Mobile App Development Fundamentals

A portable handheld computer designed to connect to the internet. It's lightweight, user-friendly and easily accessible. Some can even outperform desktop computers.

The process of creating software applications that run on smartphones or tablets.

A mobile device that uses its touch screen for browsing the internet, reading books, and enjoying multimedia.

A portable device specifically designed for reading electronic books and documents.

A versatile, multi-functional mobile device that combines phone capabilities with internet access, apps, and more.

The assessment of a student's performance in a course, usually determined by a combination of exams, projects, and participation.

The percentage of class sessions a student is required to attend to pass the course.

A collaborative project involving two or three students that requires a written report and presentation.

Apps designed specifically for a particular mobile operating system (like Android or iOS) and installed directly from app stores. They can access all device features.

Cross-platform apps built using web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and frameworks like React Native. They are essentially web apps wrapped in a native container, allowing them to be installed like native apps.

Apps accessed through mobile browsers (e.g., Progressive Web Apps). They do not require installation but provide limited access to device hardware.

Google's widely used mobile operating system, known for its open ecosystem and flexibility.

Apple's proprietary operating system for iPhones and iPads, known for its user experience and security.

A software platform that serves as the foundation for operating a mobile device, managing its core functions and providing an interface for users.

A group of companies that joined together to develop and promote Android as an open-source mobile operating system.

A mobile operating system that was popular in the early days of smartphones, known for its use in Palm Pilot devices.

The dominant platforms for app distribution, Google Play Store caters mainly to Android devices while Apple App Store serves iOS devices.

A mobile app monetization model where users can download and use the app for free, but have the option to purchase additional features or content within the app.

A method of app monetization where users pay a recurring fee for access to the app's content or services.

The systematic process of creating a mobile app, from initial idea to deployment and ongoing maintenance.

A software development tool specifically designed for building Android applications.

An architecture pattern that separates an application's concerns into three distinct components: Model, View, and Controller. This separation enhances maintainability, testability, and reusability.

The data and business logic of an application. It represents the application's state and updates the Controller when data changes.

The user interface that displays the Model's data and handles user interactions. It receives updates from the Controller when data changes.

An intermediary between the Model and View. It processes user input, updates the Model, and sends information to the View.

An architecture pattern like MVC, but it focuses on separating concerns between the View, ViewModel, and Model. The ViewModel provides data to the View and interacts with the Model.

A flexible architecture that emphasizes the separation of concerns by dividing the app into layers. These layers communicate through well-defined interfaces, promoting independent development and testing.

The benefit of an architecture that promotes code reuse, simplifies maintenance, and allows easier testing.

The ability to easily update or modify an application without affecting other parts.

Android is an open-source operating system, meaning developers can access and modify system features. This allows for greater flexibility and inter-app communication compared to more closed platforms.

Android's open nature allows app installations from sources other than the official Google Play Store. This provides more options for users but might increase the risk of security vulnerabilities.

Different versions of Android exist, each with its own features and compatibility. This fragmentation can lead to challenges for developers who need to ensure their apps work across various versions.

iOS is a closed-source operating system developed by Apple, offering a more streamlined and controlled user experience. This approach prioritizes security and consistency but limits customization and flexibility.

iOS upgrades are rolled out quickly and efficiently, resulting in a high percentage of users on the latest version. This allows developers to target a more homogeneous audience with new features and functionalities.

Inter-app communication is limited in iOS due to its closed nature. Developers need to adhere to strict guidelines and rely on Apple's approval processes.

Developing for iOS requires a Mac computer and adherence to Apple's strict guidelines and processes. While this ensures high-quality apps, it can be more challenging and costly for developers.

Publishing apps on the iOS App Store comes with a yearly subscription fee and a rigorous review process. This ensures high standards but adds to the costs and complexity of app distribution.

In Model-View-ViewModel (MVVM) architecture, the Model represents the data and business logic. It handles fetching data from sources like databases and APIs. Think of it as the brains behind the app, managing all the data interactions.

In MVVM, the View is responsible for displaying data to the user in a visually pleasing way. It's passive, meaning it doesn't contain any business logic and relies on the ViewModel.

The ViewModel in MVVM acts as a bridge between the View and the Model. It deals with presentation logic, retrieves data from the Model, and formats it for the View. Think of it as a translator.

One of the key advantages of MVVM is the separation of concerns between data, logic, and presentation. This makes it easier to maintain and debug your code. It's like dividing roles in a team for better efficiency.

MVVM architecture enables two-way data binding, meaning changes in the Model are automatically reflected in the View and vice versa. This makes it smoother to keep the UI updated with the latest data. Think of it like a live update feed.

MVVM promotes testability by providing independent units for testing. You can test your business logic in the Model and UI logic in the ViewModel separately. This makes it easier to find and fix bugs.

MVVM allows you to create reusable components that can be used in multiple parts of your application, saving time and effort. It's like buying a pre-built module rather than constructing everything from scratch.

MVVM reduces the amount of code in the View by moving business logic to the ViewModel. This makes the View cleaner and easier to maintain. Think of it like decluttering your desk for better organization.