Software development kit facts for kids
A software development kit (SDK) is like a special toolbox for people who create computer programs and apps. It's a collection of tools that helps them build new software. Think of it as a kit with everything a builder needs, but for digital creations!
SDKs often include things like a compiler (which turns code into a program a computer can understand) and a debugger (which helps find and fix mistakes in the code). They also sometimes have a software framework, which is like a ready-made structure to build on.
These toolkits are usually made for a specific type of computer or operating system, like Android phones or Apple iPhones. If you want to make an app with cool features like showing ads or sending notifications, you'll often need a specific SDK for that.
For example, if you want to make an Android app using the Java programming language, you'll need the Java Development Kit. For Apple's iOS apps, you need the iOS SDK. There are also SDKs that add extra features to apps, like tools to see how people are using the app or ways to make money from it. Big companies like Google and Facebook create many of these helpful SDKs.
What is an SDK?
An SDK can be simple, like a set of instructions (called an application programming interface or API) that lets your app use certain features. It might also include ready-to-use pieces of code called libraries. These libraries have functions that programmers can use without writing everything from scratch.
Some SDKs are more complex. They might include special tools that help software talk to specific hardware, like parts of an embedded system (a computer system designed for a specific function).
Common tools found in an SDK include ways to fix problems (debugging tools) and other helpful programs (utilities). These are often put together in a single workspace called an integrated development environment. SDKs also usually come with sample programs, notes, and tutorials to help developers learn how to use them.
How SDKs are Used
SDKs often come with rules about how you can use them, called licenses. These rules make sure the SDK is used correctly. For example, some SDKs are made for free software, while others are for software that is sold.
On average, an Android mobile app uses about 15 or 16 different SDKs. Gaming apps often use even more, around 17 or 18. The most common types of SDKs used in Android apps are for understanding how people use the app (analytics) and for showing advertisements.
Keeping Apps Safe
SDKs run inside apps, but they can sometimes have their own separate code. This means that if an SDK has problems or is designed badly, it could cause issues for the app. Sometimes, a faulty SDK might accidentally share a user's private information or make the app run slowly. In serious cases, an app using a problematic SDK could even be removed from app stores like Google Play or the App Store.
Luckily, new technologies help app developers keep an eye on the SDKs they use. They can control and monitor them in real time to make sure everything is working well and safely.
Sometimes, instead of saying "software development kit," companies use a more specific name. For instance, companies like Microsoft and Citrix offer a "driver development kit" for creating device drivers. These are special programs that help your computer talk to hardware like printers or webcams.
Examples of SDKs
Here are some examples of software development kits used for different platforms:
- AmigaOS NDK
- Android NDK
- iOS SDK
- Java Development Kit
- Java Web Services Development Pack
- Microsoft Windows SDK
- VaxTele SIP Server SDK
- Visage SDK
- Vuforia Augmented Reality SDK
- Windows App SDK
- Xbox Development Kit
See also
- Game development kit
- Widget toolkit
