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Ask HN: Is it worth switching from web development to native iOS dev?

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Re: Ask HN: Is it worth switching from web development to native iOS dev?

#21

Post by kyleashipley »

jon889 wrote: post #15
francislata wrote: post #12

My situation is a bit different: switching from iOS to ML. One thing I could say is that iOS development is a fun experience. I did it for the past 5-6 years of my career and was self-taught. I learned both Objective-C and Swift during my time in that world. Doing iOS development has taught me a lot UI/UX, amongst other things. Recently, I switch to a role in ML and its been a change in my workflow so far - which is…

How did you find changing from one field to another. I've been doing iOS for about 3 years and I'm started to feel like I might be trapped doing iOS forever. I mean I can't imagine a company wanting to hire me in something else given all my workplace experience is iOS.

Not the parent, but as a hiring manager I would guess that you can implement UIs, make API calls, manage client-side data, work with a type system, etc. Those seem like pretty useful skills in modern client-side web development.

If you would want to make a move to backend/full-stack, you might need to pick up skills like databases, queues, caching, building APIs, and DevOps. But good companies are willing to bet that you can pick up new skills on the job if you have some sort of foundation.

Re: Ask HN: Is it worth switching from web development to native iOS dev?

#24

Post by sub7 »

I would cut off my left nut before building anything that depends primarily on either iOS or Android. It's lose-lose - if you get successful, they'll copy you and fuck you over.

Obvious exceptions apply e.g. if you just build a widget as a lifestyle business.

Re: Ask HN: Is it worth switching from web development to native iOS dev?

#25

Post by collyw »

z0mbie42 wrote: post #6

The only things I would consider: what do you love to build? After a lot of web and APIs dev (NodeJS, Go, Rust, VueJS) I'm now building the native apps of my project ( https://bloom.sh ). I find mobile development (especially iOS) very frustrating, the ecosystems are really closed and platforms are not focused on empowering developers but growing their profits and closing more and more their walled garden. The only 2…

Build?

Most jobs out there are fixing other people shitty code. If the company is mature enough to be making a lot of money, the chances are the code has lots of crap in it.

Re: Ask HN: Is it worth switching from web development to native iOS dev?

#26

Post by rickspencer3 »

In my experience, you will excel the most at what you enjoy the most. I would try iOS and see if it something that would excited to work on most days. I doubt good web developers or good mobile developers will be going hungry in the next couple of years.

Have you considered Flutter, at all for native mobile development? Not sure there is any demand for Flutter developers, per se, but since you are looking at mobile development anyway, might be worth a look.

Re: Ask HN: Is it worth switching from web development to native iOS dev?

#27

Post by onion2k »

schlu wrote: post #16

In my opinion here are the pros: - iOS will be around a long time. - Big brands and startups are basically required to have an app in the App Store if they want to succeed. - Every year a new version comes out that requires developers to fix bugs and sometimes adopt new technology. Here are the cons: - Extremely difficult to build an indie business on iOS given that there is a single distribution channel that you don…

Big brands and startups are basically required to have an app in the App Store if they want to succeed.

I don't think that will continue to be the case for much longer. It's mirroring the web to an extent - for a long time every business needed to have a website, and now more and more don't bother with anything more than a holding page that directs users to a few social media accounts. Brand apps are likely to go the same way, especially as Apple are doubling down on rejecting apps that don't provide useful functionality now.

Having an app for your brand is worthwhile if you have something to say and something for users to do. If you don't it's painfully obvious that the whole effort was a waste of time.

Re: Ask HN: Is it worth switching from web development to native iOS dev?

#28

Post by jitendrac »

I suggest to take as a hobby and learn more about how mobile os works, Also try android dev. All this task will lead you to better understanding of full stack development. Pick a tech of your choice in Full stack development and revisit skillset every few years. Pro Tip- If you have decent job, do not ruin it for small temptation. First jump into it prove yourself and if possible just find that work in your existing company.

Re: Ask HN: Is it worth switching from web development to native iOS dev?

#29

Post by francislata »

jon889 wrote: post #15
francislata wrote: post #12

My situation is a bit different: switching from iOS to ML. One thing I could say is that iOS development is a fun experience. I did it for the past 5-6 years of my career and was self-taught. I learned both Objective-C and Swift during my time in that world. Doing iOS development has taught me a lot UI/UX, amongst other things. Recently, I switch to a role in ML and its been a change in my workflow so far - which is…

How did you find changing from one field to another. I've been doing iOS for about 3 years and I'm started to feel like I might be trapped doing iOS forever. I mean I can't imagine a company wanting to hire me in something else given all my workplace experience is iOS.

My company have been wanting to start an ML team for the last year. While I have been doing my own learning with ML and deep learning, I mentioned to my CTO during my one-on-one that I want to ML for the company and I showed my progress to him with my side projects.

Proving that you can apply your self-taught knowledge and letting them know you can provide value as your time spent in the new field grows, will be more than enough for the company to let you make the switch.

Re: Ask HN: Is it worth switching from web development to native iOS dev?

#30

Post by avgDev »

itake wrote: post #5

I'd focus on what platform you like working in. As a backend dev that has built a few mobile apps in Android and iOS, I hated wait for code to build and deploy to mobile phones. I hated trying to track down errors that only happen on certain devices or tweaking the UI for each phone screen. I hated the annual upgrade monkey dance to support the new version of iOS or Android. If you switch languages or platforms, you…

I developed Android/iOS apps also, and now I'm full stack .Net/C# dev. The amount of jobs out there is insane, many enterprise jobs, where you build apps to support the business. Super laid back, good work/life balance and decent pay. I can't imagine myself going back to mobile dev.
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