The evolution of smart devices has been one of the biggest movements in the tech industry over the last decade. It is a market that has not stopped growing and has millions of users worldwide.
Today almost everyone has a smartphone or tablet too We have many apps installed, each to solve a real-world problem. But have you ever wondered how an application is made? What is required?
Wondering if applying for a job may be your future. What do I need to know to apply? Can I work as an Android app?
Whether it be to satisfy your curiosity or because you have a simple curiosity about how someone from the beginning built the app, where is this document, I will tell you how my experience creates a real application.
It is important to consider that it is a personal experience. In addition to writing at The Free Android I am a computer engineering student, a job where we have learned a lot of programming and theory, but where you can eventually get yourself an application. They say the university only prepares the foundations and that when you're done that's where the road really begins. And in this series of articles is where I will discuss my circumstances when I will be able to create my first plan. Today we go with some basics. What do I need to start applications?
The basics of programming: Computer
To plan you need a yes or a computer. What kind of computer? Do you need some information to get organized or do I already have machines at home?
The first thing to consider is when we have a computer that meets the minimum specifications needed to run Android Studio. According to the Android Developers website itself, this is what your computer needs at least:
- Application:
- Windows 7/8/10/32/32 bits.
- Mac OS 10.10 is moving forward.
- Linux with Gnome or KDE desktop environment.
- RAM memory: 4 GB minimum, 8 GB as recommended.
- Hard drive: At least 2 GB of free space. 4 GB of free space as recommended.
- Screen with a smaller resolution of 1200 x 800.
Almost any computer for the last 10 years has been trained to work with Android Studio. You have to consider, of course, that the development environment is heavy, so if your computer meets the minimum requirements it may be the only program you need to open for it to work properly. It is also important to note that depending on the size of the project we will need the highest quality equipment.
For myself I use two computers for editing: the first is a 2013 Macbook Pro, the second is a 2014 Lenovo Thinkpad T440p with KDE Neon (Linux distribution I totally recommend), both with six SSD drives and 8 GB of -RAM and facilitate the solvency development environment. I also scheduled a time at the 2011 HP Pavillion with no problems.
The idea you want to make
The most important thing is to start applying, in addition to a computer, to have an idea of what you want to do. You have to create something what to use in your day to day, something that would be a good incentive to stand firm on the road with a passion.
But how do you get the idea to apply? In my opinion it is a repetitive process in two steps:
- Live your daily life: Is there an annoying or complicated task?
- Can I troubleshoot an app? Once you have identified the problem, think about whether the solution can be programmed.
It doesn't need to be an app that changes your life. In fact, if you have never applied, the best thing is to think of something that will be easy. If you are thinking about building a high quality system without any experience, you probably can stop.
The most difficult step to make plans is to make the first one. Once you are done you will have plenty of knowledge, experience and motivation to do the following. This happens not only with the program, but in any challenging task.
For myself The idea I'm working on is an app that solves my problem with shopping lists.
Know English (and have a good translator)
Today understanding English is important. There is some content in Spanish, but most of the resources are in English. You don't have to be a professor in English, or know how to speak English. Just have some reading comprehension it is acceptable, because technical English can be expensive to understand.
Having an interpreter or dictionary is important. If there is something you do not understand, pass it on to the translator and you will see a little bit of how you have less and less doubts.
You need to know how to plan, but where should I start? Do I have to pay tuition?
This is the biggest obstacle to starting programs, in programming you need to know how to get organized. There is no magic shortcut today for an app to be built without this information, so it's worth taking hours. And where should I start if I don't know anything?
This video describes it well.
What is that pseudocode? by itself, it is not a programming language, but a form of metal language that is common in almost any programming language. Knowing how to execute a pseudocode you will know how to understand the layout, something to do you can learn any programming language in a matter of days
And that of the input languages? That’s how we offer applications. Today, if you have to learn programming language that puts you directly into the app market, these should be the best, depending on the type of apps you should know.
- Javascript: Today there is a language that is widely known for flexibility, because with it you can write mobile applications, and web applications.
- Kotlin: if you want to incorporate skills in building specialized Android apps, this is a language you should speak well, because it's Google's first-level language and one of the best guesses for the future.
- Swift: If you want to incorporate skills in iOS application development, Swift is the language you should learn. If you have an iPhone or iPad download Swift Playgrounds, Apple's official app for easy editing.
- Dart: Dart is a personal bet for my project. The formal language developed by Google itself, which is Flutter's engine, is Google's development platform for making Android and iPhone applications with the same code. It is a very small and old place, but with a big picture of the future.
Do I need to know about graphic design?
No. In fact, I know nothing about image construction.
This until a few years ago was a major problem, because many program programmers couldn't make the applications and apart from them they were good. Today, just follow the Material Design style guidelines to create an app with great design without getting a clue.
Planning, planning and patience are your best tools for building apps
Knowing all this data Hard to plan? Well, to my knowledge I wouldn't say no. Anyone can edit, and as a sample of them apps like Grasshopper or Swift Playgrounds are able to teach anyone important concepts.
Is it difficult to learn how to plan and execute plans? Much depends on your patience and the goals you set for yourself.
Suppose you see a skyscraper and intend to climb down the stairs. It looks difficult at first, but what if instead of lifting a full load you propose to lift a part? What if you lower your goal to climb a plant?
Too much. Before climbing a plant, try to climb one step and continue daily climbing each step. Slowly and gradually you will see how you climb to the skyscraper, and what seemed so great is nothing like a continuous sequence of small obstacles.
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