Beginner’s Guide to Desktop App Creation

There are many reasons you may need to create a desktop application. You may want to organise your business with streamlined accessibility. Or maybe you are developing a program, game, or other application to put on the market. Either way, desktop apps can be a lucrative and invaluable asset if used properly. Here are some of the basics of desktop application creation to consider when working with a custom software application development services.

Is a Desktop App Right for You?

When it comes to applications, there are two main routes you could take to develop your program: a desktop app or a web app. Mobile apps add a different level of complexity so that we will disregard that aspect of app creation for now. Desktop apps have the power and reliability to fill many of your needs, but web apps should not be immediately discounted. There are pros and cons to each, which you need to consider to ensure success of your application

Go with a web app if: your target users will be utilising different computers or will require authorisation to install software, you want to update your app without requiring a new download, and you want your product to feel modern.

Go with a desktop app if: you want your app to be a part of the daily routine of the user, users will need to copy and paste in the clipboard, need to send notifications, or used without internet access. A desktop app should be utilised when it needs to quickly and frequently accessed.

Platform-Specific Development vs. Cross-Platform Development

So once you’ve determined that a desktop app is right for you and your needs, you need to decide which platform you are going to target. You can opt for platform-specific (native) programming, or cross-platform programming. Platform-Specific applications will only be able to be run on one platform- be it OS X, Windows, Linux, or other. Cross-platform applications can be utilised across multiple programming systems.

Platform-specific development is ideal for: higher performance, better user experience, hardware compatibility, and easier testing. However, they tend to have slow development speed and increased development and maintenance costs.

Cross-platform development is good if you need: fast development speed, lower development and maintenance costs, fewer bugs, the ability to launch multiple platforms at once, and seek a greater reach. Cons include difficulty in platform integration, limited feature accessibility, and a slower app.

If your target users primarily utilise a single program, a platform-specific application is likely better for you. But if your users are involved in a variety of programs, invest in cross-platform development.

CRM/ERP Development

An aspect to consider when developing a desktop application is feedback to increase business profitability. CRM and ERP are two ways that you can keep track of your desktop app’s performance. CRM focuses on the customer, while ERP focuses on the business itself.

CRM, or customer relationship management, is a system to collect data on customer interactions. This can be used to predict profits, provide insight on customer needs and preferences, and to create sales plans. Because the data is accessible to all within the shared network, different divisions of your business can stay in rapid communication.

ERP, or enterprise resource planning, is important in improving business processes. ERP allows users to focus on business operations, while the program identifies possible errors or problems. Thus,

UI/UX Design

An important component of application creation is user experience. The interface that the user works with needs to be easily accessible, efficient, and intuitive. Users with basic computer understanding should be easily able to navigate the app to fulfil their needs. If your app is difficult to understand and does not flow well, or does is not pleasant to utilise, clients will look at switching to a competitor. Often, a designer is necessary to help bridge the gap between your ideas and the software engineer’s skill.

Coding

You can look at coding as a computer’s “language.” To create a program that computers can understand, you need to know whichever language your targeted computers “speak.” Some coding languages are platform-specific, like Objective-C for Mac OS X. Other languages are universal, like HTML and CSS which are platform-independent. While you may not be able to speak these coding languages, a skilled computer programmer can, and they can help you decide which is best for your endeavours.

Development Services

Now that you know the basics of desktop application development, you are ready to bring your app to life. The good news is, you don’t have to do it alone. Development services like Redwork.com can help you from start to finish in designing your application. They have advanced coding skills to navigate any of the tricky aspects of desktop application creation, and can ensure you end up with a product that is suitable for your needs. Knowing some of the major aspects of application design is the first step in directing your development service on how to serve you best.

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