Mobile devices are the fastest-growing enterprise platforms in IT industry. As more and more people are opting for Apps to expand their business on a global level, Mobile App development industry is gaining huge popularity. The main aim of software publishers is to develop applications that run on smartphones, tablets and the newly smartwatches. The range of different apps in used varies from user to user in everyday life.

The main concern for the app developers is the selection of the right programming language to use for Mobile app development. This does not just dependent on the language but also depends on the different operating systems that favour those programming languages. The challenge is in choosing the right programming language.

Here is a list of some of the practically accepted programming languages

Swift
Swift, released by Apple Inc. in June 2014 is the primary programming language used for developing iOS and OSX apps. According to TNW, it is one of the fastest growing languages. The demand for Swift developers has increased gradually making them the most hired developers. It works on Linux. This newbie language is only available for iOS development.

Key features:
• Open source.
• Easy to code if you know Objective-C.
• It’s the future of iOS development
• Maintenance is easy
• Swift requires less coding as compared to other languages

Python

Python is powerful high-level language that is easy-to-learn and is great at readability. One can create any type of mobile app with Python. It is one of the easiest languages to learn. It is for creating Android and Desktop apps.
The famous sites such as Dropbox, BitTorrent, Instagram, and Quora are created in Python.

Key features:
• Object-oriented and interactive language
• Easy-to-learn and easy-to-read
• Runs on Windows, Mac, Unix, and Linux
• Scalable
• Supports GUI applications

Java

Java is the most used mobile app development programming language. Developers complete most projects in Java followed by Ruby according to VersionEye. So if you have knowledge of Java, you will be able to create Android apps of all types. It is most suitable language because it runs on all the platforms including the all the versions of Android. Apart from Android apps, developers can create server apps, web apps, games, websites, big data technology, etc.

Key features:
• Object-oriented language.
• Supports API integration.
• It runs on all the platforms
• Easy-to-learn and read.
• Java provides rich documentation.
• Lot of experts available on Android communities.
• Powerful IDEs
• IDEs making coding easy and error-free.

PHP

Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) is a server-side scripting open source language. Purposely developed for creating websites, but now used for general purpose development. It is helpful in creating dynamic websites, web apps, and all types of mobile apps. Many Content Management Systems feature PHP as their programming language.

With PHP knowledge, one can create GUI, Facebook apps, PDFs, WordPress and Joomla plugins, e-commerce websites and more.

Key features:
• Open-source
• Uses Object-oriented and procedure oriented approaches
• Independent of platform
• Easy-to-learn
• Integration with database is easy
• Have numerous uses
• Server compatibility

Kotlin

Kotlin is the newbie in the league of programming languages for mobile app development. Considered as a new era in the Android app development, it is the future. Google supports Kotlin as a first-class Android app development programming language. The base of Kotlin is Java Virtual Machine (JVM). It is expected to be the next big thing in programming for Android.

Key features:
• Open-source
• Requires less coding
• Easy to learn and adapt
• Safe to use due to its glitch-free security
• No cost adoption
• Provides extension functions
• Full Java Interoperability
• Next step to Android

JavaScript

JavaScript is a high-level interpreted programming language. It supports object-oriented and functional programming. It is the language run by browsers used to develop and control web pages. It is possible to create mobile apps with JavaScript only when used with CSS, HTML, and AJAX to create mobile apps. Several frameworks create professional JavaScript apps such as jQuery Mobile, angular js, Iconic, etc.

Key features:
• One of the easiest languages.
• Fast and efficient.
• Code once and then release on all platforms
• Executed on the client-side.
• It saves bandwidth by not using the server.
• Used for dynamics and creating animations on otherwise dull and boring websites.

Conclusion
Before choosing any of these mobile app development languages, consider your client’s requirements and the targeted platforms. Also, choose the programming languages in a way that it builds your on your existing skills and helps you create quality mobile apps without compromise.