As applications need to operate across multiple environments, code portability has emerged as a topic of focus for developers. This guide will help you understand what code portability is and offer actionable steps so you can implement it yourself.
Code portability refers to the ability of applications and programs to run on different types of operating systems with minimal modification. It’s an ideal goal for developers who plan to deploy their code into different environments, as many types of internal and publicly available applications today operate on different hardware.
Developing portable code has many benefits for both developers and your application’s end users. Some of the most notable advantages include:
Some coding languages are more suitable for program portability than others. For example, Python, Java, and C are known for running virtually anywhere, across any OS. These three languages make it easier to develop applications that are more portable at the source level.
By contrast, most low-level programming and machine languages tend to not be portable because they’re optimized for the architecture of the system they’re on.
By using inherently portable programming languages as the foundation for your application, it’s easier to support it across multiple types of platforms or device types. This means you can lay the groundwork early, rather than going through the hassle of rebuilding a different version of the same program to be compatible across multiple operating systems and device types.
Having tools that can work across multiple operating systems makes it easier to build your code with portability in mind. These include compilers, libraries, and frameworks that can differentiate between different platforms and provide a consistent way to develop and run the code.
For example, cross-platform compilers make it easier to generate executable files across systems so they function the same way on every device.
Relying too heavily on the functionality of a given OS can be risky for multiple reasons. In addition to making it harder to write portable code from the start of the development process, it can also make updating and patching different versions more challenging and time-consuming. Therefore, it also makes them more expensive to resolve.
Keeping track of potential limitations and assumptions helps your future self, your team, and other developers understand the logic behind your code and its anticipated and actual behavior on different systems. It also makes configuring and using your code easier.
There are many different ways to document your code limitations. All of them involve leaving some type of paper trail other developers can follow. Some of the easiest ways to do so during and after the initial development lifecycle are:
Using conditional compilation simplifies the process of writing portable code. It defines the directives that compile some parts of your code but ignore others, all while making it easier to make your code easier to use across devices and operating systems.
Implementing these rules in your code prevents it from encountering potential OS-specific errors that it might encounter on other device types.
The “keep it simple, stupid,” or “KISS,” method is very much at work when you’re trying to develop portable code. By keeping your code as simple and streamlined as possible, you reduce the potential for it to contradict the code that helps each OS operate. As a result, your code will be easier to run across all environments.
Testing your code for functionality and security is the easiest way to ensure your app will perform as expected and be protected from potential threats from hackers. Adopting a DevSecOps methodology makes it easier to get into the habit of testing your proprietary and open-source components throughout the software lifecycle. You can detect potential vulnerabilities with your portable code earlier as a result.
Kiuwan’s software security testing tools allow you to keep security top-of-mind while improving portability. Request a free demo today to witness how Kiuwan can protect your application security no matter where your application goes.
