Are you ready to learn how to become an app developer? Check out this ultimate beginners guide and be welcomed into the world of app development today!
Did you know that people downloaded mobile apps 178.1 billion times in 2017? With that much demand for mobile apps, it’s no surprise that mobile app developers have a strong job outlook for the next several years.
Maybe you’ve wanted to become a full-time app developer for years or want to freelance. Either way, now is a great time to get started thanks to the numerous training resources available.
You might have heard before that programming is hard and got discouraged. Or you might have felt overwhelmed trying to figure out whether you should develop apps for iOS or Android.
Sure, becoming an app developer doesn’t happen overnight, but having a solid plan will help make the journey go smoothly.
Check out these steps to learn how to become an app developer from scratch.
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Get the Basics of Programming Down
Before driving into iOS or Android development, you benefit from learning the basics of programming to get a solid foundation. This might mean taking a Computer Science 101 class online from a school like Stanford. You might even decide to complete a computer science certificate or degree from a local school.
At this point, you might find that find your class teaches Python rather than the programming languages specific to app development – that’s OK!
The main goal is to understand how programming languages and concepts like loops, variables, and conditional statements work. Once you pick up one programming language, you’ll be able to easily transfer those concepts when you begin a program that teaches specifically how to become a mobile app developer.
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Choose Which Platform to Develop Apps For
Now that you know the basics, it’s time to choose if you want to do mobile app development for iOS, Android, or both. This requires exploring your interest and considering job opportunities around you if you seek a full-time position.
Besides your interest in the platform and work opportunities, you’ll also want to consider whether you have the equipment necessary to develop apps. To make iOS apps, you’ll need a Mac with XCode and preferably an actual iPhone to work with. You can make Android apps on either a Mac or PC, so there’s more flexibility there.
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Find Specialized Application Developer Training
So, you’ve gotten the basics of programming down and decided which platform interests you. Now is the time to find a course or bootcamp that teaches how to become an app developer for iOS or Android!
If you want something cheaper and flexible, consider self-paced subscription services like Treehouse and Pluralsight. These video-based courses teach beginner to advanced iOS and Android concepts.
For a more intense experience with interaction with instructors and classmates, consider a part-time or full-time online application developer bootcamp from companies like Udacity, Big Nerd Ranch, and DevMountain.
Whichever program you choose, look for one that actually gives you the chance to make your own mobile apps, experiment with code, and ask questions when you get stuck. You’ll truly learn how to become a mobile developer with these extra practice opportunities and resources.
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Make a Bunch of Apps to Gain Experience
After you feel comfortable making some basic apps, it’s time to dig in and build up that portfolio! Whether you’re looking into how to get into app development to find freelance work or a regular employee position, the sample apps you create will show clients and employers that you can handle the app development process from start to finish.
Go beyond the apps you built in your courses or bootcamp to explore how to create mobile games, apps that use Internet services, and even clones of your favorite apps. Don’t be afraid to expand your skills either – use websites like StackOverflow, online communities like Slack, and even local developer meetups to get help and learn from others.
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Publish Your Best Apps to Show Potential Employers and Clients
So, you’ve got the skills and the apps, so what’s next? Well, it’s time to actually put your best apps online and publish them in the Apple or Google Play app store!
But before you upload any apps, you’ll first want to pick a handful that really demonstrates your skills as a mobile application developer. Maybe you built a cool fitness tracker app or made a game with impressive visual effects. You might be tempted to upload everything from your first app, but think about which apps implement the most features and would wow potential clients and employers.
After deciding which apps to use, you’ll want to get a Google Play Developer account or iTunes Store Connect account, which comes with a fee. Afterwards, you’ll go through steps to register yourself and your devices for development and be able to upload details, screenshots, and the apps themselves for review.
Don’t be discouraged if your app submission gets rejected the first time. Just follow the reviewer’s instructions and review your app store’s submission requirements to ensure you’re following them.
After getting your apps published, consider having a personal website that links to the apps and includes a summary of the skills used. You might also publish the actual code on GitHub so that potential clients and employers can assess your code quality.
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Go Seek Job Opportunities
With your apps now published live, all this work learning how to become an app developer is about to pay off. It’s time to go apply for mobile application developer jobs.
When you’re just getting into mobile app development, you might consider internships or apprenticeships through local tech companies or even online. You might even volunteer a while for an open-source project or charity to gain that initial experience employers look for.
But even if you don’t have experience, you can look through tech job boards and local company websites or even ask your friends and family about companies looking for a junior mobile application developer.
Once you’re at your new job, don’t give up learning new skills. Changes with each new release of Android and iOS add new features you can learn about and create even more cool apps.
And Now You Know How to Become an App Developer!
You’ve got a solid blueprint that shows you how to become an app developer. So, it’s time to get started! Go begin with some basics of programming and before you know it, you’ll be making your first mobile app!
Also, know that some bumps along the road are normal: your app might not work right, or you might feel lost implementing some feature. That’s completely OK. Taking a break and asking for help are good ways to move through these barriers.
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