What is a software development kit (SDK)?

SDK stands for software development kit. An SDK is a set of tools to build software for a particular platform. These tools also allow an app developer to build an app which can integrate with another program–i.e. a mobile measurement partner (MMP) like Adjust.

SDKs not only let developers create new tools efficiently, but also make the process easier because everything is pre-built. New features just need to be made compatible with the current system.

There are two types of mobile SDKs:

Open source SDK: Code that the public has access to.

Closed source SDK: Code that is closely guarded and not easily accessible.

Some common tools that may be included in an SDK are:

• Libraries: Code for common functions and features, such as user interface controls, networking, and data storage.
• Debugging tools: Find and fix issues in the code.
• Documentation: Information on how to use the various components of the SDK.
• Integrated development environments (IDEs): Tools for writing, testing, and debugging code.
• Testing frameworks: Test code to ensure that it works correctly.
• Plug-ins: Integrations with popular development environments like Eclipse, Visual Studio, or Xcode.
• Application programming interface (API): Interact with various features and services of the platform or language.
• Sample code: A demonstration of how to use the APIs and libraries provided in the SDK.

These are just a few examples of the tools that might be included in an SDK. The specific tools and resources included in a mobile SDK will depend on the platform or programming language that it’s designed for.

SDK vs API

While an SDK and an API are related, they serve different purposes. An SDK is used to create applications for a specific platform or programming language. An SDK typically includes an API, but it also includes other resources like documentation, sample code, and development tools.

On the other hand, an API is a set of protocols, routines, and tools that specify how software components should interact with each other. An API provides a way for developers to access specific features or services of a system or application. APIs can be used to communicate with software libraries, web services, and operating systems.

A mobile SDK is typically integrated into the app by a developer. The SDK code can be added to the app directly. Throughout the development process, the developer may use debugging tools and testing frameworks provided in the kit to ensure that their code is working correctly.

Adjust’s open-source mobile SDK hosts a ton of features which stand out from the rest. For starters, you only have to integrate one SDK to begin tracking. The integration process is quick and functions on whatever platform or framework you have.

We support SDKs for multiple platforms, including an Android SDK, Windows SDK, and an iOS SDK! With the Adjust SDK integrated, you unlock conversion tracking, session analysis, and standard usage KPIs – all in about five minutes.

We work hard to minimize the size of our SDK, ensuring that it won’t take up much space on your app. Although the size of the Adjust SDK will vary depending on your integration, you can expect it to add around 50-60 kb to an Android app and between 600 kb (through CocoaPods) and 2,600 kb (through Carthage) to an iOS app.