Software Development Kit: Choosing and Using an SDK Correctly

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Software development kits have become an essential part of software development. This is because they enable companies to quickly develop apps, for example, and thus respond to a current demand in the market. It is therefore not surprising that a study by mobile measurement and advertising platform Adjust in 2021 found that SDKs are used in over 96 percent of the top apps on the market. Top software development tools include the Facebook SDK, Google Mobile Ads SDK and Google's Firebase SDK.

But how do companies find a suitable software development kit? And what do they have to look out for when using an SDK? We show you the potentials, but also the challenges of the technology and how you can use SDKs step by step to efficiently develop an application.

Software Development Kit - Definition

software development kit definition

Software development kit explained simply: A software development kit (SDK), also known as a software development management tool or software development planning tool, is a collection of tools, libraries and documentation that helps developers to create software applications for specific platforms, operating systems or frameworks. Among other things, an SDK has a range of programming interfaces (APIs) that developers can use to access certain functions or services and integrate them into their apps.

In addition, an SDK often includes compilers, debuggers, and other tools to help develop and test software. It also provides examples, tutorials, and guides to help developers get started with the development environment.

By using an SDK, developers can save time and effort by accessing code and pre-built functionality that has already been created - instead of developing everything from scratch.

SDKs are widely used in various fields, including mobile applications, web development, game development, and IoT (Internet of Things). They are created by enterprises, platform providers, and programmers to promote and support the development of applications on their platforms.

Software Development Kit vs. API

A software development kit and an Application Programming Interface (API) are both tools used in software development. However, they have different functions.

An SDK is a collection of tools, libraries, and documentation that help developers create software applications. It often includes pre-built functions, modules, and examples that facilitate development. An SDK provides programmers with a more comprehensive environment in which to create applications.

An API is an interface that allows applications to communicate with other software components. It defines the methods and protocols that can be used by an application to interact with a particular software or service.

In short, an SDK is a comprehensive application development toolkit, while an API is simply an interface that provides access to specific functions or services.

Software Development Kit - Components

A software development management tool consists of several components that help developers create applications for a specific platform. Here are the main components of an SDK:

Libraries

A collection of pre-built code that provides specific functions and features.

Documentation

A comprehensive guide and reference material to help developers understand and work effectively with the SDK.

Example code

Practical examples that show how certain functions of the SDK can be used. Developers can use them as a starting point for their own applications.

Tools and plugins

Various tools such as compilers, debuggers, and build systems that help developers develop, test, and deploy applications.

Simulator/Emulator

A software environment that allows developers to test their applications on the development computer without having to access the actual target device.

APIs

Application Programming Interfaces provide defined interfaces to access specific functions or services of the SDK. They enable interaction between the application and the SDK.

Types of Software Development Kits

These are the most common types of software development planning tools:

Integration SDKs

These enable the seamless integration of software components or services into existing applications. They offer ready-made functions and tools to simplify the integration process.

Platform SDKs

Platform Software Development Kits are specifically designed for developing applications on specific platforms such as mobile devices (e.g. iOS or Android) or web applications. They provide APIs and tools to access platform-specific features and resources.

Database SDKs

These provide access to databases and offer data manipulation, query and management functions. They facilitate the integration of databases into applications and provide an interface to interact with the database. Examples of database SDKs include the Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) Software Development Kit for Java applications and the Microsoft SQL Server SDK.

Hardware SDKs

Companies use them to interact with specific hardware, such as sensors, printers or cameras. They provide functions and APIs to access the hardware and integrate it into applications.

AI SDKs

AI SDKs support the development of applications with artificial intelligence (AI). They offer functions such as machine learning, image recognition or speech processing to integrate AI functions into applications. With an OCR SDK companies can, for example, automatically capture unstructured data from documents.

Konfuzio SDK as integration SDK

The Konfuzio Software Development Kit (SDK) acts as an effective integration SDK that enables the smooth integration of AI-based document processing functions into existing applications.

It provides pre-built features and tools to simplify the process of integrating and customizing AI-based document processing workflows.

In addition, the Konfuzio SDK enables connectivity to Github and Hugging Face, allowing AI engineers and data scientists to refine existing models.

Konfuzio SDK as platform SDK

Although the Konfuzio SDK was not developed specifically for a particular platform such as mobile or web, it can be considered as a platform SDK designed specifically for developing applications in the field of document processing and extraction. It provides APIs and tools for accessing platform-specific functions such as document processing, data extraction and data categorization. By using the Konfuzio SDK, users can develop customized solutions for specific document processing needs.

Konfuzio SDK as database SDK

The Konfuzio SDK can also serve as a database SDK, as it provides functions for accessing and manipulating data from documents. It facilitates the integration of data extraction and manipulation into applications and provides an interface for interacting with the extracted data.

In addition, the Konfuzio SDK supports human interactions in the learning process by implementing technologies for human-in-the-loop learning approaches.

This allows models to be refined and continuously improved by incorporating human expertise and feedback into the training process.

Talk to one of our experts now and let us advise you on how you can use the Konfuzio SDK for your company!

software development kit applications

Software Development Kit - Possible applications

Companies can use SDKs for a wide range of areas:

Platform and operating system development

SDKs enable developers to create applications that run on specific, digital platforms or operating systems. For example, Android and iOS software development kits provide developers with the necessary resources to create mobile apps for these platforms.

Game development

SDKs are essential for video game development. They provide special tools for creating graphics, physics simulation, collision detection, and audio processing. Popular game SDKs include, for example, the Unity Engine and the Unreal Engine.

cloud computing

SDKs enable developers to access and use cloud services. These SDKs provide APIs and tools to connect to cloud platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud.

Internet of Things (IoT)

SDKs play an important role in the development of IoT applications. They provide APIs and libraries to connect devices, collect and process data, and create applications for the IoT. A well-known IoT SDK is the Arduino SDK for programming microcontrollers.

Software Development Kit - Benefits

Software development planning tools offer a variety of benefits for developers. Here are some of the most important benefits:

Simplified development

An SDK provides developers with pre-built tools, features, and code samples to help them develop applications faster and easier.

Cross-platform compatibility

With an SDK, developers can create applications for different platforms without having to rewrite the code each time. This saves time and resources.

Improved functionality

An SDK often contains special functions and libraries that give developers access to advanced features. This allows them to add functionality to their applications and improve the user experience.

Updates and maintenance

Developers benefit from regular updates and maintenance services provided as part of the SDK. This allows them to keep their applications up to date and fix any bugs or security vulnerabilities.

Documentation and support

An SDK usually comes with detailed documentation and support materials. Developers can use these resources to learn about the SDK's functionality and usage, and to get support when needed.

Advanced integration

With an SDK, developers can seamlessly integrate their applications with other software components or third-party services. This improves interoperability and opens up new opportunities for functional enhancements.

Community and ecosystem

Many SDKs have an active developer community and a strong ecosystem. This gives developers the opportunity to share ideas, learn best practices, and network with other software engineers.

Software Development Kit - Challenges

SDKs can bring these challenges and issues:

Complexity

An SDK can be very complex and requires extensive technical understanding to use it effectively. Developers therefore often need to invest a lot of time to understand the functionality and structure of the SDK.

Documentation

It is true that SDKs come with detailed documentation. However, some documentation is concise or confusingly worded. Developers need clear instructions, examples, and reference documents to successfully use the SDK. Missing or inaccurate information can lead to frustration and wasted time.

Dependencies

An SDK may be dependent on other libraries or frameworks. It can be difficult to manage these dependencies and ensure that they are compatible with other parts of the application. Conflicts between different versions of dependencies can occur and must be handled.

Updates

The SDK needs to be updated regularly to fix bugs, introduce new features, and keep pace with other technologies. However, these updates can cause incompatibilities with older versions and require careful planning and migration.

Performance

A poorly optimized SDK can affect the performance of the application. It can cause delays, resource bottlenecks, or undesirable behavior. Developers need to ensure that the SDK is efficient and well aligned with the specific requirements of the application. For example, a 2019 study by Purdue University showed that SDK integration can lead to an increase in mobile app crashes.

Data Privacy

A 2020 study by the International Computer Science Institute found that many SDKs collect sensitive information from users without adequately informing them. It is therefore important to review the privacy policies of SDK providers and consider the privacy implications for users.

What makes a good Software Development Kit

A good software development kit brings these components with it:

Clear and comprehensive documentation

A good SDK provides well-structured and easy-to-understand documentation that contains all the necessary information. Developers should be able to quickly and easily find the functions and application examples they need.

Simple integration

The SDK should be easy to integrate into existing software projects. A clear and uniform interface enables developers to use and implement the SDK quickly.

Support for different platforms

A good SDK provides support for different platforms, such as web, mobile, or desktop. Developers should be able to use the SDK for their specific requirements - regardless of which platform they are working on.

Abstraction of complex tasks

The SDK should provide an abstraction layer to make complex tasks easier for developers. By hiding technical details and providing a simple interface, developers can focus on the actual functionality without having to deal with the complexity of the underlying technology.

Extensive functionality

A good SDK should provide a wide range of functions and tools to cover different use cases. It should enable developers to solve complex tasks efficiently and effectively without having to write additional code.

Regular updates and support

An SDK should be updated regularly to fix bugs, add new features and keep up with the latest technological developments. In addition, good technical support from the SDK provider is important to get help quickly when problems or questions arise.

Good performance

A compelling SDK should offer good performance to enable fast and responsive applications. It should work efficiently and be resource-efficient to ensure optimal use of available resources.

Flexibility and adaptability

The SDK should be flexible enough to meet the individual requirements of developers. It should offer various configuration options and be extensible to adapt to different projects and applications.

software development kit open source

Software Development Management Tools as Open Source

There are a variety of software development management tools available to developers as open source. These include, for example, these:

Android SDK

The Android Software Development Kit enables the development of Android apps. It provides tools, libraries and APIs to access the functions of the Android operating system.

iOS SDK

The iOS Software Development Kit enables the development of apps for iOS devices such as iPhones and iPads. It offers a comprehensive collection of tools, frameworks and APIs specifically for the iOS platform.

React Native

React Native is a framework that enables developers to build cross-platform mobile apps using JavaScript and React. It uses native components to optimize performance.

TensorFlow

TensorFlow is an open source deep learning framework. It provides a collection of tools, libraries and resources for the development of AI software and machine learning applications.

OpenCV

OpenCV is an open source computer vision library. It provides an extensive collection of algorithms and functions for image and video processing, object detection and tracking.

Node.js

Node.js is a JavaScript runtime environment. It enables the development of server-side applications using JavaScript. It provides a wide range of modules and libraries for web application development.

Qt

Qt is a C++ framework for developing cross-platform applications. It provides tools, libraries, and APIs for developing desktop and mobile applications.

Software Development Tools Guide

To efficiently develop an application with an SDK, you should follow these 10 steps:

  1. Download SDK

    Visit the official website of the SDK provider and download the SDK. Make sure that you choose the right version for your development environment.

  2. Follow installation instructions

    Open the Software Development Kit installation package and follow the instructions of the installation wizard. Make sure that all the required dependencies are installed.

  3. Configure project

    Create a new project in your development environment. Set up the project environment to use the SDK. This may mean that you need to configure paths, dependencies, or compiler options.

  4. Integrate SDK into the project

    Add the SDK to your project. This may vary depending on your development environment. Typically, you need to add the SDK libraries or files to your project and configure the compiler accordingly.

  5. Study documentation

    Read the SDK documentation thoroughly. Learn what features and APIs the SDK provides and how to use them. Understand the concepts and best practices of the SDK.

  6. Use sample code

    Review the SDK sample codes that are usually included. Study these examples to see how the SDK works in action. Experiment with the sample code to get a better understanding.

  7. Application Development

    Use the SDK to develop your application. Call the SDK functions, set the correct parameters, and handle the return values appropriately. Track the SDK logs and error messages to identify and fix problems.

  8. Error handling

    Implement appropriate error handling in your application. Check if the SDK provides error codes or exceptions and catch them to detect and react to error conditions.

  9. Check updates

    Stay up to date on new SDK versions and updates. Regularly check the vendor's website or subscribe to notifications to ensure you learn about important changes or security patches.

  10. Give feedback

    Provide feedback to the SDK vendor about your experience with the SDK. Share bug reports, improvement suggestions or feature enhancements to contribute to the further development of the SDK.

FAQ

What is a Software Development Kit?

A software development kit (SDK) is a collection of tools, documentation, and code libraries that developers can use to create applications for a specific software platform or hardware environment. SDKs provide pre-built, simple functions and APIs to simplify development and enable interaction with the platform.

What open source software development management tools are available?

Well-known examples of open source software development management tools are the Software Development Kit for Android, for iOS as well as the Django SDK and the TensorFlow SDK. These kits provide developers with a variety of features and tools to create software efficiently and productively. Open source SDKs are a popular choice for developers because they are flexible, customizable, and supported by a dedicated community.

When is a Windows Software Development Kit necessary?

A Windows Software Development Kit is necessary if developers want to create Windows applications efficiently. It contains tools, libraries, documentation and analysis tools to facilitate development. The SDK provides access to Windows-specific functions and enables the creation of applications for different platforms, including desktop, mobile and web. Developers can use the SDK to write code, compile, debug and optimize developed software for the Windows platform.

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