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Startups, Entrepreneurship & Development

What is the Best Place to Learn PhoneGap App Development?

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PhoneGapLogoMobile app development has come a long way since it’s inception with the first iPhone, and later the flood of Android devices. Originally the only way to make an app for either of these frameworks was to design “native” apps that used the software that Apple or Google released to build them with. Today, however, there are a plethora of other third-party platforms with which to develop apps on. PhoneGap is one of these platforms, and is gaining popularity, especially amongst those with prior experience in web development.

PhoneGap is a platform that allows users to write applications in languages that are used in web-development, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It allows web developers to design an app using existing web technologies and “jump the gap” from web to mobile app on a mobile platform. The people that will have the greatest advantage on this platform are, of course, are those with any sort of previous experience in web development. Newcomers will likely have an easier time learning to develop on this platform than trying to build a native Android or iOS app, too, since HTML and CSS are relatively simple to learn. Building apps with PhoneGap will also require less overall knowledge of Java than would be required to design a native Android app. Oh, and did I mention that this service makes apps available on all major mobile platforms?

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So what are some of the best places to go to learn to develop on the PhoneGap Platform?

The PhoneGap website is, of course, a good place to start. Phone Gap has a professional blog that is constantly updated with tips and tricks about using PhoneGap. They also have a very useful getting started tutorial that introduces newbies to the platform, as well as detailing everything it takes to get started developing with PhoneGap.

Another great resource to get started with PhoneGap is on Christophe Coenraets personal blog. Christophe Coenraets is an experienced web-developer, and actually worked with Adobe and the PhoneGap team to teach others on how to design and implement their own PhoneGap apps. His tutorial on developing PhoneGap applications is insightful, technical, and extremely detailed, with plenty of pictures to illustrate the code as the program is built.

One of the greatest resources aspiring newcomers to app development can have is an extensive community of others to help encourage and teach them about their platform. Raywenderlich is such a community. They have a massive library of over six-hundred free tutorials on all sorts of development, including app development with PhoneGap. Here is a good tutorial to get started with PhoneGap. This starts by teaching you how to set up PhoneGap on your computer to creating a fun and simple app, perfect for your first PhoneGap project.

PhoneGap is a tremendous resource for those looking for a hassle free way to develop applications across all mobile platforms – including Android and iOS. The learning curve is less steep than with native apps, especially for those with previous web-development experience.

Hybrid App Development Using HTML5

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Since the beginning of the smartphone, the field of app development has grown into something much larger than most people probably imagined could happen. Every quarter smartphone sales go up and up, and its become abundantly clear that Android, iOS, and Windows phones are here to stay, and along with them, mobile applications and app development. As more and more people flock to the mobile marketplace, either to buy apps or to sell them, more and more fresh new ideas take pop up. Perhaps the most important idea to hit the digital marketplace in recent years is the idea of hybrid app development.

Hybrid apps are mobile apps that are built using HTML5, and are becoming an ever popular way to create mobile apps. This new technology has spurred some debate over what kind of app development is best: native apps built specific to their respective platforms (Android, iOS, or Windows), or hybrid apps available for distribution over all of the mobile platforms. Many claim that native apps are superior simply because each app is built to the fullest capabilities of that platform – an app that utilizes Siri on iOS, for example. Others claim that Hybrid apps built with HTML5 offer a bigger bang for the buck since you can spend half the time creating an app that will reach twice the market. 

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What are the main differences between native and hybrid apps? Native apps are applications built using the standard technologies for their specific platforms – such as the Android SDK being used to develop and app for Android. Native appsare downloaded through app stores and are installed directly onto their system. HTML5 apps are built using HTML5 and other standard web development technologies, such as JavasScript, CSS, and of course HTML. HTML5 apps are cross-platform apps that can only be accessed through a web-browser. Hybrid apps are apps that are built like an HTML5 app, and then wrapped around a native shell. This allows them the flexibility of being cross-platform and internet based, andto be downloaded and even partially installed on the system. 

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It can be argued that native apps are still second to none, even when put through its paces in comparison to hybrid apps. While hybrid apps take a shotgun approach to development, it requires much more of HTML5 to accomplish what could be done just as well – or even better – on a native app. As well, a hybrid app cannot take advantage of platform-specific features, such as Siri voice command. However, hybrid apps are by far the most cost effective way to create an app for multiple platforms – both in terms of time and labor. A highly specialized type of knowledge is required when making native apps, a specialized knowledge that is not needed when creating hybrid apps.

Hybrid apps are the newest of technologies in the app development field, and while there may be an argument over which is superior, native or hybrid apps, on thing is for certain: hybrid apps will not be disappearing anytime soon. 

How to Become a Web Developer

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Ever had thoughts of being a web developer? Pursuing this career is as a big decision and requires much learning as you go along. But do you have what it takes to become one? How do you become a web developer?

Getting started

If you’ve never had any web programming background and probably heard this from a friend who earned ‘big money’ off a single project, the first question you’ll need to ask is: Is this right for you? You might want to run through your set of interest, qualities, skills and education to help you determine whether this suits you. A strong interest for computers, web and Internet activities are some qualities that will help you get started in this journey. Patience, ability to tinker how technology works and an eye for design gives you an edge to starting this practice.

 

Before we go deep into webdev jargons, it’s good to start with HTML and CSS. These two are the basic building blocks of how webpages work. Though working on Adobe Dreamweaver provides shortcut to learning these, having to learn codes using a simple text editor is essential to your learning curve.

Basic understanding of PHP and MySQL (for databases) are useful in adding functionality to your websites. To make ‘dynamic websites’, understanding these codes increases numbers using content management system (CMS), which stores and takes content from your database to page templates when needed.

Another language you need to master is JavaScript. Not only is this essential to building functionality of use with web pages, it’s also used for applications. Ajax will also work well with HTML and CSS. You may also want to tap into other programming languages such as Perl and ASP to build your web developer’s toolkit.

Misconceptions about Web Development

First, it’s not web design. The true concept: Web development is working with the designer’s work and construct it into a functional website. Designers are focused into the overall ‘beautification’ of the website. On the other hand, a web developer works on the analytical side and concentrate on the site’s overall performance and function.

Second, web developers are never ‘finished’ after creating a site. After creating a site, you will need to constantly monitor it for glitches and bugs. Just when you think it has been running smoothly for a few months, your site encounters problems or your client wanted elements added to it. With the shifting times, the only thing constant is change. So you need to be flexible and work with the changes.

Third, you’re required to do more than just coding. Though writing codes takes a big chunk of your time, constant communication with designers, illustrators, copywriters and other personnel involved in the project is crucial to running the site to your client’s satisfaction. Not only that, you’re required to strategize updates, analyze web performance and make improvements as necessary.

This is only the tip of the iceberg. During this phase of learning, you’ll need lots of practice and persistence in pursuing this skill. Of course, you can also tap mentors to guide you on your hands-on practice to creating websites. If you feel that this is not sufficient, pursuing a degree may be ideal.