CHAPTER 8

Mobile App Developer

Here we are going to discuss mobile app developers. We will understand, “What does a mobile app developer do?” and “What skills are needed for mobile app developers?”

You will also get to know, “What are the best resources for mobile app developers?”

Take a peep!

What is a mobile app developer?

Mobile applications can be developed for specific operating systems, for example, iOS, Android, or Windows.

Application developers are experts in specific development zone like graphics, software, mobile applications, financial applications, and office suites.

Did you know what a mobile app developer does? Well, most of you would say yes, but to know everything in detail, we will now discuss what a mobile app developer does.

What does a mobile app developer do?

When an application is completed and ready for launch, the application designer works on an update, released for the public to solve their purpose. However, the tasks of a mobile app developer are not limited to design and development; instead, the list contains a lot more.

To understand a mobile app developer, you’ll have to first dive deep into their specific types.

There are three types of app developers:

1. Mobile App Developer
More and more people are using smartphones instead of desktops or laptops to do their activities. This becomes possible only because mobile applications make it easier to solve the users’ tasks using mobile devices.

Mobile developers are specialized in making mobile applications.

Instead of creating software for PCs, these developers create Android and iOS mobile devices software applications.

Mobile developers are experienced in building multimedia applications using suitable portable computer programming languages.

Old languages like Objective-C are not migrated to new programming languages that generate the need to use Swift for iOS and macOS app development and Java and Android Studio (by Google) for Android app development.

There are two types of developers, according to the operating system. One is Android App Developer, and the other is iOS App Developer.

2. Android Developer
A developer who creates applications for Android devices is known as an Android developer.

There are various types of tasks that an Android developer performs when developing an Android app.

Roles of an Android developer

• Create and design high-performing and best UI experience Android applications for mobile devices.
  
• Work with cross-functional teams to design, define, and implement new features.
  
• Continuously evaluate and implement the latest and trending development tools
  
• Android developers work with external data and APIs
  
• Troubleshoot all the existing and new application issues.

3. iOS Developers
An iOS developer creates applications for all Apple's OS powers.

A good iOS developer is experienced in two programming languages: Objective-C and Swift.

An iOS developer must have a solid understanding of the latest trends and practices.

Roles of an iOS Developer

• An iOS developer handles the role of creating and developing iOS applications.
  
• His role is to ensure the quality, performance, and accountability of the iOS application.
  
• Collaboration with a team to analyze, design, and show results.
  
• A developer needs to maintain organization, quality, and automation of code.
  
• He should maintain excellent communication and decision-making skills.
  
• His role is to maintain a track record of releasing high-quality apps and services
  
  

What skills are needed for a mobile app developer?

• Analytics Skills
  A mobile application developer must analyze the users before developing a mobile app.
  This ability to analyze the users before development is very crucial for a mobile app developer to develop a successful mobile application.
  
  
• Communication Skills
  A mobile developer must have excellent communication skills in oral and written communication.
  They must have the ability to communicate technical and non-technical concepts to their teammates.
  
  
• Technical Knowledge
  Knowledge of programming languages like Java, Objective C, and Swift is required to become a successful mobile developer.
  Android developers mostly use Java and Android Studio for mobile app development, whereas iOS developers use Swift and Objective-C.
  They must have technical knowledge of their respective platforms.
  
  
• Creativity
  A mobile developer needs to write clean code to make user-friendly applications.
  Developers must think creatively about how users use their smartphones in their lives.
  After doing creative research, they build applications that help the users to accomplish different tasks.
  
  
• Problem-Solving
  Troubleshooting the application is one of the major tasks of a mobile developer.
  A developer needs to understand the problem and find a solution to fix the problem.
  We will now understand the various resources for mobile applications that keep developers updated about the latest trends.
  
  

What are the best resources for mobile app developers?

There are various resources for mobile application developers to get updates and learn new tricks.

These resources are available under particular categories like news, inspiration, community and books, and research papers.

News

News resources provide the regular updates and trends that a developer needs during mobile application development.

Here are the best news resources for mobile application developers:

• Android Weekly
  Android Weekly is a free newsletter and helps you stay ahead in your Android development.

News Resources for Mobile App Developers

• iOS Dev Weekly
  You can subscribe to iOS Dev Weekly to get a hand-picked round-up of the best iOS development links every week.
  

News Resources for Mobile App Developers

• MacRumors
  MacRumors has a big audience of both consumers and interested professionals who are in the latest technologies and products.

News Resources for Mobile App Developers

• Android Headlines
  Get the latest Android & Google News about Android Phones, Apps, and Games on Android Headlines.

News Resources for Mobile App Developers

• Android Police
  You can look for anything on Android Police.

News Resources for Mobile App Developers

Tricks, Tips, and Tutorials
These resources provide tricks and tips to developers for developing mobile applications. In addition, developers can also get online tutorials from the given resource for mobile application development.

These are resources for tricks, tips, and tutorials:

• Android Open Source
  Android Open Source Project (AOSP) is a repository that provides essential information and source code to develop custom variants of the Android operating system.

News Resources for Mobile App Developers

It provides information on how to port accessories and devices to the Android platform and ensures that the devices maintain the Android ecosystem.

• Tutsplus
  With Tutsplus, you can update your app daily by searching for more than 20750 "how-to" tutorials.
  
  Find online courses and videos to help you learn skills like code, photography, web design, and more.

• Android Arsenal
  Android Arsenal is a categorized directory of free libraries and tools for Android.
  

News Resources for Mobile App Developers

• Codementor
  Codementor is one of the biggest communities for developer mentorship. In addition, Codementor provides an on-demand marketplace for software developers.

News Resources for Mobile App Developers

There are also resources for inspiration like Inspired UI, Android Niceties, Fragmented Podcast, Android Developer stories, and Android Developers YouTube channel.