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Working Copy and CodeHub handle git repos. I code from an iPad Pro sometimes with Blink (mosh/ssh client) and Working Copy with Textastic. I sympathize about n

Working Copy and CodeHub handle git repos. I code from an iPad Pro sometimes with Blink (mosh/ssh client) and Working Copy with Textastic. I sympathize about not running local dev environments, but for the actual work I do the apps won't run on a laptop or local PC anyway without a lot of trouble, so I'm used to working over ssh to a dev server. That works very well on an iPad, even better with a decent keyboard with an escape key. As someone else mentioned Pythonista gives you local Python. I work on multiple large web applications for a few clients and I've tried using my iPad Pro exclusively. I've only run into two issues that make it less than ideal: No web inspector/JS debugged in Safari (though workarounds exist they're clunky), and difficult text selection (not an issue in a terminal window with vim but imprecise and fussy in iOS apps). Otherwise it's great and I do use my iPad a lot. My main work setup is a Chromebook (Pixel Slate), which I only prefer over the iPad Pro because of the trackpad/mouse text selection and Chrome web developer tools.

munk-a 7y ago
I'm quite confused why you'd pursue attempting to use an iPad for development work. As someone who hates laptop-style thin keyboards I could justify it by the fact that carrying around a laptop and a keyboard feels more silly than an iPad and a keyboard - but the weight difference is pretty negligible and the software running on a laptop just has so much more utility for task switching (checking the kanban - making sure the VPN is up and running - quickly tabbing to chat to make sure you can disregard an @ mention) ... all these, on an iPad, require fully backing out with clunky key-presses to activate a very limited app switcher.
- mbreese 7y ago
  I’ve tried the iPad as a workstation off and on for many years (I had an original iPad). While I’ve never quite gotten it to work for me, I can still see the appeal. And for exactly the reason you state. A full laptop is much better at task switching. But when I’m working, and in a zone, task switching is the last thing I want to do. I want a distraction free workspace without widgets and notifications. On the iPad, this is so much easier to achieve. And if you have to change apps (and you have a keyboard), the app switcher is the same as on a Mac... cmd-tab still works.
  - gregjor 7y ago
    I prefer to eliminate the task switching as much as possible rather than optimize it. I mainly use a Chromebook, always in full screen with one app window. I can switch windows with a keystroke. I don't need or want a bunch of stuff cluttering the screen.
- gregjor 7y ago
  I don't know why finding that other people have different work patterns and preferences would confuse you. I'm not "attempting" to use an iPad -- I've used an iPad and a Chromebook (currently Pixel Slate, also a tablet) for five years professionally. I used a MacBook before that. I'm old enough to remember hauling a VT-100 and an acoustic modem home to work on weekends a long time ago. I'm also old enough to remember people saying no professional programmer could use a personal computer, or a laptop. I don't use Kanban or constantly switch to chat. I can see if my VPN is running by looking at an icon at the top of the iPad screen. I don't constantly task switch while working. It has nothing to do with weight or feeling silly. I want to concentrate on one thing at a time, and I want a portable setup for working because I travel a lot. An iPad developer setup won't work for everyone, but for the people it does work for it can work very well. 90% of my programming is done over ssh to remote servers, and the iPad can do that perfectly. The rest of my time is dealing with email, also fine on an iPad, or Slack, or reviewing PRs, which I can do right on my iPad. Other developers have different requirements.
anamexis 7y ago
Also, Secure Shellfish does great at integrating SFTP with the Files app. (It doesn’t do plain FTP, though.)

munk-a 7y ago

I'm quite confused why you'd pursue attempting to use an iPad for development work. As someone who hates laptop-style thin keyboards I could justify it by the fact that carrying around a laptop and a keyboard feels more silly than an iPad and a keyboard - but the weight difference is pretty negligible and the software running on a laptop just has so much more utility for task switching (checking the kanban - making sure the VPN is up and running - quickly tabbing to chat to make sure you can disregard an @ mention) ... all these, on an iPad, require fully backing out with clunky key-presses to activate a very limited app switcher.

mbreese 7y ago
I’ve tried the iPad as a workstation off and on for many years (I had an original iPad). While I’ve never quite gotten it to work for me, I can still see the appeal. And for exactly the reason you state. A full laptop is much better at task switching. But when I’m working, and in a zone, task switching is the last thing I want to do. I want a distraction free workspace without widgets and notifications. On the iPad, this is so much easier to achieve. And if you have to change apps (and you have a keyboard), the app switcher is the same as on a Mac... cmd-tab still works.
- gregjor 7y ago
  I prefer to eliminate the task switching as much as possible rather than optimize it. I mainly use a Chromebook, always in full screen with one app window. I can switch windows with a keystroke. I don't need or want a bunch of stuff cluttering the screen.
gregjor 7y ago
I don't know why finding that other people have different work patterns and preferences would confuse you. I'm not "attempting" to use an iPad -- I've used an iPad and a Chromebook (currently Pixel Slate, also a tablet) for five years professionally. I used a MacBook before that. I'm old enough to remember hauling a VT-100 and an acoustic modem home to work on weekends a long time ago. I'm also old enough to remember people saying no professional programmer could use a personal computer, or a laptop. I don't use Kanban or constantly switch to chat. I can see if my VPN is running by looking at an icon at the top of the iPad screen. I don't constantly task switch while working. It has nothing to do with weight or feeling silly. I want to concentrate on one thing at a time, and I want a portable setup for working because I travel a lot. An iPad developer setup won't work for everyone, but for the people it does work for it can work very well. 90% of my programming is done over ssh to remote servers, and the iPad can do that perfectly. The rest of my time is dealing with email, also fine on an iPad, or Slack, or reviewing PRs, which I can do right on my iPad. Other developers have different requirements.

anamexis 7y ago

Also, Secure Shellfish does great at integrating SFTP with the Files app. (It doesn’t do plain FTP, though.)