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Ask HN: What app should I build using App Inventor?

2 points by gmichnikov ↗ HN
I don't have access to App Inventor yet, but hopefully I'll get it soon. If I do, I'd like to try to use it to build an app that someone wants.

My only programming experience is 1. Intro to CS class in 2003 2. Currently learning Python using MIT OCW 6.00 Introduction to Computer Science and Programming

I'm interested in recommendations both from those who think App Inventor is a great idea and those who think it is unlikely to lead to anything of value. Thank you.

1 comment

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fendrak
From what I hear, it seems like a good introduction to the principles of programming, if nothing else. I didn't learn to program until my freshman year of college (and had no prior CS experience), but found that some similar-sounding software I had used for a long time had prepared me for actual programming in a surprising way ("Game Maker", for what it's worth). If the App Inventor ends up being anything like that, and actually useful for creating apps, it will certainly be a good reinforcement for basic programming concepts. On the other hand, by its very design it will be limited in what it can accomplish. How much is a matter to be seen!