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could i make this app

hi. so first off i have never made an app or anything. i am a winemaker. we use a lot of equations in the winemaking process. i know the has an app that is pretty much a calculator for winemaking. i was wondering if it would be even possible me to give it a shot to make(since i have never even tried and do not even know where to start). would it be easy for me to try. it does not have to be pretty. any feed back would be great and how to get started would be even great. if someone would be interested in helping me with, i know about 30 other wine make that would pay good money for an app like this. any suggestions. thanks

Making basic applications isn't that hard if you know what you're doing. Especially if it doesn't have to have pretty graphics and a clever interface, that's even easier. That said, programming does take a while to pick up and get to grips with. The best thing to get you started is to have a project to do, and in that sense, you're well set. If you want to experiment for yourself, I'd suggest going to the Android Developers' official website as it has all kinds of tutorials and basic information to get yourself started and write very simple applications.
That said, if you're serious about paying someone to write this for you, I'm interested. How much did you have in mind? If you want to have a look at my past work, I've written a game for the Android Market; you can have a look at it and see the standard I'd provide. It's called Spectrum Puzzles, a fun jigsaw puzzle game with lots of high quality images and an easy-to-understand interface.

For someone with no programming experience whilst I'm sure you could dive straight in, it might prove off-putting or result in slow progress. If you have no experience whatsoever, you need to get to grips with programming, Java, the Objected Oriented approach & Android.
Personally, I'd suggest installing Java & the integrated development environment Eclipse & using these to allow you to work through some programming tutorials in Java, which will give a more gentle introduction to programming & OO via Java, all of which you'll directly need for Android development.
Others might even suggest you take a seemingly longer route & first learn programming using a language other than Java, but hopefully that won't be necessary.
Once you feel more comfortable - which might not take long if you have plenty of spare time & find yourself suited to thinking like a programmer - you could then begin to learn how to apply all of this to the Android environment.
Of course there's no reason why you couldn't compromise & slide from the former to the latter that bit earlier so you can start on your project which will help maintain motivation when your head starts to hurt
[Edit:] If you're willing to make your offer of payment a subject for public discussion I'd certainly be interested, if only in learning what kind of rates are considered acceptable for such projects. I'm not in a position to take up your request myself & it seems you already have someone with sufficient experience who's interested, but I hope to be up for such projects in the future. As an aside, I'm a former C programmer who's just getting into Java & Android now.

iam trying to learn java and i must say its kinda hard

You need to learn the basics of object oriented programming before you even think about teaching yourself JAVA. Once you learn the meaning of object oriented programming then you could pick up a Java book .

ilmar72 said:
You need to learn the basics of object oriented programming before you even think about teaching yourself JAVA. Once you learn the meaning of object oriented programming then you could pick up a Java book .
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It can be done incrementally. Some aspects of the language can be taught to introduce general programming concepts such as sequence, selection & iteration. OO concepts can then be introduced, followed by their implementation in Java & this can then be built upon.
The biggest risk to this approach is that of establishing a functional programming mindset before getting to the OO meat, however that's no worse than learning programming first through a non OO language. As long as the student understands to some degree how much they don't yet understand, as they proceed, imho this is workable.
The alternative of going straight into OO is going to require a fair bit of theory before getting into coding & while this might work in a classroom with plenty of teaching resources, someone reliant on self study could lose motivation.
I'd be interested in any opinions on this?
FAO the OP: If you like having a physical book to work from, rather than relying on online material solely, I am finding Eckel's Thinking In Java to have been a good choice. Of course you should check out alternatives, multiple reviews etc & look for something to fit your style of learning. I hope you don't give up - programming is a very satisfying skill to develop & use

Help the Newbie

Hi. I was inspired by a friend to start developing apps. I don't know where to start though. What can you advice to me? I will greatly appreciate your suggestions. Thank you.

taionsaf you
As I said to someone else on this forum who asked: It really depends on a lot of factors, such as if you have any programming experience at all or not and what you want to build.
If you are just starting out, I would stick to frameworks/engines that have a built-in scripting language and even come with their own IDE (environment where you create the app and other things).
For example if you are wanting to make a game, then google search for game engines that are geared to those with no experience.
Also a bit of advice: have fun creating the app and don't worry about making money from it, i.e. don't think of the end goal yet, just enjoy the journey.

Hi, i think live wallpaper is a easier place to start from. I personally have not much programming experience apart from basic windows programming learned a decade ago which I forgot most of them by now. Still, i managed to create several live wallpapers which definitely helped me to gain experience on android programming. If you want to build a game, you can try Andengine.

I would suggest checking out tutorials and such.
If you want to see results quickly while you learn, you can try this:
http://gigaom.com/2012/03/05/with-this-tool-even-you-can-write-android-apps/
Haven't tried it myself. Seems like it's all plug and play. You can make an app then go about learning how it's doing what it's doing. I would still strongly suggest tutorials instead of relying on things like this or you can handicap your programming skills. I did that when learning web development :/
Now I'm die hard code from scratch be in 100% control of your code.
But stuff like this is fun and can really help you learn. Just don't rely on it

where and why before how
Don't start on a journey without first knowing where you want to go. Ask yourself what exactly do you want and why, and the answer will be an important factor in deciding how to start.
Chances are you either want to try your hand at app writing just to get the sense of what it is and see if you like it, OR you're serious about mastering a skill and have already decided to put in the effort that will take you there.
1) If you're just interested in dabbling to begin with, I would second marozu's advice and recommend going with a high level framework that deemphasizes coding in favor of doing a lot of design work visually. When you get the hang of it, and if you still like the process of designing apps, then it's time to go lower and learn how things really work under the hood, which will take you to mindset #2.
2) On the other hand, if you're dead set on learning app development and you know you have the willpower to go through a steep and boring learning curve, then just buy or download a recommended beginner's book teaching app writing on your platform of choice (Android, iOS, WP, etc.) and go through it cover to cover. If you're diligent, by the time you finish the book you'll most certainly be a competent, if inexperienced app developer. Also, you will have a really good idea of where you want to go next from there, so it will be a good time to recalibrate your learning compass. I'm not even going to list potential directions here because they are essentially limitless.

I noticed than many starting developers want to create games. It's understandable. Developing games you can see what is happening and play your own games.
But I can recommend to start with small programs which do one small task. Learn how to work with file system, internet etc. This will give you undrestanding OS and how complecated soft works. After that it'll be very easy to create a game according to your ideas.

start watching tutorials about it and reading about the basics

[Q] Visual Basic Student

Hi guys I am a 16 year old student in the UK and has just started college. One of the subjects I am taking is computing. In computing I am learning visual basic. So far I am learning how to write console applications. I have attached a piece of code that demonstrates my skill. But what I would like is to start developing apps. If anyone can point me to tutorials or anything that would be helpful. I also attached a data dictionary to help decipher my code. (what I want to start with is a simple torch app and then build my skill from there)
There is a 'thanks' in there for you.

I took a gander upon your code and wish you good luck with your journey of your programming career. I'm also working towards coding certain apps and utilities myself. Just stick to what you want to and write down in a notepad or if you're more of a person who writes things down in a notebook do that. Write down what you want in a program as well as extra's that you want implemented (such as Beta, Alpha, Free, Pro features, and keep in mind if you're gonna have open source applications for download or put your program on a website for people to download) or something along those lines.

Seeking kind advice from experianced developers

Hi
I recently had a problem with one of the discs in my spinal cord, as a result its quite possible I wont be able to return to my work as an industrial electrician. I am looking for other avenues of employment, I have quite abit of time on my hands to educate myself. I have choosen to look into the app market, after all, smart phones are in the hands of many people. Correct me if I am wrong but a well made app that is very popular could return a healthy living.
I want to make games, I see IAPs, premium version, and advertising as the main avenues for generating cash. Is this correct? Please I would like to start with the question, if hard work and effort put in, can money come out? or is it abit of a minority that makes and ultimatly a waste of time?
My next questions are, where should I start? I have ideas for games and I plan to start small so my knowledge and skills grow, first learning the fundamentals. I have begun to read guides but as was in my trade the advice of an experianced electrician was priceless!
So what software should I use, I plan to make for android then if my apps are popular I would transfer to ios and windows. Is there a base program that I could use which would make it easy to convert from to the said operating systems. Is there no way round it but to start from scratch?
What route would you recommend I take?
I think this is enough for now. Please treat me like a complete noob and have abit of patience :x
Is there any website that explains all the jargon associated with app developing?
Also if theres anything else you think I should know please tell me straight I can take it.
Thanks for any replies!
I really want to make this appen

Game and mobile app designing
Before starting with your game designing job you need to have a good knowledge about language that includes assembly, c, c++, java, Eiffel, Smalltalk, Ada, Lua and Python, Fro the language like assembly, c, c++ and java you just need to have a basic knowledge but the main software designing language that are used today are Lua and Python. One you will have a knowledge regarding the basic language then these language and software are easy to operate. Answering to your question about whether you can make money with this, believe me I started as a beginner for the game designing but then today I have a good command over all the language, software and can also use my knowledge for the mobile app designing for the android, windows and apple platform. This field definitely has money.

Most of your questions aren't of the "do this, it'll be the right way' sort.
If you want to create games, look at the different game development kits around - they will take a lot of burden of you, and might even help you to become multiplatform more easily.
Don't underestimate graphics, sound - they are important key elements of games; you might need other interested people with skills in this areas to develop a good package.
Learn how to programm. Learn how the hardware you designed so far 'thinks' - how the software works, how everything is connected.
I wish you the best, and you might need to rethink your questions, so that people can help you better when you ask more specific questions...

AliciaWinslet said:
Before starting with your game designing job you need to have a good knowledge about language that includes assembly, c, c++, java, Eiffel, Smalltalk, Ada, Lua and Python, Fro the language like assembly, c, c++ and java you just need to have a basic knowledge but the main software designing language that are used today are Lua and Python. One you will have a knowledge regarding the basic language then these language and software are easy to operate. Answering to your question about whether you can make money with this, believe me I started as a beginner for the game designing but then today I have a good command over all the language, software and can also use my knowledge for the mobile app designing for the android, windows and apple platform. This field definitely has money.
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There are two paths you can take. The scripting (using scripting engines) like quoted post or you can chose the native route. Android is natively written in Java with the java assembly; therefor, java will give you the best performance for an android application. Many openGL engines allow the use of c++ which is the next most common mobile development style with the same performace. I have not heard much on using python for mobile applications, but i know cocos2d was originally a python engine so i know its possible. You could make a million dollar app without knowing any assembly. Assembly was used to make the most out of registers and CPUs back in the days of NES and what have you. With the new tegra processors assembly is very unnecessary, but it never hurts to know it.
My personal recommendation, for the standpoint of a game designer and game engine designer, is to learn java first (it is a simple language) or c++ (more complex but still easier then assembly). If you chose to go the scripting route I would try to find a engine that allows that, there are many. As a side note most commercial games are written in c++ or C (or they are a scripting language that compiles to c++); however in androids case everything is compiled to java assembly.
Hope this helps. There is no wrong path.

Need help with starting app development

I am looking to design an app that allows me to ask questions and allow people to record answers via video or voice and then keep those answers recorded on the same device the app is on. If I can get that done I may look into, depending on complexity and the learning curve, designing a branching series of questions in a logic style format (i.e. If the person inputs 'a' for an answer then go to 'c', if 'b' then go to 'd', if skipped go to 'e'). The issue I am having is that I have no real coding or programming experience, but I do have 30 years of practical experience so I am aimless but not completely clueless. I understand the extreme basics of logic paterns and scripts but I can not stress how limited that knowledge is. In the end my app is not meant to be ground breaking or complex nor does it require a grand UI, but I do not know where to go to begin to get the help or jump start I desperately need.
I am looking for advice on where a beginner like me can go to look for learning resources that do not require me to learn things I do not need to know. I want to focus on keeping it simple and to the point so I can complete the project I have set for myself in a timely fashion. I have researched for countless hours on this and the closest I can come are free courses that take you through designing an app from the ground up, which is great, but I do not know if I am looking at the right courses to meet my needs. I also am not interested in using a survey style app out there already that offers services like this as I am not creating a survey nor do I have the capital to pay for some of the licensing fees being asked. So I am turning to the community here and if this is a question posted in the wrong area or forums I apologize but I am hoping someone out there will be able to help guide me. I thank you for reading this and doubly so if you are able to help a nooblet coder start out on a beginners journey.

Android applications are built on Java and XML files for most of the part.
If you want to get into Android app development then I would suggest you to build some foundation learning C++ first and then move ahead. You might even be able to start with Java right away but C/C++ helps build a solid foundation and I've never seen a programmer who knows Java but not C/C++. Even courses on the internet mostly assume that you are coming from a C background.
So once you're done with C++ you can start learning Java and once you're done doing that, you can move on to Android.
If you're​ interested in time frames​ then I'd say about 3 months for C++, 3-4 months for Java.
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