How to Create Customized Plugins on Cordova?

Business applications can drive growth and success. Feature-rich applications give users better availability and access. As a result, user experience and satisfaction improve, and this can lead to more conversions and sales. However, your app must work on all platforms, so hybrid business applications are a wise choice. For hybrid app development, Cordova is a strong platform. In this tutorial, you learn how to create customized Cordova plugins.

What is Cordova?

Cordova is an open-source app development tool for hybrid mobile and web applications. It runs on a single codebase. It also helps you build feature-rich applications with a user-friendly UI/UX that supports business scalability.

One of the best features of Cordova is its huge plugin directory. Plugins make it easy to add native functions to your applications.

Why Build Customized Cordova Plugins?

However, sometimes you cannot find a plugin for a specific native function, even after you browse the whole plugin directory. Such cases need a more technical approach. You should not give up the native function you need just because no plugin exists yet. A wise approach is to write your own plugin.

When you build your own plugin, you call native code from JavaScript. You write JavaScript code that triggers the native code. Then the native code returns its results to JavaScript. This is how plugin development gives you native functions in your cross-platform business applications.

But plugin development involves many technical details and a lot of code. It is a tricky art. So, how can you create customized Cordova plugins?

Here is a Tutorial on How to Create Customized Cordova Plugins!

Develop Customized Cordova Plugins from Scratch

Cordova App Development is a great way to build feature-rich business applications. With your own plugins, you can add any native function you need.
So, let’s begin with the steps to write your own plugin on Cordova.

Step 1: Create a Project in Cordova

Work in Cordova starts with a Cordova project. Because you want to develop a new plugin, you need to create a new project. You can create it with a command line interface (CLI) or your preferred integrated development environment (IDE).
To create the project, run the command below.
$ cordova create LogicLinkApp com.endare.logiclinkplugin

Step 2: Add Your Desired Platform(s)

Cordova supports cross-platform and hybrid applications. So, choose the platform that you target with the native function. In this tutorial, we add the Android platform.
Run the command below to add the Android platform to your Cordova project.
$ cordova platform add android
When you add the platform, also make sure it saves to config.xml and package.json.

Step 3: Install Plugman

This tool helps you create the Cordova plugin. It is available globally, and you can install it with the following command.
$ npm install -g plugman
If the installation gives you trouble, Plugman has a help file that can assist you. Run the plugman help command to open it.

Step 4: Create a Plugin Folder

Run the below command:
$ plugman create --name --plugin_id --plugin_version [--path ] [--variable NAME=VALUE]
This command creates a folder in your Cordova project, named after the plugin you want to create.

Step 5: Generate a Plugin Template

Once you have your plugin folder, generate a plugin template. For this, add your platform to the plugin folder with the command below:
$ plugman platform add --platform_name android

Step 6: Add Plugin Information by Adding Package.JSON File

Once the plugin template exists, you are almost done. Now define your plugin by adding information about it. For this, add a package.json file to your plugin.
Run the command below:
$ plugman createpackagejson

Step 7: Install the Plugin

Your plugin is ready for installation. Add it to your Cordova project to get the native functions you want.
Run the command below to install the plugin in your Cordova project.
$ plugman install --platform android --project platforms/android --plugin ../LogicLinkPlugin/

This command copies your plugin into the src folder of your program. So, if you want to change the plugin later, you cannot edit it in your Cordova project. Instead, uninstall it first, set up a new Cordova project, make the changes and reinstall the plugin.

With this approach, it is easy to use native functions even in a webview. As a result, you can build a feature-rich and advanced application.

Plugin development is a tricky process with a technical approach. But with the right knowledge, you can master it. Happy developing! If you need help, see our mobile app development services.