Cross-platform development stands for building software applications that can function on multiple platforms or operating systems, such as Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. It is an approach in which developers build applications that can run on different operating systems without compromising the functionality and user experience.

In today’s world, mobile apps have become an integral part of people’s lives, and they demand a seamless experience across all devices. With cross-platform app development, you can achieve that consistency, as it allows developers to write a code once and deploy it across different platforms.

In simple words, instead of creating separate applications for different platforms, cross-platform development enables the creation of a single application which can run on multiple platforms. It helps developers save time, effort, and resources, as they do not need to write a separate codebase for each platform.

Cross-platform development also offers several benefits to businesses. It helps them reach a wider audience and improve their brand recognition. Since the codebase is the same, maintenance and updates are also easier, which results in faster delivery times and lower cost.

There are several frameworks and tools available for cross-platform development. Some popular frameworks include React Native, Flutter, Xamarin, and Ionic. These frameworks provide pre-built components and libraries that help developers write code that is compatible with multiple platforms.

But, cross-platform development also comes with some limitations. The foremost is that not all features of a platform can be utilized as the development is based on the lowest common denominator. It can make the app less efficient than one designed specifically for one platform. Another limitation is that cross-platform development may reduce app performance, but with advancements in technology, such limitations are reducing as new frameworks and tools are being released.

In conclusion, cross-platform development is a powerful approach to build applications that work seamlessly across multiple platforms. It offers several benefits to businesses, such as cost-effectiveness, faster delivery times, and wider audience reach, and eases the burden of maintaining and updating applications. Though it comes with some limitations, it’s still a compelling option for businesses that want to deliver consistent and high-quality applications across platforms.