How to Make a Desktop Application?

Desktop application development is easier when organizations know the steps needed to build them and understand how they differ from other applications.

Desktop applications offer business managers a more secure way to work. They break down walls between their teams and their clients and bring them together, helping both teams understand each other and collaborate more closely than ever before. This, in turn, ensures better outcomes across the board for both parties as a result.

However, how can organizations learn how to create a desktop application quickly and easily? Obviously, they need a solid foundation to do this including; custom software development services, a dedicated development team – and possibly even nearshore software development services.

But there are other questions organizations need to answer once they’ve set this foundation if they want their desktop application to be a true success.

Questions including how does desktop application development differ from web application development? What are the most popular programming languages for desktop application development? What are the benefits of developing a custom desktop application? How can desktop applications be integrated with other software or systems and what are the key considerations when choosing a framework for desktop application development?

The following article will answer all these, but first let’s start with the basics.

What is desktop application development?

Desktop application development involves creating software which can run successfully without the need for an internet connection for operating systems like Windows, macOS and Linux. Developers use languages such as JavaScript, Python, C# and Swift for these applications.

Cross-platform desktop app development, on the other hand, allows developers to create apps for multiple platforms, like iOS and Android, using a single codebase. Frameworks like Flutter, React Native and Xamarin streamline this process by enabling code to be reused with minimal effort on the part of developers which helps reduce development time and provides more consistent user experiences across devices.

Differences: desktop, web and mobile apps

When comparing desktop, mobile and web applications, it’s essential to understand their core distinctions:

• Desktop vs. mobile applications: Obviously the main difference here is in the names of the applications themselves. Desktop applications run on desktops and laptops etc., while mobile applications typically run on mobiles and tablets. However, though mobile devices share similarities with their more stationary counterparts they have limitations in connectivity and storage which need to be considered when developing applications for these platforms.
• Desktop vs. web applications: Desktop applications run locally on computers, whereas web applications are accessed via the internet and delivered from remote servers to local devices.

Learn more about: Cross platform app development frameworks

Types of frameworks

Choosing the right desktop development platform can boost productivity, reduce boilerplate code and simplify access to essential tools. Here are some top platforms for desktop application development:

Electron JS

This platform – built on Node.js and Chromium – is good for developing desktop applications due to its ability to deliver:

• Cross-platform development with a single codebase for Linux, Windows and macOS.
• A proven open-source structure with a large community for support.
• Automatic updates, crash reporting and analytics capabilities.
• Quick app distribution using Electron Forge.

Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF)

This platform is a solid choice for any desktop application development project due to its ability to deliver:

• UI creation with XAML while also being compatible with .NET, giving developers access to more extended libraries.
• Responsive layouts and advanced input handling.
• Tried-and-tested layout systems like Canvas and Grid to optimize responsiveness.

WinForms

This platform is a must for any business looking to develop its own desktop application due to its ability to deliver:

• A drag-and-drop editor for easy UI creation.
• Compatibility with .NET enabling it to produce interactive UIs and data visualization through DataGridView.

Cocoa

This platform is good for developing desktop applications as it comes complete with:

• A framework for macOS making it easier for developers to build key UI objects like sliders and text fields.
• High performance capabilities including features like memory management and multithreading.
• Multi-language support and networking capabilities.

Universal Windows Platform (UWP)

This platform is a solid choice for any desktop application development project as it comes with:

• Responsive layouts for Windows 10/11 including compatibility with various controls.
• Proven app distribution capabilities through Microsoft Store including options for monetization.
• Enhanced security through comprehensive resource permission settings.

However, choosing the right framework is only half the battle. To ensure you pick the right desktop development platform that works for your organization, you need to be aware of:

• Project requirements: For cross-platform apps, consider Electron Js. For Windows-specific apps with rich interfaces, WPF or UWP is ideal. For high-performance macOS apps, go with Cocoa.
• Dedicated development team expertise: Choose a platform that aligns with team skills across the entire organization. For this, web developers may prefer Electron Js, while teams using .NET might opt for WPF or WinForms, finally Swift/Objective-C teams should use Cocoa to get the most out of their projects.
• Target audience: Any developers who primarily use Windows should go with WPF, WinForms, or UWP. Meanwhile, macOS users should choose Cocoa, but any organization looking for broader audience appeal should use Electron Js for the best results here.

Organizations should evaluate these factors carefully if they want to select the most suitable platform, leading to a more successful desktop application development as a result.

How to develop desktop aplications?

Any organization looking to develop their own desktop application should follow the steps below if they want to implement their new application successfully:

• Create a concept and interest: Have a clear purpose and goals in mind as this will help teams stay motivated through challenges. Passion and clear objectives help drive success.
• Design the application: Plan the app’s purpose, audience and functionality before coding. Tools like Moqups, Mockplus, and Adobe XD can help create prototypes and mockups.
• Select a programming language: Choose the right language that will meet organizational needs.
• Choose a development platform: Selecting a suitable platform saves time and gives any business access to the right tools for building a quality app.
• Install an IDE – Use an IDE like XCode or Visual Studio to write better code and catch errors early.
• Develop the application: Build the app feature by feature, by focusing on features one at a time to avoid confusion and track progress.
• Test the application: Test all features and get feedback from users and professional testers to improve the app.
• Distribute the application: Publish the app on platforms like the Microsoft Store or Apple Store. Alternatively, organizations can always host their new app on their website.
• Track its progress: Use tools like Azure Monitor to track performance and optimize the app after distribution.

Desktop application development with Software Mind

All this is what you need to keep in mind when you’re considering anything in the realm of desktop application development. However, at Software Mind we know that desktop application development is easier said than done, and we also know that undertaking this kind of work can be extremely daunting.

That is where our experienced software experts come in. They can help choose the right desktop application development strategy for you quickly and easily by connecting with you to understand more about why you need to leverage such applications in the first place.

So, what are you waiting for? Our experienced software development team is happy to talk about what a properly implemented desktop application can do for you wherever you are.