App building course

Lesson 1 • Setting Up Your Dev Environment

Installs and configures essential tools for app development. Ensures every learner has a functional workspace before writing code.

Lesson 2 • How Apps Work

Covers client-server architecture, app types, and data flow. Establishes the conceptual framework used throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • Understanding App Project Structure

Explains folder organisation, entry points, and config files in a typical app project. Prepares learners to navigate and maintain real codebases.

Lesson 1 • UI Components and Reusability

Covers buttons, inputs, cards, and modals as reusable components. Establishes component-driven development as a core workflow.

Lesson 2 • UI Design Principles

Introduces visual hierarchy, spacing, contrast, and consistency. These principles guide every design decision made later in the course.

Lesson 3 • Building Layouts in Code

Translates wireframes into coded layouts using containers, grids, and flexbox. Connects design intent to functional UI implementation.

Lesson 4 • Styling and Theming

Applies consistent visual styles using stylesheets and theme tokens. Enables rapid design changes without touching component logic.

Lesson 1 • Implementing a Navigation Library

Sets up a navigation library and links it to the app entry point. Gives learners a working multi-screen shell to build features into.

Lesson 2 • Navigation Concepts and Patterns

Defines stack, tab, drawer, and modal navigation patterns. Provides the vocabulary and mental model for all navigation work ahead.

Lesson 3 • Passing Data Between Screens

Covers route parameters, navigation state, and callback patterns. Enables screens to share context without global state management.

Lesson 1 • State Management Libraries

Evaluates dedicated state libraries for complex apps and implements a basic store. Prepares learners for production-scale state architecture.

Lesson 2 • Local Component State

Manages state within a single component using built-in state hooks. Establishes the simplest data-management pattern before scaling up.

Lesson 3 • Lifting State and Prop Drilling

Moves shared state to parent components and passes it down via props. Teaches when prop drilling is acceptable and when it becomes a problem.

Lesson 4 • Async State and Side Effects

Handles loading, error, and success states for asynchronous operations. Completes the data-flow picture by connecting state to real API calls.

Lesson 1 • Authentication and Secure Requests

Implements token-based authentication and secure header management. Ensures protected API endpoints are accessible only to authorised users.

Lesson 2 • REST API Fundamentals

Explains HTTP methods, status codes, headers, and JSON payloads. Provides the foundation for every network request made in the course.

Lesson 3 • Making Network Requests

Implements fetch and async/await patterns to call live APIs. Connects UI components to real data for the first time in the course.

Lesson 4 • Working with a Backend Service

Integrates a backend-as-a-service platform for auth, database, and file storage. Lets learners build full-stack features without managing server infrastructure.

Lesson 1 • Push Notifications

Configures and sends push notifications to engage users outside the app. Covers permission requests, payload structure, and deep-link handling.

Lesson 2 • Maps and Location Services

Integrates maps and geolocation to build location-aware features. Demonstrates how device APIs extend app functionality beyond the screen.

Lesson 3 • Forms and Input Validation

Builds controlled forms with real-time and on-submit validation. Directly applies state management and UI skills from earlier chapters.

Lesson 4 • Camera, Media, and File Handling

Accesses device camera, photo library, and file system for media features. Expands the app's capability to handle rich user-generated content.

Lesson 1 • Unit Testing Components

Writes isolated tests for individual components and utility functions. Builds the habit of testing small units before integrating them.

Lesson 2 • Debugging Techniques and Tools

Uses console logs, breakpoints, and dev-tool inspectors to trace bugs. Establishes a systematic debugging mindset before writing formal tests.

Lesson 3 • End-to-End Testing

Automates full user flows from launch to task completion. Provides the highest confidence that the app works as users experience it.

Lesson 1 • Build Configuration and Environments

Configures development, staging, and production build environments. Prevents environment-specific bugs from reaching end users.

Lesson 2 • Monitoring and Crash Reporting

Integrates crash reporting and analytics to observe production behaviour. Closes the feedback loop between deployment and the next development cycle.

Lesson 3 • App Signing and Certificates

Generates signing keys and certificates required for distribution. Ensures the app passes platform security checks before submission.

Lesson 4 • Submitting to App Stores

Prepares store listings, screenshots, and metadata for submission. Walks through the review process and common rejection reasons.