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General Discussion

Posted by Danny Slewa
Danny Slewa
2,294 Points

if i want to begin creating apps. what should i start learning? what should i do in order...

i want an app to work on all mobile platforms. i dont know where to start learning and where to go after that. please help

5 Answers

Rob Bridges
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Rob Bridges
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Graduate 35,467 Points
Rob Bridges
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree seal-36
Rob Bridges
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Graduate 35,467 Points

Hello, apps are primarily created in Objective C for ios apps that run on apple products, and the java language is used for all android devices.

There are services out there that like PhoneGap that will convert html5 CSS and javascript into apps on those devices, though these platforms have reliability issues as the languages are very far apart.

Google has a service that can convert your java Code to Objective C, but again this is gonna cause a lot of errors because the languages are worlds apart.

If you want to reach the largest market, than learning android and Java is your best bet. as 81% of the smartphones on the market are android.

Apple comes second.

Windows being third.

In short, if you want to program for android learn java and android. If you'd prefer to develop for iphones or ipads, learn Objective C.

Hope this helps.

Danny Slewa
Danny Slewa
2,294 Points
Danny Slewa
Danny Slewa
2,294 Points

Helps a lot! thanks a lot Rob.

My next question would be than, if I created an app for the ios market, would I have to create the same app but in the appropriate coding for the android users? almost like double the work? since the conversion programs don't seem quite reliable by your explanation.

Rob Bridges
seal-mask
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree seal-36
Rob Bridges
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Graduate 35,467 Points
Rob Bridges
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree seal-36
Rob Bridges
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Graduate 35,467 Points

Yes, that is unfortunately the case. Though you can use these platforms to try to transfer your code, it will create error messages and you will need to have an understanding of both languages to patch it up.

Most developers honestly pick one language to begin with., if their app is successful it is generally outsourced to another company to create it on the additional platforms.

Take the game mine craft for instance, that came out a few months on android before, I believe the company actually outsourced the creation of the ios app to another company. So yes, though the general idea of the app stayed the same, they had to spend a significant amount of time and manpower to make sure it was truly cross platform.

Danny Slewa
Danny Slewa
2,294 Points

makes sense. Got it! last question. Thanks again for your time, it is greatly appreciated. These tracks will guide me through an extensive amount of information to create my own app without having to go elsewhere to learn different advancements or information that wasn't present here on treehouse?

Rob Bridges
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Rob Bridges
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Graduate 35,467 Points

That is correct. You will create the app using the information shown in the video previously, they will add helpful links of webpages to go for more detailed information on the concepts addressed if you want to know more, however the apps are created with just the information supplied in the videos. I believe in the android development track they also walk you through setting up your own Google play developer account which is free. I've never done IoS myself though I am sure they will walk you through the process as well.

A note, publishing IoS apps is not free, apple charges 99 dollars a year to publish apps. This is something I should have brought up earlier but being unfamiliar with IoS I checked before I commented because it seemed like I had heard it before. It does appear to be true.

Eric Ainsworth
Eric Ainsworth
3,437 Points

My situation is that I've used vb.net for years which is more similar to C#. C# is the language used for the Xamarin cross-platform. It seems like it would be faster for me to get going with Xamarin and instead of outsourcing the creation of other platform apps, I could outsource the compatibility patching. Sorry I have 0 experience with developing apps so I don't know if this is a ridiculous idea or not.

Danny Slewa
Danny Slewa
2,294 Points
Danny Slewa
Danny Slewa
2,294 Points

That's no problem if you didn't bring it up. I came in this with the intention that money will be spent for sure. I appreciate all your help. I wish I could return the favor by helping but it seems obvious you are ahead. Thank you again!

Danny Slewa
Danny Slewa
2,294 Points
Danny Slewa
Danny Slewa
2,294 Points

Just to clarify once more if you don't mind. The track is called Android Development that I should be clicking, correct?

Rob Bridges
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Rob Bridges
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Graduate 35,467 Points

Yes android development and the java courses would be where to start