Jump to content

iOS SDK

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

iOS SDK
(iOS Software Development Kit)
Developer(s)Apple Inc.
Initial releaseMarch 6, 2008;16 years ago(2008-03-06)
Operating systemmacOS
PlatformiOS,iPadOS
Available inEnglish
TypeSoftware development kit
WebsiteApple Developer

TheiOS SDK(iOS Software Development Kit), formerly theiPhone SDK,is asoftware development kit(SDK) developed byApple Inc.The kit allows for the development ofmobile appson Apple'siOSandiPadOSoperating systems.

The iOS SDK is a free download for users ofMacintosh(or Mac) personal computers. It is not available forMicrosoft WindowsPCs. The SDK contains sets giving developers access to various functions and services of iOS devices, such ashardwareandsoftwareattributes. It also contains an iPhonesimulatorto mimic the look and feel of the device on the computer while developing. New versions of the SDK accompany new versions of iOS. In order to test applications, get technical support, and distribute apps throughApp Store,developers are required to subscribe to theApple Developer Program.

Combined withXcode,the iOS SDK helps developers write iOS apps using officially supportedprogramming languages,includingSwiftandObjective-C.Other companies have also created tools that allow for the development of native iOS apps using their respective programming languages.

History[edit]

While originally developingiPhoneprior to its unveiling in 2007, Apple's then-CEOSteve Jobsdid not intend to let third-party developers build native apps for theiOSoperating system, instead directing them to makeweb applicationsfor theSafari web browser.[1]However, backlash from developers prompted the company to reconsider,[1]with Jobs announcing on October 17, 2007, that Apple would have asoftware development kit(SDK) available for developers by February 2008.[2][3]The SDK was released on March 6, 2008.[4][5]

Features[edit]

The iOS SDK is a free download forMacusers.[6]It is not available forMicrosoft Windowspersonal computers.[6]To test the application, get technical support, and distribute applications throughApp Store,developers are required to subscribe to theApple Developer Program.[6]

The SDK contents are separated into the following sets:[7]

The SDK also contains an iPhone simulator, a program used to simulate the look and feel of iPhone on the developer's computer.[7]

New SDK versions accompany new iOS versions.[8][9]

Programming languages[edit]

The iOS SDK, combined withXcode,helps developers write iOS applications using officially supported programming languages, includingSwiftandObjective-C.[10]

An.ipa (iOS App Store Package) file is an iOS application archive file which stores an iOS app.

Java[edit]

In 2008,Sun Microsystemsannounced plans to release aJava Virtual Machine(JVM) for iOS, based on theJava Platform, Micro Editionversion of Java. This would enable Java applications to run on iPhone and iPod Touch.[11]Soon after the announcement, developers familiar with the SDK's terms of agreement believed that by not allowing third-party applications to run in the background (answer a phone call and still run the application, for example),[12]and not allowing an application to download code from another source, nor allowing an application to interact with a third-party application, Sun's development efforts could be hindered without Apple's cooperation.[13]Sun also worked with a third-party company called Innaworks in attempts to get Java on iPhone.[14]Despite the apparent lack of interest from Apple, afirmwareleak of the 2007 iPhone release revealed anARMchip with a processor withJazellesupport for embedded Java execution.[15]

.NET[edit]

Novellannounced in September 2009 that they had successfully developedMonoTouch,asoftware frameworkthat let developers write native iPhone applications in theC#and.NETprogramming languages, while still maintaining compatibility with Apple's requirements.[16]

Flash[edit]

iOS does not supportAdobe Flash,[17]and althoughAdobehas two versions of its software: Flash and Flash Lite, Apple views neither as suitable for the iPhone, claiming that full Flash is "too slow to be useful", and Flash Lite to be "not capable of being used with the Web".[18][19]

In October 2009, Adobe announced that an upcoming update to itsCreative Suitewould feature a component to let developers build native iPhone apps using the company's Flash development tools.[20]The software was officially released as part of the company'sCreative Suite 5collection of professional applications.[21]

2010 policy on development tools[edit]

In April 2010,Apple made controversial changesto its iPhone Developer Agreement, requiring developers to use only "approved" programming languages in order to publish apps onApp Store,and banning applications that used third-party development tools; the ban affected Adobe's Packager tool, which converted Flash apps into iOS apps.[22][23]After developer backlash[24]and news of a potential anti-trust investigation,[25]Apple again revised its agreement in September, allowing the use of third-party development tools.[24][26]

Mac Catalyst[edit]

Originally called "Project Marzipan",[27]Mac Catalyst helps developers bringiPadOSapp experiences to macOS, and make it easier to take apps developed for iPadOS devices to Macs by avoiding the need to write the underlying software code twice.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ab"Jobs' original vision for the iPhone: no third-party native apps".9to5Mac.com.9to5Mac. October 21, 2011.RetrievedJune 11,2017.
  2. ^Duncan, Geoff (October 17, 2007)."Apple confirms iPhone SDK coming next year".www.DigitalTrends.com.Digital Trends.RetrievedJune 11,2017.
  3. ^"Steve Jobs confirms native iPhone SDK by February".AppleInsider.com.AppleInsider.October 17, 2007.RetrievedJune 11,2017.
  4. ^Dalrymple, Jim (March 6, 2008)."Apple unveils iPhone SDK".www.MacWorld.com.International Data Group.RetrievedJune 11,2017.
  5. ^Block, Ryan(March 6, 2008)."Live from Apple's iPhone SDK press conference".www.Engadget.com.EngadgetAOL.RetrievedJune 11,2017.
  6. ^abcGuevin, Jennifer (March 6, 2008)."FAQ: what does the iPhone SDK mean?".www.CNET.com.CBS Interactive.RetrievedJune 11,2017.
  7. ^abKim, Arnold (March 6, 2008)."Apple releases iPhone SDK, demos spore, instant messaging".www.MacRumors.com.MacRumors.RetrievedJune 11,2017.
  8. ^Mayo, Benjamin (September 11, 2015)."Apple now allowing developers to submit iOS 9, OS X El Capitan and native Watch apps to the App Store".9to5Mac.com.9to5Mac.RetrievedJune 11,2017.
  9. ^Sande, Steven (June 10, 2013)."New iOS SDK features for developers".www.Engadget.com.EngadgetAOL.RetrievedJune 11,2017.
  10. ^Sinicki, Adam (June 9, 2016)."Developing for Android vs developing for iOS – in 5 rounds".www.AndroidAuthority.com.Android Authority.RetrievedJune 19,2017.
  11. ^Krill, Paul (March 7, 2008)."Sun: we'll put Java on the iPhone".www.InfoWorld.com.InfoWorldInternational Data Group.RetrievedJune 19,2017.
  12. ^Krazit, Tom (March 12, 2008)."The iPhone SDK: the day after".www.CNET.com.CNETCBS Interactive.RetrievedJune 19,2017.
  13. ^Krill, Paul (March 14, 2008)."Sun's plan for Java on iPhone could hit roadblock".www.InfoWorld.com.InfoWorldInternational Data Group.RetrievedJune 19,2017.
  14. ^"Apple, Sun talks gives hope for Java on iPhone".www.IBTimes.com.International Business TimesIBT Media.April 28, 2008.RetrievedJune 19,2017.
  15. ^Block, Ryan(July 1, 2007)."iPhone processor found: 620MHz ARM CPU".www.Engadget.com.EngadgetAOL.RetrievedJune 19,2017.
  16. ^Paul, Ryan (September 15, 2009)."MonoTouch drops.NET into Apple's walled app garden".ArsTechnica.com.Ars TechnicaCondé Nast.RetrievedJune 19,2017.
  17. ^Slivka, Eric (April 29, 2010)."Steve Jobs posts 'Thoughts on Flash' open letter".www.MacRumors.com.MacRumors.RetrievedJune 20,2017.
  18. ^Cooper, Charles (March 5, 2008)."Adobe bites its tongue after iPhone Flash jab".www.CNET.com.CNETCBS Interactive.RetrievedJune 20,2017.
  19. ^Krazit, Tom (March 19, 2008)."Adobe realizes SDK not enough for Flash on iPhone".www.CNET.com.CNETCBS Interactive.RetrievedJune 20,2017.
  20. ^Dove, Jackie (October 5, 2009)."Flash-built apps heading for the iPhone".www.MacWorld.com.MacworldInternational Data Group.RetrievedJune 20,2017.
  21. ^Dove, Jackie (April 11, 2010)."Adobe unleashes Creative Suite 5".www.MacWorld.com.MacworldInternational Data Group.RetrievedJune 20,2017.
  22. ^Chen, Brian X. (April 8, 2010)."Adobe Apps: easier to pass through the 'i' of a needle?".Wired.RetrievedJune 20,2017.
  23. ^Kincaid, Jason (April 8, 2010)."Apple gives Adobe the finger with its new iPhone SDK agreement".TechCrunch.RetrievedJune 20,2017.
  24. ^abArthur, Charles (September 9, 2010)."Apple opens App Store to programs written in Adobe Flash – and more".www.TheGuardian.com.The GuardianGuardian Media Group.RetrievedJune 20,2017.
  25. ^Cheng, Jacqui (May 3, 2010)."Apple iPhone OS compiler policy may lead to antitrust probe".ArsTechnica.com.Ars TechnicaCondé Nast.RetrievedJune 20,2017.
  26. ^Sorrell, Charlie (September 9, 2010)."Apple eases app development rules, Adobe surges".www.Wired.com.WiredCondé Nast.RetrievedJune 20,2017.
  27. ^"WWDC 2019: Apple's Marzipan is actually Project Catalyst".www.CNET.com.CNET.RetrievedJune 3,2019.

External links[edit]