My stint with mobile applications started with developing a mobile version of my company site. One of my clients suggested I use a mobile framework known as Sencha Touch.
Sencha Touch is a JavaScript library with a rich set of UI components that can be used to build mobile applications. The UI components automatically render themselves based on the type of the mobile device you use. The styling of these UI components is extremely rich with the touch effects, tap/pinch/swipe events in-place.
When I tried to to use Sencha Touch the syntax hurt me a lot initially. Imagine writing few lines of Object-Oriented JavaScript code to even create a component as simple as a Text box. After struggling for a couple of days with Sencha Touch I decided to push it aside, learn Ext JS 4 and then resume my coding with Sencha Touch.
Ext JS 4 is a programmer’s delight. It’s a complete OO JavaScript library. Sencha Touch is built upon it. Ever since I learnt Ext JS 4, working with Sencha Touch has been extremely easy. The modularity that Sencha Touch, through its implementation of MVC pattern, brings to the plate is awesome for JavaScript programmers (!#$%^).
But yes, if you are working with jQuery Mobile, Sencha Touch will frustrate you badly. jQuery being extremely popular and most widely used currently, jQuery Mobile is pretty easy to pick up and develop mobile applications, particularly if you’re already exposed to jQuery. A lot of UI designers I know hate to work with Sencha Touch because it makes them write complex code. Their choice is jQuery Mobile for designing mobile applications because of its’ sheer simplicity.
I am planning to post a series of articles on jQuery Mobile and Sencha Touch.
And, ahhhh yes, there is Dojo Mobile too, in the fray now.