In the development of the mobile application, PhoneGap and Cordova are the most common concepts that you will encounter. Their function is focused on enabling an application to do its tasks efficiently. This includes all mobile platforms such as iOS, Android, and Windows. When creating a mobile application, it needs a reliable framework.
For cross-platform frameworks, both PhoneGap and Cordova are widely used to make applications for all mobile tools in nearly all platforms by employing basic web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Below are some several details between the two frameworks such as PhoneGap vs. Cordova.
Fundamentals of PhoneGap
Developing applications for mobile equipment in every platform like Android, iOS, and Windows is a tedious task. The developer needs background on the various essential languages and frameworks. Using PhoneGap, this allows the work to be handy. This mobile app technology leverages the required web-based technologies and related languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create platform-independent applications.
PhoneGap has the framework to create, build, and use mobile apps for devices on all platforms. It bridges the gap between online applications and mobile tools. PhoneGap is noted as an open source project distribution of Adobe. Later, it was called Apache Cordova under the management of Apache Software Foundation.
Cordova’s origin
Initially created by Nitobi, Cordova is recognized as a cross-platform app development framework. Then, it was later modified to PhoneGap after Adobe Systems took over Nitobi in 2011. Adobe has been instrumental for the creation of PhoneGap’s codebase to Apache Software Foundation (ASF) in the development stages. When applied to big companies and organizations and promote transparent governance, PhoneGap was later called Cordova under the leadership of Apache.
Cordova serves as an engine that fuels the PhoneGap framework. The link between Cordova and PhoneGap is similar to the relationship between WebKit and Chrome or Safari. It works as a one-stop shop for people willing to contribute to various PhoneGap open source tasks.
Comparing PhoneGap vs. Cordova
Adobe Systems released PhoneGap as a cross-platform mobile app development framework. This is mainly created to establish platform-independent mobile apps. It employs standards-based online technologies such as HTML, JavaScript, and CSS to build the link between web apps and mobile tools. Nitobi Software originally owned the software and later bought by Adobe Systems. PhoneGap is part of the open-source Apache Cordova Project.
Later, Adobe introduced an open source software version of the product using the brand Apache Cordova. The framework is used to develop native mobile apps using HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS.
Structure of PhoneGap vs. Cordova
PhoneGap and Cordova are both considered open-source cross-platform frameworks under different names. Cordova, initially, is the open source platform that was previously known as PhoneGap. These terms can be employed interchangeably as both can assist in developing mobile applications using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Generally, PhoneGap is being promoted by Adobe as Cordova with several customized packages and tweaks. The difference is in the brand, where PhoneGap services are being managed by Adobe and not readily available or free to use. PhoneGap is Cordova framework’s open source distribution.
Benefits of PhoneGap and Cordova
PhoneGap eases when creating platform independent or hybrid apps. It minimizes the time for process learning platform for APIs and languages. In terms of flexibility, it is also the most flexible framework to design apps for all platforms and devices such as iOS, Windows Phone, Android, Amazon Fire OS, and BlackBerry 10 that employ PhoneGap build services. Meanwhile, Cordova ensures it functions well on all Android equipment. However, you will require to use an actual Apple device when fully testing all the device features to check if it is compatible with iOS. Nearly all the features can be evaluated using the iOS simulator with iOS SDK and Xcode installations.
How PhoneGap and Cordova works
Hybrids perform well in native apps most of the time. They are best to use in native parts such as ‘View’ and ‘Text’ over web components such as ‘div’ or ‘span.’ Hybrid apps can be employed for most platforms or those with a single codebase. Also, as JavaScript engines and browsers continue to change rapidly and advance on available fronts, the high-performance hardware hastens the GPU speeds while increasing the single thread function. However, despite the powerful animation HTML5 capacities, the performance of hybrid apps is not suitable to the native apps.
Conclusion
Using the terms PhoneGap and Cordova can be used interchangeably. These are both open-source frameworks that can be employed to design platform-independent mobile apps that use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Their difference is mainly on how it is called. Generally, PhoneGap is Cordova’s open source distribution, which was initially managed by Adobe Systems. Later, the codebase was transferred to Apache Software Foundation. Apache made a rebranding as Apache Cordova maintaining it as an open source and can be used freely. Simply, PhoneGap is Cordova with other additional Adobe stuff and customized packages. Cordova is like an engine that strengthens the PhoneGap framework.
In summary, there is no codebase difference in Cordova vs. PhoneGap. Most of the commands are the same. In some instances, the differences can be found in the PhoneGap Build that has a remote build functionality. Meanwhile, Cordova build is only applicable when applied in local builds. As the demand for creating cross-platform mobile apps soars, Cordova (PhoneGap) is one of the best solutions to keep in mind.
