What are the steps to transition to a mobile app development career?

Over the past 10 years in mobile app development, I started with Java for Android, creating both offline and online apps, and later embraced Kotlin. A key lesson: explore multiple languages simultaneously for 2x-3x career exposure. One think I found helpful that keep update ourself. Staying updated is a challenge, but dedicating just 10 minutes daily to read blogs or official docs makes a significant impact on knowledge. Continuous learning is vital in this dynamic field.

Transitioning to a mobile app development career can be an exciting and rewarding journey. Be persistent, and don't be afraid to take on challenges and learn from your experiences. Some tips that have worked me well are the following: - Define Your Goal: - Learn the Basics of Programming: - Choose a Platform: - Enroll in Relevant Courses: - Build a Solid Foundation: - Practice by Building Projects: - Explore Design Principles: - Join Developer Communities: - Create a Portfolio: - Stay Updated: - Networking and Collaboration: - Prepare for Job Interviews: - Apply for Jobs: - Continuous Learning:

Take it from someone who has been working as a mobile developer for more than seven years: - Embrace new technologies without hesitation. I remember people debating the necessity of switching from Eclipse to Android Studio. - Broaden your skills to gain a better perspective and become a forward-thinking team member. - Dive into platforms and languages, understanding how things work rather than just using them. This will make you stand out in a crowd. - Stay active in the community to ensure you never miss out on emerging technologies.

Firstly, master programming basics in Java or Swift. Secondly, build a portfolio showcasing mobile apps and stay updated with industry trends. Lastly, network with developers, attend meetups and seek feedback for continuous improvement in your mobile app development career.

Choosing a mobile platform has evolved drastically. Today, frameworks like Flutter and React Native make it easier to develop for both Android and iOS with a single codebase. After 7 years in Android, I transitioned to Flutter during its peak in 2019-20. For newcomers prioritizing cross-platform capabilities, starting with Flutter or React Native is wise. However, I recommend exploring native languages initially. This foundation proves invaluable when troubleshooting platform-specific issues on Android or iOS. In this dynamic industry, continuous learning is crucial. Maintain versatility in your skill set. The more adaptable you are, the better prepared you'll be for the evolving challenges of mobile app development. ?? #MobileDev

It is always a great idea to have some knowledge on all mobile platforms however I believe that mastering one over the others is important for career development. Personally I chose to work with iOS because of the elegance of Swift language and the overall architecture and functional environment Apple has built across devices. Having said that, I never turned down an opportunity to get my hands on Android or React Native. If you have experience with the programming language of one platform I would suggest you start with that as you would at least have a foundation. In case this is all new to you choose the one that sounds more exciting, most of the time we tend to stick by things that excite us which is important when you’re learning.

To start in mobile app development: 1. OOP Basics: - Learn foundational OOP concepts. 2. Platform Mastery: - Understand Java for Android and Swift or Swift UI for iOS basics development. 3. API Integration: - Simple API calls for data handling. 4. IDE Skills: - Use Android Studio or Xcode; practice on emulators. 5. Design Proficiency: - Implement designs from Figma to code. 6. Code Optimization: - Cultivate code optimization habits. 7. Continuous Learning: - Stay updated through social platforms daily. 8. Testing and Collaboration: - Learn APK sharing; collaborate and ask questions. 9. Innovation Mindset: - Foster creativity and tackle complex challenges. Embrace the learning journey! ???? #MobileDev

Mobile App Portfolio: Drawing from personal experience, I've consistently crafted small to medium-level apps during my free time. I'm always willing to share the code on GitHub, emphasizing that showcasing your portfolio doesn't necessarily require uploading apps to Play Store or App Store. Opting for open source can significantly enhance your profile. In my journey, I've experimented with various apps on Play Store, some with seemingly trivial ideas, yet a few garnered 50-100k downloads. Pretty cool, right? My advice is to implement whatever ideas you have in mind. Whether or not it's published globally, the learning experience is invaluable. Don't hesitate—just dive in and explore! ???? #AppDevelopment #PortfolioBuilding

A foundational requirement for mobile app development is proficiency in core programming languages such as Java, Kotlin, Swift, or Dart. A solid knowledge of these languages is essential to understand the implementation of various packages and concepts utilized in mobile app development. Solid knowledge of the core programming languages not only enhances our comprehension of mobile app development but also enables you to learn insights from programs on different platforms.

In any field, it is important to think about how your craft stand out from others. My suggestion is to think about how your experiences in other disciplines help make you a better mobile app developer. Eg. how your past experience in SRE, in performance engineering made you build your mobile app that is resilient and performing to wow the users.