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How do I learn to write apps for a living?

I'm 53 and unemployed. I have a background in the hard sciences but have little experience in computer programing. I'd like to learn how to write Android/iPad/other apps for a living essentially from scratch. What steps do I take? What sites have the best instructions? Where do I find the best examples?

nostrademons 16y ago
http://developer.apple.com/devcenter/ios/index.action http://developer.apple.com/devcenter/ios/index.action http://developer.android.com/index.html http://developer.android.com/index.html
- eyeforgotmyname 16y ago
  Thank you! Are there any specific sections I should focus on?
  - nostrademons 16y ago
    I would start with the "Getting Started" sample application: http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#referencelibrary/GettingStarted/Creating_an_iPhone_App/_index.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40007595 http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#referencelibrary/Get... Probably also a good idea to learn the Objective-C programming language: http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/ObjectiveC/Introduction/introObjectiveC.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP30001163 http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/Cocoa/... (This is also available as a free e-book on the iPad.) For Android, I'd start with the Tutorials: http://developer.android.com/resources/browser.html?tag=tutorial http://developer.android.com/resources/browser.html?tag=tuto...
alicia_lew 16y ago
Well you have to start somewhere! If you've never coded and come from a non-traditional background. You can start learning using a simple, open source, language called Processing. Processing can be downloaded for free. www.processing.org The best part of it, in my opinion is the associated learning community. When you're beginning it integral to have a support system to help you trouble shoot. Processing also has amazing reference material and sample code. Super necessary. If you're like most ambitious people, you probably itching to dive into developing iPhone apps immediately. Baby-steps. The Pyramids weren't build overnight. You'll get there. It just takes time and dedication.
- alicia_lew 16y ago
  Also: My family bought my Dad (a retired molecular biologist) a macbook and he can do this. Trust me, this is saying a lot. Fear Not.
- eyeforgotmyname 16y ago
  Thanks Alicia! Can you recommend a specific starting point at www.processing.org that you feel will be the most helpful?
  - alicia_lew 16y ago
    A really great introduction would be to just download the software and go through the list of tutorials. If you set aside a couple hours everyday you should be cooking with gasoline in a week.
davidw 16y ago
This book has a lot of concrete steps to take: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YH9MMI?ie=UTF8&tag=dedasys-20&linkCode=shr&camp=213733&creative=393177 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YH9MMI?ie=UTF8&tag=... That said... it might take a while to get one off the ground that's really making much money. Maybe you should look for work with someone who's already doing that successfully to learn a bit?
- eyeforgotmyname 16y ago
  Thanks davidw. I'll get a copy of that book. I expect to have to put in a couple of years of work to make this successful. So small steps are exactly what I'm looking for. I only know one person who has written an app. I'll try to contact him.

nostrademons 16y ago

http://developer.apple.com/devcenter/ios/index.action http://developer.apple.com/devcenter/ios/index.action http://developer.android.com/index.html http://developer.android.com/index.html

eyeforgotmyname 16y ago
Thank you! Are there any specific sections I should focus on?
- nostrademons 16y ago
  I would start with the "Getting Started" sample application: http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#referencelibrary/GettingStarted/Creating_an_iPhone_App/_index.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40007595 http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#referencelibrary/Get... Probably also a good idea to learn the Objective-C programming language: http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/Cocoa/Conceptual/ObjectiveC/Introduction/introObjectiveC.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP30001163 http://developer.apple.com/library/ios/#documentation/Cocoa/... (This is also available as a free e-book on the iPad.) For Android, I'd start with the Tutorials: http://developer.android.com/resources/browser.html?tag=tutorial http://developer.android.com/resources/browser.html?tag=tuto...

alicia_lew 16y ago

Well you have to start somewhere! If you've never coded and come from a non-traditional background. You can start learning using a simple, open source, language called Processing. Processing can be downloaded for free. www.processing.org The best part of it, in my opinion is the associated learning community. When you're beginning it integral to have a support system to help you trouble shoot. Processing also has amazing reference material and sample code. Super necessary. If you're like most ambitious people, you probably itching to dive into developing iPhone apps immediately. Baby-steps. The Pyramids weren't build overnight. You'll get there. It just takes time and dedication.

alicia_lew 16y ago
Also: My family bought my Dad (a retired molecular biologist) a macbook and he can do this. Trust me, this is saying a lot. Fear Not.
eyeforgotmyname 16y ago
Thanks Alicia! Can you recommend a specific starting point at www.processing.org that you feel will be the most helpful?
- alicia_lew 16y ago
  A really great introduction would be to just download the software and go through the list of tutorials. If you set aside a couple hours everyday you should be cooking with gasoline in a week.

davidw 16y ago

This book has a lot of concrete steps to take: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YH9MMI?ie=UTF8&tag=dedasys-20&linkCode=shr&camp=213733&creative=393177 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YH9MMI?ie=UTF8&tag=... That said... it might take a while to get one off the ground that's really making much money. Maybe you should look for work with someone who's already doing that successfully to learn a bit?

eyeforgotmyname 16y ago
Thanks davidw. I'll get a copy of that book. I expect to have to put in a couple of years of work to make this successful. So small steps are exactly what I'm looking for. I only know one person who has written an app. I'll try to contact him.