Mobile App Development Fundamentals

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Questions and Answers

Which programming language is commonly used for iOS development?

Swift (correct)

Dart

JavaScript

PHP

What is a characteristic of freemium apps?

They generate revenue only from ads.

They require upfront payment to access.

They are always free to download.

They offer in-app purchases for additional features. (correct)

Which mobile development framework supports building cross-platform apps using Dart?

React Native

Android Studio

Xcode

Flutter (correct)

What is the primary purpose of the maintenance phase in the mobile app development lifecycle?

To ensure the app continues to perform well after release. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes paid apps from freemium apps?

Freemium apps can be downloaded for free but have in-app purchases. Signup and view all the answers

What is the requirement for seating for the final exam?

80% attendance Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the final grade is determined by the final exam?

50% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a primary mobile device?

Desktop computer Signup and view all the answers

What action is required if a student cannot meet a deadline for a quiz or assignment?

Email the instructor before the deadline Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of communicating issues to the instructor?

To receive assistance or extensions Signup and view all the answers

Mobile application development involves creating software for which of the following?

Mobile devices Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a possible consequence of cheating in the course?

No marks awarded Signup and view all the answers

What is the initial point total for students starting the class?

0 points Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes native apps?

Built for a specific operating system using platform-specific languages Signup and view all the answers

What technology is primarily used to develop hybrid apps?

HTML, CSS, and JavaScript Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes web apps?

Browsed through mobile browsers and do not require installation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of the Android operating system?

It has a primarily open ecosystem and supports multiple programming languages. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the significant advantages of the Android platform?

Open environment for app development Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes iOS from other mobile operating systems?

It is known for its security and smooth user experience. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a disadvantage of using Android?

Delay in receiving updates Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following mobile operating systems has been largely phased out?

Windows Mobile Signup and view all the answers

What role did the Open Handset Alliance play in the development of Android?

It was a collaboration of companies to support the development of Android as an open-source OS. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of iOS development?

Requires Mac for development Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about iOS is true?

80% of iOS users are on the latest version of the OS. Signup and view all the answers

Which programming languages are commonly associated with Android app development?

Java, Kotlin, and C++ Signup and view all the answers

What is a con associated with iOS development?

Complex guidelines for app submission Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason developers face fragmentation issues on Android?

OS version differences among users Signup and view all the answers

How does the submission process differ between Android and iOS?

iOS requires an annual subscription for developers. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of iOS enhances its graphics capabilities?

OpenGL API standardization Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Model in MVC Architecture?

Manages the data and business logic of the application Signup and view all the answers

Which component of MVC responds to user interactions?

Controller Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of MVC Architecture?

Increased Complexity Signup and view all the answers

What does the View component of MVC represent?

User interface that displays data Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of MVC Architecture?

Tight Coupling Between View and Controller Signup and view all the answers

In an e-commerce app, what data does the Model component hold?

Data about products such as name and price Signup and view all the answers

How does the View receive updates in MVC Architecture?

From the Controller Signup and view all the answers

What type of architecture is MVC classified as?

Layered Architecture Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the ViewModel in the MVVM architecture?

To handle the presentation logic and interact with the Model Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the View in the MVVM architecture is correct?

The View is passive and does not contain any business logic. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not an advantage of using MVVM architecture?

Automatic Testing Signup and view all the answers

What does the Model in the MVVM architecture primarily manage?

Data and business logic of the app Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of using MVVM architecture mentioned in the content?

Complexity and learning curve Signup and view all the answers

How does the ViewModel expose data to the View in MVVM?

Using observable properties for the View to bind to Signup and view all the answers

In the provided weather app scenario, what does the Model do?

Fetches weather data from an API Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements describes Two-Way Data Binding in MVVM?

Changes in the View automatically update the Model and vice versa. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Class Rules

Students are permitted to do anything except make noises (e.g., chatting, singing).
Students may interrupt with questions during class.
Taking attendance is required, per university policy.
80% attendance is necessary to sit the final exam.

Course Assessment

Final Exam: 50%
Midterm: 20%
Quizzes: 10%
Project: 20% (2-3 students per group)
Presentation and report are required for the project.
Cheating and plagiarism will not receive any marks.

Mobile Devices

Mobile devices are portable handheld computers, connected to the internet, easy to use, and portable.
Some mobile devices offer more powerful capabilities than desktop or laptop computers.
Available mobile devices include tablets, e-readers, and smartphones.

Mobile Application Development

Mobile app development creates software for smartphones and tablets.
The software runs on various operating systems (such as Android, iOS, etc.)

Types of Mobile Applications

Native Apps: Built for specific operating systems (e.g., Java/Kotlin for Android, Swift/Objective C for iOS) and leverage device-specific features.
Hybrid Apps: Cross-platform apps using web technologies (e.g., HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React Native, Ionic, Cordova). These web apps run in native containers.
Web Apps: Accessed through mobile browsers; they do not require installation but have limited access to device hardware. (e.g., Progressive Web Apps - PWAs).

Mobile Platforms

Android: Developed by Google, it's the most widely used mobile OS, written in Java, Kotlin, and C++, with an open ecosystem.
iOS: Apple's proprietary OS for iPhones and iPads, known for security and smooth user experience.
Other platforms (such as Windows Mobile, Blackberry) are less prominent with phased-out development.

Mobile Operating Systems

The list includes Palm OS, WML, J2ME/JME, Windows, Android, iOS.

Android (Pros and Cons)

Pros:
- Platform-wide development
- Open environment: call history, notifications, content sharing, and installing from outside sources are possible.
- Apps can be self-signed; publishing to Google Play is affordable ($25 one-time fee).
Cons:
- Significant fragmentation across different OS versions.
- OS upgrades can be delayed due to manufacturer and carrier customizations.
- App developers must cater to diverse OS versions.
- Graphics performance can sometimes be slower.

iOS (Pros and Cons)

Pros:
- Less fragmentation and an 80% user base on the latest version; new features are available more quickly.
- OpenGL API is standard cross-platform.
- User-friendly navigation.
Cons:
- More closed platform with limited inter-app communication. The App Store frequently rejects private APIs.
- Development can only be done on Macs.
- Strict App Store guidelines and subscriptions are necessary for publishing apps.
- Signing apps is complex and requires an Apple certificate.

App Stores and Monetization

Google Play Store and Apple App Store are the two dominant platforms for mobile app distribution.
Common monetization models include:
- Free apps with ads (popular on Android).
- Freemium: free, with in-app purchases (common in games).
- Paid apps (less common on Android)
- Subscriptions

Mobile App Development Lifecycle

Ideation and planning
Design (UI/UX)
Development
Testing
Deployment
Maintenance

Programming Languages for Mobile Development

Java
Swift
JavaScript
Dart

Mobile Development Frameworks

Android Studio: Official IDE for Android development. Includes tools like emulator, code editor, and testing.
Xcode: Apple's official IDE for iOS development. Includes features such as interface builder, testing, and debugging tools.
React Native: Enables cross-platform app development using JavaScript; code is written once and runs on multiple platforms.
Flutter: Google's cross-platform UI toolkit; it allows mobile, web, and desktop development using widgets.

Mobile App Architecture

MVC (Model-View-Controller): Model handles data/logic, View displays data, Controller manages user interactions between View and Model.
MVVM (Model-View-ViewModel): Model contains data/logic; View represents data to users; ViewModel acts as a bridge allowing View to interact with Model and handle data presentation.
Clean Architecture: Separates concerns into Layers (Entities, Use Cases, Interface Adapters, and Frameworks).

Good Practices

UI/UX in Mobile Apps
Mobile app performance optimization
Mobile application security
Deploying and publishing mobile apps

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Description

Test your knowledge on mobile app development, including programming languages, app types, and development frameworks. This quiz covers essential concepts needed for creating and managing mobile applications effectively.