However, if you develop in scripting languages such as Python, or do Ruby on Rails using Heroku, the following setup is also perfect for you. I use pure HTML+CSS+JS for the frontend and Node.js for the backend. I do a lot of coding on my iPad Pro, mainly frontend and backend development.
IPad Pro For Developers As A Viable Option Additionally, while there are some compilers for Java and Swift on the iTunes Store, they are toy apps that won’t allow you to test, run or deploy real applications.Īs an example of a completely viable solution, if you do web, frontend or backend development using Javascript technologies (and Node.js), you can perfectly use an iPad Pro. These IDEs have not been ported yet to the iPad Pro.
At least not for iOS or Android.īoth platforms require a specific IDE (Xcode in the case of iOS, Android Studio or Eclipse in the case of Android).
However, if you develop mainly with cloud technologies, or using remote servers, then it’s perfectly possible.Īs an example, it’s not feasible to develop native mobile apps using the iPad Pro currently.
If the answer to any of those questions is “yes”, then probably you won’t be able to use the iPad Pro as your only dev machine.
Does your debugger need a specific platform or software that’s not available on the iPad Pro?
Debug: You also need a way of debugging things if there are problems or bugs.Deploy: Do you need a special mechanism for deploying the resulting product that needs to be done on your device?.Build: does the binary or executable files need to be compiled on your device? I.E: do you need a specific compiler that cannot run remotely or needs a specific device?.Develop: Do you need a specific IDE that runs on the device?.Generally speaking, there are just four main questions to consider if you want to code on an iPad Pro: The answer to this question depends on the technologies and languages you use. Can You Really Use An iPad Pro As Your Only Development Device? However, before you decide to replace your laptop with an iPad Pro, there are some things to consider. If you are into the minimalist, “less is more” mindset, the iPad Pro has important advantages when compared to a laptop. Last but not least, it’s half the price of a MacBook Pro. I love being able to carry all my work with me in such a small, thin device. Its light weight makes it also a winner for digital nomads like me. The screen is surprisingly easy on the eyes for prolonged coding sessions too. Also, it works surprisingly well not just for casual writing, but for source code too. I have the smart keyboard and I find it really comfortable for typing, even for long periods of time. Obviously, one of the main things I use it for is developing and coding. Apart from a blogger, I am a developer, writer, musician, and entrepreneur, so I use it for quite a diverse number of things. Why Would Developers Want To Replace Their Laptops With The iPad ProĪs I wrote in my previous post, I fell in love with my iPad Pro as soon as I bought it. This time, I want to talk about completely replacing your laptop with an iPad Pro for developers. In a previous post, I talked about the possibility of using an iPad Pro as your only device if you are a blogger.