SDK : what is it? The explanation of the distinction between SDK and API

As more teams enter the market and our collective experience grows, code samples are becoming the foundation of today's website and app development. This is the reason why most modern code at most companies is a patchwork of different sources rather than a single cohesive piece of work, even with a wealth of instructions and now even AI tools. When it works, it works; when it doesn't, well, let's hope that's not the case.

However, this method may result in inconsistent work and an unpleasant user experience. For this reason, many services and platforms that cater to users introduce Software Development Kits, or SDKs. They frequently guarantee a flawless user experience while streamlining the process for developers.

We will go over the advantages of the SDK in great detail in this guide, along with the distinctions between the SDK and API and the reasons your app needs the Adapty SDK. Now let's move!

What is an SDK, or software development kit?

You can use a Software Development Kit (SDK), which is a necessary set of software tools and programs, to create applications for particular hardware, operating systems, or platforms. It functions as a complete package made to make the development process easier and more efficient, allowing you to create complex and effective applications more quickly.

Code samples, which are an essential part of it, offer real-world examples of how to apply particular features or address typical issues. These samples serve as an invaluable educational tool, illustrating best practices and assisting users through the process, particularly for novice developers or those unfamiliar with a given platform.

Additionally, SDKs include a wealth of documentation that provides thorough instructions and guidelines on how to use the tools and components inside the SDK. It helps developers understand the capabilities and constraints of the SDK by covering everything from setup and installation to particular use cases.

An SDK contains all the components, tools, libraries, and instructions needed to expedite the development process. Let's examine the contents of a normal SDK.

Tools in a software development kit

SDKs are equipped with a variety of components, each designed to support different aspects of the application development process. Here’s a closer look at some of the common components found within SDKs:

1. Code is transformed by compilers into an executable file, also known as a program or app. They convert high-level programming languages into lower-level languages that the computer processor can comprehend, such as machine code. The source code can be converted into executable applications using this procedure. Additionally, compilers optimize software to increase its effectiveness and performance.

2. Developers can find and fix errors or bugs in their code with the help of debuggers. They enable programmers to run their applications in a safe environment where they can monitor variable values, examine the program's current state, and step through the code line by line to see how the program functions when it is running. Certain SDKs also come with sandboxes or testing tools.

3. An integrated development environment is included in or supported by a large number of SDKs (IDE). An IDE is a feature-rich program that gives programmers an intuitive coding, compilation, debugging, and occasionally deployment interface for their applications. Code editors, building and debugging tools, and version control system integration are common features of integrated development environments (IDEs). An exemplary case in point is Apple's Xcode.

4. Developers can add specific functionality to their applications without starting from scratch by using libraries, which are collections of prewritten code. These can include, among other things, connectivity features, data manipulation capabilities, and graphical elements.

5. Application Programming Interfaces, or APIs, establish a set of guidelines and procedures for creating and utilizing software applications. This facilitates communication between various software components. Because libraries and APIs provide reusable parts and interfaces, development is sped up considerably.

6. For any SDK, thorough documentation is essential. Usually, it contains usage guidelines, feature descriptions, installation instructions, and API reference guides. In addition to providing helpful examples of how to implement features, tutorials and sample code are frequently included with the documentation. These resources help developers become familiar with common scenarios and the capabilities of the SDK.

Each of these elements contributes to accelerating development and lowering the entrance barrier for new services and platforms. Let's now discuss a few less evident advantages of utilizing an SDK.

What are the benefits of an SDK?

SDKs expedite the process of development. SDKs provide developers with a collection of pre-made tools, libraries, and code samples that they can utilize, saving them from having to start from scratch when creating fundamental components. For example, the Unity SDK offers sophisticated graphics rendering, physics engines, and networking libraries to developers of mobile games, freeing them up to concentrate on user experience and game design instead of underlying technical details.

Offer a Standardized Process. SDKs compile standard operating procedures and best practices for developing apps, guaranteeing that developers work in a uniform manner. When integrating third-party services or working with large teams, this standardization is very helpful. A consistent and dependable user experience across apps is achieved, for instance, by ensuring that developers can implement maps and location features in accordance with Google's recommended practices through the use of the Google Maps SDK.

Verify that it is compatible with the intended platform. Certain SDKs are created especially for the platforms on which they are used, guaranteeing compatibility and peak performance for applications developed on those platforms. The appropriate SDK, also called WatchKit, contains tools and interfaces designed specifically for the watch's unique hardware and software environment. This is what you would use if you wanted to create an app for the Apple Watch.

Cut expenses. SDKs drastically reduce development costs by reducing development time, reducing the need for thorough testing across various platforms, and removing the need to buy individual tools or libraries. For instance, a startup creating a cross-platform mobile application can save development and maintenance costs by using the Flutter SDK, which allows them to write the code only once and deploy it on both the iOS and Android platforms.

How does an SDK work

The following is a condensed overview of the actions a developer may take when launching an SDK:

1. Choose the Appropriate SDK. The first step in the process is to evaluate the project's needs. The target platform (iOS, Android, Windows, etc.), particular capabilities (like graphics, networking, database management), or features unique to a certain industry (like payment processing for e-commerce, GPS for location-based services) should all be taken into consideration when making your decision.

2. Once chosen, download and set up the preferred SDK. The SDK may be downloaded from within the IDE or may be pre-installed for integrated development environments (IDEs) such as Android Studio or Xcode.

3. Setting up your development environment to use the SDK is the next step. This could be importing the required libraries and frameworks into their project, setting path variables, or setting up the IDE to detect the kit. Usually, the setup procedure is carried out in accordance with the SDK documentation.

4. Examine the Sample Code and Documentation. Study the available sample code and become familiar with the documentation before starting any development. Whereas sample code will highlight particular features and best practices, documentation should provide a brief overview of the SDK's capabilities, API references, and usage instructions for its various components.

5. Launch the development process. Continue as before, but with the addition of new features, libraries, and capabilities. Assemble SDK components into your codebase and use the features they offer to improve their application.

6. Evaluate and rectify. Tools for testing and debugging applications are frequently included in SDKs. Make use of these tools to test apps under different scenarios, find and address bugs, and make sure the program functions properly on the intended platform. The SDK's debugging tools can assist in tracking down problems at their origin, which facilitates the maintenance of high-quality code.

7. Deployment is the simplest step! Tools for packaging the application, fulfilling platform-specific deployment requirements, and automating the deployment procedure are frequently included in SDKs. Deploying the application in accordance with the SDK guidelines guarantees that it complies with all applicable distribution standards and is compatible with the target platform.