Software Development Kit (SDK)
A software development kit (SDK) is a code (written by a third party) that can be added to existing mobile or desktop apps to supplement their basic functionalities. SDKs help software developers create applications for that specific platform, system, application, or programming language. It’s like a toolkit that acts as the building blocks for the job.
Imagine that you’ve got a native app and want to add a social media component. Social media integration code for apps exists, so why reinvent the wheel? You might refer to the Facebook iOS SDK, for example, to find code that will enable you to incorporate these components into your app.
Some of the components that an SDK includes are:
- Compiler
- Debugger
- API
- Documentation
- Libraries
- Editors
- Runtime/development environment
- Testing/Analysis tools
- Drivers
- Network protocols
SDKs are especially great when there’s an opportunity to fundamentally improve the performance of your website or mobile app or provide a solution to a development obstacle that would otherwise have been difficult, time-consuming, or resource-intensive to resolve in-house.
