Developing apps with Apache Cordova
App Factory
© Lead Image © venimo, 123RF.com
Roll out an app elegantly and quickly for up to eight operating systems using the Cordova framework. According to the Apache Foundation, the only requirements are knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
In early 2009, the small company Nitobi introduced a software tool named PhoneGap. Web developers could use this tool to develop complete apps in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript that simultaneously ran on iPhones, Androids, and BlackBerrys. Only two-and-a-half years later, Adobe took over Nitobi, and PhoneGap along with it. Adobe passed the source code on to the Apache Foundation, which is developing the framework under the name Cordova [1] (see the "Oh, You Beautiful Cordovas" box).
The takeover did not change the basic way the framework functions. As a developer, you can program a complete app in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in Cordova, which then runs on iOS, Android, BlackBerry 10, Windows, Firefox OS, WebOS, Ubuntu Touch, and even as a normal web application in the browser. Cordova also supports Amazon's FireOS, although this option is considered deprecated.
Practical Testing
The source code is subject to Apache License 2.0. Cordova has already helped launch numerous apps, including fitness app Sworkit [2] and the baby monitoring software Clever Baby [3]. Many other developer tools harness the Cordova framework and development environment, such as Ionic [4] and PhoneGap by Adobe [5]. The company continues to use the original name of the project.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
USB4 Maintainer Leaves Intel
Michael Jamet, one of the primary maintainers of USB4 and Thunderbolt drivers, has left Intel, leaving a gaping hole for the Linux community to deal with.
-
Budgie 10.9.3 Now Available
The latest version of this elegant and configurable Linux desktop aligns with changes in Gnome 49.
-
KDE Linux Alpha Available for Daring Users
It's official, KDE Linux has arrived, but it's not quite ready for prime time.
-
AMD Initiates Graphics Driver Updates for Linux Kernel 6.18
This new AMD update focuses on power management, display handling, and hardware support for Radeon GPUs.
-
AerynOS Alpha Release Available
With a choice of several desktop environments, AerynOS 2025.08 is almost ready to be your next operating system.
-
AUR Repository Still Under DDoS Attack
Arch User Repository continues to be under a DDoS attack that has been going on for more than two weeks.
-
RingReaper Malware Poses Danger to Linux Systems
A new kind of malware exploits modern Linux kernels for I/O operations.
-
Happy Birthday, Linux
On August 25, Linux officially turns 34.
-
VirtualBox 7.2 Has Arrived
With early support for Linux kernel 6.17 and other new additions, VirtualBox 7.2 is a must-update for users.
-
Linux Mint 22.2 Beta Available for Testing
Some interesting new additions and improvements are coming to Linux Mint. Check out the Linux Mint 22.2 Beta to give it a test run.