DS compared to other tools

[Gerard Hernandez]

Hi everyone, It is usual to have several tools on your pocket, and mobile development is not different. Some of my coworkers have asked my why I use DS for some of my projects (personal and professional) and the answer is pretty much the same. 

• It is free( although I do pay for premium access), 
  
• It uses JavaScript, 
  
• You have the option to build my app right on my device 
  
• The UI is native but you can also have hybrid HTML/CSS apps with device access way to much powerful that cordova/phonegap cannot even dream with it (yea, cordova is cross platform)
  
• The editors are simple and concise. 

But after I say that, a storm of options is put into the table. I have tried almost of the tools Ill add here, even I have paid for subscriptions, but do not get me wrong, In my personal opinion, the only real alternative for Droidscript is Eclipse/ADT or Android Studio. 

I will put only facts on the description of the tool, the opinion part is that, My opinion.

[Gerard Hernandez]

Xamarin for Android

Cost: Free for individuals, OpenSource projects and Companies with 5 or less workers.

Language: C#

Code on: Windows, Mac

Requirements: Android SDK, Visual Studio (Windows). 

How it works: It creates a wrapper around native components so you have access to all android API, you can use the powerful c# language directly over the components and create very concise code. LINQ, generics, Lambda, delegates are all available.

Pros. If you are used to use VisualStudio and c#, this is the best way to go. C# is one of the most versatile and advanced languages out there.

Cons. Using 3rd party libraries not made in Xamarin can be overwhelming, C# imposes a high barrier to novices, support is not quite good, a real good knowledge of the Java Android API is required in order to translate from Java to C#.

Personal Opinion

I have used, yes

It is a very good tool, know that is free, I guess I will use it more if I get more enterprise apps requirements, where the UI can remain most on the basic Android with some mods. Basically it is like using Java API but without a most curated language, (c# is more advanced IMHO)

Will I use it again: yes, but on a requirement basis.

[Gerard Hernandez]

App.Cat

http://www.app.cat/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GhK8s5VYH4

Cost: 1 app $7.99/month; 3 apps $14.99/month, unlimited: $99.99/year

Language : custom Visual designed

Code on: mobile (iOS, Android)

How it works. For what I could see on the description videos. it can either creates a HTML hybrid application or a custom native application. not enough info on the tool webpage. There is also no info about if the app is really installed on the device, or if there is only a shortcut to a online hosted app.

Pros. Quick and Easy app creation with out coding, all is driven by the UI designer, lots of templates to choose from.

Cons. No trial, demo or anything alike. Need to pay in advance to get access to the tool.

Personal Opinion

I have used, NO,and  absolutely not planning to do so  and I wont recommend if someone ask me about it.

Sorry app.cat, but I couldn't be more shocked about the overall approach. the template choice and UI designed are quite cool, but those are after all templated apps. what about device access? canvas? coding? network? a true app cannot be made out of a template, it requires some tailoring to the requirements need. Also, the prices are huge for so little control. Maybe a ZERO-Not developer in this and next 500 lifes person would find it attractive just to create a basic and plain app, for Menus of offering or business basic presence.

If you think it for a minute or 2, you can actually create a tool like this in DS, not sure how the build stuff may work, but if its open in the future, I woulnd be surprised if someone create something like DS.cat.

[Manuel Lopes]

and important have good people to help with the questions

[Gerard Hernandez]

Sorry Manuel, I dont completely follow you.

[Manuel Lopes]

not you ;sorry i mean people of droidscript here in this group is help more fast. this is why is more efficient

[Gerard Hernandez]

Ohh, yeah, I haven had the time to add mi review of Tabris JS, I received pretty awful support from them.

Regards