app quickly by using several widgets and controls. The widgets and layouts are also available out of box. For instance, Accordion enables programmers to expand and collapse items through simple touch or clicks. Likewise, the user can use Carousel to swipe between slides. Based on the use of the mobile app, the developers can use the layouts and widgets to make the app deliver richer user experience.

Before using Kivy for creating mobile applications, the programmers must have a solid grasp on Python. However, the programmers are not required to know how to program on major mobile platforms like iOS and Android. Kivy further allows developers to define layout using a special language called Kv. As a layout language, Kv makes it easier for developers to keep the business logic and presentation separate. So the developers familiar with Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern can easily use Kivy to write complex applications in Python development.

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GUI Programming in Python - How Does It Help?

As a general purpose programming language, Python is being used widely for creating a wide range of software applications. As it allows programmers to express concepts without writing lengthy code, Python reduces the time and efforts required for developing large and complex application. The high level programming language is also used widely for creating graphical user interfaces (GUIs). Nowadays, most software applications use GUIs to keep the users interested and engaged. Normally, GUI programming is considered to be more complex than conventional coding. However, GUI programming in Python can help enterprises in curtailing both coding time and efforts.

Why Python is used widely for Creating GUI Applications?

No Need to Write Lengthy Code

Python is one of the highly readable programming languages. Unlike Java and C++, it enables programmers to express concepts without writing longer lines of code. As noted earlier, GUI programming is more complex than conventional programming. So many programmers use Python to rapidly create GUI applications. Also, Python is designed to be fully embeddable. The feature makes it easier for programmers to integrate the GUI applications with other large software applications. On the whole, Python is effective in curtailing the time and efforts required for creating complex GUI applications.

Several GUI Toolkits

Python further allows developers to create GUI applications rapidly by using several toolkits. For instance, the developers can rapidly create GUI applications by using toolkits like Tkinter, PyGTK, PyQt, wxPython, Dabo and pyFltk. Some of these toolkits are cross-platform. So the programmers can use these toolkits to create GUIs that are compatible with multiple operating systems and platforms. The toolkits further include tools to manage memory and type casting efficiently.

Various Cross-Browser Frameworks

The Python programmers can further use several frameworks to create GUI applications compatible with major web browsers including Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Opera and Safari. For instance, a cross-browser framework called Pyjamas provides a library and a widget set to facilitate GUI programming for web. The framework further allows programmers to create web-based GUI applications without knowing HTML, JavaScript, CSS and AJAX in depth. They can use these frameworks to rapidly create complex GUI applications for the web.

Simple and Quick Prototyping

Often developers are required to create prototypes of GUI applications. The working models are required to display the application’s functionality, so that the proposal of the tester can be evaluated and tested. In comparison to other programming languages, Python is both simpler and faster. So it helps programmers to create prototypes of the GUI application without putting any extra effort. As the programmers can easily refactor the Python code, they can directly create the GUI application from the prototype without writing any extra code.

Open Source Advantages

Python is developed as an open source programming language. The programmers can write GUI applications in Python without incurring any additional expenses. Many enterprises even opt for GUI programming in Python to keep the project overheads under control. Like other open source technologies, Python is also being supported by a large community of developers and researchers. So the programmers can avail assistance of the community to simplify the GUI development process. Some developers even share code and programs that can be reused by others. So the programmers can use existing GUI coding to create GUI applications within a shorter span of time.

The programmers also have option to write GUIs in either Python2 or Python3. But there are several third party packages or utilities that currently do not support Python3. So the developers can use Python3 to make their application access specific packages or utilities. However, Python3 supports PyQt and PySide. So it can also be used for creating GUI applications. You can get in touch with a custom Python Development company who can help you develop web apps that are stable, scalable and secure.

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