How to Become a Mobile App Developer: A Beginner's Guide to App Development
Since the post-pandemic, we’re officially in the digital age where we rely on mobile apps for most things, and they are everywhere. From social media platforms to fitness trackers, mobile applications have become essential to our daily lives. With the high demand and popularity of mobile apps, the need for mobile app developers has increased significantly. It has opened up a world of opportunities for those interested in becoming a mobile app developer.
If you’re one of those who wondered about how to become a mobile application developer, then this beginner’s guide will walk you through the steps, tools, and skills you need to start your journey as a mobile app developer. Stick through the end for complete knowledge.
Why Choose a Career in Mobile App Development?
If you’re here, you probably know the roles and responsibilities of a mobile app developer, so we start with why becoming a mobile app developer is a great career choice:
- High Demand: As stated above, nowadays, almost every nosiness and organization, and even our daily tasks, rely on mobile apps. Currently, there are over 3.5 billion smartphone users worldwide, and the demand for mobile apps and mobile application developers is skyrocketing.
- Lucrative Salaries: It’s obvious that we all will and are working for money, and mobile app developers often command high salaries. The average salary of mobile app developers ranges from $65000 to $150,000.
- Flexibility: The best thing about becoming a mobile app developer is flexibility. Whether you want to work for a tech giant, a startup, or as a freelancer, mobile app development offers flexibility in work environments.
- Creative Outlet: Becoming a mobile app developer is not only about writing codes but also allows you to bring your ideas to life, solve real-world problems, or simply create something fun.
Step-by-Step Guide Become a Mobile App Developer from Scratch
Now that you know why being a mobile app developer is a good career option, let’s dive into the process of becoming a mobile app developer.
Step 1: Understand the Basics of Mobile Apps Development
Before you start writing code, it’s essential to understand what mobile app development entails. I know you know what mobile app developers do. Still, I am giving an overview that might increase your knowledge.
Mobile application development is the process of creating software applications that run on mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. These apps can be anything from games to productivity tools, and they are typically distributed through app stores like Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Types of Mobile Apps
Mainly there are three types of mobile apps:
- Native Apps: These apps are developed for a specific platform, such as iOS or Android, using the platform’s native programming languages (e.g., Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android).
- Web Apps: These are mobile-optimized web pages that look and feel like native apps but can be accessed from any platform without installing any additional program.
- Hybrid Apps: These apps can also be accessed through any platform, and developers only have to write code once and deploy the application on multiple platforms.
Step 2: Choose Your Development Platform
One of the first decisions you must make as a mobile app developer is which platform you want to develop. Mainly today, the two most popular platforms are iOS (Apple) and Android (Google). Both platforms have their own development environment, tools, and programming languages.
iOS Development
- Language: Swift or Objective-C
- Tools: Xcode, Apple’s integrated development environment (IDE)
- Distribution: Apple App Store
Android Development
- Language: Kotlin or Java
- Tools: Android Studio, the official IDE for Android
- Distribution: Google Play Store
For any beginner, start with one platform initially and then learn another platform.
Step 3: Learn the Required Programming Languages
Now that you have decided on the platform you’ll be working on; next will be learning the programming languages for that platform. Below are the programming languages used to develop applications.
iOS Development Languages
- Swift: It is Apple’s modern programming language designed for iOS and macOS apps. It’s fast, safe, and relatively easy to learn.
- Objective-C: Objective C was used before Swift to develop iOS applications. It is rarely used today, but if you are one of those developer who wants to work on legacy apps, then knowing this language is a must for you.
Android Development Languages
- Kotlin: Kotlin is the first preference of businesses and developers when building Android applications. It’s concise, expressive, and fully interoperable with Java.
- Java: Java is the traditional language for Android development, which is widely used and supported by developers worldwide.
Step 4: Gain Practical Experience
As we say, Experience matters! Next, you should gain practical knowledge of these languages. Try building simple apps. Here are some ideas for beginner projects:
- To-Do List App: A basic app that allows users to add, edit, and delete tasks.
- Weather App: An app that displays the current weather based on the user’s location.
- Calculator App: A simple calculator with basic arithmetic functions.
Step 5: Learn About UI/UX Design
A great mobile app isn’t just about functionality but also user experience. For example, if your app doesn’t have an attractive and user-oriented GUI, nobody will use or recommend it.
UI Design
UI design focuses on the look and feel of your app. UI design includes elements like buttons, menus, and icons. A UI design designer should learn tools like Sketch, Figma, and Adobe XD.
UX Design
UX design is about how users interact with your app. It involves understanding user behavior, conducting usability tests, and gathering feedback from beta version users.
Step 6: Join the Developer Community
The next and might be the most important part of becoming a developer is joining a developer’s community. When you join a community, you will have access to valuable insights. Here are some ways to get involved:
- Online Forums: Websites like Stack Overflow, Reddit, and GitHub are great places to ask questions, share knowledge, and learn from others.
- Meetups: Attend local meetups or online events where you can network with other mobile application developers.
- Conferences: Industry conferences like Google I/O and Apple’s WWDC offer opportunities to learn about the latest trends and technologies in mobile app development.
Step 7: Build a Portfolio
Now, once you have done through all the steps, you might have enough knowledge to start as an app developer. For an opportunity, the first thing you will need is your portfolio. As you gain more experience, start building a portfolio of your work.
What to Include in Your Portfolio
- Completed Projects: Showcase apps you’ve built, including screenshots, descriptions, and links to download or view the source code.
- Code Samples: Include snippets of code that demonstrate your coding skills and problem-solving abilities.
- Case Studies: Write about the challenges you faced while developing certain apps and how you overcame them.
Step 8: Land Your First Job or Freelance Project
Once you’ve built your skills, gained experience, and created a portfolio, you’re ready to start your career as a mobile application developer. Create a strong resume that highlights your skills and previous developing experience and prepare for the interview.
Conclusion
capability of resolving a universal problem or providing a solution that can affect human life. By following our guide, you can become a mobile developer from scratch and land a job or acquire knowledge to build your own application. Finally, remember that the key to success is continuous learning, hands-on practice, and a passion for innovation. So, take the first step today and begin your journey into the exciting world of mobile app development!
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