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Ionic framework is one of the most widely used and popular tools for producing mobile applications. Entrepreneurs all over the world want an ideal app for their business that can run on both Android and iOS platforms. But in the middle of the road, many of them are confused about finding the right technology for their business.

In fact, the question arises for them what strategy and technology they should use. As you know, each of the technologies and development plans has its advantages and disadvantages, and it is you who must find the most suitable ones for your business. In the meantime, this framework as a cross-Platform tool for application development can help you. But before we go to it and examine its advantages and disadvantages, it is better to know what the framework means at all!

Cross-Platform: refers to software that can be run on multiple platforms or computer platforms.

What is a framework?C

In computer systems, a framework is a layered structure that shows what programs can be built and how they interact. Some frameworks also include special user interfaces or programming tools for other frameworks. In fact, frameworks are a set of functions within the system and create a connection between them. Communication between operating system, application and… with each other. Finally, frameworks are generally more comprehensive than protocols and more practical than structures.

Protocols: Protocols are a type of contract, network method and principles that site owners and webmasters are familiar with.

Structures: The pattern, arrangement or organization of related components in a system that can be identified by observing or recognizing the pattern.

What is the Ionic Framework?

This Framework is a user interface toolkit used to build high-performance multi-platform applications. Its architecture is based on the application interface or user experience. This framework also uses web technologies such as Html, Css and JavaScript, which you can integrate with frameworks such as Angular, React and Vue.Js. Of course, it is not bad to know that the framework is completely free and open source.

This Framework focuses only on the application UI / UX, such as themes, gestures, animations, icons, and can work as a standalone platform without the presence of other frameworks. Finally, applications built with the the framework are multi-platform, web-based, and have access to native device APIs.

UI: stands for User Interface and means user interface.

UX: Abbreviation for User Experience and means user experience.

Ionic Genesis History

This framework was first introduced in 2013 by Drifty. The development team is constantly working to make this framework more powerful and efficient for mobile development. To this end, every six months, they introduce a new version with attractive features so that they can make the  framework the most popular framework for front-end programmers as soon as possible.

Of course, it can be said that they have been successful to some extent. Because the Github site has about 43,000 stars and 13,000 forks, and currently about 5 million applications have been created with special UI elements, countless libraries and exciting capabilities of the this framework. The latest version of this framework, titled Ionic 5, was released on February 11, 2020, and we will explain how to download and install it below.

Front-End: User-side design means designing anything the user sees.

Ionic features

Here are the most important features of the Ionic framework

Predefined UI Components

In the new version, there is a basic theme for all platforms that can be applied to any type of application. Pre-built components such as routing, search bar, networks, pop-ups and more make it easy for mobile developers.

Component: As a separable block of the program that provides different services to programmers with specific standards.

Theming

The core of the this framework is built using CSS, which provides high flexibility due to its features (variable features). This makes it easier to design applications just like CSS that follows web standards. Of course, there is a theme color by default that can be changed to your liking. In fact, everything in this framework is customizable, from the background color to the type and style of text.

Easier navigation

Mobile applications use the concept of non-linear navigation, which Ionic works in the same way. The Ionic framework can support pairing with parallel navigation history. In fact, it’s the browser-style navigation that web developers are familiar with.

Graphics

In the Ionic framework you can edit programs graphically. This framework uses the IOS graphic platform, which of course is customizable. If you are not eager to IOS style, you can change it to Material Design language.

Capacitor

Storage or Capacitor is a multi-platform API and code execution layer that makes it easy to invoke native SDKs through code on the web. Also, if you need a plugin for your application, you can create custom native plugins with the help of a capacitor. This attractive feature allows developers to write their own application and publish it on the web or in app stores.

API: Abbreviation for Application Programming Interface and means application programming interface.

Stencil

The Ionic development team has developed a compiler for the Web Component (Web Component Compiler) that can build compilers compatible with web servers. It also uses APIs like Virtual DOM, JSX and async which are for PWA.

Compailer: A compiler is a program or set of programs that converts text from a high-level programming language to a low-level language such as assembly or machine-level language.

PWA: Abbreviation for Progressive Web Application means Progressive Web Application. PWA is actually a website that uses modern and new web technologies, but its appearance and functionality is similar to a normal application.

Changes in Native 5

It supports Angular developers, ES6 modules and Angular.Js support.

Ionic CLI

Developers can use the CLI (Command Line Utility) to develop Ionic applications. Of course, it is better to install this program before installing the Ionic framework, because it is necessary to run Ionic programs and connect them to other Ionic services such as AppFlow.

Templates

When you create a project in the Ionic framework, you can implement it on any of the following templates:

Tabs App: This template includes menu tab, header and other useful features.

Side Menu App: In this template, only the side menu and navigation bar are available.

Blank App: As an empty project that you have to create everything from scratch.

Why should we use the Ionic framework?

The Ionic framework has no strange or unknown technology. Most programmers are familiar with web technologies. So the user does not waste time learning new technology or languages.

Using the Ionic framework, applications can be in any environment, even a virtual environment.

The code is written only once and can be used for Android, Windows and IOS. This saves the user time during program development or troubleshooting.

The Ionic framework helps build applications quickly and easily.

Ionic Framework uses all the simple technologies such as Html and Css to develop its web page, which creates an easy-to-use interface for developers. Especially since the number of developers of this framework is increasing day by day.

Logic Layers The Ionic framework is for using Angular, which most developers are familiar with. Therefore, it is very easy to develop mobile applications with Ionic.

and more

The Ionic framework has the right layouts for the desktop, which is a big advantage for desktop users. It also implements a good layout for desktop applications using a network and flexible features such as structures.

The Ionic framework using Open Web technology is in no way comparable to single-platform frameworks.

The web applications used in the Ionic framework are up to date and can be downloaded through the Play Store, which is a great advantage for developers.

Many people now use the Ionic framework, and this powerful community allows developers to ask questions and get answers quickly.

There are many tutorials, books and tutorials for the Ionic Framework that help developers access all of the concepts in this framework.

The web components used in the Ionic framework help build the user interface faster than any other framework.

Commands are faster because binary changes are not in the Ionic framework.

This framework works with web technology.

Ionic Framework has a stable version that supports many programming languages ​​under Angular.

Ionic can be a powerful combination of native and web components.

Script Tag: This tag is for defining a client-side script.

The difference between the Ionic framework and other mobile development platforms

Ionic Framework uses web development components to build the user interface faster than other frameworks.

The Ionic framework supports PWA and is therefore operating system independent. It also has many features such as notifications, hardware access, offline capability and که that are not available in other frameworks.

With the Ionic framework, you can create applications that are a combination of native and web applications.

By adding a Script tag, the Ionic framework can also work with JavaScript, a feature not found in other frameworks.

The program is easy to test and run in the Ionic framework. It also costs less to develop than other frameworks.

Benefits of this framework

You can see the benefits of this attractive framework in the following list:

Ionic Framework is the first choice for developers looking for a framework that supports all Android, Windows and IOS platforms.

Html, Css and JavaScript languages ​​are known by most developers, so it will be easy for them to develop this framework.

The Angular framework is also integrated into Ionic, making it a good framework to use alongside JavaScript. Of course, there are other options for people who do not want to use Angular.

Ionic framework can change its appearance according to the appearance of the platform you need.

In the Ionic framework, a desktop application can be a mobile application.

It uses plugins which will help a lot in managing the framework.

Uses only one programming language for all mobile operating systems.

In addition to being front-end and using the user interface, the Ionic framework is also helpful for server-side development.

Ionic has shown that it has always been of good quality and has maintained this good quality well over time.

The graphics used in it belong to the IOS platform. So it is pleasant for those who like this style. Material Design is also available for those who do not like iOS graphics.

You can edit programs graphically in this framework, which is an interesting possibility.

The Ionic framework suggests themes for each application, so the output of the applications will not be the same.

Ionic is much faster than other frameworks.

It is easier to build applications with the Ionic framework, because each program does not require a separate API, and you will not need unique features to exit the program.

The cost of this framework is low despite the use of CLI.

Disadvantages of this framework

While the advantages of this framework over its advantages are almost negligible, like all other frameworks there are disadvantages to it that you can get familiar with below:

When one code server is for all platforms, its operation may be disrupting.

Because working with each platform has a different style, it is not easy for the user to navigate between them.

Debugging and debugging applications on the native platform is a bit difficult because some plugins are only on web components.

If your application uses hardware that has never been in plugins, the Ionic framework will not be useful for this platform.

Its graphical performance is not good enough due to the use of CSS3, so it may be a problem for newer phones than the iPhone 4.

Ionic Framework is not suitable for 3D and video game development.

Plugins do not exist for all cases, so developers must write their own code like plugins for the operating system.

When comparing the performance of the Ionic framework with native applications, we see that the performance of Ionic is not as good as that of native applications.

The security of applications built on Ionic is a significant issue, especially for banking or finance applications that are not entirely reliable.

Integrating applications into this framework is not as fast as running them.

Running programs built on Ionic takes longer than native programs.

What do you need for starting with this framework?

For strating with the Ionic Framework, there are some basics you need to install on your system:

Node.Js: Node and NPM are for using the Ionic environment. Node.Js is the most basic platform for starting Ionic.

Android SDK: Required for developing Android applications on Windows.

XCode: If you want to run an iOS app on Windows or work on the MAC platform, you need to install XCode.

And a number of Ionic code editors such as Ionic Studio, Atom, and WebStorm that are for development.

Conclusion

Be sure to try the Ionic Framework. If you want to create creative applications in the shortest possible time, Ionic will be your best choice. But in order not to make a wrong decision, it is better to do more research and study about its features and limitations.