A few years ago when we were kids, creating our first computer program was an easy job. We would just type lines of code and execute them on the command line. Nowadays, building your very own app is not so straightforward. You need to learn how all kinds of technologies work together in order to get something that resembles a product. It's like being a mechanic who knows nothing about cars but tries his luck by tinkering with some parts here and there until he gets what he wants.
You're lucky if it even works at all. In fact, most people will tell you that programming skills are necessary for any kind of career path in tech (including management). But while this might be true, it doesn't mean you have to go into university or start learning coding right away. There are many other ways to get started which require less time, effort, money, and energy than developing your programming abilities. Let me explain.
How do those big companies manage their huge development teams without knowing anything about computers themselves? What makes a company hire someone who isn't familiar with their own technology stack? How does Facebook grow its team without programmers? The answer lies in design patterns, best practices, and tools they use. This article explores these topics from a non-programming perspective.
When you want to develop your first web application, one option is to find an existing framework to base your project off of. Frameworks are reusable pieces of software designed to simplify common tasks. They come preinstalled with lots of features out of the box, such as authentication & security, routing, database access, etc. For example, ReactJS provides a set of components called "buttons" that allow developers to quickly construct UI elements. If you've used HTML before, then you already know what buttons look like — they're basically links. When users click these links, certain actions happen behind the scenes.
The same concept applies to frameworks, except instead of using JavaScript, you'll be writing code in another language like Ruby on Rails, Python, Express.js, Backbone.js, Ember JS, Angular 2+, Meteor, Laravel, Django…the list goes on! These languages provide syntax similar to popular mainstream scripting languages like PHP and C#, but compile down to native machine instructions. As a result, they run faster than traditional interpreted languages like Javascript. This means a developer can focus more on designing apps rather than worrying about performance issues.
In addition to running fast, compiled languages also offer better support for things like concurrency, data validation, and object oriented concepts. By combining both speed and ease of use, these languages make it possible to scale a startup's engineering efforts without hiring full-time coders. Instead, engineers can spend 80% of their time working on actual designs, leaving only 20% for coding.
Another benefit to choosing a framework over raw coding is that you don't necessarily have to learn everything yourself. Many frameworks contain built-in documentation and tutorials written by experts from within the community. Since the ecosystem surrounding each library is often open source, anyone can contribute to the overall knowledgebase. Open Source libraries are typically licensed under MIT License, meaning you can freely distribute and modify them however you wish.
As mentioned above, finding a framework to base your new project off of is pretty easy nowadays thanks to services such as GitHub where thousands of projects live on every day. To see examples of great startups created with minimal coding skill check out AngelList.com.
Choosing the correct framework(s) depends heavily upon your needs. Some frameworks excel at providing scalability whereas others specialize in simplicity. Here are a couple of tips to help choose the right tool for the job:
If you're planning to launch a consumer facing website, consider using a platform based on NodeJS/Express. This offers flexibility for rapid iteration because server side rendering happens automatically. On the downside, scaling up requires additional technical resources.
For mobile apps, take advantage of platforms based on ObjectiveC (iOS), Java (Android), Swift (OSX), etc. Although slower than browser based clients, native apps tend to perform better due to increased memory control. However, since Apple owns Swift, iOS devs must adhere to strict guidelines in order to maintain high quality standards. Also keep in mind that Android devices vary widely across regions. A single feature may operate differently depending on market conditions. Therefore, testing on multiple devices is critical.
Once you decide on a framework, it's time to pick a specific domain area and begin developing your idea. Once you're comfortable with the basics, you should try tackling bigger challenges. An easy way to proceed is to follow along with a tutorial series offered by a reputable provider. You could choose to study a particular topic or pick a final goal such as implementing CRUD operations. After completing a course, ask questions about real world scenarios that are outside of scope and hope to receive feedback. Most providers encourage communication between students and instructors, making it easier to troubleshoot problems and share ideas.
To further expand your skillset, consider taking part in hackathons hosted around the globe. Hackathon events generally last anywhere from 8 hours to days long and involve hundreds of participants. Events like these provide ample opportunity to meet fellow enthusiasts, exchange ideas, and compete against competitors. At the end of the day, winners earn cash prizes ranging from $250-$10,000 dollars. Another perk of participating in competitions like this is getting exposed to industry leaders and mentors. Not sure where to start? Try attending DevPost Global Summit 2016 next year!
Here are three popular websites that host hackathons:
HackerRank.com
DevPost.io
Hackathon.io
After gaining experience through hacking competitions, you can now venture beyond basic web application functionality and apply your newfound skills to larger programs. One thing to note is that unlike smaller projects, large ones usually take longer to complete. Bigger products often incorporate several different technologies, requiring developers to master numerous areas simultaneously. Even though this sounds overwhelming, there are plenty of awesome free courses available online to show you the ropes.
One good place to start is Udemy.com. Udemy focuses exclusively on training videos taught by top professionals from various industries. Topics range from business fundamentals to advanced techniques related to specialized fields (e.g., Front End Development, Mobile App Design, Product Management, Marketing Strategy, Web Scraping, Data Science, Machine Learning, etc.)
Udemy allows customers to signup for unlimited classes per month starting at $19.99 each. Alternatively, you can purchase individual lessons priced at $29.99 each. Course materials can either be downloaded via PDF after payment or streamed directly through the site. Students can download lectures offline once purchased. All paid content comes with lifetime upgrades and automatic updates.
Another handy resource for aspiring developers is Lynda.com. Similar to Udemy, Lynda gives subscribers access to tons of video trainings covering a wide variety of subjects including general programming, frontend development, backend development, UX design, marketing principles, sales, and more. Courses are broken down by level of difficulty and price point ($25 - $199) allowing you to select whichever suits your current situation. Monthly plans cost $15.95 each plus applicable taxes. Higher tier subscriptions unlock extra perks such as ad-free viewing, dedicated customer service, and priority delivery.
Lynda hosts regular hackathons throughout the year to promote collaboration among members. Check out upcoming events here.
While it certainly takes talent to create successful software, it's worth noting that talented individuals aren't always skilled enough to handle complex problems. As a result, developers sometimes turn to outsourcing firms in order to avoid becoming overwhelmed. Outsourcing services include agencies such as Elance, Toptal, oDesk, Remote Year, Vayner Media Ventures, etc. Unlike freelancing sites, agencies charge hourly fees for ongoing maintenance and support. Depending on complexity, rates can reach upwards of $100+ per hour. However, prices vary greatly and depend largely on personal preference and location.
On average, outsourcing firms tend to lower costs compared to employees hired directly. Compared to agency salaries, wages earned by outsourced workers tend to be higher. And although contractors lack benefits such as health insurance and vacation payouts, they're able to leverage freelance sites such as Upwork and Freelancer to connect with potential employers.
Whether you'd prefer to stay inside or explore opportunities abroad, it never hurts to widen your horizons. So why stop here? Take it one step further and learn how to actually deploy your software! From cloud hosting options to managing servers, the process of deploying software involves countless steps. Luckily, there are plenty of fantastic guides available online to help walk newcomers through the entire process. Popular sources include DigitalOcean, Heroku, Amazon EC2, Google Cloud Platform, Codepen Pencoder, Code School, Github, and GitLab.
Software is everywhere and it’s getting more complex as time goes by. Creating software without programming has been one of the biggest challenges for developers in recent years. But there are some new tools that make this process less painful.
No-Code platforms allow users with little or even zero experience to design their own apps. These platforms let anyone create websites, mobile apps, desktop apps, etc., using drag-and-drop features and intuitive interfaces (UI). The end result can be compared to designing your first website. You don't need to know how to code at all — just click "build" button and watch what happens!
So, why would someone want to do something like that? Here's why...
According to Gartner analysts, about 80 percent of companies have already started adopting cloud computing services. In other words, they're outsourcing development tasks. This trend will continue throughout 2021.
Gartner predicts that 40% of enterprises will outsource 75 percent of their IT infrastructure management to third parties during the year. And another 30% will rely on external providers for 90 percent of their digital transformation processes.
In addition to cost savings, these practices also provide businesses with faster timescales for product releases and better quality products.
But if we look closer, we'll see that not every company needs outsourced help when building custom software. Some firms only require occasional support from experts who've worked with similar projects before. They might choose to use existing libraries instead of reinventing the wheel themselves. Or maybe they'd rather focus on core business areas than spend resources managing technical details.
And then there are those who simply prefer having control over everything, including user interface elements, platform architecture, data storage, security, etc. It may sound counterintuitive but many people won't feel comfortable sharing sensitive information with outside vendors.
The good news is that today's market offers plenty of no-code options that enable everyone to develop custom software quickly and easily. No matter whether you work full-time as a developer, or you're a manager responsible for overseeing multiple teams, you should consider implementing one of them into your workflow.
Here are several ways to get started.
There are two main types of no-code platforms: open source and proprietary ones. Open Source Platforms are free to download and edit, while Proprietary Platforms are usually paid subscriptions. Both offer different advantages, so choosing which type suits your project best depends on your requirements.
Open Source Platforms often include ready UI components, allowing you to skip frontend customization. On the downside, you may face difficulties finding reliable community members willing to contribute to such platforms. Also, adding additional functionalities requires extra effort since most of the available templates come with predefined limitations.
Proprietary Platforms offer a wider range of customizable template alternatives with advanced functionality. However, you must pay monthly subscription fees to access premium content. Plus, you may find it challenging to collaborate with others due to intellectual property concerns.
If you plan to release your app publicly, ensure that the tool does not contain any personal information that could compromise your customers' privacy. If possible, try to utilize both kinds of platforms. For example, start off with a basic version of your app, either free or freemium, with limited capabilities. Then gradually enhance its usability through updates and add value-added offerings via subscription plans.
You can create a simple computer program using Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Google Docs, or LibreOffice Draw. To make things simpler, here's a step-by-step guide showing you how to turn any document/presentation/spreadsheet file into a standalone executable file within minutes.
1. Create a blank.EXE file in Notepad.
2. Copy and paste the following script inside the file:
3. Save the EXE file.
4. Right-click anywhere on your screen and select "Run As Administrator."
5. Choose your newly created application (.exe) file from Windows Explorer menu.
6. Click Run. Your app should run automatically.
7. Enjoy your creation!
This method works well if you want to distribute your app privately among friends and family. But you probably wouldn't want to publish it publicly on the internet. That's where dedicated no-code tools enter the scene.
These platforms typically consist of preconfigured UI templates that allow non-technical individuals to create various types of apps. Instead of writing scripts manually, designers can customize them by dragging and dropping widgets onto the canvas.
One drawback of these approaches is that they lack flexibility. Once built, you cannot change anything unless you hire an expert. Another disadvantage is that the final output files still take up too much space and slow down system performance. So, you may have to sacrifice speed for simplicity.
On the upside, you don't need to worry about storing big files, maintaining databases, securing servers, integrating APIs, testing algorithms, etc. All of this stuff takes place behind the scenes. What really matters for you is the quality of your product.
Finally, you shouldn't overlook hybrid models combining open source and proprietary technologies. Such systems combine the benefits of both worlds. They give creators freedom to experiment with unique ideas and designs, yet prevent them from making critical mistakes along the way.
For instance, BonsaiOS combines Android OS with Apache Software Foundation's Node.js framework for creating scalable backend API solutions. Developers can use familiar Java-based IDE plugins to write server side logic. At the same time, they benefit from modularity provided by Linux kernel, thereby reducing maintenance costs significantly.
Moreover, thanks to integrated debugging utilities, IDEs are now capable of running JavaScript in real-time. Thus, coders can enjoy maximum productivity, regardless of language choice.
Another interesting option is AppearODE. This platform helps programmers transform their existing web pages into fully functioning smartphone apps using HTML5 and CSS3 languages. It lets them modify the appearance, structure, behavior and functionality of mobile screens instantly.
Additionally, AppearODE gives users complete accessibility to all internal data and functions. Users can upload APK files directly from their browsers or devices and test changes live.
AppearODE supports native device notifications and push messaging. Therefore, it allows you to monitor the progress of each task right from your home PC. And, unlike traditional methods, AppearODE doesn't put restrictions on app sizes. Consequently, it reduces your overall app size by 50%.
Also, keep in mind that a lot of enterprise organizations already rely heavily upon legacy software. Since no-code tools operate independently of old programs, there's no risk associated with compatibility issues.
That said, there are certain cases when it makes sense to stick with old school solutions. Let's say you're trying to integrate a piece of software written in COBOL into a modern database engine. Well, chances are slim that you'll succeed. Even experienced engineers struggle to accomplish this feat.
However, if you've got a solid reason to stick with COBOL — e.g. you're working on a government project — go ahead and do whatever you think is necessary.
Yes, you can! There are dozens of frameworks, packages, SDKs, plugins, etc., designed specifically to facilitate rapid prototyping. Many of them are based on popular open-source components.
For starters, check out ReactJS, AngularJS, VueJS, Express.js, Meteor, ASP.NET Core, Django, Ruby on Rails, WordPress Plugins, Laravel, Backbone, Codeigniter, Phone Gap, Ember.js, Phaser, Bootstrap Mobile Framework, jQueryMobile, NativeScript Sidekick, DART, Sencha Touch, Unity Web Player, Fabric.io, Firebase, Parse Server, PixiJS, LESS, Stencil, Zurb foundation, Drupal Commerce, etc.
All of these frameworks have distinct pros and cons. Try to explore the ecosystem thoroughly and pick whichever technology feels appropriate for your project. Afterward, you can consult specialists if needed.
Software development is one of the most rewarding careers out there, but creating an app from scratch isn't always easy. There are many different types of tools that developers use to code and design apps for their computers. But did you know that there's also another way to develop software — with nothing but HTML, CSS, JavaScript (or other languages), and some creativity?
It may sound too good to be true, but it’s actually possible today thanks to new technologies like React Native, Flutter, Python, and others. These platforms allow people who have little or no previous experience in developing programs to get started on building mobile, desktop, ecommerce, cloud, etc., applications. And these days, anyone can learn how to write front end code using popular frameworks such as AngularJS, Bootstrap, Vue.js, Ember.js, WordPress plugins, etc. This means more companies will hire non-developers to work on projects that they don't want to handle themselves. The question now becomes, "how?"
Here we'll explain what makes up those so called “no-codes" and show you how to start designing apps without writing any lines of actual code.
Computer applications are created through three main stages. First, you need to decide which type of platform should run the program. Next, you choose a specific language to implement your idea into. Finally, you convert this code into something executable, i.e. a.exe file, or an installer (.msi).
Let’s take a look at each stage separately.
First, let’s talk about choosing between native vs cross-platform approaches. A native approach usually refers to running a piece of software written specifically for one particular operating system. For example, if you're making an iOS app, then you would compile its source files into Objective C extensions before shipping them off to Apple App Store. On the contrary, when working on a cross-platform app, all you need to worry about is deploying your project to multiple devices. It doesn't matter whether it runs well on Android, Windows, Mac OS X, Raspberry Pi, etc. If someone wants to install it, they just download it instead of compiling anything beforehand. That said, a lot of big names in tech including Facebook, Google, Netflix, Spotify, LinkedIn, eBay, Uber, Snapchat, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitch, Tinder, Dropbox, Evernote, Quora, Yahoo Mail, Slack, Discord, Zendesk, Trello, Zoom, Shopify, Hubspot, Hootsuite, SoundCloud, Tastemade, etc., use cross-platform technology to power their products.
Second, let’s consider the choice between static typing and dynamic typing. Static typing allows programmers to keep track of variable states within functions, whereas dynamic typing gives users the freedom to change variables during runtime. In addition, while both approaches provide similar performance, dynamic ones tend to be faster than their counterparts since they operate less frequently. However, because of the extra overhead involved, they often require more memory space. As far as security goes, dynamic typed applications are safer than statically typed ones since hackers can exploit bugs present in dynamically coded systems. Dynamic typing is mostly preferred nowadays due to better user experiences.
Thirdly, let’s discuss whether you should go freeform or block form based programming. Freeform lets coders define components via plain text rules and connect them together later using hooks. Block form, on the other hand, only offers predefined blocks of functionality for coders to combine into complex pieces. Although freeform methods are slower than block forms, they tend to offer greater flexibility since programmers can easily add or remove functionalities whenever needed. Plus, unlike traditional objects/classes, freeforms are not bound by inheritance principles nor forced to carry data across methods. For beginners, it might help to think of freeform as a kind of Lego where everything fits together perfectly.
Lastly, here’s a brief rundown of some of the most common languages used today: Java, C++, PHP, Ruby, Swift, Go, Scala, Kotlin, Node.js, Erlang, Rust, Python, Perl, Lua, Haskell, SQL, Bash, XML, JSON, etc.
If you've read this entire article, congratulations! You’re probably feeling pretty overwhelmed right now. Don’t worry though, learning how to build simple websites with HTML5 takes time and effort. So, why not give yourself a break by starting with something simpler? To kickstart your journey towards becoming a developer, check out our list of beginner tutorials that teach the basics of programming. Once you feel comfortable enough, move onto taking part in challenges like CodeWars or Codecombat. Hopefully, after doing so, you’ll find yourself itching to try creating your first application.
As mentioned earlier, anyone can learn how to write front end code using popular frameworks such as AngularJS, Bootstrap, Vue.js, Ember.js, WordPress plugins, etc. But what happens once you have the skills required to craft beautiful interfaces? How do you turn your knowledge into real world examples? Enter Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) aka SPA. PWAs refer to single page applications built on top of modern browser capabilities. They're basically responsive websites that behave like regular standalone applications. Since their pages load quickly and contain minimal amounts of redundant content, PWAs improve UX dramatically. At least, that's what the creators of PWA claim.
With PWAs, coders can build applications faster, cheaper, and with higher quality. Furthermore, they eliminate the need to support outdated browsers, porting updates to newer versions, testing locally, debugging remotely, etc.
However, despite being highly recommended by experts, PWAs aren't widely adopted yet. One reason for this is that getting accustomed to reading and editing markup codes can be hard for newcomers. Luckily, as long as you stick to industry standards and keep things basic, you shouldn't encounter problems.
In order for your ideas to come alive, you need to pick a suitable toolkit/framework. Frameworks vary greatly depending on the type of application you wish to build. Some of the best include Adobe Flash CS6 Professional, Microsoft Silverlight 5, Unity 3D, Unreal Engine 4, Adobe Flex Builder 4, Apache Cordova, PhoneGap Build 2, Sencha Touch 2, jQuery Mobile 1.4+, ActionScript 3.0+ (also known as MXMLCore), HTML5, ASP.NET MVC, Django Rest Framework, React Native 0.13+, Express framework, Meteor, Backbone, Phaser, Pixi.js, NPM, Git, Grunt, Babel 6, etc.
After picking a framework, you must next determine a target device(s) upon which your program will reside. Popular targets include iPhone, iPad, Samsung Galaxy, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku, Chromecast, Android TV, LG smart TVs, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series, Playstation Vita, Wii U, Oculus Rift, Gear VR, HTC Vive, HoloLens, etc. Additionally, some frameworks include dedicated emulators designed to simulate the behavior of various gadgets. Examples of these include Genymotion, BlueStacks, Firefox Simulator, Chrome Canary Emulator, Opera Canary Emulator, Visual Studio Emulation Platform, VMware Player, CloudConvert, etc.
Once you have completed the above steps, you can proceed with converting your code into an executable format. Most of the aforementioned frameworks provide readymade templates containing snippets of reusable logic, styling, layouts, navigation structures, etc. Others, however, allow users to customize existing elements according to specifications defined by business requirements. Lastly, regardless of whether you chose to use prebuilt modules or wrote custom scripts, you must ensure that whatever you produce complies with relevant regulations. Otherwise, you risk having your creation shut down sooner rather than later.
Yes you can. All you need to do is follow a logical structure consisting of pages, sections, rows, columns, menu bars, tabs, buttons, images, videos, icons, etc. When done correctly, your interface won't resemble a typical website, meaning it looks exactly like what visitors see every day.
Additionally, if you plan to deploy your product overseas, you must ensure that it contains absolutely no malicious content. After all, although the majority of internet surfers welcome innovation, there exists a segment of individuals looking to cause harm for selfish reasons. Therefore, it's imperative that you adhere to standard practices and stay away from controversial topics altogether.
Building your very own application could potentially save you thousands of dollars over hiring professional IT services (like freelance coders or outsourced engineers). Moreover, it provides full control over your product, allowing you to tweak certain aspects until it meets your expectations. Lastly, even if you fail miserably on your first attempt, it won't set you back financially. Instead, you'd gain valuable insight into critical areas needing improvement.
From the early days of Apple's Lisa and Macintosh computers all the way through today, one of the most popular methods for creating software is by using macros (a series of instructions that are automatically repeated). For example, in its simplest form, a macro might be something like "copy this text," which would copy whatever was typed into the document and paste it into another file or onto the screen. Macro systems were used in many other types of computer programs as well.
Macros have their advantages and disadvantages. On the plus side, they're extremely easy to use -- just type them out once and repeat them over and over again. The downside is that if your program needs any sort of customization, such as changing how frequently certain things happen, then having hundreds of lines of code that need to be changed manually isn't very practical. It also means that there may be some bugs with what eventually gets released because not everyone tested everything before releasing it publicly.
In recent years, however, new techniques have been developed that allow people who aren't programmers to write their own software easily. There now exists several powerful tools that don't require writing any actual code at all. These tools are called No Code platforms, meaning that instead of writing lots of complicated code yourself, you simply click buttons and drag icons around screens. You won't find these kinds of apps being built from scratch in house anymore. Instead, these companies will do development work themselves and release those creations under different names so that others can build upon their ideas.
So here we'll take a look at how you can create software without programming. We'll start off with ways to design your own app, move on to looking at how to actually deploy it, and finish up with examples of existing products that didn't come about through traditional means. Let's get started!
One of the easiest methods for building your own app is using Google App Engine. This platform allows anyone to develop websites and web services without needing to worry about hosting servers or database administration. All you need is a domain name, and you can begin developing right away. In fact, since you only pay when users visit your site, you could even set up your website to run completely free of charge until you've earned enough revenue through advertising or donations to cover operating costs.
To sign up for GAE, go to the main page and select "Sign Up". Follow the steps to verify your account, and the next time you open a browser window, you should see a URL similar to http://localhost/[your_app]/. From there, you can enter various commands into your address bar to test functions of your service. If you want to learn more about setting up and running a website, check out our guide to learning HTML5.
Another option for making your own website is WAMP stack, which stands for Windows Apache MySQL PHP. This tool provides access to three separate technologies needed to operate a server locally. Using this method, you can host multiple sites on a single machine without worrying about where data goes or whether things are secure or private. To install the Wamp stack, head over to wampstack.com, download the appropriate version for your system, then follow the installation process given on that site. Once installed, fire up the command line client that came along with the package, and start testing out features with phpinfo().
If neither of these options appeal to you, there are still plenty of other alternatives. Check out our list of the best cheap web hosts. Many of these offer unlimited bandwidth and disk space for free. Others provide great support and customer satisfaction.
Once you decide you really want to pursue a career in tech, there are two paths to consider. One path involves starting your own company and finding investors to help fund the initial effort. Another path lets you focus entirely on designing cool stuff while outsourcing the rest of the technical details to professionals. Both paths have pros and cons, but whichever route you choose depends largely on what kind of experience you already have.
For instance, if you've never worked professionally outside of school, then perhaps you'd better stick to freelancing since you lack both the skillset and contacts necessary for launching a successful business. However, if you're experienced in working with developers, designers, and project managers, you may be able to launch a startup without ever spending too long doing boring tasks like paperwork.
There are tons of resources available for entrepreneurs to tap into during the earliest stages of a business. Our favorite place to search for funding is Kickstarter, although Indiegogo offers a lot of opportunities as well. When searching for seed money, try checking out AngelList, SeedInvest, Ladders, and Techstars Startup Accelerator. And keep an eye out for competitions hosted by Y Combinator, 500 Startups, Kiva, and SBIES.
Alternatively, you can opt to contract out nontechnical tasks to freelance workers. Web designer Elance lists jobs ranging from logo creation to mobile UI design, and Fiverr specializes in quick projects involving small amounts of money. Gigbucks connects independent contractors with clients willing to pay for specific services. A number of other job boards exist as well. If you're interested in becoming a contractor rather than a full-time employee, check out the Freelancers Union for information on joining and getting paid fairly.
And remember, if you're thinking about hiring someone else to handle a particular aspect of your product, read How Do I Hire Programmers?, What Should I Look For When Choosing An IT Consultant? and Is Outsourcing My Programming Mistake?.
The first step towards creating an application is deciding exactly what it does and why it's useful. After figuring out what functionality you're planning, think about what language you want to use to implement said function. Then pick either JavaScript or Ruby, depending on what languages you know and enjoy using.
JavaScript engines include V8, Chakra, SpiderMonkey, JSC, Traceur, etc., whereas Ruby interpreters consist of MRI, YARV, MagLev, Rubinius, etc. By choosing a proper engine or interpreter, you ensure maximum compatibility between your chosen technology and future versions of browsers. Also, avoid picking a language that takes forever to compile. That strategy is fine for hobbyist coders, but professional engineers usually prefer faster turnaround times.
Next comes the fun part: putting together modules to construct larger components. Each module is basically a self-contained chunk of functionality. They typically perform simple operations, but each one can call other modules to perform additional actions. Modules are written in plain English, which makes them highly readable.
After composing individual modules, you'll combine them into larger units known as containers. Containers hold groups of related modules and let you organize large chunks of logic into smaller pieces. While containers are good for abstracting complex algorithms, they also hide implementation details from view. As a result, debugging becomes considerably harder. Therefore, unless you absolutely must expose internal workings, it's recommended that you isolate your core algorithm into a separate container.
Finally, you'll probably need to add user interface elements like menus, dropdown boxes, radio buttons, sliders, etc., and connect them all together with event handlers. Event handlers are essentially callback procedures that react to changes in state or behavior. Since events can trigger dozens of actions simultaneously, keeping track of which handler belongs to which action requires a sophisticated tracking mechanism.
You can utilize libraries such as jQuery, MooTools, Prototype, and AngularJS to speed up common DOM manipulation tasks. But beware: Javascript frameworks tend to complicate matters unnecessarily. Unless you're dealing with a truly massive amount of data, you shouldn't bother trying to optimize performance. Otherwise, you risk introducing bugs due to sloppy syntax errors.
Then you sit back and wait. Now that your code is ready for deployment, it's time to upload it somewhere online and hope that it works properly.
When deploying your newly created app, you'll first need to figure out which platform(s) it supports. Most apps target a specific OS such as Mac or Linux. Sometimes though, a developer wants to port his app across multiple platforms, or he doesn't care about targeting a specific device. So he decides to distribute it directly via the Internet. Fortunately, modern computing devices contain CPUs capable of handling thousands of processes simultaneously. Thus, unlike older machines that ran primarily from ROMS, today's PCs and laptops are relatively easy to emulate thanks to virtualization.
However, if you plan on distributing your app via iTunes, Android Market, BlackBerry World, or Amazon App Store, you'll need to submit a binary suitable for those respective platforms. To accomplish this task, you'll need to convert your source files into something called XCode Extension (.xce), Java ME Application Package (.jar), IPA for iOS, DEB for Debian based distributions, RPI Image for Raspberry Pi, and EXE for Windows.
While submitting binaries is tedious, it beats waiting months for approval after uploading a buggy piece of junk. Just ask any game developer worth his salt, and surely he'll tell you that submission delays cost him dearly in terms of lost sales.
Have questions about how to make desktop apps without coding? See our previous post on how to create your own iPhone app without coding.
If you're a developer or someone who wants to learn about building their first app, this article will be useful for you. If not, here's how you can make an app without using any code at all!
This article covers three different ways of creating apps with no programming involved whatsoever. The main idea behind these methods is that they require minimal technical skills and expertise, but still allow users to customize and develop features within their own apps.
Here we go...
1. Can I build my own application?
The term "app" refers to mobile phone programs designed specifically for smartphones. They usually include multiple functionalities such as calendar management, contacts storage, messaging tools (texts, emails), task list management, etc., which allows users to perform various tasks on their devices.
However, in recent years, more people have started developing desktop versions of those apps instead. For example, there are many free desktop calendars available today. This way, anyone can install them onto their PCs and use them as personal time trackers. Furthermore, some developers also provide similar services as well - allowing users to create custom websites, blogs, social media pages, newsletters, etc.
2. What are the 3 computer applications?
There are several types of software development platforms out there today. In fact, most of the popular ones were created by third parties and used by other organizations as templates. That being said, if you want to save money while maintaining full control over your project, you may choose one of the following options:
No-Code Solutions
These are modern cloud-based software development frameworks that don't need writing codes from scratch. Instead, they provide readymade block elements that programmers can then connect together so that your final product would look like what you've envisioned. Some examples of these tools are Microsoft Azure App Service, Google Cloud Functions, Amazon Lambda, Firebase Hosting, Serverless Computing Platforms, WordPress Customization Kit, etc.
You'll find dozens of articles on our website dedicated solely to explaining each of these technologies step-by-step. Here's one such post covering Python functions on AWS Lambda. Another tutorial shows how to set up a simple CRUD API using Azure Mobile Services. And another one takes you through setting up a fully scalable realtime chat system with React Native framework.
3. What is the basic computer application?
A basic computer application could either refer to a single screen with limited functionality or a complete program consisting of multiple screens. Either way, it doesn't necessarily involve complex algorithms and calculations. It should only serve its purpose. A good example of a basic computer application is Excel spreadsheet. You may add new rows, columns, formulas, data sources, etc. However, none of that requires having knowledge of advanced mathematics. All you need to do is inputting values into cells according to certain conditions and formatting everything nicely afterwards.
Nowadays, even non-technical individuals tend to rely heavily on basic computer applications rather than complicated ones. Why? Because they offer higher productivity rates, better user experience, faster turnaround times, lower operational costs, increased scalability, etc.
For instance, when designing websites, you'd probably prefer using content blocks instead of CSS layouts because they give you greater flexibility and enable you to focus less on styling details. When choosing email marketing campaigns, you might opt for automated systems that handle sending messages to hundreds of thousands of subscribers automatically.
In addition to offering convenience, speed, efficiency, and quality, basic computer applications also help companies avoid hiring costly IT specialists. In short, you get the best of both worlds here.
3 Ways How To Create Software Without Programming
As mentioned above, creating software without programming offers plenty of benefits. First off, it helps you reduce overall expenses since you won't be paying salaries to expensive professionals. Second, it lets you leverage existing resources and assets, thus speeding up entire processes and saving tons of time. Thirdly, it increases your chances of success during business expansion phases since you wouldn't have to worry about updating outdated legacy technology anymore.
Although these advantages seem very appealing, getting rid of coding altogether isn't always easy. Most people believe that mastering HTML5/CSS3/JavaScript is enough to start building high-quality products. But let me tell you something right now -- it isn't true. Yes, learning about front end architecture and design patterns is important, but unless you invest additional effort and efforts into acquiring proper backend engineering skills, you'll never reach anywhere close to professional level.
That being said, below you'll see two proven techniques that show just how little coding really matters when it comes to creating efficient yet feature-rich software. These approaches are based on the same principles outlined earlier where you simply replace words "programming", "coding", "developer", "engineer," etc., with terms "designing", "development", "user", "customer".
Let's dive deeper...
Recently, a lot of businesses have been opting for outsourced software development firms due to extremely low labor costs. As long as you hire smart coders and designers who know exactly what they're doing, outsourcing makes perfect sense. After all, why waste countless hours trying to figure things out yourself when you can pay experts to do it for you?
But before jumping into that decision, remember that you shouldn't treat outsourcers too lightly. Make sure you carefully vet potential partners before signing contracts, especially if you plan on working with freelancers overseas. Otherwise, you may regret making this mistake later. Also, keep in mind that finding qualified candidates can often take months, sometimes even longer. So, stick around until you find the right person for the job.
So now it's finally time to reveal how much it actually costs to create your own application without needing to write a single line of code. Let's say you want to build a simple photo gallery site with Wordpress customization kit. Assuming you already have decent hosting account, domain name registration, autoresponder service, and SSL certificate, the total amount you'd spend on launching your project would range between $500-$1500 depending on your requirements.
Of course, these prices aren't fixed. Depending on your specific needs, the price tag varies greatly. For instance, if you decide to utilize No-Code Solution providers, your monthly subscription fee typically ranges between $70-$250 per month. On top of that, you'll also incur extra charges for every hour spent managing servers, deploying updates, integrating APIs, troubleshooting issues, etc.
Another great alternative is to start small and grow gradually. Take a look at Elance marketplace and Fiverr gigs section. Those sites function similarly to freelance marketplaces such as Upwork, Freelancer, People Per Hour, Guru, and 99Designs.
All projects listed on these platforms fall under categories ranging from graphic designs, logo creations, copywriting, translations, voiceovers, video editing, music production, photography, SEO & PPC advertising, analytics, customer support, etc. Moreover, you can easily contact clients directly via messaging forums located inside relevant gig portals.
With so many opportunities at hand, you definitely won't run out of ideas anytime soon. Now that you know how affordable it is to build your own app, you can begin exploring further. Feel free to browse our platform and explore lots of interesting topics. We assure you that you'll definitely come across numerous helpful tips and tricks along the way.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and found it informative. Good luck on your journey towards becoming a successful programmer!
Software development is an expensive and time consuming process. It's not only the cost of creating it but also testing it and maintaining it afterwards. The alternative is using a service like Google App Engine which costs less money and takes away the headaches associated with software creation. However, if you want to learn how to code in order to develop your own apps or websites then we have some good news for you! You don't need to know any language at all to create software! There are several ways that will help you get started developing your very first app.
Here are three different ways on how to create software without knowing anything about programming.
Let’s start by looking at what exactly “software engineering” means. According to Wikipedia it’s the practice of designing, building, deploying, operating, sustaining, and supporting information technology (IT) systems and services. Essentially, software engineering is the art of writing computer programs. If you're familiar with this term then congratulations because you probably already understand most parts of how to write software without learning any languages. To be able to use these techniques, however, you should follow certain rules and guidelines.
These steps may seem daunting when you first read them but they'll definitely save you from months worth of frustration. Here are 3 easy methods to create software without programming.
1. Use mobile apps as their interface
Mobile apps are the easiest way to interact with users and allow them to perform various tasks through buttons/links. They usually come preloaded onto smartphones so anyone who uses one doesn't even think twice before pressing a button. In addition, there are tons of examples available online where developers created mobile apps without ever touching a single line of source codes. This method works well if you just want something quick and efficient. But you might encounter problems while trying to scale up such small projects into larger ones.
2. Create interactive prototypes online
This technique involves making static mockups of ideas rather than actual functional versions. It allows you to see what your idea looks like visually before starting further technical work. These kinds of sites give you access to drag & drop features, which makes prototyping a breeze. Most of these tools require little training and they provide great support after you've finished your project. One downside though is that often times your prototype won't look too professional since you don't control its design. Also, some platforms offer limited functionality compared to full fledged products. Nevertheless, many people find this approach useful enough for personal reasons.
3. Build social media pages
If you love sharing content, why not take advantage of this fact and try out yourself as a developer? Social media pages are basically user interfaces designed specifically to showcase products or other things. Many companies spend millions of dollars to launch new brands and product lines solely based off of beautiful designs made by famous artists. When people click "Buy Now" on those sites, the owner gets paid! So why shouldn’t you? All you really need is creativity and willingness to experiment. Since social media marketing is known for being cheap, you can afford to fail sometimes. And trust me, failing is part of the process!
However, this approach requires more planning and strategy. Unlike step 1 that simply involves copying existing concepts, step 2 involves experimenting with new technologies and exploring creative ideas. Once again, failure is common here. That said, this kind of experience is priceless! As long as you keep going back to the drawing board until you get it right, you'll eventually figure out what works best. Don't worry about having incomplete results either. Remember each page is a unique entity. People tend to judge things differently depending on their context. For example, someone would view a photo of a meal taken on Instagram differently than a friend would review it during Facebook chat.
The bottom line is that you must focus on solving specific problems instead of trying to build an entire website. If you manage to solve one problem successfully, others around you will notice and begin asking similar questions. At least, this was true in our case. Our team had been working on a startup called Humble Bricks. We were trying to simplify buying bricks online. After spending countless hours tweaking everything, we finally launched our MVP! A couple days later, we received feedback from customers saying that our site worked great...but didn't show them all options they wanted. Then, we decided to tweak the UI and add additional filters. Within two weeks, we got positive responses from every customer we sent emails to. From there, more complex challenges began popping up and we needed to adapt fast. Thankfully, we still managed to finish the task ahead of schedule.
Our journey wasn't always smooth sailing. Sometimes we faced difficulties along the road. Luckily, we never gave up! Instead, we kept researching and applying tips found online. Eventually, we learned that success comes down to persistence, perseverance, and patience.
There are numerous websites offering templates for free that you can customize according to your needs. Such resources include Bootstrap, HTML5 Boilerplate, AngularJS, etc. Some of them contain hundreds of open sourced components that you can use freely under the MIT license. Others charge fees for commercial purposes but they're typically cheaper than hiring professionals.
Some of these tools also have built-in tutorials and documentation explaining how to integrate elements together. Others are completely customizable and let you choose whatever suits you best. For instance, WordPress offers plenty of themes with dozens of customization options. You could say that if you plan to use WordPress, you'd better understand CSS and PHP. Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to change anything. Even if you decide to skip blogging altogether, you can still use Wordpress' robust API and extend its capabilities.
In general, it’s important to note that choosing between readymade solutions and customizing existing ones depends on the scope of your project. If you're just getting started, sticking with existing frameworks gives you freedom of choice and lets you explore potential decisions without worrying about deadlines. On the other hand, if you’re experienced with frontend or backend development, you’d definitely benefit more from picking a framework that fits your expertise.
Another option is to hire a freelance programmer to complete your project. While it’s possible to pay him via PayPal or check, you could also opt for escrow payments. This ensures transparency regarding milestones and budget.
As mentioned earlier, using mobile apps is another popular solution among non programmers. Another way is to transform standard desktop apps into mobile apps with PhoneGap. It provides you with APIs to communicate directly with devices and offers plenty of plugins for various platforms including iOS, Android, Windows Mobile, Blackberry 10, Tizen Smartwatch OSes, etc. Basically, you can use Phonegap to convert a website into a native mobile app without having to deal with complicated issues like security, performance optimization, memory management, etc.
PhoneGap's community boasts over 100k active members. Moreover, thousands of apps developed with it already exist across major stores.
For starters, you can make a simple app in minutes using this tool. It supports lots of cross platform libraries so you can reuse the same logic for both PC and mobile versions. The drawback is that you’ll be restricted to phonegap.io domain for hosting. Therefore, you can't host your files anywhere else. If you wish, you could set up a local server with Nodejs. Otherwise, you can upload your files to cloud storage providers like Dropbox or Amazon S3.
Programmers are responsible for figuring out how computers work and implementing algorithms. Nonprogrammers are mainly concerned with aesthetics - i.e., visual aspects - of their creations. Before becoming a programmer, it's common sense that designers have to go through the following courses: basic math, reading books, taking classes, etc. Similarly, before launching your own product, you should consider putting in the proper amount of effort required to bring your vision to life.
So whether you're a designer or a coder, remember that successful products aren't born overnight. They take years of research, experiments, failures, and successes.
A final piece of advice is to avoid falling victim to perfectionism syndrome. You cannot rush perfection. Just stick with the basics and improve upon them slowly. Keep practicing till you feel comfortable. Learning how to program isn't necessary in order to succeed.
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.