iOS Help a 1st time coder, what need etc please

[MrMister111]

I have an idea for a "simple" app I'd like to do that would actually also help me.

It will mainly be text app with links/info/tick boxes so nothing fancy.

I have an iMac with latest Mac OS on, downloaded Xcode, and have an iPad and iPhone.

So do I need a developer licence now even to code and try the app out? Can I make an app and put on my iPad/iPhone in a test mode?

I'm brand new to coding so know it's a big step so don't want to pay of don't have time etc to eventually publish anything.

Also what's easiest and best way to use Xcode for something like this?

Thanks

 

[mds1256]

you should be able to use xcode and put the app on your own device without a PAID developer account, as Apple allows basic developer functionality without paying.

If you want things like push notifications/iCloud etc then you will need a paid developer account.

In Xcode if you login to your apple id it should allow you to use it for your own development.

 

[bjet767]

I'm brand new to coding so know it's a big step so don't want to pay of don't have time etc to eventually publish anything.

Also what's easiest and best way to use Xcode for something like this?

If you have never coded anything before you really should take some sort of class or structured tutorial. Just the logic and understanding of data types is overwhelming to many. I would also recommend you stay with Swift as the primary language because it hides a whole lot of the data issue and lets the coder just think like a human. If you want a variable to be a string (what's a string?) all you have to do is initialize it with some text and the same goes for n umeric values.

Where it gets difficult is learning the iOS API (application programming interface) and Xcode.

It's a lifetime of learning and challenges and worth every moment!

 

[MrMister111]

Wish I had the time to do a class but going to use Udemy or YouTube I think.

So is swift a separate language? An overlay on top of Xcode? All strange!

 

[v0lume4]

My friend has had great success with Udemy. He does web programming (websites).

Xcode is simply an interface that you use to code iPhone apps. It's an application on your computer. You know how you use Chrome or Firefox to browse the web? Well, you use Xcode when building iPhone apps.

Swift is a programming language. You program using Swift inside of the Xcode application. Again, Xcode is just an application. Did that help at all?

 

[KALLT]

In addition to Udemy I can also recommend Udacity. They have an introductory iOS programming course (along several others) that give you a great starting point (they are free). They explain to you how Xcode works and show you how to use Interface Builder and Swift to get started quickly.

 

[MrMister111]

Think Udemy/YouTube will be my best bet. I can also watch on my iPhone when out and about for refresher, although obviously need to be in front to actually do proper stuff.

Understand about Xcide app and Swift language thanks. So before it was Obj-C? So has Swift basically superseded that now? and is apparently better/easier?

Thanks again

 

[MrMister111]

Also Apple do a intro course on coding, is Swift Playground on iPad any use? I have an iPad so could have a dabble on that?

 

[bjet767]

Swift is a separate language and has it's own compiler (but you will not know that, it's all seamless) in Xcode.

No iPad playground for Swift or ObjectiveC.

Yes there's some good YouTube videos about learning the language and Xcode.