The Ionic framework provides a handful of methods and tools that help to expedite the development and testing process. It is an open source SDK which enables developers to build hybrid mobile applications using AngularJS, HTML5 and SaaS ( Software as a Service).

Many app development companies consider Ionic as a viable solution for developing cross-platform applications. Ionic has recently introduced universal app support for the Windows platform. Hence, it is an ideal time for app development companies to hire Ionic developers to enhance the performance of applications.

Ionic helps to build the application structure in a more functional manner along with improved User Interface (UI). Moreover, it also saves a lot of time and money required for the development of mobile application.

Following are some options regarding with Ionic framework that must be considered by developers:

Yeoman Generator

Ionic has some excellent inclusion to make development procedure easier. It has the ability to provide compatibility with various tools and plugins. Yeoman plugin is one of them. Yeoman is basically used to scaffold the prototype of application.

Developers can use Yeoman plugins either in a whole application or important modules in an application. Developers first need to find the right Yeoman generator for their application according to the specification of an app.

Yeoman generator is well compatible with Ionic in different ways. For example, developers can customize the development environment with tools like  JavaScript linters, code coverage support, platform integration and different emulators. Few benefits of Yeoman generator are-

Emphasize on development standards, styles and best practices
Promote new application by allowing users to use sample app
Organizes different sections for the application. For example, new controller for unit testing

Developers can quickly deploy a prototype of application in order to start initial testing procedure. Yeoman also allows developers to rapidly start with the new application development by streamlining the current application maintenance.

ES6 Support Using Babel

Browser support is an important aspect in case of hybrid mobile application development. In many cases, the application code fails to execute on a particular type of browser. Fortunately, ES6 allows developers to run an application on any browser regardless of compatibility.

For this occasion, Babel functions as a JavaScript transcompiler. In fact, Babel fetches JavaScript code and compiles it into ES 5.1 code. To speed up the development process, it uses different JavaScript libraries such as jQuery, lodash, underscore. These libraries are lightweight and their features are already included in ES6 standards. Developers can add or remove JavaScript libraries as per the requirements of the application.

Implementation Using Angular Style Guide

An Angular style guide is a set of well-documented instructions and methods that are used for application development. The Angular style guide has contributed great effort in upgrading the GitHub services. For this reason, style guide is gaining popularity among many application developers.

Angular style guide keeps updating according to the changes made in AngularJS framework. Even less experienced developers can easily understand and use Angular style guide.

As Ionic is built on top of AngularJS framework, many recommended approaches in style guide are based on Ionic implementations. Developers can quickly track and modify the source code because of the excellent file structure. The developers can find Angular style guide online. Style guides documented by Google are most popular and recommended.

Comprehensive Browser Support With Crosswalk

Different operating systems (versions) run on different WebViews based on Chrome browser. Therefore dealing with version fragmentation is challenging task for developers while design WebView-based Android application.

The older version of browser creates a lot of problems dealing with JavaScript, CSS and HTML code. It also affects the overall all functioning of the application. The Crosswalk helps developers to overcome all these browser related issues.

With Crosswalk developers can implement Apache/Cordova plugins in application to support the latest version of Chromium. Mainly, Crosswalk inserts the Chromium into the mobile application. Hence, developers can simplify version fragmentation problems and save a huge amount of time.

Application Testing Using The PhoneGap Developer App

There are many options available when things come to test the mobile applications. But, PhoneGap app makes available easy methods for deploying the application to the device from the local environment. As this app is hybrid in nature, less amount of data is pushed to the device than the native applications.

PhoneGap does not replace any app testing strategies. PhoneGap just provides quick methods to Quality Assurance(QA) team without replacing app testing strategies.  The PhoneGap also allow developers to remotely examine and debug the application code. Hence, the changes made by developers after testing get automatically updated in the application.

End To End Automation Testing

End-to-end automation testing allows the testing team to write a test case that truly interacts and navigates with UI of the application. Protector is the best tool used especially for AngularJS application to perform automation testing. Protector allows testers to write the test cases in JavaScript.

Ionic framework has made available many options for developers to accelerate development process. Now, companies should hire Ionic developers to implement best practices and other available resources to develop robust hybrid mobile application.

Author's Bio: 

Ritesh Patil is the co-founder of Mobisoft Infotech that helps startups and enterprises in mobile technology. He loves technology, especially mobile technology. He’s an avid blogger and writes on mobile application. He works in a leading android development company with skilled android app developers that has developed innovative mobile applications across various fields such as Finance, Insurance, Health, Entertainment, Productivity, Social Causes, Education and many more and has bagged numerous awards for the same.