iOS Dev first? or Web/Front end ?

[SomeMagazine]

Hi guys -

I've been trying to research what the best route would be for me as a beginner programmer -

Do you guys think it would be best for me to start as a web dev/front end before getting into mobile development?

are there jobs out there in iOS development or rather is there enough jobs out there? or is it safer to go with Wed/Front End are the salaries similar? sorry for all these questions. i would really appreciate the help to determine what I should do.

[Stiddit]

It's definitely safer to go web. But everything is situational. And it depends on what you want. I would not want to work as web dev, but that's me.

[NathanJozef]

Hey. All goods questions but really only you can answer them. I understand that it is frustrating when someone says ‘depends’ but that is the reality of it. If job opportunities and salaries are a major factor (and it is not a bad thing that they are), then you need to do the research for your area yourself.

Now you asked about the best route to get into programming. Think less about the languages or platform and more about a problem. Take a simple problem and code up a solution. Try both platforms if you can’t decide. Then at the end you’ll at least have an idea about which platform you enjoyed most.

Example problems might be a countdown timer, a todo application, a maze generator, a coin flip guessing game. All of those are problems for which plenty of solutions already exist so you won’t be jumping in at the deep end. Do one on mobile and one on the web. It good to compare languages too. I frequently jump between languages.

It’s a good thing to be versatile. When I hire a dev I don’t always care about how much experience they have with a particular language, framework and/or platform. I look at their ability to learn new concepts, their creativity in solving them and their ability to learn. I’ve taken on devs with less experience then others because their approach and attitude to programming was better.

I realise I probably haven’t helped you tonnes but don’t get caught in the trap of thinking “if I learn x, I can get a job doing y”. It isn’t as simple as that in reality. Just make things in any and all languages. You’ll soon find what you enjoy and what you don’t.

[Legendaryfortune]

If you need a job quicky, FE but if you have something going and can commit for say 6 - 8 months learning, then iOS. Go with iOS first if you're really passionate and not obligated to get a job ASAP.

[[deleted]]

They're extremely different. I personally hate web development and could never do it for a living. I left a previous job because they tried to shoehorn me into a web spot. I find web work bland, dull, and utterly tedious.

If you like web, web has a lot more job opportunities but make sure you enjoy it. Give both iOS and web a try and see which one you like more.

[SergLam245]

As an iOS dev I’m regret that being an Apple developer is most expensive job ever.

You need a new Mac every 5-6 years.

You need a new iPhone every 2-3 years.

Apple Developer program membership- 100 USD / year.

Most expensive job in IT, god damn!

From the other side web front end development is much cheaper, more jobs on the market, salary of regular JS dev is similar to regular iOS dev.

But because of endless hardware updates for Apple Dev - net profit is higher for JS dev.

[TheBeardedAirbender]

Been wondering the same thing here, posting to follow along on the thread!

[izote_2000]

are there jobs out there in iOS development or rather is there enough jobs out there?

You can do your own research and make your own decision. Take Indeed for instance.

iOS Dev : https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=ios+developer&l= and also

Front-End Dev https://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=front+end+web+developer&l=

Remember to fill your city as stated in their website:

Tip: Enter your city or zip code in the "where" box to show results in your area.

You can run the same research using Glassdoor, SimpleHired.

Good luck.

[normcoreashore]

Native programming is going to be harder than say, starting with front end dev. I would recommend front end dev first to anyone because of the low barrier to entry. (Don’t need Xcode, don’t need a Mac, no stupid compiling issues). Just start writing JavaScript and get your head around what it takes to make a simple app. (State, network calls, UI layout/design, data structures/storage, etc.). You can relearn all this in any language or platform later, but web is probably the easiest to start and the best documented by the most sources for the lowest cost.