tags:

ide
ipad

views:

4974

answers:

+5 Q:

iPad as programming platform--What future do touch screens have with programming?

I read this question a few weeks ago. I thought about it when I first saw the iPad.

Do you think it would be possible to set up a development environment on the iPad? I think it would be awesome if there was an InstantRails App, a Django App, maybe even 280 North's Atlas could run on it :).

Would you develop using an on-screen keyboard and a 10 inch screen?

Steve Jobs seems to think touch-screens are the future of web browsing. What Future does touch have with programming?

Looks like someone is working on it! http://dribbble.com/shots/15159-Oh-yes-working-on-a-text-editor-for-iPad

+18 A:

Forget it. Not if you don't jailbreak it. It's a closed platform.

And you wouldn't want to develop using a virtual keyboard, making the screen estate (for programming) even smaller than it already is (1024x768).

Apple really did not have 'programming' in mind as a possible purpose for the device. Casual browsing, e-mail management, flicking through photos, watching video, listening to music, reading books - yes. Programming - no.

Wim Hollebrandse 2010-01-28 15:21:22

if you have constant internet, do cloud-based development? (similar to herokugarden before they shut it down)...I know that would have serious downsides :/

2010-01-28 15:23:36

You could if you can run all of that in the specific version of Safari.

Wim Hollebrandse 2010-01-28 15:25:08

Programming on a virtual keyboard would just be awful, laptop keyboards are bad enough!

TabbyCool 2010-01-28 15:36:32

I believe a plug-in keyboard will be available. However, at that point I'd rather use a laptop, since I'd be typing on the keyboard and looking at the screen, which would need to be mostly vertical to be useful.

David Thornley 2010-01-28 17:14:07

@David - yes, indeed. And I was aware of the keyboard accessory, but was mainly responding to OP's last sentence question.

Wim Hollebrandse 2010-01-28 17:16:24

@David you're absolutely right. I'm thinking the larger question from the original question is how a touch interface could be used in programming?

2010-01-28 17:57:53

@unknown: I don't see how a touch interface would be particularly useful, frankly, but I've been wrong before, and would be interested in finding out. However, we're not going to find out on the iPad. I'm hoping for something kinda similar but more open.

David Thornley 2010-01-28 18:57:59

@David ah yes, the Crunchpad ;)

2010-01-28 20:37:01

I find it hilarious that people now believe it's impossible to develop on a 1024x768 screen. Back in the day, that used to be HUGE. Let's not forget where we came from :)

Matt Rix 2010-04-06 19:20:48

@Matt - No one says it's impossible, just very impractical. Today's IDE's (yes, I know some people still swear by vi, but come on..) simply do require more screen estate, and it's well proven that multiple monitor setup improves productivity.

Wim Hollebrandse 2010-07-27 17:03:40

+3 A:

It is not possible to write programs on the iPad because the iPad runs a modified version of the iPhone OS, not Mac OS X.

EDIT:

I am not saying that you can't write apps for the iPad.
The iPad doesn't run Mac OS X. There are no compilers that run directly on the iPad.

Once the device is jailbroken, it will be possible to make a compiler that runs on the iPad.

SLaks 2010-01-28 15:21:27

People write apps for the iPhone, and if the OS is similar, then why not have the ability to write apps for the iPad too? I think it's just because Apple said No.

Bratch 2010-01-28 15:51:22

FOR is not the same as ON. =)

J. Steen 2010-01-28 15:54:22

@Bratch: You certainly can write apps **for** the iPad. However, you cannot write apps **on** the iPad.

SLaks 2010-01-28 15:54:37

People don't write iPhone apps on their iPhones.

P-Nuts 2010-01-28 15:56:00

thanks pnuts. a 10inch screen is qualitatively more/differently useful than an iphone screen. this is why i posed the question.

2010-01-28 15:59:09

Sure, a bigger screen is more useful, but the iPad will still run something like the iPhone OS, not Mac OSX, and will not be suitable as a programming platform.

David Thornley 2010-01-28 17:15:25

Why was this downvoted?

SLaks 2010-01-28 17:39:40

@SLaks not sure, I think it was a good comment. I'm guessing it's of your opinion that it's not feasible to compile any popular languages into obj-c? (idk anything about obj-c)

2010-01-28 18:00:08

You missed my point entirely. The iPad doesn't run Mac OS X. _There are **no** compilers that run directly on the iPad_.

SLaks 2010-01-28 18:11:19

I got it now, +1 from me.

Bratch 2010-01-28 21:37:09

Why can't you write apps *on* the iPad? Sure, you can't compile them on the device, but that doesn't prevent using something like codepad.org.

igul222 2010-04-15 01:57:26

+12 A:

Three main reasons why I would not use iPad as programming platform:

By far not enough space on the screen. At work I have only one screen with 1600*1200 which is absolutely not enough. To be really productive in development I would say one need at least two screens.
A virtual keyboard for programming? It might be good idea if you need to type in some lines (e.g. url in web browser or short email). But for real productive writing physical feedback from a real keyboard is very useful!
No real platform for development. You are not able to run your appserver, database, you-name-it on the iPad, so how would you really be able to develop on that. It is not just having an IDE and write some code.

Summary: Not possible, not intended, not needed.

Nils Schmidt 2010-01-28 15:51:57

Sure, it is different from a standard desktop machine or notebook, but: there will be a keyboard dock and support for bluetooth keyboards, programming at 1024 x 768 pixels worked perfectly for many years and not every programming task requires an application server or DB. So I'd say perhaps not everybody's piece of cake, but entirely feasible in general.

Fabian Steeg 2010-01-28 20:40:52

@Fabian: Sure, but I can get a netbook cheaper than an iPad, and it will be better to program on. Unless somebody has a good idea on how to program with a touchscreen, I just don't see it.

David Thornley 2010-01-28 21:03:37

I still use my first monitor I got in 2002. It's an LCD with a native resolution of 1024x768. I haven't had any problems programming with it.. though I do need to upgrade..

Earlz 2010-01-29 16:26:01

On the other hand, a virtual keyboard would offer something which is currently really expensive for a physical keyboard, which is the ability to instantly switch keyboard layouts. You could have dvorjak with no problem, then Chinese, then a row of hot keys with icons. It doesn't outweigh the lack of physical feedback you point out, but it is an overlooked benefit.

Anthony 2010-01-30 04:07:07

by "summarization", you mean "summary", right? :)

Jason 2010-04-06 21:59:00

Yes it is supposed to be summary. Changed it now. Sorry, I am not a native speaker.

Nils Schmidt 2010-04-11 10:39:21

+7 A:

Given that people program calculators with a single line LCD display, and limited ability to share their efforts I see no reason why the iPad wouldn't be an fascinating device to program with. "Drag and drop" programming is not a new concept and launch-announced features like gestures and multi-touch could make it an innovative development experience. Kind of like Flash was when it first came out?

I think the biggest issues would not be the device capability issues like the keyboard. Rather 1) how to distribute the resulting script to others, and 2) the risk that apple see risk of app-store being undermined so refuse the approval necessary to distribute the tool?

Nigel 2010-01-28 16:25:15

Point 2 would immediately discourage me.

ck 2010-01-28 16:28:21

Distributing custom hacked native apps, probably not. But for web apps, someone would probably come up with a mashup of Bespin + Github + Google App Engine that works fine being 100% online.

slebetman 2010-01-28 22:43:31

@slebetman that would be awesome!

2010-01-29 17:16:40

+1 A:

I'm a college student taking an algorithms course with java and c++, so my code wouldn't be that extreme. Do you think there could ever be a java IDE on the ipad(jailbroken of course)? As a student I'd find it useful to be able to make small adjustments to my code and compile/run it on the go

Rob 2010-01-28 18:00:52

on jailbroken devices anything seems possible.

2010-01-28 18:04:35

A jailbroken device would allow any code, I suppose. You're better off buying a regular laptop. If you can waste money on an iPad, just get a Macbook Pro. Better value for the money, they'll be useful for 3-5 years.

Paul Nathan 2010-01-28 23:52:00

+1 A:

I to am taking a lot of programing classes in college. I would love to see a programing app of some sort that I could use on the iPad. It would be a great convenience.

xtream1101 2010-01-28 20:00:01

+4 A:

With upcoming Web-based IDEs, programming might be viable even on a closed platform like the iPad.

Fabian Steeg 2010-01-28 20:20:41

+15 A:

Would you develop using an on-screen keyboard and a 10 inch screen?

No.

Paul Nathan 2010-01-28 20:24:11

+1 A:

There's a point here that I feel needs driven home.

I've developed on computers with 1024x768 screens, and it's doable. Unpleasant, but doable. The only problem is that those monitors were 15", not 10", and they were positioned properly.

I have an Eee 1000HE with a 10.1" screen, great little laptop, but there is no way to both view and type on it comfortably for any length of time. If I try to do anything more than a short email, it's just inviting back and neck pain from the hunched-over position needed to edit it. The position needed to code on an iPad would be similar.

Unless you have some weird arrangement with an iPad on an arm a foot from your face and a keyboard behind it on a desk, I'd pass on using it for development. Even with the perfect setup, it'd still be far from a pleasant experience.

Also, if the screen size doesn't stop you, the processor and other low system resources will.

aehiilrs 2010-01-28 20:47:55

I can't imagine that Apple would allow development on the machine - the ability to write a functional app on the device breaks the iTunes / App store hold that Apple has over the platform. I don't see them letting that happen.

Drew Gibson 2010-01-28 20:54:01

+3 A:

You almost certainly cannot set up a development environment on the iPad; however, I don't see why you couldn't use the iPad and one of the VNC apps available on the app store to access a development environment on another machine.

Vincent 2010-01-28 21:08:11

+1 A:

Think modern Hypercard variants, this type of device would be perfect for that sort of stuff.

Kris 2010-01-28 22:37:52

I think so... This opportunity is going to cause a fair amount of consternation inside apple, they'll have the "innovators dilemma". It *would* be an interesting platform for new dev paradigms, but that will screw up the app store business. I'll bet they decide to allow some 3rd party tools, though only with select ISVs - and somehow keeping appstore in the middle.

Nigel 2010-01-29 02:53:30

I have a hard enough time programming on the go on a laptop (read: not netbook) simply because I only have one screen. You're telling me someone would consider programming on this using a virtual keyboard that takes up half the screen space?

iCantBelieveYouAskedThis

Jason 2010-01-28 22:49:01

c'mon, don't hate :)

2010-01-28 23:02:17

not hating on you. hating on apple and all the sheeple who are going to be walking around with this worthless piece of junk. my CEO already wants to get one despite my arguments why he shouldn't.

Jason 2010-01-29 00:18:03

Why shouldn't he? Maybe it's perfect for his use case? Just because *you* can't use it, don't expect that nobody will.

FRotthowe 2010-01-29 18:07:06

that's the thing: i don't know that there IS a use case for it! and if there is, programming is not one of them...

Jason 2010-01-29 18:21:54

As an iPad owner, I can safely say there really aren't any great use cases for it. It's a weird, unnecessary device. It is really cool looking and fun to play with, but it doesn't do anything that my other devices can't do. It's definitely a "want" device, not a "need" device.

Matt Rix 2010-04-06 19:30:19

$500 well spent.

nickf 2010-04-15 01:57:27

to the fanboi who downvoted, i hope you're having an awesome time programming on your iToy

Jason 2010-07-23 16:36:44

Programming on an iPhone OS device will be impossible to do enjoyably as long as Apple continues to enforce the no-interpreted-code rule for the App Store.

Being able to run your code without having to be online is pretty important.

Tobias Cohen 2010-01-29 11:24:41

+2 A:

I think it's important to look at the long-term view on this. The iPad (and iPhone) introduce a new paradigm in computing still in its infancy (see this brilliant article on old world vs. new world computing). I have no doubt that new apps for writing code on the iPad will be developed and they will challenge a lot of our assumptions about needing things like complete access to the file system in most cases.

This is a new world, and changes are coming.

Mike Pond 2010-01-29 15:58:09

You may be stuck in your old world but I will be writing apps in the clouds on my new ipad -- suckers!

Fred Renquist 2010-03-24 13:06:17

Well, clouds are mostly vapor so we all know what your software will be...

dbemerlin 2010-03-24 13:12:57

+1 A:

For serious programming everything below two 20"+ monitors and a good, sturdy, physical keyboard won't work. It might have some use as a device to i.e. change a script when you are at a client site and have to make small adjustments, much like a notebook, but for anything else the small display is a no-go.

The touchscreen might have some use for the designers and it could speed up designing diagrams but i don't see how a programmer might benefit from this. Maybe in 10 years when we all program by drag-and-drop it might help but then we will already have 30" multitouch displays (Hey, let a man dream).

dbemerlin 2010-03-24 13:17:50

The biggest obstacle to programming on tablet computers appears to be keyboard entry of code. What if you didn't need to enter as much code and you didn't need that much processing power on a tablet? What if a product allowed you to visually manipulate classes and instances with the touch of your finger? Objectility, a new iPad application, is challenging preconceived notions about programming on tablet computers.

Todd Brunia 2010-07-24 13:26:11

ansaurus

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answers:

iPad as programming platform--What future do touch screens have with programming?

No.

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