A Beginner's Guide to Desktop App Development

Quick Summary: When wanting remarkable experience for business managers and to prevent any kind of data breaches, you should opt for desktop application development. It's a great solution and will make your work flawless. And who doesn't want to experience seamless work? Hence, this blog is all about desktop app development and will walk you through its different aspects - the process, the best frameworks, and many more. Hope you enjoy the blog!

Are you looking for rich experience for business managers? Do you want to eliminate cyber-attacks and data breaches? Then for your company, a desktop application might be the best option.

The primary prerequisite for business growth in the cutthroat market is desktop app development. Manual workflow management days are long gone; you can make the most out of your business by modernizing your desktop application.

With desktop app development, you can lower the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches, add layers of security and defense against external threats, add interactive controls and features, and achieve faster performance and more reasonable pricing.

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If you want to work flawlessly as a business, desktop application development is a great solution. Of course, everyone wants to flourish and work perfectly as a business, right? Now you must be bouncing off the walls to learn more about desktop app development, so let's get started!

Here in this article, we will look at the process of desktop app development, required frameworks, how it differs from web apps, and much more!

What is a Desktop Application?

The desktop application is a program designed to run on a computer (precisely, desktop) and use the resources from a system to perform its functions. The programs of desktop applications run on the top of operating systems such as macOS, Linux, and Microsoft Windows. Desktop applications are commonly developed using programming languages such as C++, Java, Python, or C#.

A desktop application can be defined as a program that is installed or runs directly on the system. It can be called from the GUI or a terminal window by double-clicking on its icon, which will open up its main window. Assessing and using the desktop application is a straightforward process.

Examples of desktop applications are:

• Microsoft Office Applications
• Adobe Photoshop
• Skype
• Illustrator
• Discord
• Slack

Now let’s cover another crucial question.

What is Desktop Application Development?

Creating an application locally for computer devices (operating systems) is referred to as desktop application development. Desktop app developers build these applications that are used specifically on laptops and desktops. These applications are usually built for Linux, Microsoft Windows, and macOS.

Additionally, desktop applications must be downloaded and installed on users' PCs because they can function without an internet connection. The developers use different languages such as JavaScript, HTML, CSS, SQL, Python, TypeScript, Node.js, Java, C#, C++, Bash, PHP, Swift, Red, Go, and so on for desktop application development.

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Major Differences Between a Desktop Application, Mobile Application, and Web Application

Along with digital revolutions, the landscape of application platforms has evolved drastically, and new types of apps have emerged.

So, what platform should you choose for your new application? Should it be a desktop, mobile, or web app? Well, each of these types acquires certain features that are significant to understand before choosing your ideal app platform.

Let’s examine the fundamental differences between mobile, web, and desktop applications to help you make the right decision.

Difference between a desktop application and a mobile application

When looking at this difference, one needs to understand that a desktop app runs on a stationary machine, i.e., a desktop or a laptop. On the other hand, a mobile application is designed to run on mobile devices such as tablets or mobile phones. Not to overlook the fact that they are, in a way, technical devices like computers, but these mobile devices have limitations regarding connectivity and storage.

Difference between a desktop application and a web application

A desktop app is a computer program that runs locally on computer devices like desktops and computers, as opposed to a web application, which is supplied to a local device through the internet from a remote server. This is important to understand when comparing desktop apps with web apps.

Each application has its benefits and can be used best within its niche. For a very long time, or at least until the internet becomes omnipotent and all desktops and computers turn into thin terminals that connect users to their separate digital environments in the global cloud, desktop applications, mobile applications, and online applications will all co-exist.

Do you want insight into web application development? Here’s a guide for web application development to help you get started!

Now let us cover another important aspect.

Top Reasons to Choose Desktop Applications

Here we will look at the potential benefits of desktop application development and how it can benefit your business.

1. Network Independency

Employee productivity and time can be lost due to a downed internet connection, not to mention that online apps cannot access business-critical data and information. On the other hand, desktop apps are independent and do not experience poor internet connectivity. Therefore, a desktop application is the better choice if an organization's access to information is crucial.

2. Safety and Confidentiality

Using an online app makes your information vulnerable to hacking. Desktop application development can be considered when the security of an organization's business information is critical.

3. Easier User Control

Desktop applications give users full control as there is no remote server running them. Also, the apps can be customized easily. If you compare desktop applications with online applications, you will find that it is easier to create, manage and customize desktop applications than it is with an online app.

4. Better Compatibility

A desktop application can be accessed on any operating system or browser with minimal or no changes to the core code. Additionally, a desktop application can be modified as per business needs without having to change the programming language or architecture.

5. Less Stringent Hardware Requirements

Desktop applications operate independently and do not rely on a web browser to work as an online app does. Therefore, they require less memory space, storage space, and fewer specifications than an online app does.

Moreover, important applications that rely on speed, for example, trading and financial software are better off with desktop applications because the users do not have to navigate among several tabs to find a tool. To reap the benefits of the desktop application, it becomes crucial to use the right technology for the development process, right?

Do you wonder what is the most preferred desktop application development technology? Out of many, .NET is leading! Learn more about why .NET is the preferred desktop application development technology and get an insight.

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Steps for Developing Desktop Applications

It can be exciting and satisfying to develop desktop applications; and it could be challenging to know where to start, though. If you have been surfing the web for “how to make a desktop application,” read on!

The steps you can take to begin creating your desktop applications are listed below:

1. Create a Concept and an Interest

Even if your project is successful in the end, creating desktop applications can occasionally be frustrating. You need enthusiasm and interest to live when something doesn't go as planned. The most crucial stage in creating excellent desktop applications is probably devoting effort to tackling various programming problems.

Additionally, decide why you want to create desktop applications and set specific objectives. After reading this, you may better understand the apps you want to design. Your career trajectory or growth journey may benefit from clearly defining your goals.

2. Design the Application

After you have set the goal, it is time to start planning for desktop app designs. You must have a clear understanding of the purpose, audience, and usage of your app. It is about drawing a line between what your app needs and how it can be achieved.

Designs assist you in developing your concepts and comprehending how your program might function.

Starting coding without a proper design is usually bad since you'll waste time creating the wrong things. Some developers think they can just code anything they want and fix the problems later. But fixing problems later costs more time than thinking through them in advance while designing the app. So, plan out your application before jumping into creating it.

You can use various tools to create designs and mockups for your application. Do you want to look into what tools are being discussed here? Read on to know about desktop application development tools that are used for designing.

Moqups: It is a great tool for designing mockups, prototypes, and frameworks. Moreover, Moqups are useful for the aspect of visualizing and validating the ideas of your applications. It will provide an environment where you can share your ideas and collaborate with your team.

Mockplus: Developers can create interactive prototypes and wireframes with this cloud-based tool. With its pre-built components, icons, and drag-and-drop capabilities, this application enables users to swiftly complete a screen design.

Adobe XD: The designers use the tool to collaborate throughout the design process, i.e., from the ideation stage to wireframing to developer handoff. Adobe XD will allow you to create website, app, and game designs.

Mockingbird: The software is useful for creating prototypes and wireframes. It comes with a drop-and-drag editor, which makes the design process simple.

One can rely on these various tools when designing desktop application development. Now let us look at a few tips that one should consider for design.

Function: Ensure that the design can highlight the function, i.e., how the application works, and pay attention to the key features.

Usability: Analyze how your application can help users accomplish their specific goals. An easy-to-use interface can boost the overall experience of the user.

Responsiveness: In today’s era, users have devices with a variety of screen sizes, and for the same reason, the applications have to be responsive and also should support different device displays.

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3. Select a Programming Language

When it comes down to programming language, you must think of, how to code a desktop application, right? Ensure that you select a programming language to help you easily select your desired goal. A few popular programming languages for desktop application development are JavaScript, HTML/CSS, SQL, Python, TypeScript, Node.js, Java, C#, Bash/Shell, and PHP.

Let’s briefly look at these programming languages to get a better understanding.

• JavaScript

Have you been looking forward to building desktop apps with JS? If so, you should be aware that JavaScript, which is frequently shortened as JS, has long been one of the most popular programming languages. The programming language is a lightweight, single-threaded, high-level, just-in-time compiled language that integrates with ECMAScript standards. The JS programming language is easy to use for both front-end and back-end development of desktop applications.

Features of JavaScript

1. JavaScript provides client-side validation to help users fill out forms accurately with the right information and avoid spam submissions.
2. It can run on any device, regardless of the operating system, because it is platform-independent.

• HTML/CSS

HTML stands for Hypertext Markup Language, and CSS stands for Cascading Style Sheets. These are the core technologies used to develop web pages, and both programming languages have always been at the top of the list. On the one hand, where HTML provides the page structure, CSS helps by adding visuals and aural layouts for various devices.

Features of HTML

1. HTML allows programmers to create scripts using tag annotations, making it user-friendly and straightforward.
2. HTML's SessionStorage and LocalStorage features enable developers to employ cookies on the client side to store data like usernames and authentication credentials.

Features of CSS

1. The developers can define a replacement for CSS for your design with the help of CSS custom attributes.
2. The rendering of off-screen components can be handled by developers thanks to CSS's content visibility feature.

• SQL

SQL stands for Structured Query Language. It is a programming language that allows communications with the database to manage all the data or stream processing in a relational data stream management system.

Features of SQL

1. SQL can support input parameters.
2. The functions of SQL are easy to implement as they are high-level, strongly typed languages.

• Python

Python is an interpreted, object-oriented, powerful, and dynamically semantic language. Python's design philosophy places a strong emphasis on code dependability and makes extensive use of indentation. It is one of the best programming languages to create python applications for desktop since it facilitates the writing of code for the development of applications.

Features of Python

1. Being a high-level language, Python programming language is simple to write.
2. It enables the creation of graphical user interfaces utilizing a variety of modules, including TK, pyQt5, and wxPython.

• TypeScript

It is a programming language that Microsoft created and maintains to be free and open-source. One of the most often utilized programming languages among programmers for creating desktop applications is TypeScript. Additionally, it is regarded as the best language for creating complex online applications.

Features of TypeScript

1. JavaScript libraries are supported by TypeScript, and developers are free to reuse their current JS code.
2. Different devices, browsers, and operating systems are compatible with TypeScript.

• Node.js

Node.js is a back-end JavaScript runtime environment that is single-threaded, open-source, and powered by the V8 engine. It executes JS code outside of the browser. It is well known that Node.js doesn't start a new thread for every request and instead runs in a single process. It enables users to create command-line tools for creating dynamic content for websites using back-end scripting.

Features of Node.js

1. Node.js is a single-threaded and event-looping architecture that makes it extremely scalable.
2. Node.js is a universally applicable, cross-platform programming language.

• Java

Java is a class-based, high-level, object-oriented programming language designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible, and it can help in cross-platform desktop app development. Java is designed to let the developers write code once and run it anywhere. This programming language is widely used for web and application development.

Features of Java

1. The coding style of Java is clean, simple, and easy to use.
2. It is portable and platform-independent, allowing developers to write it once and run it anywhere.

• C#

Microsoft created C# (C sharp), a multi-paradigm, contemporary, all-purpose, straightforward, object-oriented programming language. It contains programming behaviors including lexically scoped, imperative, functional, component-oriented, static, and strong typing.

Features of C#

1. It blends the unbridled power of C++ with Visual Basic's greater productivity.
2. C# supports data encapsulation, inheritance, interfaces, and polymorphism.

• Bash/Shell

As a free replacement for the Bourne shell, the Unix shell and command language Bash, commonly referred to as Bourne Again Shell, was created for GNU operating system initiatives. A superset of sh is Bash. Incorporating and enhancing Bourne shell's feature set, Bash was inspired by KornShell and C Shell.

Features of Bash/Shell

1. Bash is sh-compatible.
2. You can use multi-character parameters and the command line with bash shell programming.

• PHP

The server-scripting language known as PHP, sometimes known as hypertext preprocessor, is all-purpose and perfect for creating apps. An interpreter, implemented as a daemon, module, or common gateway interface, processes PHP code on a web server. PHP pages contain HTML with embedded code rather than a long list of commands to produce HTML.

Features of PHP

1. PHP is simple, easy, and familiar to learn, plus the syntax of PHP is similar to C language.
2. PHP can run on several platforms and operating systems.

Programming languages are evolving now and then, and these languages are used for different purposes. However, you must study and accept some of these programming languages and build your skill set around them if you want to create and design a desktop application. If you are a business owner who has been considering creating a desktop application, you should think about speaking with a desktop app developer who can advise you on the best programming for desktop applications.

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4. Select a development platform/framework

Not to overlook the fact that you can develop a desktop application from scratch by using native tools and languages, yet again, it can be utterly time-consuming. Therefore, it’ll be best if you choose the right platform.

A good platform will ensure you have access to the dependencies and tools required to create a high-quality desktop application. Now we will look at a few top platforms/frameworks for desktop application development.

5. Install an IDE

After selecting the ideal framework for desktop application development, you must install an integrated development environment (IDE). With the help of IDE, you will be able to write better codes, save time, and identify errors in your program’s source code.

Furthermore, keeping insight into your operating system and the framework for development, you can easily download and use IDEs such as XCode, Visual Studio, and so on.

6. Create the Application

After getting done with the initial five steps, at sixth, you can get started with the development of your desktop application. Before you start with this step, you need to remember that, you should have a list of every feature your app needs to function. Consider doing things slowly rather than trying to implement everything at once. In other words, finish one feature's implementation before continuing with the next. With the use of this technique, you may reduce misunderstanding during the development process and track your progress.

7. Test Your Application

After you are done with the aspect of coding, then comes the part to test your desktop application. Ensure that you check for all the features. Cross-check if all the features are working as expected. To acquire feedback, think about sharing your application with loved ones and close friends. Analyzing early user experience can be a crucial step in making your application better.

If at all feasible, seek the opinions of experienced application testers. They might spot problems that could impair the functionality of your application and might even offer suggestions for improvement.

8. Distribute the Application

You can start distributing your application to users as soon as it is finished. If your app is for Windows users, use the Microsoft Store; if it's for macOS users, use the Apple Store. As an alternative, you can direct customers to download and install your application from the website where it is hosted.

9. Track Progress

Following the distribution, you must monitor how your application is being used. To monitor and optimize the performance of your application, use analytical tools like Azure Monitor.

These are the steps that you will have to follow to create a desktop application. Want to learn about the steps to build a web application? Read our article and learn how to build a web app from scratch. Now let us cover different types of desktop application development frameworks.

Types of Desktop Application Development Frameworks

Efficient frameworks and toolkits are crucial for building desktop applications. These frameworks can make the development process easy and smooth. Now let us look at the different desktop app development frameworks.

Electron js

It is a straightforward and approachable desktop application framework that can be used in powerful cross-platform app development. To utilize this platform to its fullest potential and create native applications, this framework necessitates that developers possess a strong knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

WPF toolkit

The WPF toolkit contains WPF controls, utilities, and components that can be used to create the next generation of Windows applications. The majority of skilled programmers utilize this toolkit to produce fast WPF desktop applications. The toolkit is also well-liked among developers.

UWP

It is among the most efficient methods for creating desktop apps for Windows OS. WinRT APIs are used for the user interface of applications created using the UWP framework.

Cocoa

For the iOS and OS X operating systems, Cocoa offers an integrated programming environment, runtime system, and object-oriented framework. Developers of desktop applications can create mobile and desktop applications using Cocoa.

WinForms

Users can create the user interface for their Windows desktop application using the WinForms platform. It provides interactive UIs, a drag-and-drop editor, and data visualization.

These are some desktop-based application frameworks. These frameworks and toolkits might make it simple for the developers to complete the project as soon as possible. Now let us cover another major aspect, i.e., the future of desktop applications.

The Future of Desktop Applications

Now we will discuss the future of desktop applications. Is it safe to assume that web-based desktop applications are now dead? No, that’s a big NO. Desktop application development will not only continue but will also experience a huge spike in demand from businesses and users. If you want to know why people still use desktop applications, then let us take a look into various areas where it reigns supreme.

Desktop applications are more prevalent in areas such as games and personal computers. These two segments encompass typical tasks for which users use local applications. The most significant advantage of the desktop application is that they are more secure. When compared to a mobile app, desktop applications are less prone to attacks due to their nature. This benefit can be utilized especially by those organizations that carry out highly sensitive work within their business.

Today, desktop application is commonly used by a lot of businesses and particular users in their day-to-day life. People use it for several purposes like accessing the latest news and weather forecast, managing their financial matters, playing video games, etc. Desktop applications can also be used by businesses like banks' desktop apps that give access to customers' accounts and transaction details.

To sum it all up, we can say that the future of desktop applications is bright and promises to get brighter in the future. The scope of these apps has increased significantly due to the lack of proper mobile app development frameworks and the introduction of the UWP framework for Windows desktop applications. Another important aspect that cannot be overlooked is the importance of flutter now and in the future of desktop application development, wondering what is being talked about. Read on!

Flutter: Finest Framework for Windows Desktop Application Development

The most prominent framework for creating Windows desktop applications is Flutter. In comparison to other frameworks, Flutter has a number of cutting-edge features that allow developers to produce complex and highly interactive desktop apps. Using its performance-oriented, high-level APIs, Flutter offers you access to a variety of native capabilities and makes it simple to create personalized apps.

Flutter, a toolkit that uses Dart, natively supports UI and graphics technologies. It is highly recommended for creating responsive and interactive apps with the help of a rich collection of UI components. Flutter supports the creation of all sorts of applications from games and educational apps to utility apps.

As a framework for windows desktop app development, it is designed to take advantage of the rich features provided by the platforms it runs on through its optimized rendering engine and tools such as Realm, Flutter Flow, Rive, and Syncfusion for testing, compiling, and running projects.

Do you want to dive and learn more about how to develop powerful windows apps with flutter 2.10? Read our blog to get a better understanding.

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What is the Cost of Desktop Application Development?

A desktop app usually costs around $15,000 to build. However, the cost of developing a simple desktop app can range from $15,000 to $65,000. An average desktop app development cost can be between $70,000 and $150,000. And highly advanced and complex desktop application development costs can be around $20,000 and more.

In fact, desktop application development cost entirely depends on the end user. Every user has a different business need and demand. So, one cost cannot fit everyone. To get a cost estimation for the desktop application development, you can speak to our experts and get a free quote.

How Can Radixweb Help You with Desktop App Development?Radixweb has an experienced team of dedicated developers who are well-known for developing desktop applications. Our experts can help you create the most efficient, secure, and customizable desktop application with our custom desktop application development services for your business.We provide the best desktop application development services to a variety of industries, not only this but we at Radixweb also have expertise in mobile app development for Android and iOS. Our experts understand the needs and requirements of your business to develop a desktop application that meets all your business needs. Our solutions help you develop a desktop application that is secure, private, and easy to use for your business.Get in touch with our experts and let us create your next desktop application.