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General Discussion

Posted by Estevan Montoya
Estevan Montoya
Courses Plus Student 23,989 Points

Where do I start to develop a multi-platform application?

I am looking to develop a planner/to-do type application for a specific niche. I would like for it to be cross platform across the major platforms such as ios, android and web browsers.

My thought is something like Any.do or Podio. I would like for a person to login from a phone, browser or tablet and be able to retrieve data as well as use it on the specific devices for things such as reminders via push notifications, emails or texts. I would also like it to have a collaboration feature so people can communicate projects and tasks.

Where is data stored? Do I store data on an SQL cloud server and use multiple languages based upon device to access data as well as store it locally until a sync can be made? What language is best to learn first? Is something like Phonegap + Parse good for this? Am I crazy for asking something this detailed?

My current knowledge is limited to html, css, wordpress, UI, photoshop, internet marketing and print design.

Such a project is totally new to me.

I hope this is not too much to ask. Please, any direction would help.

Thanks!

PS, I would most likely start with an android version that connected with a browser version. Later, I would add an ios version

1 Answer

Gergő Bogdán
Gergő Bogdán
6,664 Points
Gergő Bogdán
Gergő Bogdán
6,664 Points

Hi,

Depending on the business logic of the application there are different best choices (imho).

Looking at your skillset, I think the best way would be target a common platform like PhoneGap, because you can reuse your HTML/CSS/JS knowledge and all you have to do is add the layer of a very simple application around it, BUT if your application would do heavy business logic, which involves a lot of calculation, animation, then native apps could be a wiser choice.

Anyway, you'll have to learn some kind of programming in plus, even if you choose PhoneGap solution. The cloud services which you mentioned for storing data are good, but this needs further analysis, and discussions, depending on the set of features which you application will have.

First, if you make a website (responsive), which works well and is user friendly users can start to use those on their phones too, and after that you can invest time and money to build the mobile apps, I'd go with this option in your case, since you have knowledge for building the website and you can start to work on it instantly, but on the mobile apps there is a bigger learning curve, before starting the actual work.

Estevan Montoya
Estevan Montoya
Courses Plus Student 23,989 Points

Grego,

Thanks for your reply and detailed thoughts. It helps to hear suggestions from someone else.

I like the idea of making a web based responsive version first and utilizing Phonegap. With that thought, I am wondering if all data should be stored via Parse.com, even before I create apps. Is that possible with just a web based application? Or should I use a cloud based SQL platform? Do all the mainstream languages work with SQL?

Lastly, if I do use an SQL based option to develop a web based version first, what language should I code it in? I started both the Ruby classes and the PHP classes. I prefer PHP because I work a lot in WordPress, but Ruby seemed to have more options with our current trends. I know PHP has been used a LOT over the years and seems to have a lot larger of a community.

I am stuck trying to figure out which language to start with. I believe a web based version is a great idea, now it's time to choose which route to take to make it happen.

Thanks again!