Re: Android Development for the IBM i

I wish we could have a discussion roundtable on this because separating the hype and reality is a challenge. Also putting out a small demo app is easy compared to something more complex. I am going to echo what Mike Wills says and say that a mobile *web* app seems to be the most comprehensive and safe way to build small to medium complexity applications. The mobile web application that I put together for Common could be updated anytime and the mobile device that browsed to it immediately picked up the new features and fixes. Beats the heck out a trip to the App Store or Android Market to get an update. Aaron's experience with his App Store submission is VERY common(BTW, welcome back Aaron...). It can be a hassle to get a new or revised app into the App Store. If you are an enterprise and need to get an immediate fix out, fugeddaboutit! There are other methods for deployment but the web app can be as functional as any *native* app and is way easier to maintain (IMHO).

You need to ask yourself: Is an enterprise/business app of high complexity something you even want to deploy to a mobile device? Certainly data storage and security becomes a huge issue when wanting to store data on the mobile device (ever lost one?) So, there are many things that go into a business app design. Angry Birds may be cool and complex but it isn't a business app. I'd choose web app over a native app in most cases. Then even the CGIDEV2/PHP/and Java folks can design and serve from the i without having to learn to code anything on the mobile device itself.

Pete Helgren
Value Added Software, Inc
www.petesworkshop.com
GIAC Secure Software Programmer-Java