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docs: adds mobile programming languages #946

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docs: adds mobile programming languages #946

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fa3d66f
docs: adds initial section for kotlin/swift
mcgarj Oct 10, 2024
7f8aed5
docs: adds info to Kotlin
mcgarj Oct 24, 2024
07bda72
chore: fixing typo
mcgarj Nov 18, 2024
78a2ae2
docs: updating targeting OS based on comments
mcgarj Nov 18, 2024
4642fbe
docs: tweaking text based on feedback
mcgarj Nov 20, 2024
63e602b
docs: updates Android Studio/Kotlin info per comment
mcgarj Nov 21, 2024
7b21e33
chore: updates link to Kotlin language
mcgarj Nov 21, 2024
ab3e169
chore: removes lines about iOS/Android versions
mcgarj Nov 28, 2024
96df31f
chore: fixed Android/Kotlin phrasing
mcgarj Nov 28, 2024
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27 changes: 27 additions & 0 deletions source/standards/programming-languages.html.md.erb
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Expand Up @@ -101,6 +101,33 @@ We used Scala in the early days of GDS. GOV.UK Licensing is the only remaining
application written in Scala but we've found it hard to support because of a lack
of skills in GDS. Do not use Scala for new projects.

## Mobile Development

For developing mobile apps, we use:
- [Swift](https://www.swift.org/) for [iOS](https://developer.apple.com/)
- [Kotlin](https://kotlinlang.org/) for [Android](https://developer.android.com/).

To give users the expected experience on their respective platform, we prefer to use the native languages over cross-platform solutions.

### Swift

When starting a new app project, you'll likely want to use the most recent version of Swift which will be installed with Xcode.

The targetted version of iOS should be discussed during planning and investigation as certain iOS features may not be available in earlier versions which could be crucial to your app's behaviour.
For example, a good starting point for government apps would be a range of n - 5 or n - 3 (n being the latest major release of iOS).
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It is important that your app remains as accessible to as many devices and users as possible, especially those who cannot access the latest devices with the most recent OS, without compromising security.

### Kotlin

Prefer to develop Android apps using the latest stable version of Kotlin.

The targetted version of Android should be discussed during planning and investigation as certain OS features may not be available in earlier versions which could be crucial to your app's behaviour.
It is important that your app remains as accessible to as many devices and users as possible, especially those who cannot access the latest devices with the most recent OS, without compromising security.
This is particularly important on Android with the range of devices available.

Android specify a [minimum version](https://developer.android.com/google/play/requirements/target-sdk) which must be supported in order for the app to be published to the Google Play Store.
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## Using other languages

There will be sensible reasons to not follow the above guidance on languages.
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