Do you want to become a mobile app developer

Want to become a mobile app developer?

Have you ever dreamt of making a mobile app? Or do you wish to get a job as a mobile developer? If you are searching for any idea like, how to start things, you are in the almost right place.
This is Karthick. I am a programmer for three years. And in this article, I  would like to share few things about becoming a mobile app developer. This is not going to teach you a programming language or a framework but will show you the path.
At the end of this article, you will get rid of your confusions & doubts and will have a clear mind.
Let's dive into the article.

Framework

Often you should have heard the term SCRATCH. As of my knowledge SCRATCH means, developing an application from NOTHING. Is that possible to make an application from SCRATCH? The answer is YES.
Here, you may think developing today is like writing each line of code by ourselves without depending on any other code support. But it is not the fact. A developer always depends on the other developer.
Making an application is like organizing the "Lego Blocks". You will get all the blocks. Then, you will arrange it, organize it, fix it in your way at millions of combinations to get a complete app.
Okay..! who will give you these blocks? Here comes the Framework.
A framework is nothing, but it has a set of libraries. What is a Library? It is a collection of files that has programming codes. Single or multiple programming languages are used to build a framework.

Who develops the frameworks?

Developers like us from a company or an organization build a framework. Frameworks are constructed intentionally for public use. So, developers can make tons of applications for their platforms. People started to buy their platformed mobile phones. So their company grows like a rocket.
However, always it's not the case. Few frameworks are first developed for internal purposes. And then, they will be released for public use.
These are some of the reasons and purposes for the birth of the frameworks.

Which languages and frameworks should I learn?

It depends on your application. Each language and framework serve different things. It's doesn't mean you can build some sorts of applications only in specific frameworks. You can develop almost the same application in any framework. Then why do we have these many frameworks in the market? Each stands very strong in some features. I will list a few below.

• User Interface - Helps you to build rich UI, Soothing animation, Gives you the shape for your dream application with ease.
• Performance - Gives high performance for complex applications
• Single codebase - A single code base helps to build an app for different platforms like Android, IOS, Web, Desktop

With these, you should give importance to community support too.

Still, confused? Continue reading.

If you are a novice developer, always start with native development. It will help you build strong knowledge in native UI components, workflow, memory management, permissions, and accessing native system hardware components, and asynchronous concepts.
If you are a web developer, but want to become a mobile app developer? There is no need to learn new languages. Either JavaScript, HTML, and CSS or JavaScript alone is enough.
If you want to develop multiple platforms with a single code base, you can go with Flutter or React Native frameworks.

Frameworks are free or paid?

Most of the frameworks are free. But in case if you want to become a game developer, a few(like Godot) game engines (in gaming, frameworks are usually called as the game engine) are free and open-sourced. Few (like Unreal, Unity) are charging based on your revenue and team size.

Things to learn other than programming language and frameworks

• Rich User Interface

• User Experience

• Material Design

Before building an app, plan for wire-frames, which is a raw sketch for an app design. Analyze N number of apps, their functionalities, features, observe their UI/UX, observe their icons, color code combinations. And always plan to make the app efficient in performance & storage.

Where to learn?

”Finding a right instructor is 1000 time harder than earning a million dollar” - Karthick

The instructor need not always be a human. It might be a video, ppt, pdf, book, ebook, or an article page. Before learning from any source, look at the content, overview/abstract, reviews, and ratings as the most important things. Because, you are investing your time, which should not be wasted at any cost. Do not hesitate to spend money on learning. It's not an expense, it is a one-time investment that gives you 1000 times back.

Consider, Whatsapp, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok. These apps give revenue in millions to their company.
What are all the things do you think that is needed to make these apps? Let's list out here

• Hundreds of brilliant developer who has strong knowledge in programming, data structures, and algorithms.
• Extraordinary UI/UX designers
• High-end machines, etc.,

But the contrary case is you just need a moderate machine and time. A single developer and dedicated time are enough to make any kind of application. For novice programmers making an application is like walking in the freaky street. They lose themselves when they lose confidence. Always stay motivated until reaching your destination.