Beginner Guide to SDKs: The What and Why Explained

Purple layered logo with the text 'SDK' in white, set against a dark purple background.

App development is a lucrative business for many companies and independent teams. It's the fascinating and creative process of building something from nothing! Yes, although it involves many technical skills, it's a goal that requires inspiration, like introducing apps that offer something innovative.

Yet, it isn't easy to be on top of everything, and getting help sometimes eases the development process. An SDK (Software Development Kit) is one of the helpers, streamlining the app development journey. But what exactly is an SDK, and what weight does it carry in the developers' world? This guide explains this concept and digs deeper into its influence.

What is an SDK?

An SDK (Software Development Kit) refers to different collections of libraries, code, documentation, and other tools. The purpose of such resources is to make app development easier and faster. Each SDK can be a component you add to your project, improving or extending its features. With theSDK explained appropriately, developers can fully understand how to use it for building applications.

Examples of SDKs

For now, it might not be easy to imagine what an SDK actually is. Let us illustrate through some actual examples:

  • An SDK can be a library containing code samples that you can use for your project. For example, a packaged piece of code could add a particular feature to your system.
  • Documentation is also crucial for developers. They might involve explanations on how to seamlessly integrate SDK into your project.
  • An SDK can have a complete set of tools, including IDEs and testing utilities.

Benefits of SDKs

The benefits of SDKs include the following:

  • SDKs are aimed at more efficient development. After all, you can add pre-built components to your application without having to write them.
  • The faster development is also a benefit, meaning you'll get to spend time on other features.
  • An SDK can also simplify different integrations and procedures beyond development. For instance, debuggers or testing tools are important in getting your app ready for users.
  • Developers can save a lot of resources and money by using SDKs.

What is a good SDK?

You can find many SDKs online. And while going for the most popular ones is simple, you might consider less well-known options. For the most part, look for these signs to recognize if an SDK is worth your time:

  • An SDK should not be overly complicated, and proper documentation should be available.
  • Always verify the source of the SDK to be sure that you can use it without worrying about malware or other risks.
  • Security is an important aspect of SDKs. So, double-check if the SDK follows the necessary security guidelines.

What about APIs?

Many SDKs offer APIs (Application Programming Interface), and many beginners might confuse these two components. While an SDK is a collection of tools, an API usually has a very specific purpose. An API is the code users add to their projects to facilitate communication between multiple software programs.

In today's connected world, it's natural for apps to require data from other services. For example, a Single Sign-On option also works on the API principle. So, suppose you notice SSO options when registering for a new app. In that case, it has integrated an API to establish communication with, say, Google. When you choose to log in using Google, the app requests information from Google about you. Then, the app can add that information into its system and make a user.

Using an SDK in app development

Starting to use an SDK essentially means finding one that is appropriate for your project. For instance, you might go for the iOS SDK if your goal is to develop an iOS application. However, SDKs help integrate different resources and features, like the Google Cloud SDK.

Developers must download or purchase the necessary SDK and integrate it into their projects. Plenty of documentation usually simplifies this process. However, it is also possible to contact SDK owners for assistance.

In general, SDKs have a tremendous impact on mobile app development. For example, your app might need Google Maps to manage certain functionalities. So, using Google Maps SDK is the way to go and have easy access to maps. However, SDKs are broadly used in different spheres, including game development. Usually, whatever feature you wish your app to have, there's an SDK for it!

Conclusion

SDKs revolutionized app creation, offering significant benefits to developers. Getting pre-built code is an effective way to save resources and time. Of course, it does involve learning how to properly integrate different SDKs into your project. And while you save money on development, you need to perform careful testing.