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What is a software development kit (SDK)?

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A software development kit, commonly referred to as an SDK, is a comprehensive set of software development tools that allow developers to quickly build applications for specific operating systems or devices.

SDKs contain code libraries, documentation, and utilities that help streamline the development process by providing pre-written code for common tasks.

Join us in this blog as we explore the details of software development kits, how they work, the different types, and the most common questions about them. Let’s start to discover more about SDK!

How does the SDK work? What are the types of SDKs?

An SDK works by providing developers with the necessary components to easily develop software applications for a specific environment. These components typically include programming libraries, sample source code, documentation, and development tools.

For example, an iOS SDK would contain code libraries for tasks like displaying user interfaces, networking functions to access APIs, and documentation explaining how to use these components.

Developers can quickly handle common tasks by copying or adapting the provided sample code. SDKs handle a lot of the low-level functionality, so developers can focus on building out their unique applications.

Depending on the context, different types of SDKs specialize in certain development domains. Choosing the right SDK type is important to maximize the available functionality for a given project. For example:

  • Banking SDKs contain tools focused on payments, transfers, and account access.
  • Blockchain SDKs enable the construction of decentralized applications.
  • Storage SDKs facilitate easy access to cloud file systems.
  • Mobile SDKs streamline cross-platform development.
  • The.NET SDK supports Microsoft stacks.

What are the SDK benefits?

SDKs deliver numerous advantages for developers. They accelerate the development process by offering reusable code that can perform tasks like network requests, data storage, payment processing, and more. This speeds up the entire timeline to build and launch an application.

They also ensure applications are compatible with the target platform and can leverage its full set of capabilities. Additionally, maintenance is easier since SDK providers handle backward compatibility and issue security patches.

What is the purpose of the SDK?

The core function of an SDK is to provide a simplified application programming interface (API) for platforms and services. Instead of requiring developers to use low-level system interfaces directly, SDKs handle the complexity through high-level abstractions.

This hides unnecessary technical details and streamlines the development workflow. For example, a mobile SDK encapsulates device-specific functions through its object-oriented API instead of forcing developers to work with raw operating system calls.

The same concept applies to other types of SDK; they aim to reduce barriers to integrating common cross-cutting concerns into applications through abstraction. This ultimately accelerates development cycles. Make sure to check out “SDK vs. API” for a detailed comparison.

types of SDK

How to use an SDK?

Properly integrating an SDK into an application requires some planning. Here are the typical steps:

  • Download the relevant SDK from its provider's website after selecting the target language and platform.
  • Review the SDK documentation to understand its programming interface and available functionality. Documentation is usually extensive.
  • Incorporate the SDK code and dependencies into the application project in accordance with integration guidelines.
  • Initialize the SDK and call its functions, classes, and methods to incorporate supported services.
  • Handle any errors or exceptions that surfaced during integration testing.
  • Monitor logs and documentation for SDK updates or patches released over time.

Following best practices around setup, usage, and updating ensures minimal issues while benefiting from enhanced capabilities and ongoing maintenance by the SDK vendor. Regular testing also helps identify potential bugs before launch.

What is an SDK example?

Let's explore how to integrate EURK, a secure euro stablecoin, using a cryptocurrency SDK. EURK empowers innovation with reliability and efficiency as a 1:1 euro pegged stablecoin built on multiple blockchains.

A cryptocurrency SDK would expose functions to generate ERC20 compliant EURK tokens on Ethereum, receive and send them across networks using corresponding euro stablecoin wallet addresses, retrieve price data from aggregators, and more.

This simplified the process compared to directly handling smart contract interactions or programming custom blockchain logic from scratch.

What are the SDK tools?

SDKs ship with various integrated tools to assist development workflows.

Common SDK examples include:

Debuggers

Facilitate debugging applications by setting breakpoints, inspecting variables, and profiling performance.

Emulators/simulators

Test applications on target devices, such as mobile phones, without direct hardware access.

Build tools

Automate processes like compiling code, managing dependencies, packaging, and deployment.

GUI designers

Speed up creating user interfaces visually instead of purely in code.

Code editors

Custom text editors tune for the SDK's programming language.

Documentation tools

Generate API references and guides based on code metadata.

These pre-packaged tools avoid unnecessary workarounds and ensure a smoother development experience aligned with SDK best practices and standards.

Why are SDKs important?

According to recent statistics, over 85% of people in India do not have access to a local bank branch, and 30–40% of Kenya's population rely solely on mobile money for financial needs.

This highlights a huge global opportunity around financial services innovation to reach those currently underserved or unbanked. SDKs fuel this progress by empowering startups and enterprises alike to build secure, scalable solutions rapidly at lower costs.

For example, startups in emerging markets creating crypto payment options for daily needs could leverage a cryptocurrency SDK like EURK. EURK is a euro stablecoin platform that offers transparent transactions that are fast and secure.

This allows focusing on unique business models instead of expending effort on core technical challenges around secure transactions already addressed in high-quality, well-tested SDK benefits. In turn, this breeds innovation that expands financial access globally for unbanked or underserved populations.

software development kit

Is an SDK just a library?

While libraries are a core component of SDKs, they provide more robust and full-featured development frameworks overall. Compared to traditional libraries, SDKs provide:

  • Unified, complete APIs vs. individual library functions
  • Supporting tools, utilities, emulators, and debuggers
  • Extensive documentation and samples
  • Framework and dependency updates are used for maintenance
  • Standard practices aligned with target platforms
  • Consistent patterns for feature extensions

Therefore, while an SDK may utilize libraries under the hood, it abstracts complexity to a higher level and handles much of the integration plumbing. This forms an integrated and cohesive development environment rather than just a set of independent libraries.

What is the difference between SDK, API, and library?

To summarize the distinctions:

  • The library is the reusable code that provides functions or classes for common tasks.
  • API is the programming interface exposing services via endpoints or methods.
  • SDK is the unified development framework, including libraries, APIs, tools, and documents for a platform.

While related, each serves a progressively broader purpose: libraries focus on code reuse, APIs on service access, and SDKs aim to optimize the entire development workflow for a given ecosystem through integration.

What is the advantage of SDK over API?

SDKs offer several key advantages over standalone APIs, including:

  • Simplified service integration through high-level abstractions
  • Bundled libraries provide a wider range of functionality than core services
  • Documentation, samples, and tools provide a comprehensive context.
  • Encapsulation of non-core concerns like data handling, authentication, etc.
  • Adherence to industry standards and best practices for a specific context
  • Vendor support across the technical and business aspects of integration

To sum up SDK vs API: while APIs remain important as the connective fabric, SDKs provide a superior developer experience through the holistic solutions they create around core services.

The bottom line

SDKs have transformed into essential productivity boosters for developers across industries. By handling cross-cutting complexities, they empower infinite possibilities for innovation on platforms.

Their importance will only continue to grow as applications diversify into new domains. Choosing the right SDK benefits projects to minimize friction and maximize the outcomes of human ingenuity.

EURK euro stablecoin can be integrated into a cryptocurrency SDK to generate ERC20-compliant tokens, send them across networks, and retrieve price data. This allows startups in emerging markets to focus on unique business models, thereby expanding financial access globally.

If you want to learn more about the euro stablecoin ecosystem, EURK euro stablecoin is here for you as the best stablecoin for the euro currency.

You can directly buy EURK on secure crypto exchanges like Bitay, KoinBX, and Coinstore and become a partner. Integrate EUR stablecoin into your projects today with EURK!

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