Mobile Web Application Development with JQuery Mobile – Pros, Cons and Alternatives

As its name suggests, jQuery Mobile is a touch-optimized framework built on the basis of the jQuery library. It allows developers to create mobile web apps for major mobile platforms like Android, iOS, Windows Phone, and Blackberry. Developers can further use the framework to build mobile apps using commonly used standards like HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and AJAX. At the same time, jQuery Mobile is designed with features to help developers build mobile web applications without writing longer lines of code. However, every programmer still needs to weigh the pros and cons of jQuery Mobile, as well as learn about its alternatives.

advantage

JQuery Mobile is compatible with many mobile platforms and devices. As stated above, it is compatible with several popular mobile platforms including Android, iOS, Windows Phone, and Blackberry. Likewise, it is also compatible with various mobile devices with different screen sizes and resolutions. Therefore, the framework makes it easy for programmers to build cross-platform mobile apps without writing code for specific devices and operating systems. They are also not required to make code changes based on the screen size and resolution of individual devices.

When creating a native mobile app, developers must use a specific programming language. For example, they have to use Swift or Objective-C to develop apps for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. JQuery allows developers to build mobile web applications using open and commonly used standards such as HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and AJAX. Widely used web technologies make it easy for developers to create a wide variety of applications without spending extra time and effort.

Nowadays, developers have to create custom themes to make the mobile app look different and attractive. JQuery Mobile makes it easy for developers to create custom themes using ThemeRoller. In addition to allowing the user to download custom themes, ThemeRoller allows them to change their appearance simply by dragging and dropping colors. Additionally, they can deliver polished images by taking advantage of CSS3’s box shadow and text shadow properties.

JQuery Mobile further helps developers customize form controls, page layouts, page panels, headers, and footers. Thus they can manipulate various elements of a page according to the client’s requirements. Likewise, they can also apply the CSS-based transition effects included in the framework to customize form submission and page links via AJAX.

When planning mobile apps, companies should consider the process of getting approval from multiple app stores. Many companies find it difficult to list their apps on the Apple App Store. But jQuery includes the virtues of individual environments. As the framework contains the virtue of Apple App Store, developers can easily get approval from Apple. Therefore, jQuery Mobile makes it easy for businesses to launch and promote their applications. At the same time, it allows developers to focus on application functionality and performance without worrying about the approval process.

Cons

The performance of mobile web applications developed with jQuery differs between web browsers and devices. Many developers have pointed out that apps run slower on Android OS and Chrome. But the same apps run faster on iOS devices. Also, jQuery apps cannot beat native mobile apps in the speed category.

Many users feel that applications developed with jQuery look almost identical. Some users even feel that the design of jQuery applications is not optimized for tablets and other devices with larger screens. Many companies have to implement experienced user interface designers to make mobile web applications different and attractive.

Despite supporting multiple platforms and mobile devices, jQuery is basically a JavaScript library. Therefore, you cannot access all the features of the mobile device like other cross-platform mobile app development tools. The inability to access the native features of a device makes native apps perform better than jQuery apps.

Nowadays, HTML5 is widely used to develop mobile web applications and games. Therefore, developers look for frameworks that come with specialized features to speed up mobile game development. JQuery Mobile does not provide specific features for developing game applications. Therefore, it can only be used to build simple data-driven mobile web applications.

Alternatives

Cross-browser compatibility and too many features make JQuery Mobile bulky. Many developers prefer to develop mobile web apps using lightweight frameworks like Snack.js, Zepto.js, xui.js, 140medley, $dom, PhoneJS, Junior, Jo, and Davinci SDK. However, a specific framework can complement the specific needs of each project. Therefore, developers must take into account the nature and needs of the mobile app development project when comparing jQuery and its alternatives.