The mobile app industry is booming and shows no signs of slowing down. As companies increasingly turn to mobile solutions, the demand for skilled mobile developers has skyrocketed. Businesses are constantly looking for professionals who can design and develop mobile apps to get their work done.
What Does a Mobile Developer Do?
A mobile developer is a professional who designs and develops applications for mobile devices, tablets, and even smartwatches. To become one, you’ll need to learn programming languages such as Swift, C#, Java, and Kotlin, among others. In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to become a mobile developer. But first, let’s address whether it’s still relevant to pursue mobile development in 2024 and beyond.
Is Mobile App Development Still Relevant in 2024?
Absolutely! The mobile app industry is enormous and continues to grow. Almost everything is becoming digital, which means there is an ongoing need for developers to bring ideas to life. In fact, there is no indication that this industry will slow down anytime soon.
Here are some key points:
- Growing Demand: The industry needs more developers to keep up with demand.
- Competitive Salaries: Beginner mobile developers can earn between $75k and $120k annually, with salary growth averaging 10% per year.
- Remote Opportunities: Many mobile developers work remotely, offering location independence.
- Career Flexibility: You can work for a company, freelance, or even start your own digital agency or startup.
With these opportunities in mind, there’s no need to worry about the relevance of mobile development over the next few decades.
Choosing a Platform for Your Development Journey
Mobile development spans several platforms, including iOS, Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Mobile. However, focusing on BlackBerry or Windows Mobile is not worth it as they are no longer relevant in today’s market.
- iOS: Fewer developers and fewer jobs, but less competition.
- Android: More job opportunities, but also more competition.
Your choice of platform should depend on your career goals and interests. Regardless of competition, becoming a highly skilled developer will always be in demand, no matter the platform.
Native vs. Cross-Platform Development
Native Development involves coding for a specific platform using platform-specific languages. For example, Android development typically uses Java or Kotlin, while iOS uses Swift or Objective-C. Native apps have full access to device features, ensuring a smooth and optimized experience.
Examples of native apps:
- Google Maps
- Spotify
Cross-Platform Development allows you to write a single codebase that works on both iOS and Android platforms. Using frameworks like React Native or Flutter, you can develop apps without having to write separate code for each platform.
Examples of cross-platform apps:
- Instagram, Skype, Walmart, Airbnb (React Native)
- Google Ads, BMW, eBay (Flutter)
Note: If you are already familiar with JavaScript, cross-platform development can be an easier entry point into mobile development.
What Should You Learn to Become a Mobile Developer?
- Pick a Programming Language: Choose Swift for iOS development and Kotlin or Java for Android. Swift is now the recommended language for iOS, and Kotlin for Android.
- Choose an IDE: For iOS, use Xcode (make sure you have a Mac).
- For Android, use Android Studio.
- Basic Learning: Start by learning the fundamentals of your chosen language, including object-oriented programming (OOP).
- Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA): Learn basic algorithms like sorting and insertion to help build logic for your apps.
- Gradle: If you’re focusing on Android, learn how to use Gradle for project builds.
- Version Control: Learn Git for version control, and host your code on GitHub or Bitbucket.
Mobile App Components
Activity:
- Activity Lifecycle
- State Changes
- Task & Backstack
Intent:
- Implicit Intents
- Explicit Intents
- Intent Filters
Services:
- Content Provider
- Broadcast Receiver
Interface & Navigation:
- Elements & Layouts
- Jetpack Compose
- Navigation Components
Design Architecture
- Architectural Patterns: MVI, MVVM, MVP, MVC
- Design Patterns: Repository Pattern, Builder Pattern, Factory Pattern, Observer Pattern
- Reactive Programming: Flow, RxKotlin, RxJava, LiveData
- Dependency Injection: Dagger, Hilt, Koin, Kodein
Storage
- Data Storage Options: Shared Preferences, DataStore, Room Database, File System
Network
- Networking Tools: Retrofit, OkHttp
Asynchronous Programming
- Concurrency: Coroutines, Threads, WorkManager
Debugging & Distribution
Learning debugging techniques and understanding the process of app distribution are crucial steps before launching your app.
By following these steps and learning the appropriate tools and languages, you can confidently start your journey as a mobile developer, equipped with the skills to thrive in 2024 and beyond.