Tuesday, 22 November 2022

iOS app development basics


Applications developed for iOS have many features that must be taken into account during the development process.

Creating iOS applications requires a preliminary thorough analysis of the feedback and wishes of the target audience.

Programming for Apple devices is done in the Xcode IDE, which only runs on OS X.

To place a finished application in the AppStore, you must strictly comply with the requirements of this store.

Choose a language to get started. You can start developing both simple and cross-platform applications. In the first case, one of the two main languages for iOS development is used – Objective-C and Swift. In the second case, Java, C++, Python, etc. code can be used.

Selecting the type of programming (native, hybrid, “pure web”). The choice here is determined by the very concept of the application. If the future program does not require constant availability, autonomy in the absence of the Internet and the presence of notifications for the user, a web application is the best option. Thanks to the launch directly from the browser, such a program can be used on any platform. Among other advantages, we note versatility, automatic updates, low cost of development. Hybrid or native development should be chosen when creating a full-fledged mobile application. In the first case, several versions of the program are created at once, respectively, for several operating systems. This is cheaper than programming exclusively for iOS, but it also results in lower application performance and security. The choice of a hybrid type of development is justified if:

you need to create a simple application;

low-cost use on two platforms is expected;

At the same time, as mentioned earlier, you need to be prepared for poor performance and constant dependence on the Internet, since hybrid programs work on a bunch of HTML5 + JS.

The native approach allows you to do without “crutches”. The application is developed only in the standard language for iOS.

When should you choose the last option?

The app is built to run on one platform.

The use of functions specific to this platform is expected.

Requires continuous software updates, coordinated with OS updates or new versions of Apple devices.

The cost of placing an application in the AppStore. It usually takes a day to check the application for publication by the store. Further, after approval, the creator of the program must sign an agreement and pay $ 99 as a fee for the iOS Developer Program. Moreover, the payment is not a one-time payment – it must be carried out annually.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Developing an iOS Application

Idea selection. The first stage is the key and at the same time the most interesting. It will determine the app’s popularity among the AppStore audience. Here, the most difficult thing for a developer is to decide what the program will be: a logic game, an aggregator of online stores, etc. It is necessary to decide what task the application should solve. A quick answer to this question will mean that the developer has chosen the right direction.

Choice of instrumentation. Having formulated an idea, you should not immediately write code for it. In iOS mobile app development, design (look and feel) is essential. And for these purposes, the Sketch vector editor is perfect. Moreover, you can evaluate the options for developments immediately on the device thanks to the Sketch Preview plugin and the free Skala Preview viewer. After creating the design and assigning functions to the buttons, the programmer can proceed directly to the code.

Development stage. An iOS application is usually developed in Objective-C, although Swift is becoming more and more popular among developers. This language is notable for its simpler syntax and, as a result, it is easier to learn. However, for self-development of applications for iOS Swift, careful study of specialized textbooks and reference books is required. During such training, another developer may already implement the intended idea by creating a similar application.

Therefore, it is advisable not to study independently from books, but to take the appropriate course, during which it is possible to create the first application.

Name choice. Fun fact: the name determines a large part of the success of the application. It is with the name (not counting the icon) that the user first encounters when he finds the application, for example, through a search. Therefore, naming should be taken seriously:

a huge variety of options that came to the mind of the creator are suitable for the game;

it is desirable to name a highly specialized application in accordance with the function (for example, the option for notes is “Notes”);

it is better to choose an English-language name that is understandable to foreign users (for example, it is logical to call an application from the “music” category “Music”).

Based on the chosen name, it will not be difficult for a developer to create an application icon. It’s okay if the icon looks like another product, although you definitely shouldn’t strive for this.

Store placement. Ready to download and thoroughly tested application can be published in the AppStore. But before that, you need to buy a developer subscription for $99 per year, which we mentioned earlier. Further, it is recommended to carefully study the store guidelines.

It will take a lot of time to study all the points and sub-points. After making sure that all the requirements of Apple are met, the programmer can start uploading his application to the AppStore, and then wait for the moderators’ approval and, if necessary, correct the comments found.