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<p>Have you ever wanted to create your own app, but felt constrained by a lack of software development skills? A growing trend suggests that this might not be such a great barrier after all. The so-called "no code" movement promotes the use of simple modular tools to create applications without programming. These tools typically have convenient drag-and-drop interfaces, so anyone with basic computer skills can <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/building-apps-online/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">build an app right from their web browser</a>.</p><p>This approach promises to make app development accessible to the masses and help solve a global skills shortage in tech. But is that a realistic goal, or is it too good to be true? Let’s make things clearer with an example.</p><h2>How it Works: An Example App</h2><p>Suppose you wanted to create a niche job directory site to connect workers in a particular industry with potential employers. Normally, you would either need to code it yourself or hire engineers to develop the various elements of your application. You would also potentially need various other technical professionals such as database administrators.</p><p>In order to build the user interface, you could use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Then, separately, for the back end, you’d need a more complicated server-side language such as PHP or Ruby. The app would have to interact with a database, queried with a language like SQL. Finally, you would need custom code registering users, emailing them, and allowing them to make payments.</p><p>All of that represents a significant demand in programming overhead, not to mention time and money.</p><h2>No Code to the Rescue</h2><p>How would a "no code" approach simplify the development of this example app? There are many tools you can choose from to suit the needs of your particular app. In this case, you might use:</p><ul><li><a href="https://airtable.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Airtable</a> to store the underlying data. Unlike a complex database management system, Airtable works like the spreadsheets everyone is familiar with but integrates easily into more complicated workflows.</li><li><a href="https://table2site.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Table2Site</a> makes it easy to turn Airtable data into a functional website with no technical knowledge needed.</li><li><a href="https://mailchimp.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mailchimp</a> is perfect for e-mail campaigns.</li><li><a href="https://www.shopify.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shopify</a> can be used to receive payment.</li><li>Use <a href="https://zapier.com/home" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zapier</a> to integrate the different elements above. You could turn Airtable entries into Mailchimp subscribers, for example.</li></ul><p>There are hundreds of tools to choose from, and it’s easy to chain them together to produce a capable application.</p><h2>Potential Pitfalls</h2><p>While there is a lot of promise in this new approach to building apps, it has attracted criticism as well. Some experienced developers are skeptical of the idea that non-technical users can create and maintain their own applications without running into problems that require more involved skills to solve.</p><p>Security is another potential sticking point. No matter how you choose to approach the development of a new product, make sure that you properly safeguard users’ data and that you are following all the relevant privacy and security laws in your jurisdiction.</p><p>Yet, others are more optimistic about the possibilities and believe that “no code” could work well in many situations for coders and non-coders alike.</p><p>What exactly are those situations? In general, this approach works best for apps with a low to moderate level of complexity, especially when there are specific tools available that suit the required features of the app.</p><p>On the other hand, applications that need a significant amount of customized functionality are less likely to be feasible without some sort of programming involved. The same goes for dynamic apps that will need to be changed over time or which require debugging that may be difficult for non-coders.</p><h2>"Low Code" -- A Good Middle Ground?</h2><p>Given these potential drawbacks of “no code” for more complex apps, there’s another approach: “low code.” This refers to the use of development platforms that are mostly driven by graphical interfaces like the tools mentioned above, but which also have the option of using code to customize the inner workings of the app under the surface or integrate different components more effectively.</p><p>With “low code,” you can get many of the benefits of “no code” while still retaining much of the power of more traditional approaches to application development. If you are an entrepreneur building a team to create a new product, you could employ a combination of programmers and non-technical workers who could all contribute to the development of the app in their own way, saving you money.</p><p>While this strategy makes it possible to build more complex products that a strictly “no code” strategy, it still requires the presence of experienced developers, making it harder for non-technical individuals to put together a working app on their own.</p><p>Still, depending on your skill level or your ability to hire, this middle-ground between all-code and no code might be exactly what you need to put together your next project without making too many compromises.</p><h2>Steps to Take When Starting to Build Your App</h2><p>Whether you are considering “low code” or a purely “no code” approach, there are a few steps you can take at the beginning of your product development process to make sure things go smoothly.</p><ol><li>Familiarize yourself with the many tools you have at your disposal. <a href="https://nocodelist.co/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">No Code List</a> and <a href="https://www.nocode.tech/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">NoCode.tech</a> both have fairly complete lists. “No code” tools are often a lot more powerful than they may first appear. With a bit of imagination, you can discover creative ways to combine them!</li><li>Decide whether “no code” will work for your app. A purely non-programming approach may not be the right plan of attack depending on how ambitious your goals are for a particular project.</li><li>Test your idea first. Before sinking too much time into a product that may or may not find an audience, test out your plan by making a landing page and launching a small ad campaign. This can give you an idea of whether there is really an unmet demand for your app to fill.</li><li>Start small and create a minimum viable product (MVP). The first version of your app should be simple so that you can gauge your users’ reactions and change things up as needed to better meet their needs. Luckily, the “no code” model makes it especially easy to get an MVP up and running.</li></ol><p>Many of these tools have free trials or low-priced options to get your feet wet without too much commitment. The best way to get started is to dive right in. As you experiment with the various platforms, you’ll quickly realize how easy it is to get a simple prototype working.</p><h2>Closing Thoughts</h2><p>In recent years, many tools have surfaced for streamlining the production of new software. We've seen that it's very much possible to produce useful, functional apps with little or no programming involved. This has been a boon to non-developers who wish to build their own products and to employers facing a skills shortage.</p><p>While a "no code" strategy may not fit every situation, realistic goals and careful planning can help avoid any snags. Whether you're an experienced entrepreneur or an eager newbie, consider building your next product without writing a single line of code.</p>

The so-called "no code" movement promotes the use of simple modular tools to create applications without programming.  But is that a realistic goal, or is it too good to be true?

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No Coding Chops? No Problem! The "No Code" Movement Explained

<p>The hardest part of starting anything is the <em>starting</em> part. After all, how do you know where to start from if you are new to it? Many newcomers get stuck here: they don’t know what programming language to even start with on their journey. And when that is undefined it becomes increasingly complicated to get anything done.</p><p>So, the question people ask themselves when building an app for the first time is often: “What should my first programming language be?” Well the question shouldn’t be so broad; rather it should be a question of what programming language is right for <em>you</em>.</p><h2>The 3W’s</h2><p>There are many programming languages to learn from, many are popular, and you have heard of, some not so much. But let’s not focus on that for now. Instead, focus on the questions you want to ask yourself:</p><ul><li>What interests you?</li><li>What do you want to build?</li><li>Why do you want to learn programming?</li></ul><p>These are the important questions in order to gauge what language best suits you, and if the one you want to learn is within your reach. Just because you’re interested in a language does not mean you will be proficient in it.</p><h2>Programming Languages by Platform</h2><p>Developing an application is tough. You may have heard of programming languages like Python or Java. These are very popular languages and you may know some of the things they do. For example, you most likely you know of something called machine learning. Or perhaps you have heard of C# because you want to build games.</p><p>Let’s address that first: programming languages can excel at very specific tasks, but can also come with very steep learning curves. In other words, if you’re just starting out, you are not going to become a machine learning expert in Python or how to make a game in C# that sells like hotcakes.</p><p>With that in mind, the stereotypes that you have of certain languages are not completely wrong. Let’s look at them:</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515f82362e35bc8a4ad37e_top-programming-languages_497135b62672e6e40f675bdc2a1cb9d2.jpeg" alt="List of programming languages by platform"></p><p>Programming Language Uses</p><p>This is a very simple frame of what each language is capable of. Python works well in desktop and web applications, but that’s not the full picture since it can also be used for data analysis and machine learning. C/C++ languages are mainly used for system and application software. C# and Java can be used for desktop and web apps, Java is primarily used for data technologies and scientific applications. And of course, JavaScript is used mainly for mobile and web applications.</p><h2>Programming Languages by Difficulty</h2><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515f82b07f9774b3c76af2_IMG_2005_e30ee7eadc1a64f5562f9aa135c64ca0.jpeg" alt="Ranking of programming languages by difficulty"></p><p>Programming Language Difficulties</p><p>C# and Java are similar in terms of syntax (which is why you won’t see C# listed as a C language), so C# is basically the same difficulty as Java.</p><p>This diagram shows the difficulty range of each language (keep in mind that there are several languages that are similar to one another so we can count them as the same difficulty). This learning curve is hard to understand unless you see what the code looks like, even if the language is foreign to you.</p><h2>The Good, The Bad, and The Code</h2><h3>Examples</h3><p>For these examples I will only be using Python, Java, JavaScript, C#, and C/C++.</p><ol><li><a href="https://www.pythonforbeginners.com/code-snippets-source-code/game-hangman" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Python Simple Hangman Project</a></li><li><a href="https://beginnersbook.com/2017/09/java-program-to-make-a-calculator-using-switch-case/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Java Simple Calculator Project</a></li><li><a href="https://webdevtrick.com/html-css-javascript-accordion-source-code/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">JavaScript Simple Accordion Project</a></li><li><a href="https://jbwyatt.com/Code/Csharp/code/snake.cs.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">C# Simple Snake Game Project</a></li><li><a href="https://www.programiz.com/c-programming/examples" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">C/C++ Examples</a></li></ol><h3>Tradeoffs</h3><p>These are some simple applications that you can start with in each language. This might give you an idea of what each programming language looks like, but it does not state what makes them good for certain things and bad for others.</p><ul><li>Python is very easy to learn, as it has simple and understandable syntax. Python is also growing in popularity, so it has great job opportunities. However, since it is an interpreted language it can be slow at times and it has some design restrictions that will only throw errors at runtime, making it require a lot more testing.</li><li>Java is a staple, so due to its longevity it has many job opportunities. It can create programs that complete multiple tasks, without running other programs. However, it is significantly slow because of its memory management.</li><li>JavaScript is a highly in-demand language in web development. It is very easy to learn and understand as well as having many use-cases to build diverse applications. But it has many libraries and frameworks that can make learning difficult due to their abundance. Frameworks come with their own learning curve, so it can be overwhelming since there are so many.</li><li>C# has many uses in web development, desktop development, and game development. Thus, the language has many opportunities. However, learning can be tedious, and syntax is a big part of this language making it confusing.</li><li>C/C++ are very portable languages. However, I wouldn’t recommend any newcomer learn them, as most find them difficult to learn and understand. Also, there is no runtime check and you will have to do a lot of the memory management.</li></ul><h2>Choosing your first programming language</h2><p>Now that we have a basic understanding of what each programming language is capable of, we can go ahead and decide which is the right one for us. Keep in mind the 3W’s you answered and think of what language fits your learning abilities. If you hate being in school, then it might be best to choose a language that is not straining to learn, something simple. Or, if you think you can duke it out for months on end learning a difficult language, then by all means break a leg.</p><p>Once you’ve found the language fits both your learning abilities and your goals as a programmer, then you’ve found the right one for you. The purpose of finding the right language for you is to get you up and running, for you to create applications while you learn. Getting stuck on a concept is not something we want, so choosing a language that fits these needs is important.</p><h2>Language Learning Resources</h2><p>By now you should have a good idea of what language you want to learn. So here are some places where you can learn how to program for free:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.codecademy.com/learn" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Codecademy</a></li><li><a href="https://www.programiz.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Programiz</a></li><li><a href="https://codesignal.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CodeSignal</a></li><li><a href="https://exercism.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Exercism</a></li><li><a href="https://www.freecodecamp.org/learn/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FreeCodeCamp</a></li></ul><p>While I do suggest watching tutorials, I believe it’s only best to watch at most 2 videos. Beginners can often find themselves in tutorial hell, where you only build things from tutorials and don’t know how to build things by yourself. As a programmer you will have to learn how to read documentation of your language, and how to research specific subjects. Learning the language by yourself or together with a more knowledgeable friend are the best practices and will lead to you more thoroughly understanding the language.</p><h2>What should your first programming language be?</h2><p>If you have not yet chosen a language, then the answer is obvious: either Python or JavaScript make a great choice as your first programming language. Both languages have amazing communities to help you along the way, they are easy to learn, and they have great job opportunities. In terms of what you can build, they are both great at anything you throw at them. While they do have their downsides it’s important for you to feel at ease while learning, choosing something difficult will not help you progress as a programmer. Both programming languages have vast amounts documentation on whatever it is that you want to build, both during and after your learning.</p><h2>Final Thoughts</h2><p>Everyone has gone through the first stages of learning a language. The point of learning the language is not to like it, but simply to learn how to code in one language without straying from that path too much. Many programmers have learned one language only to fall in love with another later in their career. I myself started with JavaScript yet love programming in C#. As a programmer you should know that you will not stick with one language forever; eventually you will move onto something else. So here is some advice: truly learn one language, it’s downfalls and its benefits, that way it is easier to understand concepts of other languages. This will help you tremendously on your journey.</p><p>Happy Coding!</p>

The question people ask themselves when building an app for the first time is often: “What should my first programming language be?” The real question is what programming language is right for you.

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Your First Programming Language: Finding the Right Programming Language for You

Web browsers aren’t just for browsing the Internet, they can be powerful software development tools too!

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The Best Mobile App Development Platforms

<p>Is software development reserved for professionals with serious credentials and many years of experience? That’s a common assumption, but the reality is quite different. Amateurs of all kinds are taking advantage of <strong>end-user development (EUD)</strong> tools to automate repetitive tasks, solve problems, and even build complete projects.</p><p>In fact, if you’ve ever made a function or macro in Microsoft Excel, you’re already an end-user developer.</p><h2>What Is End-User Development?</h2><p>The traditional approach to software development typically involves building applications from scratch with standard programming languages or development platforms. The end result might be compiled into <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_code" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">native machine code</a> or passed off to a runtime like Microsoft’s .NET Framework. This presents a significant hurdle of technical knowledge before a new programmer is able write a functional program.</p><p>End-user development, on the other hand, enables the users of applications to write their own programs. Widely used software like Excel often comes with EUD tools built-in to help users modify functionality on the fly.</p><p>Unlike traditional development platforms, many EUD tools strive to be accessible to non-technical users and non-professionals. They make it possible to customize the behavior of systems or perform a variety of computations or analysis. Some even help you develop entire applications.</p><p>Another common way of distinguishing EUD from “normal” development is to consider the different objectives of the two approaches. Professional developers are employed specifically to create software and also to later support it in production. On the other hand, end users have particular goals connected to their own areas of expertise, usually unrelated to programming.</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515f87fc7cae8836a5c521_gui-2311261_640_66e50a55fc3fa3853f3c4e09d47e9143.png"></p><h2>How Many End-User Developers Are There?</h2><p>Due to a lack of hard statistics, it’s difficult to estimate the total number of end-user developers in the world. That said, it’s safe to say that they outnumber professional developers by a wide margin. A <a href="http://web.engr.oregonstate.edu/~scaffidc/papers/eu_20050923_vlhcc.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">widely cited 2005 study</a> estimated that by 2012, up to 55 million American workers could be potential end-user developers. As of today, an estimated <a href="https://business.financialpost.com/personal-finance/taxes/how-to-become-an-excel-pro-in-2020" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">750 million people use Excel</a> worldwide. A significant portion of these likely make use of the provided automation tools.</p><p>And that’s just Excel. More and more people are experimenting with programming in various forms; a <a href="https://www.itworld.com/article/2701410/idc--hobbyist-programmers-on-the-rise.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">study from 2013</a> described 40% of software developers as “hobbyist developers.”</p><h2>Some Examples</h2><ul><li>As mentioned above,&nbsp;Microsoft Excel&nbsp;is probably the most widely-used end-user development application. Workers around the world make use of functions, macros, and other tools every day.</li><li>Adobe Photoshop&nbsp;has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2013/07/introduction-to-photoshop-scripting/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">rich scripting functionality</a>&nbsp;that you can use to automate common tasks or implement more complex functionality. The supported languages include JavaScript, AppleScript, and VBScript.</li><li>Simple video game engines like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rpgmakerweb.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">RPG Maker</a>&nbsp;are accessible to non-programmers.</li><li>A variety of tools collectively known as <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/no-code-movement-explained/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>“no code” platforms</strong></a> make it possible to develop apps without programming knowledge of any kind.</li></ul><h2>Benefits of End User Development</h2><p>There are perhaps thousands of distinct EUD platforms in common use, each with its own unique qualities. That said, there are some common traits that many of them share.</p><h3>Easy for Beginners</h3><p>EUD platforms usually present a low barrier to entry for those with fledgling technical skills. That means little or no coding background required and no need to grapple with intimidating technical documentation.</p><h3>Programming by Example</h3><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programming_by_example" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Programming by example</a>&nbsp;works by recording end users' actions. You simply “show” the application what to do in a certain context by performing the relevant actions, and the system is able to play them back in a repeatable way and even generalize the process to new cases.</p><h3>Simple Presentation of Development Principles</h3><p>In many cases, important software concepts are simplified. For example, common Excel functions like SUM, SUMIF, COUNT, COUNTIF, and VLOOKUP use conventional programming constructs like loops and conditional statements under the hood, but this is invisible to the user.</p><h3>EUD is Often Visual</h3><p>Some EUD platforms mainly rely on graphical interfaces. For example, you may work with visual elements like spreadsheet cells rather than abstract data types. Alternatively, there are entirely visual languages to represent programming logic, such as in&nbsp;<a href="https://scratch.mit.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Scratch</a>.</p><h2>A Diverse Ecosystem</h2><p>End-user development is a catch-all term for a variety of different approaches for integrating development tools into user-friendly platforms. What counts as an "end user" can vary greatly as well. Moreover, sometimes standard programming languages are used for end-user development purposes.</p><p>Photoshop's support for JavaScript and other scripting languages is a good example. Another is system administrators' use of scripting languages like Perl or Python, which are powerful general-purpose programming languages, for routine automation of administrative tasks. The database query language SQL is used by professional software developers and database administrators to create and maintain databases used by complex systems and applications, but also by less technical business analysts (end users in this case) making simple queries to retrieve some data they would like to work on.</p><p>However, even when an EUD tool uses a traditional programming language, it is usually limited to a small subset of the language. That way, it can cater to individual users’ goals without bogging them down in the more difficult or abstruse elements of the language that may be less important for non-professionals.</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515f88d8035898526e260b_laptop-2557466_1280_5fe0b76062ec670f5623b679a04a21b7.png"></p><h2>Different Approaches to End-User Development</h2><p>It might seem strange that there are so many different kinds of end-user development platforms, all of them with their own quirks. However, this diversity reflects the wide variety of applications and industries that rely on user-focused development.</p><p>For instance, a scientific computing application might allow researchers to customize their analysis and computations. In this case, the developers of the application can assume a certain amount of sophistication on the part of the users. They know that many of the researchers will already have programming skills, and so a barebones scripting language might be appropriate in this case.</p><p>On the other hand, a game development platform aimed at non-programmers requires a completely different approach. The EUD platform needs to reflect the fact that end users are assumed to have no prior technical skills. A good solution here might be to implement a drag-and-drop interface that makes it visually clear where game elements would appear on the screen at different times.</p><p>In a corporate desktop application, the goal might be to allow an employee to adapt the app’s behavior with his or her work needs. These tools allow for much more flexible customization than would be possible with a typical options or preferences dialog, while still remaining accessible to end users.</p><h2>Looking Forward</h2><p>End-user development is an <a href="https://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn/2013/532659/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">active academic field</a> with new ideas and approaches coming out regularly. The research mostly focuses on novel ways to make building software more accessible to a wide range of users, such as through the use of natural language or advancements in visual programming.</p><p>On the industry side, companies are always looking for creative ways to integrate end-user modification into their programs. Regardless of how a particular app implements EUD, the goal is always the same: enabling you to create working programs that meet your individual needs.</p><h2>Benefits for New Developers</h2><p>Like the examples already discussed, most EUD tools come embedded within a given platform or piece of software. This makes it easy for beginners to learn the basics of programming in a familiar context. All the prior knowledge you have as a user of the application gives you something concrete to use as a reference. That way, you won’t be overwhelmed by abstract concepts while learning the fundamentals.</p><p>One of the most appealing things about end-user development from the average user's point of view is the lack of technical prerequisites. In most cases, the platform provides ample working examples that show how to solve common problems with the given EUD language. You can build on these models and create your own solutions with slight modifications, or even use them as inspiration for your own ideas.</p><h2>Start With What You Know</h2><p>The easiest way to start is by tinkering with the EUD tools built into the apps you're already a user of. Find some examples of simple, manual tasks that you perform every day and think of how you could automate them.</p><p>For example, if you edit photos in an image editor like Photoshop, you could script common transformations or editing tasks such as resizing and cropping images. If you work with Excel and commonly do certain calculations or manual movements of data, try to replicate those actions with macros or functions. This type of simple automation can save you hours with just a minor time investment up front.</p><p>If you are more interested in building complete projects, you could jump into one of the many low-code app development platforms like <a href="https://developers.google.com/appmaker" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google App Maker</a>, or build an entire web application with zero programming needed through a “no code” platform like <a href="https://bubble.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bubble</a>.</p><p>Building some real working scripts or customizing one of your favorite apps can help build up your confidence and break down any anxieties or misconceptions you might have about coding. In fact, EUD has the potential to be a "gateway drug" into the larger world of programming. You might just surprise yourself.</p>

Is software development reserved for professionals with serious credentials and many years of experience? That’s a common assumption, but the reality is quite different. Amateurs of all kinds are taking advantage of end-user development.

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How End User Development Makes Programming Accessible

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Top 7 Kids Programming Languages: Best Ways to Start Them Early

<p>With smartphone ownership <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/330695/number-of-smartphone-users-worldwide/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">rapidly approaching ubiquity</a>, mobile apps are proving to be a goldmine. Annual revenues are projected to <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2020/04/01/mobile-app-spending-to-double-by-2024-despite-economic-impacts-of-covid-19/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">exceed $170 billion by 2024</a>. So if you are looking to hire someone to build an app, you are onto something. Mobile apps are a space every forward-thinking entrepreneur should contemplate becoming part of in some way. Yet, an idea is of itself meaningless if it isn’t backed by seamless execution.</p><p>For founders with a background in mobile app development, then getting things moving along may be straightforward. The overwhelming majority of entrepreneurs, though, will likely not have a software development background. In that case, you’ll have no option but to hire someone to build an app.</p><p>Place an ad and wait for the right candidate to come along. Pretty straightforward, right?</p><p>Well, not quite. Especially if you haven’t walked this path before.</p><p>The good thing is, with appropriate guidance, every aspiring mobile app entrepreneur can hire a programmer to make an app.</p><h2><strong>Why is Your Choice of Mobile App Developer Important?</strong></h2><p>App developers aren’t created equal. There’s huge disparity in technical certifications, specializations and work experiences. Add to that the differences in critical soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and organization.</p><p>A wrong choice of programmer could see you grappling with the costly consequences years later. Your engagements will be characterized by misunderstanding, conflict, weak support, tons of rework, and poor documentation. All this will culminate in a disastrous experience for app users, which will all but damage your own reputation immensely.</p><p>Irrespective of the meticulousness of the business plan and how exhaustive the research is, an app developer can bring your entrepreneurial dreams crashing down.</p><p>There’s a reason why over the years you’ve largely settled into certain brands when buying your household goods. You trust these brands and have proven their price is commensurate with their value. When you want to hire someone to build an app, you have to approach the process with a similar mindset.</p><h2><strong>Document Your App Idea</strong></h2><p>Develop a well-thought-out narration of what you expect your app to do. Write it down, as that will be your reference document when explaining your idea to a prospective candidate. It shouldn’t go into too much detail of course, as that will be reserved for the developer you eventually settle on. However, it should capture the requirements and goals in as reasonable detail as possible.</p><p>Talk about the problem you seek to resolve, the target audience, the app’s goals, and security measures. Explain the flow from the perspective of a hypothetical end user. Rank app features from the most important to the good to have. Elaborating on your idea should allow the developer set realistic milestones and determine the total cost.</p><h2><strong>What Type of Mobile App Are You Building?</strong></h2><p>‘Mobile app’ is a catch-all phrase that covers all applications that run on mobile phones. It’s a term that nevertheless obscures the enormous variation in the types of mobile apps there are. Before you start shopping for a developer, have a clear picture of the type of mobile app you are creating. From the industry targeted, whether it’s free or paid, the countries it applies to, the regulations it’s subject to, whether it includes a payment checkout screen, the number of expected users, and more.</p><p>This is important because you want to hire someone to build an app who has proven relevant experience creating the type of app you envisage. If you're undergoing heart surgery, you wouldn't want a dermatologist doing it. An app developer with experience building mobile games may not be the right person to go to if you are creating a fintech application.</p><p>Assess the developer’s portfolio to determine they are a good match. Request for contacts of some past and present clients who would serve as references for the developer’s work.</p><p>The good thing about vetting app developers is all you have to do is visit the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and download apps they’ve previously done. Experience it for yourself and see whether the developer’s work is up to your expectations. You can also read the reviews to see what users are saying about the app.</p><h2><strong>Can They Design Great User Interfaces?</strong></h2><p>Your user interface is the single biggest determinant of whether users will love your app or not. You may have sophisticated world-class functionality that’s head and shoulders above your competition. That won’t matter much if users don’t find your app’s interface intuitive, navigable, easy to understand, and visually appealing. Now, coding expertise doesn’t imply competence in user interface design. Ensure the developer you opt is a U/UX guru as well.</p><p>If they are not and you think their coding skills are too good to pass up, consider hiring a different individual for the interface. It might mean additional expenditure but that’s how crucial the user interface is.</p><h2><strong>How Good Are Their Soft Skills?</strong></h2><p>Technical skills are your number one consideration when choosing a developer. Nevertheless, you will be working closely with this individual. In a world where the agile method has replaced the traditional waterfall technique, the end of a project isn’t as definitive as it once was. There may be several iterations, cycles, and evolutions as you continually respond to issues raised by test results and user feedback. There’ll be continuous interaction between you and the developer. Soft skills are essential in this regard.</p><p>How are the developer’s written and oral communication skills? Are they organized and time-conscious? Are they dependable, adaptable, and flexible? Are they creative and consistent? What’s their work ethic like? Even if you do not have a rapport from the get-go, you should at least have a meeting of minds and be comfortable being in their presence.</p><h2><strong>How Can I Find Quality App Developers?</strong></h2><p>The good news is: there are millions of mobile app developers around the world. But that’s also the bad news. The sheer scale of your options can be overwhelming. There are vast differences in skill sets and hourly rates. If you don’t know where and how to look, you are in real danger of making a catastrophic mistake.</p><p>There are countless places you can check but as always, it’s best to start with your social and professional circle. That includes family, friends, business associates and college alumni. You can get the most authentic unbiased feedback and advise here. They would not want to jeopardize your relationship with them. If your search for an app developer ends here, count yourself lucky.</p><p>For most people though, this may only provide a couple of leads that may not necessarily be fruitful. So the next step is for you to extend your search out there. You must do your best to narrow your options to cut down your search time. A key decision point is whether to hire someone to build your app locally, in-country (or onshore), or offshore.</p><h2><strong>Local vs In-Country (or Onshore) vs Offshore Hire?</strong></h2><p>Hiring local would be ideal. It makes face-to-face meetings feasible. However, unless you live in a large city, there might probably not be a big enough pool of app developers for you to find the quality you need at the right price.</p><p>Your next alternative is to hire someone to build an app in-country. In a large advanced tech-savvy country like the United States, this easily takes care of the talent depth and breadth limitations local hiring has. Both local and in-country hiring have the benefit of working with someone with whom there’s little to no differences in language, culture, and time zone.</p><p>The major drawback of in-country hiring is cost and that has been the primary driver of offshoring app development. The hourly pay of a developer in North America may be more than 20 times higher than that of a developer in South Asia. For a startup, cost is a big deal, so offshoring is a tempting proposition.</p><p>If you do choose to offshore, you must seek out developers that have a proven record of top-notch delivery. Offshoring can make it harder to stay on top of things thanks to differences in language and time. There’s also a real risk of misunderstanding due to cultural differences.</p><h2><strong>What Online Platforms and Sites Can You Use?</strong></h2><p>There are numerous places on the Internet where you can commence your search for a developer. A simple Google search should provide some useful (albeit preliminary) leads. Nevertheless, you have limited time on your hands so its best if you can simply go direct to websites and platforms that have a reputation for connecting startups with quality developers.</p><p>You could post ads on leading job boards like Indeed.com, Monster.com and LinkedIn.com (including <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/profinder" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn ProFinder</a>). They are ideal when your goal is to reach the largest possible audience. Giant job boards are the first place people turn to when looking for work. Nevertheless, while your ad may draw tons of eye balls, much of that traffic won't be the type you want i.e. mobile app developers. You'll have a better shot at addressing a tech audience by using an IT-centric board such as Dice.com and Hired.com. Or you could sharpen your focus even further by advertising your project on developer community boards like <a href="https://jobs.github.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">GitHub Jobs</a> and <a href="https://stackoverflow.com/jobs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stack Overflow Jobs</a>.</p><p>Job boards are most appropriate for onshore hiring. If you are contemplating offshoring development, you can find globally diverse talent on the largest freelance portals such as Freelancer.com, Upwork.com, Fiverr.com, Guru.com, PeoplePerHour.com and <a href="https://talent.hubstaff.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hubstaff Talent</a>. They aren't the same though. Fiverr.com for instance is best for getting work done on the cheap. However, it doesn't have as deep and large a pool of developers as Upwork.com or Freelancer.com.</p><p>There are places to hire <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/freelance-programming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">freelance programmers</a> too like Toptal.com, X-Team.com, YouTeam.io and Gun.io. They do not have the member numbers of Freelancer.com but you are more likely to encounter a high concentration of quality applicants on these.</p><h2><strong>How Long Will It Take?</strong></h2><p>The hiring process shouldn’t take too long. It could be just a week or two and you have someone you can work with.</p><p>The development timelines are a little more nuanced. The primary determinant is the app’s complexity.</p><p>On the lower end of the spectrum are the simple apps that can be created from templates and have no backend, since everything is stored on the user’s device. For these, you should plan for anywhere between 70 and 150 developer hours.</p><p>At the medium range are enterprise apps and some categories of social networking apps. Here, app data may be stored on both server and device. If you are building these types of apps, plan for at least 200 developer hours but brace for more than 300.</p><p>In the most complex category are gaming apps and messaging apps. For gaming, the developer has to take into account multiple scenarios, single or multiplayer capability, and rendering. For messaging apps, it’s the capacity to handle multiple data formats, calls and chats. Complex apps may require over 500 developer hours before they are ready for production.</p><h2><strong>How Much Does It Cost to Hire Someone to Build an App?</strong></h2><p>Price is always a big deal but it takes on much greater significance for startups. At the outset, all you have is an idea. There’s no guarantee of success. Unless you are armed with a huge financial war chest, you’ll have to mitigate your risk of failure by minimizing initial expenditure. It’s about spending as little as you can to get the best product possible.</p><p>That being said, don’t be lured by developers with low-ball offers. The lowest option may very well be the most expensive in the long run. You may be forced to incur additional costs to redo the app entirely with another developer or grapple with a never-ending series of problems.</p><p>With those basic principles out of the way, how much should you expect to spend? Three factors come into play.</p><p>First, if you are going for an onshore developer, the hourly rate will be much higher than working with an offshore developer.</p><p>Second, what’s the complexity of the application? Simple apps will be completed quickly and therefore the total amount you pay remain low. Complex apps may require in excess of 600 developer hours so your final costs may be huge.</p><p>Third, who are the targeted users? Enterprise apps typically cost more per developer hour ($100-$150 for an onshore developer) compared to consumer-facing apps ($50-$120).</p><p>Ergo, how much you’ll eventually pay could range from a couple of thousand dollars to more than $100,000.</p><p>Consider throwing in a bonus for exceptional work by the developer. It goes a long way in cementing a positive long-term relationship.</p><h2><strong>Wrapping Up</strong></h2><p>Hiring a mobile app developer certainly takes good planning. Still, as this piece has demonstrated, it isn’t rocket science. You don’t need to be deeply conversant with the latest coding jargon. Think about what you want and follow these steps to getting the developer you need.</p>

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How to hire someone to build an app

<p>Not so long ago, the idea of right or left-brained people was debunked. This isn't to suggest that there aren’t people who have a higher propensity for creativity than they do for logic (or vice versa). The science is just a little more complicated than what was initially proposed.</p><p>Nevertheless, you may find that you have all the logic and ability to create your very first commercial application. But you’re stumped for ideas because you just can't find the creativity right now.</p><p>That’s where the following guide comes in. In it, we’ll cover some of the best simple app ideas to start you off on your professional mobile software development journey.</p><h2>Top 10 Simple App Ideas</h2><p>A common mistake that most developers make on their first foray into commercial app development is tackling an app idea that may be too complicated to fully execute successfully.</p><p>However, even executing the simplest of app ideas takes a bit of planning and forethought. We wouldn’t advise you to jump into the deep end and create something paradigm-shifting on your first attempt.</p><p>Instead, take it slow. Understand your options and research how much it will actually cost to publish your app. Don’t go through all the trouble of building your application only to find out you don’t even have the budget to publish.</p><p>Plan for the long term. Most app developers understand that the development cycle doesn’t end after you publish the application. You’ll have to refine your app and add new features over time.</p><p>This obviously depends on your app’s complexity, your goals, bugs, and user response. Your ideas for an app may start out simple but they always have the potential to become complex as you tack on new features and develop new ideas. You need to understand that this is all part of the learning process and what you learn from your first app can be transferred to your future endeavors.</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515f8eaac5a8f291380f41_pexels-photo-3815585_c03437847fb3a45f67dcc6186f49611c.jpeg" alt="Designing a Simple App Idea"></p><p>It’s also always important to read the respective store's terms and conditions. For instance, once you publish an app as free in the Google Playstore, you cannot switch to paid. Which brings us to our next point. You need to ensure that you plan how your app will be monetized.</p><p>If you feel that you’re not very good at UX or UI design, then it’s okay to consult with someone that is. Once you understand all the intricacies of building and launching an application, you can then decide if it’s truly worth it. If the answer to the question is yes, then here’s a list of helpful app ideas to get you started.</p><h3>1. Exercise Regiment Building Application</h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515f8ebd7bcbdd4b14beb4_pexels-photo-905336_44c0f3ffe80af31fc2384ddf151253ab.png" alt="Exercise Regiment Simple App Ideas: Fitness models looking at their phones "></p><p>In a <a href="https://www.ihrsa.org/publications/the-2019-ihrsa-global-report/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2019 IHRSA report</a>, it was estimated that the fitness industry had generated around $94 billion in revenue. There is always more room for another fitness influencer to show off their abs and peddle more supplements.</p><p>It’s much the same with fitness applications. There aren’t a lot of good ones that allow you to create exercise regiments and schedule them in a flexible way. Furthermore, none of them allow you to save your regiment or exercise calendar as a printable document.</p><p>The beauty of building an application like this is there’s a lot of room for expansion. It’s one the simplest of app ideas but can grow into something more elaborate as your skills as a developer grow.</p><p>Your first version can feature the essentials. Each new iteration can branch out with new features. This will help you learn how to effectively work with third-party APIs while understanding how the version publishing process works with various app stores.</p><p>It works on a simple premise that’s easy to understand and work with.</p><h3>2. Amateur Bird Spotting Application</h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515f8e7648be611ebc7548_bird-watching-application_3957d0dcc49c3a7e0b48f8b915fc2b37.png" alt="Man taking picture of a bird for Simple App Ideas"></p><p>Ever spotted a bird and wondered what species it was? Imagine an app that identifies birds from the pictures you take with your phone’s camera. You may not think that this technology is available but apps like iNaturalist perform a task very similar to this.</p><p><a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">iNaturalist </a>has open-source APIs that you can incorporate into your application and even modify. You don’t even have to start working with these APIs right away. You can simply allow users to take pictures and plug them into a Google Images search.</p><p>Or you can forgo this portion of the application and start with writing a bird guide, where users can search for bird types using a description that they input into the application. Once you feel that you’re a more competent developer, you can start integrating more complex features into your application.</p><p>Again, it’s one of those app ideas that start off simple but has the potential to be complex. As you become a more competent developer, the more you’ll be able to revise and refine the application. This is an app that can grow with you.</p><h3>3. Task / To-Do List Application</h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515f8eec7af8dc54677f7e_pen-calendar-to-do-checklist_cc6f2910ca98cf34f39b523395713dec.png" alt="Simple App Ideas To Do List"></p><p>You can’t write a list of simple app ideas without including a task or to-do list. However, you may be thinking that there is already a slew of to-do or task lists out there. Yes, it is true that the market is a bit oversaturated with apps like these but the problem is they all have their weaknesses.</p><p>For instance, most Android task list applications don’t have good widgets. A prime example of this is Google Keep. You can’t create shortcuts to your favorite lists and you can’t really create a widget for one particular list. You can create a widget for your labels though.</p><p>Google Tasks’ widget is decent but needs a bit more extensibility. One of the biggest pet peeves is that you can’t leave comments on tasks. From our experience, the only task-list application that comes close to perfection is Todoist but you’ll need to get the paid option to benefit from all of its best features.</p><p>So why is it worth writing a list application? Because it’s very easy to do (no pun intended). You can write a bare-bones list application in an hour. Designing and plugging it into a widget might take a bit longer.</p><p>If you’re looking for something quick and easy to experiment with, then this is your best option. In addition to this, it will help you polish your research skills. You can create an amalgamation of the best list applications out there.</p><h3>4. Unified Music Streaming Application</h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515f8edf71975c35b41eff_pexels-photo-2751115_c6b27ceb0c53af51bdad4714f50714b6.png" alt="Woman listening to music for Simple App Ideas "></p><p>Tidal, Spotify, Deezer, Soundcloud, Apple Music, YouTube Music, etc. There are a lot of great music streaming services out there and most of them offer free subscription plans, as well as exclusives.</p><p>What if you’re an audiophile subscribed to more than one streaming service? Juggling between streaming applications on your phone can become a little tedious. What if you could access all your favorite streams and playlists from one unified application?</p><p>Furthermore, what if this app could serve as a media player for your local audio files? That’s where your expertise comes in. To wet your beak, you can start by developing the offline media portion of the application and plug-in all the streaming platforms on an incremental basis.</p><p>The media portion of the application will require you to work with databases, mobile file systems, and storage permissions. You’ll need to integrate all these streaming services into your application in a way that feels natural and makes sense. This will increase your experience in UX design.</p><p>App ideas like these are simple enough that they won’t take you long to build and publish but also complex enough to challenge you and help you grow as a developer and publisher.</p><h3>5. Calorie and Macro Counting Application</h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515f8ec7263f68a4dbafd2_pexels-photo-750073_d2625800bf27b2b75b6733cde094e3e1.png" alt="Hamburger and French Fries "></p><p>There are three types of macros (macronutrients): carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Keeping track of your macros and balancing them may be crucial to fat loss and muscle development.</p><p>Some nutritionists and coaches such as Greg Doucette believe that tracking your macros is a waste of time. It’s more important to track your calories while keeping your diet simple. You may disagree, especially when starting out or experimenting with new foods in your diet.</p><p>In addition to this, what if you find yourself in a new country and you want to try their cuisine? However, you want to stick to your macros and ensure that you’re getting enough proteins and fats.</p><p>Constantly consulting Google is hardly efficient, especially when you’re about to eat a meal that consists of different foods. Why not create and use an application that allows you to enter the ingredients or foods a meal consists of and allow it to calculate the macros and calories for you.</p><p>It can include other information as well. For instance, the vitamins, nutrients, and benefits of certain ingredients. If you hope to execute this idea successfully, you’ll need to do quite a bit of research and maybe even consult with a nutritionist.</p><p>Again, the user experience will be an important part of developing this application. It’s straightforward in concept but complex in execution. This is what makes it one of the best simple app ideas for new devs.</p><h3>6. Affirmation and Mantra Application</h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515f8f830879d0971e6cd5_pexels-photo-2908175_3063c9e94ac0966a133e15b88df3e2b4.jpeg" alt="Woman meditating "></p><p>It may seem like woo-woo to some people but there’s a science behind positive daily affirmations. That’s why they’re prominent parts of treatment methods for mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.</p><p>If you’re trying to exercise some self-help in cognitive or dialectical behavioral therapy, the use of daily positive affirmations can be crucial to the efficacy of these practices. It’s about breaking yourself out of negative self speak.</p><p>The best part of an application like this is it can be a one-of. It’s quick and easy to build and is perfect for anyone who's trying to create their first application for educational purposes.</p><p>Although it’s one of the most simple app ideas, you can still add a bit of complexity to it. For instance, you can allow users to set their own affirmations and mantras and integrate text to speech for guided mantras and affirmations.</p><h3>7. Meal Building or Preparation Application</h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515f8f34ccc52dead1fb81_pexels-photo-2284166_c759379130f8d1586896ec74a72affc6.png" alt="Food preparation "></p><p>If you’re planning to cook or eat at home, choosing a meal to prepare can be a little tricky, especially if you’re part of the poor working-class or a student. Eating noodles or left-over pizza won't cut it.</p><p>Maybe you have a limited supply of groceries but would still like to make something awesome like a contestant on the Food Network’s Chopped. When you’re devoid of creativity cause you’re starving, wouldn’t it be nice if there was an app that could help you create a delicious meal with what you have available in your pantry or fridge?</p><p>The concept is simple enough. It should work for users who want to bake, cook or make quick cold foods. You’ll have to work with offline databases as well as online. Once again, you’ll need to pay great attention to the user experience. An app like this will also give you creative partnership or monetization options.</p><p>You can incorporate a feature for grocery shopping and work with certain brands or shops for rebates and advertising. It’s another simple app idea that has the potential for greater usability and growth over time. This makes it one of the best simple app ideas.</p><h3>8. Habit Tracking and Building Application</h3><p><img src="https://d3e54v103j8qbb.cloudfront.net/img/image-placeholder.svg" alt="A man holding a guitar and a cigarette"></p><p>Once upon a time, it was believed that it takes an average of 21 days to form a new habit. While this hasn’t been completely debunked; the truth is that it’s possible to build a habit in 21 days but this isn’t the average. The average is closer to 66-days.</p><p>Another myth that is still touted to this day is Malcolm Gladwell’s 10 000 hour rule. The theory is that it takes an average of 10 000 hours of deliberate practice to become a master of any field. However, this is a domain dependant. The logic here is that some things are harder to learn and practice than others.</p><p>Yet, even though these myths have gone through soft debunks, they can still be used for guidelines and motivation.</p><p>We have extremely busy lives and sometimes a new hobby or habit becomes hard to fit into our schedules. It isn’t just because we don’t have time. Sometimes we procrastinate, forget or simply aren’t motivated enough.</p><p>This is why an app that helps you form new habits can come in handy. It can be a feature that's integrated into a To-Do or task list but it would be easier to create a standalone application. Something that’s minimalist but has a calendar and reminds you to perform certain tasks daily.</p><p>Using a set of graphs or charts, it can show you the strength of your habits. It can also present you with data that shows you on which days you’ve broken your habits.</p><p>This will teach you to work with complex user interface elements as well as Calendars. You’ll also need to work with push notifications. It would be great if the app could plug into Google calendars. You’ll obviously need to learn how to integrate it into Google as well.</p><h3>9. Drug Guide Application</h3><p><img src="https://d3e54v103j8qbb.cloudfront.net/img/image-placeholder.svg" alt="Picture depicting a collection of drugs and medicine "></p><p>Have you ever been prescribed a medication by your doctor but still wanted to know more about it? Some medications help treat more than one disorder. For instance, a doctor may treat ADHD with medication used for narcolepsy.</p><p>Generally, most drug guides for nurses and doctors aren’t written in easy to understand English. Most don’t even detail how common some of the side effects are.</p><p>Why not build a more accessible drug guide; one that can help you identify pills and capsules by taking pictures of them or searching for them by description. A sort of Pokédex for drugs.</p><p>An app like this has so much potential. It will require you to perform a lot of research. You’ll need to decide if you want to host all the information offline or on a cloud server (or both). You’ll need to pay great detail to the user interface and experience. It needs to be easy to use.</p><p>Aim for simplicity and minimalism. It’s a simple app idea but this doesn’t mean it won’t require some work from you.</p><h4>10. Energy Usage Calculation Application</h4><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515f8fdec787f9d1414257_five-bulb-lights-1036936_ebaba250105b0e5b6e16b6c0c0955dcf.jpeg" alt="Five light bulbs  "></p><p>Are you dubious of your utility bills? Maybe something doesn’t seem to add up? Does it look like you’re using more electricity than expected? What if there was a way to see which appliances and electronics are using the most energy in your home?</p><p>The concept is simple. You input a list of all your appliances and electronics as well as how long they’re connected. The app then calculates the amps and/or wattage and gives you a close estimate of what you can expect to spend on power per day, week, month or year.</p><p>An application like this would be useful to people trying to track their budgets while making their home's energy-efficient. You’ll need to build a database of appliances of electronics with accurate wattage and voltage.</p><p>Eventually, you can add more advanced features like meter readings. It’s simple enough to build but will require a bit of time, forethought, and effort. It’s a great way to test your abilities as a developer. This makes it one of the best simple app ideas for neophyte developers.</p><h2>Final Thoughts</h2><p>In this guide, we tried to include as many diverse app ideas as possible. Sure, we could have included some that made use of augmented reality or your phone’s other sensors but we decided to keep it as simple as possible.</p><p>The app ideas in this guide may be conceptually simple, but they’re complex enough to challenge you to learn and grow as a developer. We sincerely hope that one or two of the app ideas in this guide can inspire you to create something world-changing.&nbsp;Check out our guide for <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/i-have-an-idea-for-an-app" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">what to do once you have an idea for an app</a>.&nbsp;As always, thank you for reading and happy coding.</p>

Ten simple app ideas to inspire new developers and start-ups.

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Sparks of Inspiration: The Best Simple App Ideas

<p>In recent years, programming has become more accessible than ever. As the world awakens to the importance of programming, software engineers have developed a number of tool kits to make programming skill acquisition easier regardless of your background or environment. <strong>Visual programming languages</strong> (VPLs) can provide neophytes with a set of systems to learn how to build applications graphically.</p><h2>What Are VPLs, and Why Use Them?</h2><p>A visual programming language (sometimes called a graphical programming language) lets you write computer and web applications using visual tools like boxes or images. Logical connections are usually displayed in the form of lines or wires. All of this allows you to conceptualize and map out a project's operations from data input to output in a way that's intuitive.</p><p><a href="https://scratch.mit.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Scratch</strong></a> is arguably the best most recognizable visual programming language. It is a language primarily geared towards helping children. It helps them learn how to code in a gamified environment.</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515f91df7197183cb41f09_800px-Scratch_3_0_GUI_f931d067fc21290f7b26faa172d24613.png" alt="Interface of Scratch, a visual programming language"></p><p>Scratch interface. Source: Thenerdie / <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CC BY-SA</a></p><p>The simple graphical nature of tools like Scratch makes them ideal for building systems that teach people how to code. It primes novice software engineers and enthusiasts to think like programmers. Additionally, they have unique characteristics that could minimize many of the common difficulties that new software developers encounter. Let’s go over some of these so we can see how a visual programming tool can help to mitigate them.</p><h3>Challenges of Learning to Program</h3><h4>Lack of Technical Background</h4><p>For the budding developer and enthusiast, learning how to program may be your first experience with any technical subject. This could make getting started quite daunting especially if your expertise is in more subjective or free-flowing areas like art. Although your creativity can be repurposed to certain aspects of app building, the exacting and formal elements and logic of coding can be hard to grasp.</p><p>int main() {</p><p> std::cout &amp;lt;&amp;lt; "Hello, world!";</p><p> return 0;</p><p>}</p><h4>Difficulty</h4><p>There's simply no getting around it. Today, if you want to learn how to code, you will have to wrap your head around some pretty tough concepts. You will have to build problem-solving skills. In fact, you will essentially have to learn to think in a totally different way - think like a software developer.</p><p>Programming requires a thought process that may feel quite unusual to some people. On the bright side, this is something that becomes natural with practice. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make things any easier when you are just starting out.</p><p>Furthermore, educators at a variety of educational levels also face challenges when teaching software development. Today, students come to the table with a range of prior skill sets and backgrounds. For example, a first-year computer science course might contain several students who are astute at maths or have been hacking systems for fun since they were children.</p><p>However, according to <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200302103735.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Science Daily</a>, a background in languages may potentially make you a better coder than a background in maths. Essentially, at the other end of the spectrum, you could find that certain students have more limited technical skills. Some might even struggle with basic computer literacy.</p><p>In an ideal world, there would be no reason for this to be a significant barrier. Students with different backgrounds would simply advance at their own pace. But in the classroom, it presents a significant challenge to the instructor, who has to deliver the same course to all the students despite their differing needs.</p><h3>How VPLs Help</h3><p>Visual programming languages and tools provide easy-to-use editors that address a lot of the problems discussed above. Most people find concrete images easier to grasp than abstract concepts or formal syntax. Even better, VPLs include a list of commonly-used objects and actions that you can immediately insert into your program.</p><p>When working with text-based code, you start off with a blank code editor and must conceptualize how to represent your program starting with a line of code. This can be particularly intimidating for a novice user.</p><p>A visual-based programming language removes this barrier by presenting you with systems of objects that you can drag and drop to create working “code” right away. Choosing from a list of predefined elements is simpler than conceiving and writing an entire program from scratch. The graphical interfaces of visual programming tools make it easy to go from a general idea in your head to a working program.</p><p>This ease of use is a defining feature of visual-based software development. It makes software development much more approachable for those who are anxious about learning, as well as beginners who have grown frustrated after grappling with a more standard language.</p><p>The simplicity of getting started means that a user can still focus on solving problems or building applications without the overhead of learning syntax and complicated computer software development constructs before they are fully able to understand them. Additionally, having learners on a more level playing field also benefits teachers, who are able to focus more on instruction and less on students’ different backgrounds.</p><h3>VPLs Are Perfect for Kids</h3><p>There has been a growing understanding of the need to integrate programming instruction into children’s school curricula from a young age. However, this presents its own issues: all of the difficulties listed above are multiplied for children. And for the youngest students, it isn’t even feasible to teach traditional text-based code.</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515f917bfe871a3c6de199_students-99506_960_720_5900ba44cb6fc6b26bf317189de27774.jpeg" alt="Children using computers"></p><p>Visual programming removes these obstacles and makes learning to code enjoyable for children, so it’s no surprise that they are already being used with success. A <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/297719113_Visual_programming_languages_integrated_across_the_curriculum_in_elementary_school_A_two_year_case_study_using_Scratch_in_five_schools" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2016 study</a> found significant benefits from the use of Scratch in the teaching of programming to elementary school students in Spain.</p><h3>Professionals Use VPLs Too</h3><p>While a visual programming language can still be great for teaching new software developers, they are useful for experienced developers and other professionals as well. They are commonly used by domain experts in various fields who need to get some programming work done as easily as possible.</p><p>Researchers and practitioners without any existing coding skills can benefit greatly from the ability to create functional web and desktop programs for computers (and other devices/hardware) without a huge time investment upfront.</p><h2>Popular Visual Programming Languages</h2><p>A number of visual programming tools are now widely used by people across several industries and for a variety of different purposes. Here’s a sampling of some notable ones.</p><ul><li>As mentioned, the top-known example is MIT’s <a href="https://scratch.mit.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Scratch</strong></a>, which allows kids to create fun projects for computers and share them with the rest of the community. As of this writing, <a href="https://scratch.mit.edu/statistics/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">over 50 million projects</a> have been made by Scratch users.</li><li><a href="https://appinventor.mit.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>App Inventor</strong></a>, also managed by MIT, makes it easy to create apps for Android (and soon iOS) devices through a simple drag-and-drop interface highly reminiscent of the one used by Scratch.</li><li><a href="http://blog.minibloq.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>miniBloq</strong></a> is utilized to write programs for <a href="https://www.arduino.cc/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Arduino</a> microcontrollers through a set of blocks. It has been used to teach programming at the elementary level in Argentina, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minibloq" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">reaching over 60,000 students</a> in one province alone. Projects made in miniBloq produce real C/C++ code used by Arduino.</li></ul><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515f91f88c77a25200427e_800px-SpritesHeart_c0fb3056832977670c81d5d8d2b5a603.jpeg" alt="Example of a visual programming language. A miniBloq program for displaying sprites. Source: Julian da Silva / CC BY-SA"></p><ul><li><a href="https://www.ni.com/en-ca/shop/labview.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>LabVIEW</strong></a> is a tool that is widely used by scientists and engineers for simulations, measurements, number crunching, and other common tasks. It utilizes a clean user interface that is powerful enough for experienced developers to create complex desktop and web programs for computers and other hardware. However, it's accessible to domain experts with no programming background.</li><li><a href="https://bubble.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Bubble</strong></a> is a basic visual development environment that makes it possible to create web applications through a visual interface. Unlike some other drag-and-drop website creators, Bubble allows users to <a href="https://bubble.io/features" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">customize the behavior</a> of their apps in some fairly complex ways while maintaining type and/or class control.</li></ul><h2>Visual Programming Languages Vs. Traditional Text-Based Programming Languages</h2><p>As we know, visual programming requires you to use graphical elements to build programs and most regular languages and tools are text-based. This leads to a number of differences between the two that affect the process of creating computer code and the characteristics of the projects you can create. Below, we compare and contrast them on a number of key points, revealing some of the main pros and cons of visual programming compared to text-based programming.</p><p>Simplicity is the bread-and-butter of visual programming. Most are designed to make the initial learning process as easy as possible with drag-and-drop interfaces and predefined actions to choose from.</p><p>Conversely, traditional languages could be more difficult for would-be developers to get started with. People must master a number of important concepts and processes before they can be truly productive.</p><h3>Power and Flexibility</h3><p>Designing a programming language still involves a number of <a href="http://www.jerf.org/iri/post/2819" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">trade-offs</a>. Particularly, there is a well-known trade-off between ease of use and expressive power.</p><p>While visual programming can be much easier to use for straightforward tasks, they can be cumbersome for more complex projects. Employing visual objects to describe complicated logic and control flow can result in a jumble of nodes and connections that is incredibly difficult to read and manage, defeating the original purpose of a VPL.</p><p>Traditional text-based code, on the other hand, allows for much greater flexibility in describing computations. To put it simply, it’s usually easier to express certain concepts through visual programming than it is in text-based programming. However, it's certainly easier to code more advanced operations through an old-fashioned textual programming language.</p><h3>Debugging</h3><p>Finding and fixing errors in your projects, also known as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debugging" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">debugging</a>, is an important part of programming that is often underappreciated by beginners. Bugs will creep into your code no matter how careful you are, and it can be surprisingly difficult to locate and resolve them.</p><p>Debugging can be either easier or harder in a VPL. Since you have immediate visual feedback for everything in your program, it can <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/2467117_Does_Continuous_Visual_Feedback_Aid_Debugging_in_Direct-Manipulation_Programming_Systems" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">potentially be easier</a> to figure out what went wrong. Conversely, a traditional language typically has extensive debugging support built into their development environments. As your projects become larger and more complex, the benefits of these tools become obvious.</p><h3>Performance</h3><p>By simplifying the nitty-gritty details of a low-level language, visual programming becomes easier to work with. Unfortunately, this also makes it much harder to create programs that perform well.</p><p>Today, in order to write computationally efficient code, you usually need to be able to tweak certain things that VPLs tend to sweep under the rug. Thus, when performance is a concern, a traditional language would have a large advantage over a visual one.</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515f91cc20d5688e9b03c9_business-2717066_960_720_e3bfae9f8fe61c6670d1ce4e6b54ef8a.jpeg"></p><h3>Predefined Tasks</h3><p>While traditional text-based code has the edge when it comes to raw power, VPLs can shine when they are designed to solve specific problems in a particular field. For instance, LabVIEW contains many tools for accomplishing common tasks needed by scientists and engineers. But when you need custom functionality not provided by the language, it’s not always easy to build within the VPL itself. In this case, there’s no substitute for the flexibility of general-purpose textual programming.</p><h3>Learning Potential</h3><p>Since many VPLs are specifically designed to aid learning, they make for excellent stepping stones early on. However, that’s not the whole story. At some point, as you continue to progress in your abilities, you may hit a wall due to the inflexibility of visual languages and tools.</p><p>If you are interested in eventually developing serious programming skills, there will come a time when you should transition to a conventional language like Python or Java so you can start to get some experience writing and debugging more complex code. You will find that much of your programming experience in a VPLtransfers to other languages and tools since the process of creating software projects in VPLs teaches you general concepts that apply across different languages.</p><h2>Trends in Visual Programming</h2><p>Today, visual languages are increasingly employed both in education and in domain-specific contexts like add-ons to established software. While visual programming may not be suitable for every application, their growing adoption suggests that they are not going anywhere.</p><h3>Combining VPLs with Textual Programming</h3><p>A growing trend sees some development platforms combining visual programming with traditional languages in integrated environments. A standout example is the <a href="https://docs.unrealengine.com/en-US/Engine/Blueprints/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blueprints scripting system</a> in the Unreal Engine 4 game development engine. Blueprints allows new programmers to manipulate game objects as visual nodes.</p><p>Users of Unreal Engine are given the choice to work in pure C++, Blueprints or a combination of the two. A developer can use Blueprints to add functionality to their game or quickly prototype a new game. In fact, it's possible to produce full games entirely through the use of a VPL.</p><p>Responses to a <a href="https://gamedev.stackexchange.com/questions/166075/do-industry-professionals-building-games-using-ue4-use-blueprints-at-all-or-do" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">StackOverflow question</a> indicate that even large game companies producing AAA games use these visual scripting capabilities as part of their workflows. With Blueprint, non-programmers are able to make substantial contributions to game development without having to learn the intricacies of even the most basic of traditional languages. For large, demanding games made in Unreal Engine 4, a common approach is to use C++ for core elements of the game that are especially complex or require maximum performance. Blueprints can then be utilized to extend functionality in a simple way.</p><h3>Blockly: Making it Easy to Create a Visual Programming Language</h3><p>This widely used tool is another indicator that visual programming is here to stay. <a href="https://developers.google.com/blockly" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google’s Blockly</a> is a library that allows websites to easily include their own block-based visual code editors. For example, this could be a site dedicated to teaching programming to kids could define their own visual language specifically suited to their audience.</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515f91ec5dc7cb2536335e_Fibonacci_number_in_Blocky_7f901c7b1d6f03a1853f68fad786ad9e.png" alt="The Fibonacci sequence implemented in Blockly"></p><p>All projects made through Blockly generate valid code in a number of regular text-based languages like JavaScript. As <a href="https://www.wired.com/2012/06/google-blockly/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wired explains</a>, this means that software created through Blockly is able to be used as “training wheels” by new software engineers, who can build their first projects using the graphical Blockly editor which then allows you to read the underlying code and re-use it in the form of a library or a set of code blocks.</p><h2>Summing Up</h2><p>One of the most striking aspects of visual programming is the sheer diversity of VPLs out there. They are utilized for teaching beginners, crunching numbers, analyzing data, creating rich video games, and more. The visual approach to programming has proven its worth as an important part of the overall programming ecosystem.</p><p>Regardless of where things go in the future, the value of virtual programming for learning is already clear. If there are children in your life who want to learn to code, consider introducing them to Scratch. Or if you are interested in creating your own mobile app, then App Inventor might be a natural place to start.</p><p>Whether you dabble a little or go on to learn programming in a more serious fashion, some time spent learning to build programs can open up a lot of doors.</p>

In recent years, programming has become more accessible than ever. Visual programming languages play an important role in this trend.

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<p><strong><em>Modular programming</em></strong><em> is a software design technique that emphasizes separating the functionality of a program into independent, interchangeable modules, such that each contains everything necessary to execute only one aspect of the desired functionality</em></p><p>Every modern software project makes use of modularity at some level or another. The benefits for application development include better separation of concerns, code re-usability, easier maintenance, and more. In recent years, the software industry has fully embraced this approach, with modular concepts built into all languages. Many large applications developed today make use of modern modular programming tools such as <a href="https://www.npmjs.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">npm</a> or architectural patterns like microservices.</p><h2>The Evolution of Modularity in Programming</h2><p>The modern concept of modular programming has its roots in the shift toward <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structured_programming" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">structured programming</a> in the 1960s. At the time, programmers often wrote their code in an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaghetti_code" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">undisciplined, unorganized style</a> that was difficult to understand or maintain. Frequent use of GOTO statements obscured the logical flow of programs and made debugging a nightmare.</p><p>In contrast, structured programming promotes the the use of clearly-defined structures such as conditional statements and loops for control flow. More importantly for our purposes, structured programming makes heavy use of subroutines and functions to encapsulate related code into separate reusable chunks.</p><p>As a straightforward example, consider a simple calculator application. A naive approach to building a calculator might include all of the functionality in a single file, class, or function. A more structured style might involve giving the different tasks such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division their own functions and calling them from a main function. This means that you can separately test each component. Moreover, different functions can be reused as needed for other tasks. For example, the multiplication function might make use of addition.</p><p>More recently, the trend toward modularity has changed the design of applications at an architectural level. Software projects are often broken into independent modules early in the design process, affecting the development process from day one.</p><h2>NPM and Node</h2><p>Node.js is a prominent example of a language built with modularity as a central concept. The package manager npm makes it especially easy to import modules into your project. Let’s say you want to make your own <a href="https://discordapp.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Discord</a> bot. Well, there is a library tailor-made for that which you can download into your project using npm. Adding that library to your project is as simple as inserting the following line into your code:</p><p>const Discord = require('Discord.js');</p><p>However, the benefits of npm aren’t limited to third-party packages. Packages can be published privately for collaboration with your team, and <a href="https://medium.com/@arnaudrinquin/build-modular-application-with-npm-local-modules-dfc5ff047bcc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">local packages</a> are perfect for building modular applications.</p><h2>Why Modular Programming?</h2><p>As software systems become ever more complex, modular programming is quickly becoming the standard way to develop large applications. Unlike less organized development practices, the modular approach allows for a convenient separation of responsibilities during development and scales better.</p><h3>Pros</h3><ul><li><strong>Separate modules are easier to develop</strong>. Separating software components into discrete parts simplifies the development process for each part. It also makes it possible for developers to focus on their individual strengths as programmers.</li><li><strong>Teams can be split up</strong>: Each component can have its own dedicated team and development process, potentially with minimal interaction between teams. This is a huge benefit in an increasingly globalized world.</li><li><strong>More scalable</strong>: Unmodularized code does not easily scale. On the other hand, well-constructed modules can easily adapt to novel or larger workloads.</li><li><strong>Easy to integrate third-party modules</strong>: Modern software development typically makes heavy use of third-party code, usually in the form of third-party libraries and packages. A modular approach to development naturally lends itself to the use of prebuilt libraries.</li></ul><h3>Cons</h3><ul><li><strong>More overhead:</strong> Modular applications requires a little more work up front, since each module must be individually packaged and must provide an interface for other components of the app. In addition, you need a top layer to link the modules together. The process of integrating the different modules can have complications.</li><li><strong>Lack of integration between modules</strong>: In some cases, the inability of a module to access other parts of the application can be a hindrance. This means that the project’s architecture must be carefully thought out from early in the design process.</li><li><strong>Testing can be time-intensive</strong>: Testing separate modules can be more involved than singular programs.</li></ul><h2>Modular Programming Vs. Monolithic Applications</h2><p>It’s important to understand the distinction between between modular applications and monolithic applications. A modular application takes the approach of modular programming and applies it to its whole structure. Monolithic applications take the opposite approach. A monolithic application is like a single container that has every software component that the application needs: one database, one application, one server to deploy to, and one container to share every component with every other component.</p><p>In the past, deploying and developing monolithic applications was the norm. But there were some significant problems. How well does the application scale up? What if we have a spike in traffic? What if you wanted to update a specific part of the app without breaking it? Every user had access to just one server and one application. Entire new instances of the application would have to be created for users as traffic increased, overloading the server.</p><p>Developers were having a hard time as the code in an app got increasingly complex, so people started wondering how to improve on current practices. This led to the creation of modern modular programming concepts.</p><h2>Microservices</h2><p>Microservices are currently a popular way to implement modular architectures. This approach involves piecing together an application from multiple separately built “services” that communicate using a common interface, but can otherwise be internally independent. The services can even be built on completely different development platforms and programming languages if necessary.</p><p>Using the model of modular programming we can create a structure that will give us the best representation of a modular application. Instead of having one application, we can create several. Those modules that we separated in order to create one app can be built into their own “applications.” They can have their own databases, tables, and servers to deploy to.</p><p>Of course, this change was not just a movement from independent developers. Big companies like Google, PayPal, Capital One, and many more were pushing towards microservices. This led many other companies to follow suit and use microservices for their own applications. Notice that all these companies need to handle user registrations, transactions, and overall a huge amount of data. They pushed modular programming to its limits.</p><p>With microservices, our users can now access one server that contains the front-end, and that server will be able to request information from others. This solves most of our problems. We can now handle and access different data chunks and update functionality without testing the entirety of our application. We can also scale up or down as much as we want. When traffic spikes we just have to add more servers on that specific part of our application. This is a big improvement, but there are still some big problems to address. And one creation changed the landscape once again.</p><h3>Docker Takes the Stage</h3><p>Docker became available to the public in 2014, and it made a grand entrance. Microsoft announced its integration with Docker in the same year. IBM followed, as well as Google, Cisco, RedHat, and many more. All these companies needed to handle huge customer data, and so the change was big but worth it. This was one of the factors that caused this shift in architecture: “If a huge company like Google is willing to change, then maybe we should too.”</p><p>Using the modular programming approach can have its downfalls because there needs to be package installations on each app. There will also have to be maintenance on each server. This means that you will have to manually run commands. Docker was a great escape from this, and not much later Kubernetes came out. Together, they made an amazing combination.</p><p>Christian Melendez gives a great explanation of what Docker is, and how using it with Kubernetes can improve workflow:</p><p><em>“You’ll be able to deliver faster, but more importantly, you’ll deliver in a consistent and predictable manner. Docker containers will help you to isolate and pack your software with all its dependencies. And Kubernetes will help you to deploy and orchestrate your containers. This lets you focus on developing new features and fixing bugs more rapidly. Then you’ll notice, at some point, your deployments stop being a big ceremony.”</em></p><p>A docker file will share the packages with each of its containers. This erases the need to install packages on each application. Using Kubernetes, our pods will function the same as servers. They are capable of scaling up or down depending on the traffic load.</p><h2>Should You Use Modular Programming?</h2><p>The benefits of modular programming are obvious, but it is appropriate for everyone? Should you embrace this approach for your own projects?</p><p>Building programs with modular architectures from the ground up is especially useful for companies that handle huge amounts of data or build large, scalable applications. If you are building small or simple apps, then using a complicated modular design like a microservice architecture is probably overkill. But as mentioned previously, every well-designed app benefits from effective use of modular principles, even if only at the function level.</p><p>On the other hand, microservices and other modular techniques are popular in the industry and companies need developers that know how to use them. A professional developer who seeks to have a versatile and up-to-date skillset should be familiar with these technologies. Recent trends suggest that modular programming will continue to be an important development methodology moving forward.</p>

Every modern software project makes use of modularity at some level. The benefits include better separation of concerns, easier maintenance, and more.

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<p>Programming is one of the most relevant skills you can have right now. Computers and software are everywhere, and the ability to make your own apps can be very useful in your professional or personal life. There’s just one problem: coding is hard.</p><p>But why is that the case, and what can we do to to ease the process?</p><h2>Why Coding is So Hard to Learn</h2><p>Learning to program for the first time can involve different challenges depending on the beginner’s personal background. Many grow up with the mistaken idea that they aren’t capable of learning a “hard” subject like programming or computer science. It can seem like advanced computer skills are out of reach if you haven’t grown up tinkering with code from a young age, which is far from the truth.</p><p>Besides, it can be hard to know how to go about learning to code in the first place. There are an enormous number of programming languages, technologies, and development platforms to choose from. Moreover, these different technologies all have their own books, courses, boot camps, degrees, and other ways to learn them. For a newcomer with no experience or context, all the choices can be overwhelming.</p><p>On top of this information overload, some of the most popular learning materials often leave a lot to be desired in terms of quality.</p><h3>"Learn X Language in 30 Minutes!"</h3><p>Aspiring programmers often turn to web-based instruction to get their feet wet. This comes with some risks. Although the Internet is full of high-quality information about programming, there are also a number of second-rate articles and videos that promise to teach you the newest hip programming language in one sitting. Unfortunately, these types of tutorials rarely live up to their promises. There are several reasons for this (other than their overall spotty quality).</p><p>First, it's impossible to acquire significant programming skills in such a short time frame. Software development is a craft that takes repeated practice and a deliberate learning process if you hope to master it. Think marathon, not sprint.</p><h3>Pre-Baked Code in Tutorials</h3><p>A common genre of programming tutorial gives the exact steps to solve a very specific problem or create a certain feature in your code — say, how to add a payment form to a web store. This type of tutorial does have its place, since working on real projects is one of the most important parts of learning to program. Tinkering with a working example has a lot of educational value. And if you can find working code that does exactly what you need, it can save you time.</p><p>There is a catch with this approach, however. If you are using the tutorial for <em>learning</em> purposes, relying on other people’s work can hinder your improvement. To truly develop your programming abilities, you need to spend time working on your own code.</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fa75efc5d2982295aa9_two-women-800_2296cf96cc8a51a294eb7b4a70991420.png"></p><h3>To Learn Effectively, You Need Real Practice</h3><p>In fact, this is a general problem with a lot of coding tutorials: a lack of real practice. When you watch a video or read an article, you are learning passively, which isn't sufficient on its own to learn an active skill like coding. Even if the material in the tutorial is accurate and useful, you need to practice writing code in order to improve.</p><p>As a beginner, you normally start by solving exercises specifically aimed at helping new coders learn fundamental programming concepts. As your abilities improve, you move on to more complex programs or <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/simple-mobile-app-ideas/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">simple apps</a>. You build your problem-solving skills over time through a cycle of writing code, making mistakes, debugging, and writing more code. After a few weeks or months of this process, you’ll be amazed how far you’ve come.</p><p>Unfortunately, many tutorials don't even present the material in a way that is useful for beginners. Instead, they very quickly cover the basic syntax of the language without considering how new programmers actually learn. It's a bit like trying to learn a (spoken) foreign language by memorizing grammar rules but never making an attempt to actually speak the language.</p><p>Whirlwind language introductions like these are better suited to experienced programmers who are already familiar with the fundamental concepts of programming and just need to know how they are implemented in a particular language.</p><h3>A Better Way: Build a Foundation First</h3><p>It turns out that these fundamental concepts apply to almost every common language in use. When you’re first starting out, learning the basics of how to program is just as important as your choice of language, if not more so.</p><p>This means that your choice of learning materials should be specially designed to teach the fundamentals using the chosen language as a vehicle, as opposed to focusing too heavily on the specific details of the language itself. There should also be a strong selection of exercises to hone your skills on.</p><p>The book <a href="https://eloquentjavascript.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Eloquent JavaScript</a>, available freely online, is an excellent example of such a resource. <a href="https://greenteapress.com/wp/think-python-2e/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Think Python</a> is a good alternative for Python. If you prefer a structured course-based format, sites like <a href="https://www.edx.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">edX</a> and <a href="https://www.coursera.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Coursera</a> aim to make high-quality online education accessible to everyone.</p><p>Once you’ve built that foundation, you can expand your skills by jumping into some real projects. FreeCodeCamp has a good <a href="https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/here-are-some-app-ideas-you-can-build-to-level-up-your-coding-skills-39618291f672/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">list of project ideas</a> for beginners to advanced learners.</p><h2>“No Code” and “Low-Code”</h2><p>What if you'd like to build an app, but want to keep the coding to a minimum? A number of tools exist to help you create your own apps with very little traditional programming required.</p><p>Low-code platforms enable people at different levels of technical sophistication to make working apps. The platforms normally have much simpler interfaces than traditional software development platforms and make it possible to piece together functionality with small amounts of code. For example, Salesforce’s <a href="https://www.salesforce.com/blog/2018/04/about-the-lightning-platform.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lightning Platform</a> incorporates several functions typical to corporate environments. These are easy to combine into a working application, allowing business users of various kinds to contribute to development.</p><p>Going a step further, <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/no-code-movement" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“no code” platforms</a> like the web application creator <a href="https://bubble.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bubble</a> allow you to create apps without having to write any code at all. These systems ramp up the simplicity even more, often consisting of a simple visual interface with drag-and-drop functionality that anyone with basic computer skills can work with.</p><p>These types of resources can act as a bridge to help you build your first apps. Or if you're lucky, you might even find that a "no code" solution meets your needs well enough that you can get by without learning any further technical skills at all.</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fa7b0d56e4f5bb70a65_crop-businessman-800_74975cade7b9d282e8f328b5ff24f992.png"></p><h2>Too Much Work? Consider Hiring a Programmer</h2><p>If creating your own app seems a little too daunting, consider <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/hire-someone-build-apps/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hiring outside help</a>. This is a good option for those who either lack the technical background to write their own code or would rather spend their time on other things. If you're more of an "idea" person, you may prefer to leave the coding to a specialist.</p><p>Freelancing platforms like <a href="https://www.upwork.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Upwork</a> and <a href="https://www.guru.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Guru</a> have active populations of freelancers looking for work. Most of them work on a bidding structure where individual freelancers submit proposals for jobs posted by clients.</p><p>To work effectively with a freelancer, you should carefully plan out your goals for the project and be realistic about your budget limitations. This makes it easier to find a suitable programmer whose skill set, experience, and rates line up with your needs. Strong communication is vital when working remotely with freelancers. It’s especially important to provide your hire with a very clear set of requirements for your product.</p><p>It might seem like a daunting prospect to find a freelancer if you don’t have any previous experience hiring. Fortunately, the platforms usually make the process as simple as possible for clients. Most have rating systems to help you judge the quality of different freelancers, as well as extensive information about their history and success rate on the platform to date.</p><h2>Coding is Hard, But There Are Many Roads to Rome</h2><p>Building your own applications can be intimidating if you’re new to the world of software development, but there are a ton of resources out there to help ease the process. When building up your coding skills for the first time, make sure you prioritize the highest quality learning materials. Know how to spot the less helpful tutorials so you can avoid getting bogged down in less effective learning methods. Build up your skills by writing increasingly more complex programs and make an effort to learn from your mistakes.</p><p>If you’d rather avoid getting too technical, “no code” platforms and other kinds of simplified development tools can get the job done when their capabilities are a good match for your app’s needs. And if you need some serious custom work done and have the resources to hire, then bringing in some outside help is a natural solution. Whatever your background or particular situation, there are always options for achieving your goals in app development.</p>

Programming is one of the most relevant skills you can have right now for your professional or personal life. There’s just one problem: coding is hard.

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Coding is Hard. Here’s How to Make Your Life Easier

<p>Millions of people are realizing the value of programming skills, but many still find it difficult to get started due to the difficulty and complexity involved. One trend that makes learning to code much more approachable is the rise of block coding. This approach makes program creation as easy as using your mouse to manipulate blocks on your screen.</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fa9de29e7a016edc289_10770661084_23a4b1063b_c_9f290bb09a0748e051bdfbe73eca013d.jpeg" alt="Example of block coding"></p><p>Source: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/wfryer/10770661084/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wesley Fryer</a> / <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CC BY 2.0</a></p><h2>What Is Block Coding, and Who Uses It?</h2><p>Block-based coding is a type of <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/visual-programming/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">visual programming</a> that represents code as blocks on a graphical interface, as opposed to the text-based languages associated with conventional programming. Different kinds of blocks represent various constructs found in programming languages, such as conditional statements, loops, and functions.</p><p>You can rearrange these blocks using familiar drag-and-drop mechanics. Program behavior is typically customized by choosing different options from drop-down menus and filling in text boxes. New programmers can start tinkering with working “programs” right away.</p><p>This is a stark contrast to the high barrier to entry you find in many of the most popular programming languages. With some languages, you need to learn how to run a compiler, fiddle with a text editor or complicated IDE, and learn some fairly complex syntax before you can write even the simplest programs.</p><h3>Useful for Young and Old Alike</h3><p>The simplified, visual nature of block coding makes it especially well-suited for <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/kids-programming-languages/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">introducing children to programming for the first time</a>. Languages such as <a href="https://scratch.mit.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MIT’s Scratch</a> have become widely adopted in schools around the world and block-based coding has become the de facto standard way of teaching kids.</p><p>Block coding isn’t only for children, however. Adults from a variety of backgrounds can also benefit from a more accessible approach to learning. Some block languages aim to help the learner to make the transition to more standard languages as soon as possible. Others, such as <a href="https://thunkable.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Thunkable</a>, make it possible to create real, functional apps entirely through a block-based approach.</p><h2>Benefits of Block Programming</h2><h3>Great for Learning</h3><p>Block-based programming greatly simplifies the program creation process, which makes it an excellent way for beginners to start learning. Programming concepts are abstract, and novice coders often find it hard to piece together different abstract ideas into text-based syntax.</p><p>Conversely, presenting these ideas as visual elements like blocks gives the learner something concrete to experiment on. Although they learn the same concepts as they would from a conventional language, blocks and graphical interfaces are easier to come to grips with.</p><p>Some platforms, like <a href="https://developers.google.com/blockly" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google's Blockly</a>, produce working code in a variety of conventional programming languages like JavaScript or PHP. This makes it possible to experiment with blocks and immediately see the result in your language of choice.</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fa98308794ee21e6d04_using-laptop-in-kitchen-4049987_58b3900e2a6c2823fcf1f902d2ef78e5.png"></p><h3>Block Coding Is Approachable</h3><p>The complicated-looking syntax of traditional programming languages can be discouraging for anyone looking to learn for the first time. On the other hand, the simple visual interface provided by block-based languages is much more welcoming for both kids and adult beginners. As mentioned above, block programming normally involves well-known interface elements like drop-down menus, text fields, and drag-and-drop editors. These mechanics are similar to other common applications that users may be familiar with.</p><h2>Negatives of Block Coding</h2><p>Though there are many positives block-based coding, it isn’t suitable for every purpose.</p><h3>Lack of Debugging Facilities</h3><p>New programmers soon learn the importance of finding and fixing errors in their code, also known as debugging. Traditional programming languages have significant resources to aid the debugging process, often found in commonly-used IDEs or even built into the actual languages.</p><p>Block programming languages, on the other hand, do not usually contain much functionality for debugging. As your programs get larger, it becomes harder and harder to effectively debug them. This hints at another potential drawback of block programming: it’s not as useful for complex programs.</p><h3>Less Suitable for Complex Apps</h3><p>While the the block-based approach makes it easy to start programming, it starts to lose its effectiveness for applications of increasing size and complexity.</p><p>Dragging and dropping blocks is perfect for creating simple, easy-to-understand programs that combine a few programming constructs. Unfortunately, this doesn’t scale well. As you add more functionality, the number of blocks grows quickly, making it harder to keep track of everything. Moreover, the relationships between blocks become increasingly obscured.</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fa9aa02a93f5b4a1ee1_Blockly_Conditions_main_c4f29c7b42f419d4751f8c18fef15a7f.png" alt="Block coding with Blockly"></p><p>Dave Braunschweig / <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CC BY-SA</a></p><h2>How to Start With Block-Based Programming</h2><p>There is a diverse range of block coding platforms to help you get your feet wet with programming. To find the right one for your purposes, think carefully about what you want to accomplish.</p><p>The most popular block language is <a href="https://scratch.mit.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Scratch</a>, and it remains one of the best ways to get started. Although it’s oriented at children, anyone can have fun creating games and stories on Scratch while learning important coding skills at the same time. Even <a href="https://online-learning.harvard.edu/course/cs50-introduction-computer-science" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Harvard’s CS50</a> (Introduction to Computer Science) starts off by introducing students to programmatic thinking with Scratch before shifting gears to more complex languages like C. <a href="https://snap.berkeley.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Snap!</a> is a similar project from UC Berkeley.</p><p>Most people who start off with block-based coding intend to learn more conventional languages. If that applies to you, you’ll want to transition to text-based programming fairly quickly. Some block coding platforms are built to ease that transition by generating equivalent code in a chosen language. This lets you explore the relationship between blocks and text. <a href="https://pencilcode.net/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Pencil Code</a> is designed specifically for this purpose. Pencil Code uses the <a href="https://github.com/droplet-editor/droplet" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Droplet editor</a>, which is meant to be a “transitional tool for beginners using languages like Scratch,” according to its author.</p><p>If you would rather avoid learning a text-based language at all, you can take advantage of block-based platforms that allow you to create fully working apps without writing a single line of regular code. Examples include <a href="https://appinventor.mit.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">MIT App Inventor </a>and <a href="https://thunkable.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Thunkable</a>.</p><p>Whatever approach you take, keep your goals in mind and remember to have fun!</p>

Millions of people are realizing the value of programming skills. Block coding makes learning to code much more approachable.

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Block Coding Makes Learning to Program Simple and Fun

<p>You’ve been toying with the idea of building an app, but there’s a lot to learn. You’ve heard of many different programming languages and development tools, but it’s hard to get started or figure out how it all fits together. You’re not alone. One of the biggest hurdles for newcomers is understanding the overall process for how to create software from start to finish.</p><p>While there are many resources out there detailing the software creation process, most of them are aimed at professional developers and use abstract and technical language not suited to novices.</p><p>This guide gives a general step-by-step overview of how to think about making an app from the perspective of a non-technical beginner.</p><h2>Who Can Create Applications?</h2><p>You may be under the impression that without a lot of programming knowledge, you wouldn't be able to build your own app without first navigating a steep learning curve. In fact, anyone can do it.</p><p>While it's no secret that software development can be very complex, there are resources out there that greatly simplify the creation process. You could potentially even make your app <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/no-code-movement-explained/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">with no coding skills</a> at all.</p><p>There are many ways to describe the process of how to create software. We break it down into five general steps below.</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fabd803580a686e264d_desk_6b939fc8cbf5ef88c6b9944cf8b3ee01.png"></p><h2>Steps to Create Software</h2><h3>1. Brainstorming</h3><p>Idea generation is the first step to making an application. The best way to think about this is to imagine your app as solving a problem.</p><p>Your own experience can be a great source of inspiration. Try to think about the problems you face, either with software and computers or your life in general. In all likelihood, any problems you face are also encountered by others. For example, maybe you often wish you could find information about certain city services (say, bus schedules) when you’re on the go, but it isn’t easily available. That could be a great idea for a mobile app. Your city might even provide an API for streaming the data on-the-fly.</p><p>Hobbies and interests are also fertile ground for innovation. Social media sites like <a href="https://www.reddit.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Reddit</a> are a good place to look for ideas, as they are full of people asking questions or looking for solutions to common problems related to their favorite pastimes.</p><p>Of course, your potential app ideas will be limited by your current set of abilities and technical know-how.</p><h3>2. Choosing Your Technologies</h3><p>Before you can create your application, you must decide exactly which technologies you will use. This can include programming languages, development environments, and various platforms and tools.</p><p>If you’re just starting out, it’s important not to get in over your head. If you barely know a loop from a function, don’t overload yourself with unfamiliar languages and technologies. You may want to stick with a no-code or low-code option like a <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/visual-programming/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">visual programming language</a>.</p><p>If you choose to go with a traditional language, the choice also <a href="https://medium.com/@coderacademy/how-to-choose-the-right-programming-language-for-your-project-b84b8304dffe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">depends on your goals</a> for the project. For example, a framework like <a href="https://www.djangoproject.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Django</a> or <a href="https://laravel.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Laravel</a> would be ideal for a web application. On the other hand, C/C++ is great for applications that require high performance or low-level memory manipulations.</p><p>In some cases, you may know which technologies you want to use from the very beginning. You might even be hoping to practice a particular programming language or development tool. At other times, you might choose to defer this step a little bit. For example, your planning and design efforts might help you decide the best platform for your app's unique needs.</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fabde29e7c30fedc28c_design_5920dc4311c9f285ece300eb92607207.png" alt="Person sketching design"></p><h3>3. Planning and Design</h3><p>Once you’ve decided on your main concept and have an idea of the tools you’ll, it’s time to start planning. Software engineers go through an involved process of gathering and validating <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_requirements" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">requirements</a> to ensure that the software will fully meet its expected needs.</p><p>In the case of a smaller-scale project, you can take a much less formal approach. Think carefully about what you want your app to accomplish. Review the main problem that it will solve, the types of users who would find it useful, and what kinds of dependencies or outside integrations it would need.</p><p>It’s also important to sketch out the visual design before implementing it. Determine roughly how you want each screen to look, including any text, buttons, and input fields. This could involve a dedicated wireframing tool like <a href="https://balsamiq.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Balsamiq</a> or <a href="https://www.adobe.com/ca/products/xd.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Adobe XD</a>, but for smaller projects, a simple pencil sketch on a piece of paper is good enough.</p><p>It’s useful to know that startup ideas or larger projects also benefit from quick prototypes or minimum viable products. But again, this is probably not appropriate for your first small efforts to create software.</p><h3>4. Creating the App</h3><p>At long last, we get to the most important part: building the actual software. If you’ve effectively brainstormed, chosen appropriate tools, and planned in advance, then your life will be easier than if you had jumped into this phase from the start. That said, software development has its share of challenges, so be prepared to do some problem-solving.</p><p>The exact process for building the app will depend on your chosen development platform. For example, a visual, block-based language would involve dragging program elements around the screen and selecting options from menus to customize different features. On the other hand, if you’re using a conventional programming language and writing your code in a barebones text editor, you’ll have to build your program up from scratch with text.</p><p>Regardless of the specifics, you will find that it’s much easier to break down each task into small, manageable chunks. Your planning phase should have given you a broad, top-down overview of the application’s functionality. You should now build up those larger features from the bottom-up using your chosen language’s features.</p><p>In a professional development context, software testing would also play a significant role at this stage. This refers to the use of carefully designed tests to verify that a particular piece of functionality works as intended. Typically, development and testing are woven together. In the case of test-driven development, engineers actually write the tests first, and then write the code in short cycles with the aim of passing all the tests at each cycle. Larger projects would also involve an altogether separate project phase entirely devoted to testing, usually performed by a separate team.</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fabde29e7182cedc28d_stat_ff27e85ead79d121f535623a4e11fadd.png"></p><h3>5. (Optional) Publishing and Marketing the App</h3><p>If you’re feeling ambitious, you could try to get your app published. There are a number of ways to do this depending on the type of application. For instance, you can <a href="https://developer.apple.com/app-store/submissions/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">upload an iOS app to Apple’s App Store</a>. You’ll have to follow a number of stringent requirements and meet the company’s guidelines before it would be approved. You can publish desktop applications on vendor-specific storefronts like the <a href="https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/publish/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Windows Store</a> or open-source software platforms like <a href="https://sourceforge.net/create/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">SourceForge</a>.</p><p>If you wish to charge for your app, you can consider marketing it to drive more sales. In this case, you would typically have done significant market research and tested the feasibility of the product before starting on development. Traffic might come from purchased advertising, social media marketing, search engines, among many other sources.</p><p>Needless to say, formal publishing and marketing are overkill for your first attempts to create software. That said, you might be surprised how quickly you can learn enough about app creation to make viable products.</p><h2>What Now?</h2><p>If you manage to get through all the steps above (except perhaps the last one), then congratulations! You'll have created your first application. Soon after, you might wonder about your next moves.</p><p>First, it’s important to learn from your experiences. If you manage to deploy your app and actually get users (an amazing feat for a first-timer), listen to their feedback and consider making any changes they suggest. More realistically, you can reflect on the final product by yourself or get feedback from friends, family, or any experienced developers you happen to know. Take note of any major mistakes or missteps in your approach and try to avoid them in the future.</p><h3>Learn More... Or Keep Going</h3><p>At this stage, you may realize that you need to expand your skills and knowledge of how to create software. For example, if you use a low-code or no-code approach to building your application, you might realize during the process that you want to implement certain functionality that would be impossible without more coding knowledge. This suggests that you could benefit from setting aside some time to learn a programming language before embarking on your next project.</p><p>Alternatively, maybe you’re happy with what you can accomplish with your current skillset. In that case, there’s nothing wrong with jumping right into your next idea. You may benefit from our <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/start-an-app/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">comprehensive guide to starting an app from scratch</a>.</p><p>Practice is essential for growing your skills, and you’ll find that as you get more experience, your skills will improve naturally. Take pride in your accomplishments and always be on the lookout for new app ideas.</p>

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How to Create Software: A Quick Guide for Beginners

<p>Initially, Chromebooks were intended to be affordable laptops centered around the Google Chrome browser. Thanks to the expansion and popularization of cloud services, almost every application you need is accessible through the internet.&nbsp;This includes programming tools such as databases, integrated development environments, and text-editors, which we outline in our <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/coding-on-a-chromebook/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">guide to coding on a Chromebook</a>. However, in addition to the tools you'll find online, the Chromebook does allow for offline programming.&nbsp;Even though this can be done with virtually every Chromebook, some Chromebooks may not be ideal or well optimized for heavy-duty tasks.&nbsp;So, what's the best Chromebook for programming?</p><h2>Top 10 Best Chromebooks for Programming</h2><h3>Best Overall - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Chromebook-i3-10110U-Integrated-82B80006UX/dp/B086383HC7/?tag=ebbstudio-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 (82B80006UX)</a></h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fad39aff151d67cc836_G2WcYpc.jpeg" alt=" Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5"></p><h4>Specs:</h4><ul><li><strong>Display Size:</strong> 13.3 Inches (33.7 cm)</li><li><strong>Screen Resolution:</strong> 1080 x 1920</li><li><strong>Processor:</strong> Intel Core i3-10110U&nbsp;- 4.1 GHz</li><li><strong>RAM:</strong> 4 GB</li><li><strong>Storage:</strong> 64 GB Flash Memory</li></ul><h4>Pros:</h4><ul><li>Great value for money</li><li>Convertible</li><li>Lightweight</li><li>Decent battery life</li><li>Decent price point</li></ul><h4>Cons:</h4><ul><li>Doesn't have a built-in card reader</li></ul><h4>Review</h4><p>Despite being one of the most recognizable laptop manufacturers, Lenovo isn't well known for its line of Chromebooks. However, you'd be making a huge mistake by overlooking Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 as a viable programming machine. Lenovo seems to specialize in 2-in-1 Chromebooks. This one is no different. You can simply flip the keyboard back and use the Chromebook as a tablet.</p><p>It's a 13 inch Chromebook with a vibrant 1920 x 1080 display, perfect for watching videos and coding late into the night. The 64GB eMMC 5.1 flash storage makes file transfers extremely fast while cutting down on boot times.</p><p>Despite running an Intel Core i5, the Flex 5's battery can last up to 10 hours. It has a comfortable set of I/O options. You get two USB Type-C ports, one USB Type-A port, and an audio jack. Overall, the Flex 5 is one of the best value-for-money Chromebooks out there. It's a perfect companion on your journey as a programmer.</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Chromebook-i3-10110U-Integrated-82B80006UX/dp/B086383HC7/?tag=ebbstudio-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Check price on Amazon</a></p><h3>Best Value - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Chromebook-Webcam-Protective-NX-HKBAA-002/dp/B088FX4LSP?tag=ebbstudio-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Acer Chromebook 315 (NX.HKBAA.002)</a></h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fadbd7bcb73ab14bffc_47ohwOs.jpeg" alt="Acer Chromebook 315"></p><h4>Specs:</h4><ul><li><strong>Display Size:</strong> 15.6 Inches (39.6 cm)</li><li><strong>Screen Resolution:</strong> 1366 x 768</li><li><strong>Processor:</strong> Dual-Core Intel Celeron N4000 1.10 - 2.60 GHz</li><li><strong>RAM:</strong> 4 GB</li><li><strong>Storage:</strong> 32 GB Flash Memory</li></ul><h4>Pros:</h4><ul><li>Well built</li><li>Long battery life</li><li>Lightweight</li><li>Features two USB-C ports</li><li>Great price</li></ul><h4>Cons:</h4><ul><li>Has only 32 GB of flash memory</li></ul><h4>Review</h4><p>The Acer Chromebook 315 strikes the right balance between performance and cost. While it doesn't come with full HD, the 1366 x 768 resolution should be sufficient for daily programming.</p><p>It's compact and lightweight but has a robustness to it. The 315 is a 15.6-inch Chromebook that comes with a built-in webcam and dual speakers. As you'd expect, there are no dedicated numerical keys on the keyboard.</p><p>In addition to this, it features two USB 3.1 ports, two USB-C ports, and a memory card reader. This is important information. It means that if you want more space you can purchase and connect an external hard drive. The Acer 315 is rich with enough features to make it go above and beyond as a programming machine. It's definitely one of the best Chromebooks on the market for software development.</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Chromebook-Webcam-Protective-NX-HKBAA-002/dp/B088FX4LSP?tag=ebbstudio-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Check price on Amazon</a></p><h3>Best Quality - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy-Chromebook-13-3-AMOLED/dp/B088T2C912/?tag=ebbstudio-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Samsung Galaxy Chromebook (XE930QCA-K01US)</a></h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fad71cdba05dc4edf3d_Y79GJe6.jpeg" alt="Samsung Galaxy Chromebook"></p><h4>Specs:</h4><ul><li><strong>Display Size:</strong> 13.3 Inches (39.6 cm)</li><li><strong>Screen Resolution:</strong> 3840 x 2160</li><li><strong>Processor:</strong> Intel Core i5-10210U 4.2 GHz</li><li><strong>RAM:</strong> 8 GB</li><li><strong>Storage:</strong> 256 GB Flash Memory</li></ul><h4>Pros:</h4><ul><li>Features a built-in pen</li><li>Features an amazing 4K AMOLED screen</li><li>Light-weight</li><li>High-quality build</li></ul><h4>Cons:</h4><ul><li>High price point</li><li>Subpar battery life</li></ul><h4>Review</h4><p>There's a misconception that all Chromebooks are low powered. The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook is here to squash those ideas.</p><p>It's powered by a 10th generation Intel Core i5 processor. It has 256 GB of flash memory and 8GB of RAM (although 16 GB would be better). In-line with the current trend of convertible laptops, you can flip the keyboard bach and transform the Samsung Chromebook into a tablet.</p><p>For the I/O ports, you get a UFS and MicroSD card reader, and two USB-C ports. However, you may find the lack of USB 2 or USB 3 ports to be disappointing. One of the few other downsides to this laptop is the battery life. You can squeeze out six hours at most.</p><p>But if these aren't big issues for you, then the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook is one of the best Chromebooks for quick on-the-go coding.</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy-Chromebook-13-3-AMOLED/dp/B088T2C912/?tag=ebbstudio-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Check price on Amazon</a></p><h3>Most Compact - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Chromebook-Convertible-Bluetooth-CP311-2H-C679/dp/B086MBQKH2/?tag=ebbstudio-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Acer Chromebook Spin 311 (CP311-2H-C679)</a></h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fad3135bfb9edbb703a_HTYzYv7.jpeg" alt="Acer Chromebook Spin 311 "></p><h4>Specs:</h4><ul><li><strong>Display Size:</strong> 11.6 Inches (29.5 cm)</li><li><strong>Screen Resolution: </strong>1366 x 768</li><li><strong>Processor: </strong>Dual CoreAMD A-Series 1.60 GHz</li><li><strong>RAM: </strong>4GB</li><li><strong>Storage: </strong>32GB Flash Memory</li></ul><h4>Pros:</h4><ul><li>Compact</li><li>Features a convertible touch screen</li><li>Well built</li><li>Decent price point</li></ul><h4>Cons:</h4><ul><li>Features intrusive bezels</li></ul><h4>Review</h4><p>If you're planning on coding on the go, then the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 is the machine for you. It's prime for work and recreation. If you're not using it for coding, you can simply flip the keyboard back and use the laptop as a tablet.</p><p>The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 comes with 4 GB of RAM. This can be stifling for programmers planning to run multiple offline applications. It may not be the cheapest or most powerful laptop on this list but the Acer Spin 311's versatility and compactness make it a must-buy.</p><p>There's nothing left to say, the specs speak for themselves. The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 is one of the best laptops and Chromebooks for work and play.</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Chromebook-Convertible-Bluetooth-CP311-2H-C679/dp/B086MBQKH2/?tag=ebbstudio-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Check price on Amazon</a></p><h3>Best Compact Alternative - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/C223NA-DH02-RD-Chromebook-Dual-Core-Celeron-Processor/dp/B07H5B75SY?tag=ebbstudio-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ASUS Chromebook C223 (C223NA-DH02)</a></h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fad6bf1fc302be8f56d_NJaN8fw.jpeg" alt="ASUS Chromebook C223 Laptop"></p><h4>Specs:</h4><ul><li><strong>Display Size:</strong> 11.6 Inches (29.5 cm)</li><li><strong>Screen Resolution: </strong>1366 x 768</li><li><strong>Processor: </strong>Intel Dual-Core Celeron N3350 2.4GHz</li><li><strong>RAM: </strong>4GB</li><li><strong>Storage: </strong>32 GB Flash Memory</li></ul><h4>Pros:</h4><ul><li>Affordable</li><li>Compact</li><li>Well-built</li><li>Exceptional battery life</li></ul><h4>Cons:</h4><ul><li>No micro-card reader</li></ul><h4>Review</h4><p>The ASUS Chromebook C223 is a great alternative to the ASUS Chromebook Spin 311. It's also priced similarly. The difference is while the Spin 311 is convertible, the C223 is not.</p><p>The ASUS C223 also has a slightly smaller bezel than the Spin 311. Bezels on both laptops take up way too much real estate. So it feels like you're not getting the full experience from the laptop.</p><p>The C223 has exceptional battery life. It will last up to 10 hours. As with the Spin 311, you get a dual-core CPU and 4GB RAM.</p><p>There's really not much to say. If you're looking for a compact Chromebook that is strictly for typing, then the ASUS Chromebook C223 is for you.</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/C223NA-DH02-RD-Chromebook-Dual-Core-Celeron-Processor/dp/B07H5B75SY?tag=ebbstudio-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Check price on Amazon</a></p><h3>Most Versatile - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Chromebook-C434TA-DS384T-Touchscreen-NanoEdge-Processor/dp/B07QY4RN79/?tag=ebbstudio-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 (C434TA-DS384T)</a></h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fadfcf35068bef2c8e8_umgf2U8.jpeg" alt="ASUS Chromebook Flip C434"></p><h4>Specs:</h4><ul><li><strong>Display Size:</strong> 14 Inches (35.6 cm)</li><li><strong>Screen Resolution: </strong>1920 x 1080</li><li><strong>Processor: </strong>Intel Core m3-8100Y 3.4GHz</li><li><strong>RAM: </strong>8 GB</li><li><strong>Storage: </strong>64 GB Flash Memory</li></ul><h4>Pros:</h4><ul><li>Lightweight</li><li>Compact</li><li>Above par build quality</li></ul><h4>Cons:</h4><ul><li>High price point</li></ul><h4>Review</h4><p>An 11.6-inch laptop may not be ideal for some programmers. That's why it may be better to get yourself a slightly more expensive laptop with a larger screen like the ASUS Chromebook Flip C434. It has a gorgeous high-resolution 14-inch screen surrounded by a thin bezel.</p><p>It's versatile but can't completely be converted into a tablet. Nevertheless, the laptop is thin and lightweight. It only weighs just above three pounds (1.3 KG). This makes it easy to carry around. The OS- C434TA-DS384T version of the laptop runs on an Intel Core m3 CPU. However, there are two other versions of this model which run on an eighth-generation Intel Core i7 and Core i5 respectively.</p><p>It might be a little expensive but it's well worth it. It's definitely one of the best Chromebooks for software development.</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Chromebook-C434TA-DS384T-Touchscreen-NanoEdge-Processor/dp/B07QY4RN79/?tag=ebbstudio-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Check price on Amazon</a></p><h3>Best Battery Life - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YMM3R39?tag=ebbstudio-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google Pixelbook Go (GA00526-US)</a></h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fad7648be1930bc7574_OXceNbh.jpeg" alt="Google Pixelbook Go"></p><h4>Specs:</h4><ul><li><strong>Display Size:</strong> 13.3 Inches (33.8 cm)</li><li><strong>Screen Resolution: </strong>3840 x 2160</li><li><strong>Processor: </strong>Intel Core i7</li><li><strong>RAM: </strong>16 GB</li><li><strong>Storage: </strong>256 GB Flash Memory</li></ul><h4>Pros:</h4><ul><li>Exceptional battery life (12 hours max)</li><li>Excellent build quality</li><li>Extremely lightweight</li></ul><h4>Cons:</h4><ul><li>High price point</li></ul><h4>Review</h4><p>If you're going to get a laptop running Google Chrome OS, then you might as well purchase a Chromebook developed by them too. As you'd expect, the Google Pixel Go laptop is optimized to run Chrome OS and handles heavy-duty Linux coding quite well.</p><p>In addition to this, you can expect the laptop to run for a maximum of 12 hours on a fully charged battery. However, this may vary depending on which version of the Google Pixelbook you choose. The version we reviewed sports a 4K 13-inch touch screen with dual stereo speakers.</p><p>This laptop has exceptional build quality and is lightweight. It's powered by an Intel Core i7 processor and has 16GB of RAM. Despite this, it only weighs 2.3 pounds. This makes it perfect for the traveling programmer. The Google Pixel Go is a stunning laptop; well worth the price of admission.</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YMM3R39?tag=ebbstudio-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Check price on Amazon</a></p><h3>Most Affordable - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/HP-Chromebook-14-inch-Celeron-14a-na0050nr/dp/B08529CQPK?tag=ebbstudio-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">HP Chromebook 14 (14a-na0050nr)</a></h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fadd8035831416e264e_r0Rxer9.jpeg" alt="HP Chromebook 14"></p><h4>Specs:</h4><ul><li><strong>Display Size:</strong> 14 Inches (35.6 cm)</li><li><strong>Screen Resolution: </strong>1366 x 768</li><li><strong>Processor: </strong>Intel Celeron N4000&nbsp;2.6Ghz</li><li><strong>RAM: </strong>4GB</li><li><strong>Storage: </strong>32 GB Flash Memory</li></ul><h4>Pros:</h4><ul><li>Great value for money</li><li>Exceptional pricepoint</li><li>Features a thin bezel</li><li>Well-spaced keyboard</li><li>long-lasting battery</li></ul><h4>Cons:</h4><ul><li>Isn't upgradeable</li></ul><h4>Review</h4><p>What makes the HP Chromebook 14 a great alternative to Acer's entries on this list, is the thin bezel. You have your choice of full HD, HD, or touch screen output. Every version has virtually the same hardware specs</p><p>This Chromebook is beautifully crafted. It's a high-resolution 14-inch laptop. It runs on an Intel Celeron N4000&nbsp;CPU The keyboard's keys are well spaced out, making them perfect for long hours of typing. Unfortunately, it doesn't feature a dedicated numerical pad.</p><p>It has only 32 GB of storage. Once again, if you want more space we suggest you either purchase an external drive or use cloud storage (like Google Drive).</p><p>Nevertheless, it runs Google Chrome OS quite well and the 32GB should be enough to install Linux and run an IDE or two. Whether want to use it for web development or building Android apps, the HP Chromebook is one of the best laptops for programming.</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/HP-Chromebook-14-inch-Celeron-14a-na0050nr/dp/B08529CQPK?tag=ebbstudio-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Check price on Amazon</a></p><h3>Best FHD Chromebook - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Chromebook-C340-1-11-6-Touch/dp/B08DCX8XB1/?tag=ebbstudio-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lenovo Chromebook C340 (81T90002UX)</a></h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fadde29e7e252edc2b3_AFtjBbk.jpeg" alt="Chromebook C340"></p><h4>Specs:</h4><ul><li><strong>Display Size:</strong> 15.6 Inches (39.6 cm)</li><li><strong>Screen Resolution: </strong>1920 x 1080</li><li><strong>Processor: </strong>Intel Core i3-8130U 3.4Ghz</li><li><strong>RAM: </strong>4 GB</li><li><strong>Storage: </strong>64 GB Flash Memory</li></ul><h4>Pros:</h4><ul><li>Fully convertible</li><li>Gorgeous Full HD screen</li><li>Well Constructed</li><li>Decent battery usage</li></ul><h4>Cons</h4><ul><li>Keyboard keys are a little soft</li></ul><h4>Review</h4><p>The best Chromebook isn't necessarily the most expensive. That's why the Lenovo Chromebook C340 is a great alternative to the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5. Much like the Flex 5, it's a 2-in-1 laptop running on a high-powered Intel Core i3 CPU (although, we wish it was a Core i5). It also has a hefty 15-inch display.</p><p>Some may not be happy with the amount of RAM it has and unfortunately, it's not upgradeable. However, this should be enough for basic coding. The keyboard is completely removable so it works as a fully-fledged tablet. On the exterior, the top is made from aluminum while the base is made from ABS.</p><p>The keyboard keys are slightly rubberized and can feel a little soft or sticky. However, these soft caps may be more ergonomic than hard keys. It doesn't much I/O to speak of but it does come with the latest standards in Wi-Fi, as well as Bluetooth.</p><p>The Chromebook C340's specs and features make it a great Chromebook for development.</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Chromebook-C340-1-11-6-Touch/dp/B08DCX8XB1/?tag=ebbstudio-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Check price on Amazon</a></p><h3>Best 2-in-1 Chromebook - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Chromebook-MediaTek-Integrated-ZA6F0031US/dp/B08F4JRXFZ/?tag=ebbstudio-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lenovo Chromebook Duet (ZA6F0031US)</a></h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fadb07f97c510c76b68_434gEOE.jpeg" alt="Chromebook Duet"></p><h4>Specs:</h4><ul><li><strong>Display Size:</strong> 10.1 Inches (25.6 cm)</li><li><strong>Screen Resolution: </strong>1920 x 1200</li><li><strong>Processor: </strong>8 CoreMediaTek P60T 2.0GHz</li><li><strong>RAM: </strong>4 GB</li><li><strong>Storage: </strong>128GB GB Flash Memory</li></ul><h4>Pros:</h4><ul><li>Compact</li><li>Lightweight</li><li>Features a detachable keyboard</li><li>Above-average battery usage</li></ul><h4>Cons:</h4><ul><li>Pen sold separately</li></ul><h4>Review</h4><p>The Ideapad Duet Chromebook is the first Chromebook on this list not to use an AMD or Intel CPU. Instead, it uses the Mediatek Helio P60T CPU which packs a whopping eight cores. It's perfect for multi-threaded programming.</p><p>In terms of graphics, it uses an integrated ARM Mali-G72 MP3 GPU. Of course, since it's more tablet than it is a laptop so it's not really upgradeable. In addition to this, it doesn't have a lot of I/O ports. You'll need to keep excess files online.</p><p>The latest Chrome OS works quite well on it. Thanks to the touch screen, it's perfect for mobile application development and testing. The high-resolution display is perfect for viewing videos and as well as working on the visual side of programming.</p><p>There's not much else to say. If you're looking for an extremely portable and lightweight Chromebook at a decent price point, then this is the best Chromebook for you.</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-Chromebook-MediaTek-Integrated-ZA6F0031US/dp/B08F4JRXFZ/?tag=ebbstudio-20" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Check price on Amazon</a></p><h4>In Summary</h4><p>In this guide, we explored ten of the best Chromebooks. We covered their specs, pros, and cons. By the end of this guide, you should be able to decide which Chrome OS-based laptop you'd like to program on. Nevertheless, we hope you've found the above text to be helpful. As always, thank you for reading.</p>

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Best Chromebook for Programming: A Top 10 Guide

<p>You don't need coding chops or technical expertise to come up with an idea for an app. However, these skills would be advantageous in your idea's execution. Nonetheless, if you've never built an application in your life, clearly labeling what steps you'll need to take to make it a reality may be extremely challenging.</p><p>Luckily we're here to elucidate and advise you on which moves to make so that your first application is a successful one.</p><h2>Bringing Your App Ideas to Life</h2><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fb01dd3ee57393aad1d_cXQ5QP0.jpeg"></p><p>You may think that the first thing you need to do is learn how to code. Don't get us wrong, <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/coding-is-hard/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">learning how to code is easier than ever</a>, so much so that <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/games-learn-code/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">you can do it through games</a>. However, thanks to <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/no-code-movement/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">no-code tools</a>, you don't even need to learn how to code to capitalize on your app idea.</p><p>Before you proceed, you need to understand your target audience. According to <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/276623/number-of-apps-available-in-leading-app-stores/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Statista</a>, there are over 2.8 million apps in the Google Play App Store and nearly 2 million in Apple's App Store. Try to make sure that your idea is as fresh as possible or at least does something unique.</p><h3>1. Protect Your Idea</h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fb0bd1c107debf564cb_JlkbOWW.jpeg"></p><h4>Trademark and Copyright Your Application</h4><p>If you're really serious about your desktop or mobile app idea, we suggest that you ensure that it is protected. Speak to a copyright lawyer that can give you advice and help you trademark your app's name and logo.</p><h4>Reserve Your App Name</h4><p>You may find that you need to reserve your application's name on the app store(s) you plan on hosting it on. Luckily Google allows you to host multiple apps with the same name. Unfortunately, Apple isn't as lenient.</p><p>You can reserve your app name by creating an app entry in iTunes Connect without uploading an app build. Additionally, you'll want to reserve a domain name for your application, as well as set up various social media accounts and pages for it.</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fafb0d56e6c85b70a79_16rUEgn.jpeg"></p><h4>Document Every Step</h4><p>During the planning and development phase, ensure that you document every single step. This is important from a legal and business stand-point. You'll be able to use it as evidence if you ever get into a court battle and you'll be able to see what mistakes you made during the app development phase.</p><h3>2. Pick A Tool</h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fafc8ce4d26e2a80ac6_z26wbbS.jpeg"></p><p>It would be a good idea to <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/hire-someone-to-build-an-app/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hire someone to build the application for you</a> if you can afford to. However, if you don't have a flexible budget to work with, it might be better to execute your app idea yourself using a low code solution.</p><p>This would allow you to have complete control of how your application looks and performs. Some of our favorite tools include:</p><h4>Bubble.IO</h4><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fafec5dc78d123634a7_tiWNXpq.jpeg"></p><p><a href="https://bubble.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bubble.IO</a> is an online app and website creation platform. You can build apps for web browsers and mobile devices. Prices are flexible. If you're developing apps as a hobby, Bubble.IO will allow you to access some of their app creation tools for free. You then have your choice of annual and monthly subscriptions with different access levels.</p><h4>Adalo</h4><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fafbd7bcbe58d14c003_DLB0a9w.jpeg"></p><p><a href="https://www.adalo.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Adalo </a>allows you to create mobile applications in three easy steps. You can use its drag and drop graphical user interface builder to create the look and feel of your app. You can then assign an action to each component of your GUI. Finally, you can build a database to hold all your app's input and output data. Adalo provides you with three price plans, including a Free plan, Pro Plan, and a Business Plan.</p><h4>Thunkable</h4><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fb01490d12dec413cf6_7eGzCnJ.jpeg"></p><p><a href="https://thunkable.com/#/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Thunkable </a>is another great drag and drop no-code alternative app builder. You can create a cross-platform application using a single project. Additionally, Thunkable has a thriving community that can help you overcome any issues you may encounter on your journey to solidify your app idea.</p><p>If you want a more detailed list of no-code/low-code development tools, visit our guide on the <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/app-building-platforms/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">best mobile app development platforms</a>.</p><h3>3. Build Your Application</h3><p>This is probably the most obvious step in converting your app idea into a reality. However, we need to explore what developing your app entails. Proper planning will affect how smoothly you can build your desktop, web, or mobile app.</p><p>First, you'll need to think about the front-end of your application. This is basically your application's face. You'll need to decide how the different elements of your app work together. Once again, Adalo does a good job of illustrating this.</p><p>Prior knowledge of software design or logic is not necessary for the successful execution of this step. However, a little would help. What you have to understand is that the two most important parts of an app are its frontend and backend.</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fb0c7263fe87edbb00c_L7C8XHD.jpeg"></p><h4>Design Your GUI</h4><p>First, you'll need to figure out how many slides/windows your app will have, the color scheme, the controls, etc. Take some time to actually design a prototype of your app's frontend using GUI design software such as Adobe After Effects, Axure BP, or Balsamiq.</p><p>Alternatively, you can go through the old-school route and use a pencil and paper to sketch out how your frontend will work. Keep in mind that you're designing this app for other users. So it's important to understand your target audience.</p><p>To get a good idea of how your frontend should work, pick an already well-established desktop or mobile app, and note everything it does well. Before you finally build the GUI using the tool you picked in step 2, make sure that you have a logo for your app.</p><p>Once you have the frontend done, the backend will fall into place. Many no-code tools will automatically build the backend database for you and connect it. For a more in-depth guide on application building, marketing, and monetization, visit our guide on <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/start-an-app-business/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">starting a mobile app development company </a>.</p><h4>4. Upload It to an App Store of Your Choice</h4><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fb08034afbfdd418ba1_v9mTj28.jpeg"></p><p>This step will depend on what type of app you've developed. For instance, you won't have to upload a web-based application to any app store. You can make money from it through a subscription model or ads. When it comes to web services and SaaSs, all you need to think about is how you'll host them and how you'll market them.</p><p>Once again, services like Thunkable allow you to build multi-platform applications. You can simply develop native Android and native iOS apps with a single project and Thunkable will help you upload them to an app store.</p><p>However, if you want to upload your app to a single store, you can do this too. Do not limit yourself to Google or iOS. Amazon and Microsoft also have app stores of their own. If you choose to, you can <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/best-chromebook-for-programming/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">create apps for Chromebooks</a> or Linux too. The possibilities are only as limited as your goals.</p><p>For more information on App Stores and how to monetize your app, you can read our guide on <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/how-to-create-an-app-and-make-money/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">how to create an app and make money from it</a>.</p><h2>In Summary</h2><p>If you have an idea for an app, there is no reason to feel discouraged or intimidated. App development may seem a little complex and scary when you're an outsider but with the right tools, it can be made easier. Hopefully, the above content comes in handy for your next app development journey. As always, thank you for reading.</p>

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I Have an Idea for an App... Now What?

<p>In 2020, where everything’s been disrupted, more and more people have found themselves at home for their working day. A lifestyle change, combined with a volatile job market, has caused many people to rethink their careers - and more people than ever are thinking about freelance programming.&nbsp;</p><p>It’s a growing trend: freelancers now make up <a href="https://www.upwork.com/press/2019/10/03/freelancing-in-america-2019/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">over a third</a> of the US workforce, and the web development field specifically <a href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/web-developers.htm#tab-6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">continues to grow</a>. Tech companies have never been busier, and never more in demand of individuals that they pay well for coding jobs instead of having in-house teams - and that’s where a freelancer steps in.&nbsp;</p><p>It’s easy to see why freelancing life appeals, too: the ability to set our hours and choose our clients, be our own bosses, avoid long commutes on grubby trains, and make excellent money? Makes sense to us.&nbsp;</p><p>But successful freelance programming doesn’t come overnight - and although there are plenty of sites out there promising instant success, it’s a process that takes development, whether the goal is short-term or long-term, part-time or full-time. In our guide, we’ll talk through the fundamentals of freelance programming, how to get started, and some top tips.</p><h2>What Is Freelance Programming?&nbsp;</h2><p>Freelance programmers are software professionals that are employed by companies independently on different projects as a third-party. A freelancer can work with just one company, or with several at once, for as short or as long a time as is useful for both.&nbsp;</p><p>Freelance programmers are self-employed, meaning they set their hours, do all their marketing, admin, and payment. They generally advertise their services with a portfolio and set their rates or payment. They also decide how much they want to work - a freelancer can either go full-time and make it their whole source of income or just do a little on the side of other regular work.&nbsp;</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fb1830879def51e6d0f_pexels-photo-461064.jpeg"></p><h2>How Do I Become A Freelance Programmer?&nbsp;</h2><p>To appeal as a freelance programmer, there are some essential skills - and of course, being able to work with programming languages is top of the list.&nbsp;</p><h3>Learn The Language</h3><p>There are several essential programming languages to learn and become well-versed in to maximize employability.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Javascript </strong>and <strong>Python </strong>are the two most attractive and used languages by programmers today. <strong>Javascript</strong> is used by almost 95% of all websites and is a standard amongst coders and in the tech world, prized for its versatility and ability to be used for both server-side codes and client-side scripts.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Python</strong>, on the other hand, is the fastest-growing language and plays a vital role in big data and consumer understanding. Python’s numerical packages - which include NumPy and MySQL - make it very attractive in data science-related projects.&nbsp;</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fb1cc20d5795e9b03f7_pexels-photo-577585.jpeg"></p><p><strong>Swift</strong> (used by Apple for iOS app development) and <strong>Java </strong>(for Android app development) are also highly prized in the modern tech landscape. We recommend getting a good working knowledge of as many as possible to increase employability.&nbsp;</p><h3>Pick Your Path</h3><p>There are several routes to go down to becoming a freelancer and learning programming languages, and none of them are set in stone - all freelancers have different paths.</p><h3>Doing It Yourself</h3><p>The first and probably quickest way to get going is to crack those knuckles, get on a search engine, and start learning programming languages straight away. There are thousands of useful resources online to help get started, and a lot of good-quality ones are low-cost or free.&nbsp;</p><p>Getting hold of an ebook, signing up for an online course, or just getting started on smaller projects is a great way to get things going. For online resources or informative courses, places like Coursera, Udemy, Codeacademy, are all great places to begin.&nbsp;</p><h3>Boot Camps</h3><p>For more rigor, a boot camp is a fantastic way to start with a bang. Good online boot camps for coding are easy to find generally last between a few weeks and several months and offer an all-in, concentrated approach to learning programming.&nbsp;</p><p>This type of process naturally takes more commitment than reading an ebook, but as boot camps are designed to help generate knowledge fast and effectively, it might be worth it in the long run.</p><p>Boot camps are also useful if the goal is to learn a new programming language and to build on top of former knowledge.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fb1ec7af8ab56677fa1_pexels-photo-879109.jpeg"></p><h3>Get A Degree</h3><p>If going into programming feels like more of a significant focus in life plans, then it might be worth thinking about studying in earnest. A university degree can help put programmers ahead of the pack and offer a comprehensive knowledge of coding.</p><p>Due to their all-encompassing nature, university degrees are particularly attractive for the higher-end companies hiring today - although they’re by no means a pre-requisite, as any freelancer with a solid track record and a good portfolio is viable.</p><h2>Full Time Or Part Time?&nbsp;</h2><p>It’s tempting to go in straight off the bat, quit the day job, and instantly rebrand as a full-time freelance coder. Great! Now, where are all those clients?&nbsp;</p><p>Remember that any career is a process and time - and freelancing is no different. Freelancers need to build up their client base and their brand and network - as well as constantly improving their skills. And this time needs to be balanced with other considerations.&nbsp;</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fb18308795bdc1e6d10_pexels-photo-2682452.jpeg"></p><p>Being a <strong>full-time</strong> freelance programmer is a fantastic career choice, but be aware that making the switch requires thinking in the long term. Make sure there’s enough flexibility to do so when it’s time, that any life obligations (like family or finances) are considered and covered, and that there are sufficient emergency funds available to cover any shortfalls.&nbsp;</p><p>The nature of full-time freelancing is that the income can fluctuate, so be ready for that. If leaving a permanent job to embark on full-time freelance programming, make sure any move makes sense financially and for a chosen lifestyle. And be aware, too, of the responsibility to cover all obligations like pensions, holiday, and sick pay.</p><p><strong>Part-time</strong> programming, on the other hand, offers flexibility and a little extra income on the side of another job. Going part-time first can help build knowledge and a gradual customer base to work with, while still maintaining another source of income or providing one while studying.&nbsp;</p><p>Part-time programming can also be a route into a more full-time set-up - and by beginning with smaller jobs, an idea of how freelancing works can help decide whether a move into full-time is on the horizon.&nbsp;</p><h2>How Much Money Can A Freelance Programmer Make?&nbsp;</h2><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fb12702e86c0e0e1e77_pexels-photo-1181263.jpeg"></p><p>The average freelance web developer salary is not too bad at all: in the US the median salary is <a href="https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/freelance-web-developer-salary-SRCH_KO0,23.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">$75,217 per year</a> - and of course, freelancers make more than that the more experienced they get.&nbsp;</p><p>Bear in mind that this is a full-time figure, though, and that most freelancers work by individual projects. Most freelancers tend to charge between <a href="https://www.codementor.io/blog/cost-of-hiring-full-time-and-freelance-software-developers-1nqgg7b19d" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">$60-100 per hour</a> for projects, with more detailed work being able to command a higher fee. Building up a regular client base at this average price can generate a healthy income.&nbsp;</p><p>As a freelancer, the rate is self-set - so how much a freelancer decides to charge is totally up to them. And while there are a lot of freelance programmers out there, the demand only continues to grow - so set rates at what the work is worth.&nbsp;</p><h2>Where Do I Find Programming Jobs?&nbsp;</h2><p>If just starting, the job market for freelance work can seem pretty daunting. And while freelance job sites are typically not the end-game for freelance programmers, it can take time to build up a client base - and sometimes, these client bases can begin with the odd job here and there.&nbsp;</p><p>It’s also important to remember that although a lot of guides point freelancers in this direction, there’s a reason for it: around a fifth of Fortune 500 companies are on Upwork, and <a href="https://www.payoneer.com/downloads/freelancer-income-report-2018.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">73% of freelancers</a> use online job marketplaces. These sites are a valuable source of work and income. So, check them out, even if just to get feet wet.&nbsp;</p><h3>Upwork</h3><p>The big daddy of freelance sites, Upwork has thousands of jobs posted every day - with the size and length of them varying enormously. For total beginners, it’s a great place to get the first few small jobs and learn the ropes and start building a portfolio to take to other employers.&nbsp;</p><h3>Guru</h3><p>Guru is aimed more towards the higher-end of freelancers - and as such, if a little more into a freelancing career, it’s an excellent place to find new clients. It’s possible to sift through their job postings without making an account, so it’s always worth a look.</p><h3>Toptal</h3><p>Toptal is the gold standard of freelance sites for programmers and coders. Known for just accepting the ‘top 3% of talent’, this site is great for freelancers in the long run - and can help build longstanding connections with clients that may take work forward. It’s competitive to get signed up - but there’s no harm in applying early on in a freelance career, even if just to get a sense of what it might take.&nbsp;</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fb18034af9318418ba7_pexels-photo-3178818.jpeg"></p><h3>Taking It Forward</h3><p>While these sites are great to get a feel for freelancing, if going full-time eventually it’s important to move services away from them and build up a sense of business and identity. A lot of jobs here are one-off and don’t necessarily lead to repeated work.</p><p>This can be done in many ways and the list of how to gain clients is long - but cold-emailing desired clients with a strong portfolio and networking through both existing clients and contacts will help build regular work and a word-of-mouth reputation.&nbsp;</p><h2>The Top Tips To Becoming A Successful Freelance Programmer</h2><p>So, the time has almost come to take the plunge. Before doing so, a few final words of wisdom:&nbsp;</p><h3>Build Your Brand And Your Clients</h3><p>It’s important to remember that as a freelancer, <em>you </em>are the brand. So what’s your USP? What are you selling? And what’s your deal? While freelancers are hired on their skills, creating a marketable and approachable personal brand will help to build trust and rapport with clients.&nbsp;</p><p>On that note - keep your client relationships alive. Nurture them. Regularly check-in, even while seeking new clients. Good business relationships are built to last and benefit both parties hugely in the long run. So stay communicative with the people that supply work - with a good job, they’re likely to again.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><h3>Think About Your Niche</h3><p>Although this isn’t a pre-requisite of being a freelancer, having an idea of a niche to operate in can help focus on clients to work with and builds trust that a premium, specialized service is being offered.&nbsp;</p><p>Specializing in app development or a specific programming language like PHP can help separate freelancers from the pack, and means that eventually, clients will seek services directly. It’s important to have a comprehensive understanding of different aspects of programming, of course - but know the niche, nurture it, and sell it.</p><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fb17971b10940af8055_pexels-photo-3653849.jpeg"></p><h3>Keep Your Work/Life Balance</h3><p>Sure, being a freelancer is great - but with the ability to choose work hours whenever suit, it can sometimes be hard to switch off. It makes sense: when income relies directly on how much work is put in, it can be tempting to just work that extra few hours, or answer that email at midnight from a different time zone.&nbsp;</p><p>It’s important, though, to know when to stop - and to draw a clear line between work and life. Remember that, although work is a passion, it also serves a purpose: to let us enjoy life a little better. So, set strict working hours, and shut the laptop at the end of the day.&nbsp;</p><h2>The Bottom Line</h2><p>Becoming a freelance programmer is a realistic and lucrative step for many people out there - and with the freelance market only growing, there’s never been a better time to hop on board.&nbsp;</p><p>It’s important to go into it prepared, though - so make sure to read up before leaping into freelance life. We’ll see you there!&nbsp;</p>

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Everything you need to Know to Start Freelance Programming

<p>There are tons of stories out there of self-taught programmers. According to the <a href="https://insights.stackoverflow.com/survey/2019" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2019 Stack Overflow Developer Survey</a>, although 75% of professional software developers had achieved at least the equivalent of a bachelor's degree or higher, it was still common to find a successful software developer who had never completed a degree.</p><p>Furthermore, it was found that just over 85% of respondents had taught themselves a new language, tool, or framework without taking a formal course. Suffice to say, you can teach yourself how to code. You just need the right resources.</p><p>First, you'll need to decide what your <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/first-programming-language/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">first programming language</a> will be. It has to be something easy but its fundamentals and standards need to be transplantable to other languages. This is so when you decide to learn something more advanced, it will be a little easier.</p><p>Nevertheless, in the following guide, we've listed five of the easiest programming languages to learn (with a bonus surprise at the end). If you're looking to add spice to your resume or change career paths, your journey begins here.</p><h2>The Easiest Programming Language for Beginners</h2><h3>1. Python</h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fb32034418232fed4c5_1024px-Python_logo_and_wordmark.svg.png" alt="Python logo and wordmark"></p><h4>What Is It?</h4><p>Python is a reflective multi-paradigm programming language originally released in 1991. In the last decade, its seen itself blow up in popularity. After Java became less open-source after Oracle's acquisition, people started looking for an alternative. Python is that alternative.</p><p>According to Statista, it's the fourth most used programming language but the first most popular general-purpose programming language. This can most likely be attributed to its ease of use.</p><h4>Why Is It Easy To Learn?</h4><p>What makes Python the easiest programming language to use and learn is its accessibility. It's an open-source programming language with a large international following.</p><p>Python is so easy to learn, that for many educators, it's the preferred <a href="https://ebb.dev/blog/kids-programming-languages/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">first programming language for kids</a>.</p><p>Python has a relatively simple syntax style. It doesn't force programmers to use curly brackets to section off blocks of code. End-of- statement semicolons are also optional. Python is so simple that it only takes a single line to complete a hello world application.</p><p>Thanks to it being open-source, it has a large community of developers backing it. It's not hard to find an online course or free eBooks that teach you high-level programming with Python. This is why Python is one of the easiest programming languages to learn and use.</p><h4>What Is It Used For?</h4><p>The question should be: "What can Python be not used for?". Once again, Python is a high-level general-purpose programming language. Just because it's easy to use doesn't mean it's not powerful.</p><p>Python is quite popular in data science. It can be used to create data structures, algorithms, desktop and web applications. You can also download an additional package that allows you to develop mobile apps.</p><p>If you want to write easy to understand code, you should learn Python. In addition to this, Python developers are currently in high demand. It's arguably one of the best programming languages for professionals and scientists.</p><h3>2. JavaScript</h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fb3b07f97536dc76b7d_Javascript-shield.png" alt="Javascript-shield.png - Wikimedia Commons"></p><h4>What Is It?</h4><p>JavaScript was originally developed and released in the mid-90s. It is a scripting language that allows you to incorporate advanced features into a webpage. However, this is not its only use case...</p><h4>Why Is It Easy To Learn?</h4><p>JavaScript is in no way related to Java. But they share very similar syntax and rules. This is because the creators had originally planned to embed Java code into web pages to make them more dynamic. But they eventually decided to create a whole new language clearly inspired by Java.</p><p>So learning Java could make learning JavaScript easier. However, Java is one of the most semantically strict object-oriented languages and it's technically more robust than JavaScript. So learning JavaScript is easier and quicker.</p><p>To start learning JavaScript, all you need is a text processor and a JavaScript-enabled web-browser. Because JavaScript is the most used programming language in the world (according to Statista), you can find an abundance of support for it on the internet.</p><h4>What Is It Used For?</h4><p>JavaScript is commonly used to add additional functionality to webpages. However, it can also be utilized outside of HTML for server-side website deployments and desktop applications through software frameworks and run time environment like Node.js.</p><p>Once again, if you plan on becoming a web-designer or web-developer, you need to make sure that you learn JavaScript along with HTML and CSS.</p><h3>3. Ruby</h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fb3ec7af89f6b677fa3_Ruby_logo.svg" alt="File:Ruby logo"></p><h4>What Is It?</h4><p>Ruby is an object-orientated scripting language. It's the perfect alternative to programming languages like Python and Java. It's a dynamically typed multi-paradigm general-purpose language. And it's an easy language to learn for beginners.</p><h4>Why Is It Easy To Learn?</h4><p>Even though it's not as popular as the other programming languages on this list, it is inspired by most of them. This means what you learn from Ruby can be applied to other languages.</p><p>Ruby mixes procedural, functional, and object-oriented programming. It's not too strict or strongly typed making the syntax relatively easy to learn. For instance, you can define code blocks using curly braces or keywords.</p><h4>What Is It Used For?</h4><p>Ruby is a general-purpose programming language so it can be employed in a variety of applications. You can use it for front-end and back-end web development, database work, data sorting, web and desktop applications.</p><p>Despite Ruby's lack of popularity, it's still extremely useful. In fact, Twitter uses Ruby on Rails for its framework. Learning Ruby is still worthwhile.</p><h3>4. Visual Basic .NET</h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fb38034af6d75418bb0_1024px-VB.NET_Logo.svg.png" alt="VB.NET Logo"></p><h4>What Is It?</h4><p>Visual Basic .Net (VB .Net) is Microsoft's successor to Visual Basic. As with the original Visual Basic, it's derived from BASIC (Beginner's All-Purpose Symbolic Instruction Code), a programming language that was made to be accessible to non-computer scientists. VB .Net continues this tradition and is one of the easiest general-purpose programming languages to learn.</p><h4>Why Is It Easy To Learn?</h4><p>VB .Net was designed to be simple to learn and adopt. If you're looking for a practical introduction to object-oriented programming languages, VB .Net offers you the perfect start.</p><p>Its syntax is clear and some of its rules are lenient when compared to other OO programming languages. For instance, defining code blocks isn't rigid. Curly braces are unnecessary and you don't have to end a line with a colon or semicolon. It can be terminated with a new line.</p><p>In addition to its forgiving and loose syntax, there is a slew of textbooks, online courses, documentation and videos to help you learn it. Microsoft has also made their VB compiler in the .Net Compiler Platform open-sourced.</p><h4>What Is It Used For?</h4><p>When you start working with VB .Net, you can develop simple Windows desktop applications. As you progress, you'll be able to create classes, libraries, components, game development, web applications, Windows services, and access application object models. It's a good language to help you learn simple programming concepts. It's extremely beginner-friendly. While it's one of the easiest programming languages to learn, it's also one of the most flexible. Once you learn VB .Net, you can learn Java, C# or something more advanced.</p><h3>5. Perl</h3><p><img src="https://d3e54v103j8qbb.cloudfront.net/img/image-placeholder.svg" alt="Logo De Perl - Wikimedia Commons"></p><h4>What Is It?</h4><p>Although Perl isn't an actual acronym, people often use it as a faux acronym that stands for "Practical Extraction and Reporting Language". This is a perfect description. Perl is a flexible high-level multi-paradigm open source programming language that was originally developed to manipulate text. It's evolved since then. It's now the perfect place to start if you want to learn to code.</p><h4>Why Is It Easy To Learn?</h4><p>Perl began its life as a simple scripting language and that simplicity still carries over to its latest version. Much like C, it's a procedural language. Because of its style and flexibility, Perl can be considered the easiest programming language to learn. There is more than one way to accomplish a task in Perl.</p><p>In most cases, you don't have to compile your code after writing it. You can write and run your programs fluidly which allows for quick debugging. Perl has a thriving online community and plenty of resources to help you get started. Visit <a href="https://www.perl.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Perl</a>'s website for more information.</p><h4>What Is It Used For?</h4><p>Initially, Perl was used to extract and sort text from a document. This is still its most popular use case because of how fast it can process data. Today, Perl is a fully-fledged programming language that can compete with programming languages such as Java, C#, C++ etc. It can be used to build graphical user interfaces, databases, data analysis, task automation, web development, etc.</p><h3>Honorable Mention: HTML</h3><p><img src="https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/61be5ac1c69c24d61460918b/62515fb37bfe8754076de1d3_logo-2582748_1280.png" alt="HTML 5 Logo. Source: Pixabay"></p><h4>What Is It?</h4><p>According to an early 2020 Statista tally of the <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/793628/worldwide-developer-survey-most-used-languages/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">most used programming languages</a>, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) is the second most popular programming language in the world. This makes sense considering that the majority of web pages you view on your computer or mobile device are made up of HTML. While many would argue that it's a markup language and not a programming language, it's widely used and can still be used to make great things.</p><h4>Why Is It Easy to Learn?</h4><p>What makes HTML the easiest programming language to learn is all you really need to work with it is a simple text editor and a web browser. In addition to this, because of HTML's popularity, there are a plethora of online resources to help you learn how to code with HTML for free.</p><p>It's a markup language so its syntax is easy to adapt to. All you need to figure out is which tags go where and what their properties are. You'll be able to develop your first web page in no time.</p><h4>What Is It Used For?</h4><p>HTML is what web browsers use (partly) to form visual elements to display to users. The internet is essentially built on a foundation of HTML tags. In terms of programming, it's definitely the easiest language to learn.</p><h2>In Summary</h2><p>Any time you use any of your devices, you're using the fruits of a collaboration of a set of programming languages. Learning how to code is deciding to look under the hood to figure out how everything works, and how you can make it better.</p><p>It's daunting at first but once you get a hang of it, you begin to think differently. And it all starts with your first programming language. Hopefully, the above selections can get the ball rolling. Don't just stop at one, make it a mission to try as many as you can. Nevertheless, we hope that you've enjoyed reading this guide. Thank you for reading.</p>

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Top 5 Easiest Programming Languages to Learn

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