Thinking about making an app? Awesome! Developing an app challenges your mind in numerous ways, can be very attractive on your resume, and of course, can be very enjoyable. On top of all of that, a successful app can be very lucrative. App development is definitely a challenge, though. It takes a certain type of perspective and a lot of commitment. It also requires a few different materials. Here are a few things that you will need, both physical and personal, if you plan to develop an app in the near future.
Hardware
Before you begin developing an app, you'll need to gather a few pieces of hardware that are necessary to the process. Luckily, this list is relatively short and doesn't include anything strange that most people don't have. The main requirement is a computer. A laptop is a great way to code on the go, but a desktop will do just fine. The computer will need to be new enough to run the development software, but most computers from the last five to ten years would be able to handle that. You'll also need an internet connection through which to download the software and do any research necessary. Again, most people already posses all of the hardware necessary to develop apps. It's also helpful to have a device that you can use to test your app on as you develop. This could easily be your own phone or tablet, and isn't even required, because some coding software comes with an emulator, which means your computer can pretend to be any device you want to code for.
Software
One of the most important tools in development, especially app development, is environment software. This software is where you will actually write the code. The software also compiles the code, which means it turns it into numbers the processor on the device can understand, and runs the application on a device you connect, or a software emulator that you can set up. Environment software can include a number of other helpful things, such as debugging tools, and help and tutorial databases. One of the industry's most popular environment software is call Eclipse. Eclipse is open source, which means that anyone in the community can help build and update it. In this case, it also means that it is free. Eclipse has all of the tools listed here, including the emulator which can take the place of a device if you don't have one, and help you test and debug for all of the devices you want to support.
Knowledge
App development can be thrilling, but it's certainly not easy. It takes a lot of knowledge and experience, but if you don't have that yet, don't worry. Everybody has to start somewhere. There are a number of free resources online you can use to start learning. A lot of developers like W3Schools. It tends to be a good place for beginners to start. There's also a forum called Stack Overflow. This is one of the most popular places for programmers to come together to help each other with coding problems. They also seem to be pretty friendly to beginners. Obviously, these are not the only online options for beginners. Don't be afraid to do your own search for tools that will work for you. Also, you might try your library or bookstore. Some people find it easier to learn out of a book rather than a website.
State of Mind
This is a little different from the other things on the list. This isn't something you can buy, or find on the internet. Coding apps takes an enormous amount of time. The simplest of apps might take an experienced coder between 10 and 100 hours. If you haven't coded anything before, you can multiply that by 10. Apps that are somewhat complex require either a team of developers or several years. This is not meant to discourage you, but rather to encourage you. You definitely have what you need to see the project all the way through to the end. What you don't already have, you can find, and it's worth it, not only when the app is finished, but all the way along the journey. However, it can be very easy to become discouraged by a bad day or a particularly tough problem if you're not ready for it. Before you jump in, make sure you mentally prepare yourself for the challenge, and you'll be just fine.
Developing an app is definitely a challenge. It takes a huge number of hours and even more work. There will be ups and downs, but in the end, you'll have a little more money, a slightly shinier resume, and a happiness that no one can take away. Can't get it quite right, or have a need that you can't fill on your own? Contact us! We can help build any app you need, no matter the type or complexity.
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