INTRODUCTION
It many not be very efficient, or even possible, to write programs on your mobile device (yet), but a phone or tablet is a very convenient and capable platform when you are in the process of learning. There are many free and paid apps that can help you learn one or more programming languages, but they all offer different benefits, and different ways to learn. Keep reading to find out which apps may be the best fit for you.
Code Playground: Learn to Code by Hemanta Sapkota
This is the first mobile coding app that I had the chance to test. It is free, and it has tutorials for learning many programming languages. After going through a few minutes of the JavaScript tutorial and a few minutes of the Python tutorial, it was clear that I really liked this app. It breaks things down into very small increments and gives code examples each step of the way. Each concept takes only a few minutes to read but the best part is that you can change the code examples and run them to see what happens!
As an experienced coder, it was very easy for me to read the tutorials and understand what is going on, mostly taking note of the different way each language accomplishes common tasks, like declaring variables or outputting strings. Someone who is brand new to coding may have more difficulty getting the information to "sink in," but I definitely would recommend this app to anyone curious about coding or curious about another language.
Cost: Free
Platforms: iOS (iphone iPad)
Text Lessons: Yes, with in-app code execution.
Video Lessons: No.
This app is geared towards aspiring data scientists. Python, R, and SQL are featured languages on this platform. The free version allows access to the first chapter of all courses. The courses are provided in video format, and practice takes place in text format after the videos.
DataCamp includes real world projects and coding challenges, along with skill assessments. If you are even slightly interested in data science, or if your target language is Python, R, or SQL, then you should definitely give DataCamp a spin.
Cost: Free for first chapter in all courses. Paid $25 /mo to unlock 333 courses and various other benefits. There are also paid plans for teams.
Platforms: iOS, Google Play, Website
Text Lessons: Yes, with in-app code execution.
Video Lessons: Yes.
Website: DataCamp
SoloLearn is a website with an accompanying app. I downloaded the app and one thing that I really liked about this app is that they teach you step-by-step, and after each step you get a simple coding problem where you have to fill in the blanks based on the concept that you just learned. This helps to make sure that you are really paying attention when reading the material, and reinforcing the concepts, not just killing time.
The website features an online community and forum where it appears that people can get together to help each other along. You can post code, and other people can look at it/run it in the interactive "code playground" (not to be confused with the first app also called Code Playground).
Cost: Free.
Platforms: iOS, Google Play, Website.
Text Lessons: Yes, with in-app code execution.
Video Lessons: No.
C programming
The C programming app is text based, and is a good reference if you know what you are looking for. Each concept is broken down into a chapter with various sub chapters. There are also example programs, tests, and interview questions included in the app.
This app is definitely useful as an offline reference if you are in an area with no data connectivity, and it makes a great companion app for any of the other apps on this list.
Cost: Free.
Platforms: iOS
Text Lessons: Yes.
Video Lessons: No.
edX.org provides online courses from top schools such as MIT, Harvard, Berkeley, and more. There are courses in almost any field and they offer all the classes for free. What you don't get is a certificate or degree upon completion of the courses, unless you pay for them. I list this here as a resource, but the online course I was interested in did not start until September 1st. edX is a great resource for high quality online education. Unlike the other apps that go at your own pace, with edX you sign up for a class with a specific start and end date and assignments are due weekly. Learn alongside others in the virtual classroom.
Cost: Free to audit courses. Certificate or degrees available to purchase after completing the proper classes.
Platforms: iOS, Google Play, Website
Text Lessons/Video Lessons: Courses are completed online, both with video instruction and with a group of other online participants (cohort).
Conclusion
Online or off. Free or Paid. I hope that this list gives you some useful resources in your journey to learn the programming language of your choice. I know there are other resources out there too, put them in the comments for others to check out!
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