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Remotely tunneling to a server using an iPad Pro for programming

jann.is

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Re: Remotely tunneling to a server using an iPad Pro for programming

#31

Post by stevenleeg »

This is awesome! I've been eyeing the ability to use an iPad for a dev device for a while now. As a frontend and react native dev I'm unfortunately still restricted by my need for a good web debugging experience (eg chrome dev tools + react/redux dev tools) and the ability to compile to an iOS device. I can't imagine either of these are coming anytime soon, so for now I'll stick to an old fashioned MacBook Pro.

That said, sometimes I wonder if Apple will ever make the plunge and make an iOS version of Xcode. The thought of a mobile version seems scary, and obviously this would only be practical on the iPad, but at the same time if they ever try to make the iPad replace the professional workhorse that the Mac currently is that'd be a natural direction to go in.

Re: Remotely tunneling to a server using an iPad Pro for programming

#33

Post by DigitalSea »

zimpenfish wrote: post #16
DigitalSea wrote: post #12

Should be titled, "I remotely tunnel to a server using my iPad Pro for programming" very misleading. Furthermore to the point: what's the benefit of tunneling to a remote machine for dev work? The latency would suck as would the overall slowness of things, it would drive you insane. You can hammer nails into a piece of wood using a rock, but why would you when you can use a hammer?

> Furthermore to the point: what's the benefit of tunneling to a remote machine for dev work? You can do it from anywhere; you don't need a powerful local machine; controlling what devs do is easier; etc. 3 of my last 4 contracts have been development on remote machines. It's perfectly fine unless you somehow have abysmal networking (and then you really have bigger problems.)

In your instance though, it sounds like the development on remote machines was a client choice and not your own? The author is choosing to develop remotely themselves because Docker makes their MacBook get hot and burns their thighs when they don't wear pants. Would have just been easier to buy one of those laptop rests with inbuilt fans than spend money on a monthly server though, right?

Re: Remotely tunneling to a server using an iPad Pro for programming

#34

Post by eludwig »

0x006A wrote: post #3

can you work with those keyboards without a table, like put it on your lap?

No, not really, or at least, not comfortably.

I tried this with my 12.9 (with the same keyboard, the foldable one) for a few days on the train and it is possible to balance it on your lap while sitting nicely with your legs bent at the knee at a 90ish degree angle, feet flat on the floor. The keyboard is stiff enough as long as the gulf between your legs isn't too wide. The problem is that any shifting around can cause this set to move and tip. It just doesn't feel long-term stable. It is possible to do it for a few minutes, say, to reply to an email.

That said, the keyboard is really nice to type on and is really easy to get used to. I know these things are very subjective.

Re: Remotely tunneling to a server using an iPad Pro for programming

#36

Post by deepGem »

gws wrote: post #15

The show-stopper for me of all these set-ups is that you cannot sit on a sofa with your legs crossed and the machine on your lap which is by far the most comfortable setting for me

It's a very comfortable position, but not for the cervical spine. I just had an injury that according to the doc was because of this posture. I don't believe it though. Anyways, try not to sit in this position for long durations. The injury isn't fatal but will leave you with shooting pain in your arms and shoulders for weeks.

Re: Remotely tunneling to a server using an iPad Pro for programming

#37

Post by protocow »

scaryclam wrote: post #6

Wait, what? This isn't about using an iPad as a development machine, it's about using a server as a development machine and an iPad + keyboard to access said development machine. I get that the author wants to use his iPad for day-to-day stuff, and that's fine, but it's a stretch to say it's their main programming machine when it's not actually running the "local" setup. Heck, it would drive me bananas having to stop…

This is nonetheless a helpful article for pointing out some interesting tools available on iOS and on a server for getting this type of work done. But I agree, the $1000+ iPad Pro here is basically being used as a dumb terminal. If you're willing to accept a less-spectacular screen, look into inexpensive vintage products instead, like a Surface 3.

Re: Remotely tunneling to a server using an iPad Pro for programming

#38

Post by bergie »

rollinDyno wrote: post #13

I've worked on a similar setup during the last summer. My laptop's battery busted and since I already own a desktop I decided to buy an iPad and SSH into my desktop with Prompt. Prompt is alright although I need to stay active on it due to the iOS app lifecycle constraints. If an application is suspended for more than 10 minutes iOS will kill it, meaning that if I'm working on a different application I'll constantly…

Blink and mosh fix this issue, as with that you can resume sessions even after the app is suspended by the OS.

However, this doesn't work perfectly yet: https://github.com/blinksh/blink/issues/59

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