适用于带有Google Maps的Android导航应用程序的Java与HTML5

Question

I want to develop a navigation app like "Find my Car" or something. For the navigation and the map i want to use the google maps api.
Now i must decide, which language i want to use. Java vs. HTML5.
I'm more familiar with Java, but in the Google Maps API documentation, it would be easier to develop with HTML5, is it?

The application must run on a android phone. So what is better to use: Java, which i'm more familiar, or with HTML5, which (i think) is easier to use in combination with Google Maps.

Hope you can help me, i must decide me in approximately one hour.

Answer 1

Generally, I would not say that the answer is always Java. It actually depends on your needs, like always.

The great thing when you use HTML5 (you could try PhoneGap: http://phonegap.com/ ) is that it will work on multiple different systems, whereas a native Android app won't.

On the other hand, in a native App, you will be able to access to the whole Android API, and it will be more powerful as well.

As a conclusion, if you need a powerful app processing images in real time, you want a native application. But if you want something simple that could easily be rendered in HTML5 and you potentially will create the same application on a different system (say, IOS), then HTML5 will make you earn precious time.

And in the case where there is not a clear "good" way to follow, simply choose the one in which you are more comfortable: as long as you can create an application that answer your needs, it will be the most productive way.

And always keep in mind that it is possible to include a "WebView" in an Android native app, which means that you can have best of both worlds.

In your very situation, it seems that Android already has some nice features for using Maps (most probably better than the HTML5 version). That might help your decision.

Answer 2

if you're developing an app (not game) in Android the answer is always Java! Always!

and implementing maps in Android in its native Java is as simple as 1.2.3 https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/android/

Answer 3

Language, IDE, platform ... everything is tool. What will you use depend on the needs of your application. I work with both techniques. When you'll develop an application that uses many resources linked to hardware (eg accelerometer, gps...), it is advisable that you use a native language, it saves battery and you has the maximum advantage of the device, gaining in performance.

Now if you'll develop an application that uses few hardware resources, the most interesting solution is HTML5 (example: PhoneGap, SenchaTouch, Titanium, etc..).

In my years of experience, before deciding how to develop I wonder what I will develop, so as to see which one best meets my need!