Thinking of becoming a mobile app developer? That’s a career choice that can be very lucrative and rewarding! 

Research shows that mobile internet usage has grown in the last few years while desktop internet usage continues to fall. And nearly 90% of mobile internet time is spent in apps.

What does this mean for you? The demand for mobile app developers is rising as more and more businesses seek to develop mobile apps to meet their needs and try to conquer the attractive market.

So if you think it’s time to learn the programming language used in mobile app development, you are definitely on the right track. 

But how do you become a mobile app developer? Let’s cover the basics.

Getting Started: What Tech Stack To Choose?

Android vs iOS

Becoming a mobile app developer requires learning certain skills and acquiring certain knowledge. But before you can start learning, you need to decide which operating system (OS) you are going to develop. This choice will determine which programming language you need to learn to start your career. Another important step is to make a decision to implement a monolithic architecture system or choose another software development method.

iOS and Android are the two most popular mobile operating systems. Both have their unique features, strengths, and weaknesses.

iOS, developed by Apple, is exclusively used on Apple’s iPhone and iPad devices. It is known for its smooth and intuitive user interface, tight security features, and seamless integration with other Apple products. 

Android, on the other hand, is an open-source operating system developed by Google and used on a variety of devices from many different manufacturers. 

Android holds a larger share of the smartphone market than iOS, making it a more attractive platform if you want to reach a larger audience. However, iOS users generally spend more on in-app purchases and are more likely to pay for apps.

Top Android programming languages

Android apps can be built using a variety of programming languages, including C#, Kotlin, and JavaScript (React technologies). But the most popular languages used for Android app development are Java and C++. Here are some of the key features and differences between the two:

Java:

• Object-oriented language 
• Runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), which provides a layer of abstraction between the code and the underlying hardware
• Platform-independent, meaning that Java code can run on any system that has a JVM installed
• Memory management is handled automatically by the JVM’s garbage collector
• Supports multithreading and concurrency, making it well-suited for building scalable and distributed applications
• Native Android language

C++:

• A powerful and fast language that provides direct access to hardware resources
• Supports both procedural and object-oriented programming paradigms
• Can be used for system-level programming, game development, and other performance-intensive applications
• Memory management is manual, meaning that you are responsible for allocating and deallocating memory
• Supports low-level programming features like pointers, which can be both powerful and error-prone
• Can be used for Android development with the Android NDK (Native Development Kit) 

Overall, Java is a more high-level language focused on productivity and ease of use, while C++ is a lower-level language that provides more direct control over hardware resources. 

Obviously, both languages have their strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of language depends on the requirements of the specific application.

But to start a career in Android app development, Java is definitely the best choice. 

Top iOS programming languages

According to Simpalm, a iOS development company, “Like with Android, you can create apps for iOS using several programming languages, including such popular ones as C and C++, Python, and JavaScript. However, the most popular iOS programming languages are Swift and Objective-C.  

Objective-C was the primary language used for iOS development before the introduction of Swift, a more modern language introduced by Apple in 2014. Swift was designed to be a safer and easier-to-use language with a simpler and more concise syntax.

Swift offers several advantages over Objective-C, including better performance, greater safety, and improved memory management. It is also easier to learn and use, with more intuitive syntax and features that make it easier to write efficient and reliable code. Swift is now the preferred language for developing iOS apps, although Objective-C is still widely used and is essential for maintaining legacy apps.

Both Swift and Objective-C are object-oriented languages that support a range of programming paradigms. Both languages offer a rich set of APIs and libraries for iOS development and are compatible with Apple’s frameworks and tools. 

If you decide to start your mobile app developer career with iOS, you should learn Swift first since it has more demand. But it is a good idea to know both and eventually use a combination of the two languages since many projects might demand it.

What’s more, you can opt for a cross-platform approach using React Native or Flutter, which allows to create one app working across multiple platforms. A React Native app development company often values developers with cross-platform app development expertise, making such skills highly desirable in today’s IT industry.

Learn The Language For The Chosen OS

After you’ve chosen the OS to work with, the next logical step is to learn the primary language for that operating system. 

Where to learn Java

There are hundreds of resources available for learning Java, both online and offline. There are numerous books, blogs, communities, video lessons, bootcamps, etc.

However, the most efficient way to learn Java is learning by practicing. That’s why we highly recommend CodeGym. This is one of the best resources to learn Java, with over 1200 instantly validated practical Java exercises. 

Where to learn Swift 

The best way to get acquainted with Swift is by delving into Apple’s Official Swift Documentation. It includes tutorials, guides, and references for learning the language.

Once you’ve learned the basics, you can start practicing your skills with numerous coding challenges and exercises at online coding platforms like HackerRank and LeetCode.

Next Steps On Your Way To Becoming A Mobile App Developer

Once you’ve mastered the chosen programming language, at least its basics, it’s time to familiarize yourself with mobile app development frameworks. For example, if you want to develop an Android app, you should practice using Android Studio. 

Other things you can do to become a developer faster:

• Practice building apps while you study. Start building simple apps and gradually work your way up to more complex projects. 
• Join online communities and attend meetups to learn from more experienced developers and stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field.
• Study app design and user experience principles to make sure that your apps are both functional and attractive.
• Once you’ve built a few apps, publish them on the app stores. This will give you valuable experience in the app development process and provide you with a portfolio to showcase your skills.

And remember – becoming a mobile app developer takes time and effort, but the rewarding and lucrative career is definitely worth it!