You’re a mobile development architect. What skills do you need to stay ahead of the game?

1 Programming languages

You need to be proficient in at least one of the major programming languages for mobile development, such as Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android, or JavaScript for cross-platform frameworks like React Native or Flutter. You should also be familiar with the syntax, features, and libraries of these languages, and how to use them effectively to create high-performance, scalable, and secure mobile apps.

3 Mobile architecture patterns

You need to understand and apply the appropriate mobile architecture patterns for your app, such as MVC, MVP, MVVM, or MVI. These patterns help you organize your code, separate your concerns, and improve your app's maintainability, testability, and readability. You should also be aware of the pros and cons of each pattern, and how to choose the best one for your app's requirements and complexity.

4 Backend integration

You need to know how to integrate your app with various backend services and APIs, such as authentication, storage, database, analytics, push notifications, or cloud functions. You should be able to use tools like Postman, Retrofit, Alamofire, or Axios to make HTTP requests, handle responses, and parse data. You should also be able to implement security measures, such as encryption, tokens, or certificates, to protect your app's data and communication.

5 Testing and debugging

You need to be able to test and debug your app on different devices, emulators, simulators, and browsers, and use tools like Xcode, Android Studio, Chrome DevTools, or Firebase Test Lab to find and fix errors, crashes, and performance issues. You should also be able to write and run unit tests, integration tests, and UI tests using frameworks like XCTest, Espresso, Jest, or Detox, and use code coverage and quality metrics to measure your app's reliability and functionality.

6 Continuous integration and delivery

You need to be able to use continuous integration and delivery tools and platforms, such as GitHub Actions, Bitbucket Pipelines, Fastlane, or App Center, to automate your app's build, test, and deployment processes. You should also be able to use version control systems, such as Git or SVN, to manage your code changes, branches, and merges. You should also be able to use code review tools, such as Pull Request or Code Review, to collaborate with your team and improve your code quality.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?