In Cordova, platforms and plugins are key concepts that enable developers to build cross-platform mobile applications with access to native device features and functionalities. Here's an explanation of each concept:
Platforms :
* Platforms in Cordova refer to the target operating systems or mobile platforms on which the Cordova application will run. Examples of platforms supported by Cordova include iOS, Android, Windows, and others.
* Each platform has its own set of requirements, tools, and native APIs for building and running mobile applications. Cordova abstracts these platform-specific details and provides a unified development environment for targeting multiple platforms.
* Cordova allows developers to add, remove, and manage platforms within a Cordova project using the Cordova CLI. Developers can specify one or more target platforms when creating a new Cordova project or add/remove platforms later as needed.
* When a platform is added to a Cordova project, Cordova generates platform-specific project files and configurations for that platform, allowing developers to build and deploy the application for that platform.
Plugins :
* Plugins in Cordova are packages of code that provide access to native device features and functionalities, such as the camera, geolocation, contacts, file system, and device hardware.
* Cordova plugins encapsulate platform-specific native code (written in Java, Objective-C, Swift, etc.) and expose it to the web application layer via JavaScript APIs.
* Plugins enable developers to extend the capabilities of Cordova applications by accessing device-specific features that are not available through standard web APIs. They provide a bridge between the web application and native platform, allowing developers to access native functionality from their web applications.
* Cordova provides a vast ecosystem of plugins that cover a wide range of functionalities. Developers can use existing plugins from the Cordova Plugin Registry or community-contributed repositories, or create custom plugins to address specific requirements.
* Plugins can be installed, removed, and managed within a Cordova project using the Cordova CLI. Developers can specify plugin dependencies, versions, and configuration options when adding plugins to their projects.
* Once installed, plugins can be accessed from the application's JavaScript code like any other Cordova API, allowing developers to interact with native device features and functionalities seamlessly.
