An Intro to IPAD or IPHONE App Development

The need of IPAD & IPhone applications has been increased considerably in the last one year or two. If we need an app for IPad, we have now many options like, to develop it in Adobe AIR [and pack it for iOS] or we can develop using Xcode [https://developer.apple.com/xcode/] or we can use paid development platforms like FileMaker.

Common technologies/platforms for IPHONE/IPAD app development

Adobe AIR:

  1. Windows development environment is enough
  2. Can use the same code base to pack it for Android device also
  3. Not so smooth as app developed using xcode

Xcode:

  1. App developed in Xcode is smooth and fast
  2. Is a global standard and well development friendly
  3. Has good support through forums, wiki’s and websites
  4. Requires a MAC development environment

MonoTouch:

  1. IPAD app development using C# and .net libraries, in MAC environment under Xcode as base
  2. Need to conduct a paid purchase of the software SDK
  3. Recently introduced in late 2011
  4. Support is minimum and Apps are only getting published in Apple store

Cocoa:

  1. Like Xcode the next best popular IDE for IPAD App development
  2. Uses Objective C as the programming language
  3. Has good support in internet portals
  4. Needs Mac environment to do development with

Filemaker:

  • Quick App development with lots of predefined templates available
  • Windows OS development possible
  • Need to busy the Filemaker products
  • Templates and scripts enable quick and hasslefree auditing & production process

Technology Decision:

Below are the various factors that lets decide the technology we have to follow:

1)   The time & material

2)   Cost

3)   Support & Documentation

By default, We [Most of the Mob developers] prefer the development infrastructure as Xcode, which is globally standard and less stress to make APPLE industries to audit and accept the app, with their guidelines.

The main challenge of developing an app in IOS platform is not the development process, but the releasing process. Because APPLE will test the app themselves after you submit the app into the app store. They may reject the app if there is any bug or violation in the rules. For registering the app into the App-Store, you must register into their development portal. And it is a paid one !

If we need a quality GUI and efficient product in quick time, Filemaker platform is the best way to develop IPhone and IPAD apps. This guarantees the product in quick time, but need to purchase the products for development, hosting and accessing (free)!  We have to buy certain series of products for this development as: Filemaker PRO, Filemaker Server & Filemaker GO.

Simply, FileMaker Pro, is the best platform for rapid iOS application development and FileMaker Go, is the easiest way to deploy & access mobile iOS solutions on iPhone and iPad.

Hardware & Software requirements:

XCODE platform needs:

Mac OS, Xcode, PHP, XML, JSON, Testing devices/Simulators

The latest version Xcode is 4.2 which will support up to iOS 5. For testing purpose Xcode itself contains simulators. But it is better if we have a real device with you. The performance between simulators and real devices has proved considerable differences in speed and outputs

ADOBE AIR platform needs:

Windows OS, Adobe Flash Builder 4.6, AIR 3.0, Testing devices, PHP, XML, JSON

FILEMAKER platform needs:

Windows OS, Filemaker PRO, Filemaker GO, Filemaker SERVER, Testing devices

PIT Solutions as an Expertise:

We have successfully developed IPAD apps in Xcode with Objective C as programming language. And also we have good hands in developing the IPAD apps in Filemaker technology also using external data sources in SQL server and Mysql.

In Brief, we have done the following functionalities in IPAD development in minimum time:

  • GUI layout designing & adjustments
  • Database connection configuration & modifications
  • Adding, deleting and modifying records
  • Adjusting the color themes for Iphone/Ipad apps
  • Deploying developed apps in server
  • Accessing it through IPAD/Simulators
  • Various templates in verticals like Invoice, Inventory & finance has been securely handled
  • Custom written programming scripts for buttons, textboxes and background process
  • Continuous integration of IPAD app enhancements

Virtual X- the online examination management system

PIT Solutions has developed an online examination management tool -Virtual X. This tool has been developed in Ruby on Rails (ROR) platform. This software is in both English and German language.

Different types of questions are easily created with the help of Virtual X. This software helps to generate the reports of each student or groups or levels automatically. This will help in reducing the time of the examiner or organizer.

The main features of Virtual X are:

* Schedule exams for Schools, Colleges, Organizations and other Institutions
* Prepare and assign question papers
* Conduct online examination with feedback option
* Instant evaluation and report
* Report generation in Excel and Pdf formats
* Provide Feedback

Its easily downloadable at

https://sourceforge.net/projects/virtualx

 

An intro to HTML Version 5

image.png

HTML5 is the next version of HTML (as of September, 2011 it is still under development) which is for structuring and presenting content – just like in previous HTML standard but is more matured. Browsers already started supporting it, not completely but most features. You can start experimenting with latest IE, Firefox, Safari or Chrome. [...]

[Continue reading…]

What is new in Windows 8?

image_thumb.png

Touchable! – A metro-style touch based interface. The whole OS got tap-tap usability for drag-drops, switching to apps etc. Noticeable performance difference. Also, 8 seconds booting time. Portable device users will benefit most Different Home Screen. There will be tiles (You know what is this if you have used Windows Phone7) New lock screen. App [...]

[Continue reading…]

MSDN Magazine

image.png

Keep your Microsoft Technology knowledge up-to-date by monitoring MSDN magazine online version here. This month’s (August 2011) issue have these major topics: Team Foundation Server (TFS) & Exchange – Building a ticketing system Microsoft Visual Studio Light Switch – Advanced programming & building business apps HTML5 – Build apps Multi-Platform Development – About portable class [...]

[Continue reading…]

10 best open source web testing tools

Web testing is the kind of software testing focusing on web applications.  Such testing will help to identify errors/bugs before the website is live/visible to public.  Today there are many open source testing tools that are easily available.  Here are a few list of testing tools which will give you an insight on the usage [...]

[Continue reading…]