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Programming your own app - getting started Guide




  In this article you will learn everything to take the next step to your first own app. What do you have to learn? Which platforms do you have to consider? Can you simplify your work and if so, how? It doesn't matter whether you already have programming experience or not. Are you in a hurry? Then look directly into this article about Apache Cordova.

What are apps?

 Apps are actually very normal computer programs, but they run on a mobile device. These have the special feature of being able to access the sensors and hardware of the device. The manufacturers provide so-called programming libraries for this. So you can use the hardware in your own app relatively easily (relatively, because you have to develop technical understanding). A feature that particularly stands out in apps is the touchscreen. Programmers have to design their apps so that they can be used on a small or large screen. Websites and app have to adapt to the size of the screen. If this is the case, an app or website is responsive. Nowadays, this requirement is actually quasi-standard. The creation of apps can be done by anyone who has learned to program and who appropriates the technologies for app development. However, there are a few differences, because depending on the manufacturer and operating system, you actually have to write your own app.

Which platforms can you develop apps for? What is to be considered?
Unfortunately, writing an app and then making it available for all devices is not as easy as you would imagine. Because the manufacturers program different operating systems that are not compatible with each other, you have to learn a different programming language and programming environment for each manufacturer. A bitter pill for a beginner, you want to cover as many areas as possible with your first app. There is still a way because you will learn later in this article. We come to the individual manufacturers:

Android

 Google’s Android is one of the most used operating systems for mobile devices. Many manufacturers such as Samsung, HTC, etc. produce their devices with Android. There is the so-called play store directly from Google in which you can find the apps and install them on your own device. There are other stores where you can get apps. Every manufacturer usually has its own store, and even large companies such as Amazon have their own app stores. To publish an app in such a store you have to register as a developer. This costs a one-time fee at Google and then you can offer your apps there for download or sale. If you sell your app, the store operator usually keeps a small commission. To develop for the Android platform you need Java knowledge and the Android SDK. Once you've installed that, you can basically get started.

iOS

 Apple’s iOS is the operating system for iPhones, iPads and iPods (and what else is mobile with i… from Apple). There is no manufacturer who uses this operating system, except Apple itself. The apps can be obtained via the so-called AppStore or iTunes. To add apps to this store you also have to register as a developer (Apple Developer Program) and pay an annual fee for it. There are also commissions to Apple for the sale of apps. To develop the apps you need an Apple computer with Mac OSX, because this is the only way the programming environment XCode runs. The whole thing can now be programmed either with Objective-C or Apple's new programming language Swift. Unfortunately, you cannot avoid your own Mac if you want to develop with these languages. There are options to operate the operating system without a Mac, but a lot of technical know-how is required. So getting started is quite expensive if you have never been immersed in the Apple environment.

Other platforms

There are also other players on this market. There are various operating systems from Blackberry to Windows Phone. All have their own programming environment, use a different programming language and also have their own stores in which the apps are offered.

What do I have to learn for this?

 So many different manufacturers, programming languages, operating systems, even the professional quickly becomes dizzy. Each language and library is structured differently and in principle you have to pay attention to special features everywhere. Apart from the fact that you should also have the devices on site for testing. If you want to get started in development, but you are still a complete beginner when it comes to programming, you will not be able to avoid familiarizing yourself with a programming language. We'll get to that in a moment. First of all, you should get to know the differences between the apps yourself.

Native apps

 Native apps are written in the manufacturer's programming language, see the section on platforms. You have to learn programming first, and preferably in the language for which you want to program an app. The respective language and environment for each platform. Another question is whether this work is worth anything to you. It must be worth it.

Web apps (or HTML5 apps)

If you are reluctant to write things twice or three times and don't want to deal with the different programming languages ​​of the different manufacturers right from the start, this is the solution. With web technologies you can also write entire applications. And wherever a modern browser can be run, a web-based program can also be run. There are great libraries, such as Apache Cordova, with which you can program a web-based app and practically use the same functionality that you know from native apps. These apps can even be brought to the AppStores. The cool thing: You develop a normal responsive web application and can convert it into a fully functional app with a few adjustments. The app looks the same on all platforms. You first learn only one programming language (Javascript) and can use it to build almost anything you can imagine. For someone who starts and doesn't really know what they want to build, this is ideal.

Can I offer my app on my computer / notebook?

 In the native area there is actually a clear no. Maybe it is possible to run an iOS app on a Mac, but I don't know anyone who has tried it before. That means, if you want to code an app that should also be used on the "big" computer when in doubt, you should also look for a programming environment where you can also write your apps. Right, another programming language / programming environment and everything that goes with it.

Wouldn't it be ideal if you could create all programs with just one language?

 It's a great thing to get started with, but you have to say that as soon as it becomes special or performance requirements increase, you should have enough manpower and develop it natively.
Problem to write certain things twice for the respective platforms. But a beginner doesn't have a 5-person crew. So you are faced with a choice. Your apps should run on all platforms, so to speak

Learn and write 3 times. Or you only make the app for one platform. Or you can learn Apache Cordova and get a lot to get you started

donated. The best thing: you develop your webapp as normal on the computer and can test all functions without the need for a mobile device. You can only use the emulator or download your app to your smartphone if you start adapting the mobile version. And when you're done, you'll have an app for mobile devices and an application for the computer. I have prepared an example, here you see a soundboard that I developed for my club and the Android version.

Can I make money and get rich with my first programmed app?

 Even if I find the motivation great and know it myself, which you have at the beginning. But unfortunately you have to say at the beginning that the first programs will not convince. My advice: do not start with your fat idea, because it will quickly kill and paralyze. Start with small mini projects, such as in our tutorials. Only then take a tiny little functionality out of your idea that you actually want to program and implement this mini function in your own program. This is the only way to increase the chance to collect some money for your app. The whole thing with marketing etc. not included.

You need this for your start and so you start by:

 My suggestion to you: If you have no idea about programming, start with web development and Javascript. This allows you to learn the basics and continue to use this language. A lot can be done with Javascript. If you are unsure, go through this tutorial. If you can't handle it, you have to start much earlier. Then you are definitely a candidate for our beginner course. If you are already familiar with web technologies, check out our article on Apache Cordova.


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