Question 1

Capacitor plugins vs Cordova plugins which is better

Accepted Answer

Capacitor plugins are modern, official alternatives to Cordova plugins, designed specifically for Capacitor apps with better performance and native integration. They offer a more consistent API but require using the Capacitor runtime, whereas Cordova plugins have a larger legacy ecosystem but can be clunkier. For new Ionic or Capacitor projects, Capacitor plugins are generally recommended.

Question 2

How to add Capacitor plugins to my app

Accepted Answer

Install plugins via npm (e.g., `npm install @capacitor/action-sheet`), then sync with native platforms using `npx cap sync`. Refer to the plugin-specific documentation on capacitorjs.com for configuration steps, such as adding permissions in iOS/Android manifests.

Question 3

Are Capacitor plugins free for commercial use

Accepted Answer

Yes, all official Capacitor plugins are open-source under the MIT license, allowing free use in both personal and commercial projects. However, some independent or community plugins might have different licenses, so always check the repository.

Question 4

What happens if I use the wrong Capacitor plugin version

Accepted Answer

Mismatched versions can cause runtime errors or broken features, as emphasized in the README's version warnings. Always ensure plugin versions align with your Capacitor core version—for example, use 8.x plugins only with Capacitor 8 to avoid compatibility issues.

Question 5

How to handle push notifications with Capacitor

Accepted Answer

Use the @capacitor/push-notifications plugin to register for and handle remote notifications. It requires platform-specific setup, like configuring APNs for iOS and FCM for Android, with detailed steps in the official documentation. Additional server-side code is needed for sending notifications.

Question 6

Capacitor plugins performance overhead

Accepted Answer

Plugins bridge JavaScript to native code, introducing minor latency compared to fully native apps, but this is typical for hybrid frameworks. For most use cases, the impact is negligible, but performance-critical apps might need optimization or custom native modules.

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