App development is the process of making mobile apps. Apps are computer programs that simplify everyday tasks, like finding directions or learning a language. They’re also used for playing games, connecting with friends and staying in touch with family.
Apps come in all shapes and sizes – there are apps for computers, phones and tablets. And they run on many different operating systems – like Windows, Mac OS X and Android.
The word “app” comes from software developers’ slang. Their shorthand expression for “application” is “app.” So, an app is any computer program designed to help you do something specific, like check your email or find nearby restaurants. People often shorten the term even further by using just the letter A when they say it: app.
What App Developers Make?
App developers make apps for all kinds of devices, including the iPhone and Android phones.
There are also apps for PCs and Macs. Today there are more than 500 million active users of mobile devices. And each month they use over a billion mobile apps like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Pinterest that were created by companies or independent developers.
Developers build these programs using programming languages like HTML5, JavaScript and Objective-C (which is used to write apps for Apple products). Each language has its own set of rules or standards about how it should be written so it works well on specific platforms like iOS and Android. With any platform you choose to develop your app, you need to learn its particular rules so your code can work.
Most apps and services come with a set of developer guidelines to help you write code that works best on their systems. There are also forums and other online resources where developers can ask questions and share ideas.
Applications usually include graphics, photos or other pieces of media like sound files. They might also include other programs called libraries that give your app extra capabilities such as powering up math functions or managing how data is organized. Think of these assets of tools the programmer uses to build the final product – just like a painter’s collection of brushes or chisels helps her create beautiful artworks.
- Remember: just because an app runs on a smartphone doesn’t mean it has to be complicated! A lot of simple (or “light”) apps might have just a few screens and buttons.
They might only take a few minutes to write. Or you can use a program that makes it easy to build complicated apps without having to write all the code yourself – called an app maker or app builder. There are lots of options when it comes to writing apps, from DIY tools for beginners to advanced coding software for experienced pros.
What App Programmers write?
Programmers often write apps with specific goals in mind, like selling clothes or getting people up-to-date news from around the world. But they also make them available freely on platforms like Google Play and iTunes because they want people using their creations and providing feedback about how they can be improved in future versions.
People download of apps every day from places like Google Play, iTunes and the Windows Phone Store.
Apps can make it easier to communicate or take care of common tasks like remembering appointments or shopping online. And the best part is that you don’t need to be a professional app developer to make them!
Developers keep their apps up to date by changing and improving the code in the program whenever they find ways to fix problems, add new features or just work more efficiently. They also test their code on different devices with different capabilities so it works well no matter what kind of smartphone you’re using.
Writing an app is just the beginning – coders also have to upload their programs so anyone can download them from places like Google Play, iTunes and the Windows Phone Store. These stores are run by Apple, Google and Microsoft so they can decide which apps are available for download on their systems.
It’s up to these companies to decide what kinds of content is allowed in each app. For instance, Google doesn’t allow developers to sell wolf t-shirts in apps that run on its phones because it’s trying to protect people from being fooled by fake products. It also prohibits graphic violent– but it makes some exceptions for artistic depictions like paintings.
Apple has a different set of rules about the types of content you can put in your apps. If an app includes nudity, extreme violence or other sensitive subject matter, Apple will make sure it’s marked as restricted material before anyone can download or buy it on their systems. Developers don’t have to follow this rule, but they do need to make sure their apps are labeled appropriately if they include graphic content.
Remember: before you start thinking about making your own app, make sure the platform you want to use is allowed with your phone’s operating system
It’s a good idea to check what kinds of content can’t be included in apps that run on different platforms. It will save you from having an app that won’t be allowed by the store or even being kicked off a platform for posting something against the rules!
Designers and coders who create apps often work together so designers know how much information should go into each page and what kind of graphics they should include – and developers have a better understanding of what designers want to do with their apps.
Conclusion
Remember: just because an app runs on a smartphone doesn’t mean it has to be complicated! A lot of simple (or “light”) apps might have just a few screens and buttons. They might only take a few minutes to write!
For some programs, coders aren’t even involved in making the final product. For example, companies like Facebook or Twitter will hire designers and developers to make an app for them so they can sell it on different phone platforms. But once these software houses are finished writing the program, all they need to do is upload it to Google Play or iTunes themselves!
