What do you do if you're struggling to master the development of mobile applications as a computer engineer?

In my experience, one should learn incrementally. What I mean by this, not blindly following educational videos or reading bunch of complicated documentation. Instead, it's important starting from small applicable steps. Like creating a guidelines and timeline for self. First of all you should understand, what you need to really learn. Application development is a complex skillset. You need to know how to write code, how to work in a team, how to contribute UI/UX design process. Trying to learn each one of these complex disciplines at one time can be overwhelming. Make a checklist for yourself, give a deadline. And stick to it. For example start from your coding skills, then improve your eye for details then work on your soft skills.

In my experience, I had to start learning the building blocks for Android development which is Java. Read their documentation widely. I had to watch a few videos from YouTube as well. Understanding the concept of Java is very essential to this development

Something that gives you a great impulse to start is taking something similar to you, maybe learning Java to develop Android apps or Swift for iOS apps, maybe, if you already know Javascript, learning React and React Native could be a good way to start.

Set a goal and follow thoroughly. Aim at doing smaller tasks like displaying of images, handling of button clicks, learning navigation from one screen to another. Then you can now scale up to making API calls. These are archivable goals which can be done in weeks.

When you are an expert in React Native, and you already have a bunch of basic apps will be a good time to start with learning native code and replicate those apps in Java and Swift.

In am perspective of iOS development I found some steps which I followed Evaluate your current iOS development skills and identify areas for improvement or new skills to acquire. Divide your long-term goals into smaller, achievable milestones. If your goal is to become a Senior Developer, break it down into steps mastering advanced frameworks, leading project, and mentoring juniors. Ensure goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Outline specific actions you need to take to achieve each goal. This could include tasks like attending workshops, building a portfolio of projects, or networking with other iOS developers. With a time interval track your progress and take some time to overlooks all the covered topics.

Ray Wenderlich: Provides tutorials, books, and videos on iOS programming. Swift Playgrounds: Interactive app for learning Swift programming. Apple's Developer Documentation: Official guides and resources for iOS development. Codecademy: Offers hands-on Swift courses for beginners. Hacking with Swift: Offers free and paid tutorials on iOS development. YouTube Channels: Check out channels like CodeWithChris and Sean Allen for tutorials and tips. GitHub: Explore open-source iOS projects to learn from. WWDC Videos: Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference sessions offer insights into iOS development.

Fixing errors should be terrifying at the beginning, but as you learn how Android Studio or Xcode works, it will be easier and easier. Just don't stop, research how both IDEs work, and don't be afraid, nothing will break it.

Learn how to use Android Studio. Take your time and reason about every functionality it comes with. You can learn about a few but not all. This will help you to setup your first Android or iOS project. Watch and learn from a few articles and videos. Go through their tutorials and keep pushing yourself until you are able to use the IDE without assistance.

It is hard to stay in touch with new technologies, because usually on big ongoing projects you have to work with old stack, or even if you will start to create new app today - some of the technologies will be outdated in couple years. Best option to learn something new in this dynamic world: - Articles on Medium; - As an Android developer I suggest check developer.android.com web site and google documentation, as it is being updated quite often; - Google codelabs, as they usually create a good guide for new tools - Philipp Lackner, Stevdza-San and other cool youtubers will help you to find a lot about Android with great examples.

Understanding Java or Swift is good for starting the project but it’s not enough in the development aspect. You have to keep practicing your coding styles and techniques. Learn the technicalities for Android or iOS development. You can then continue to build easy applications like display of texts and editing of texts.

In my experience the best way to practice coding is to start write your own App. It can be a simple app, but with different tools - Database (Room or Realm), modern UI (Compose), API integration( Retrofit or Ktor), Unit tests, Firebase (Analytics, Crashlytics) , Google Ads, Play Market and release process. Most of these technologies are used on every project and to know how exactly to use them will be a good benefit for you. And the best way to find out how to use them - is actually start to use them, implement in your own application and release it to PlayMarket.

1. Find a mentor: Look for experienced developers who can offer guidance. Online communities, local meetups, or even colleagues at work can be a great place to start. 2. Get personalized advice: A mentor can give you feedback specific to your struggles, helping you improve faster. 3. Benefit from code reviews: Ask your mentor to review your code. This can help you identify and fix errors you might have missed. 4. Try pair programming: Work with another developer on a project together. This is a great way to learn from each other and improve your coding skills.

Identify Weaknesses: Determine for which specific aspects of mobile application development you're struggling with and identify. Review Fundamentals: Make sure to have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of the programming, software engineering principles, and data structures. Learn the Tools and Technologies: Familiarize yourself with the development tools and technologies commonly used in mobile app development, such as Android Studio for Android development and Xcode for iOS development. Seek Feedback: Do not hesitate to seek feedback from more experienced developers or mentors. Join online communities, forums, or meetups where you can ask questions, share your work, and learn from others.

Seeking mentorship accelerates personal and professional growth by providing guidance, insights, and valuable feedback. A mentor can offer perspective, expertise, and support to navigate challenges and achieve goals effectively.

Don't give up if something goes wrong - the only most profitable way to success is through failure. When something doesn't work - you start digging why and looking for answers. But when you finally solve the problem you get a lot of insights of what exactly was wrong, how it works, how to use it and in the end all of these failures make you an expert.