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We spend a lot of time on our phones, and even more specifically, on TikTok. The stats from Statista can prove it. But have you ever wondered how things work behind the scenes to keep us entertained on apps such as, well, TikTok? Or how code becomes an app? Or whether you even need to code to make an app, especially now in the age of AI, low/no-code tools, and “bots that can code”? Maybe you’ve even thought of creating a “TikTok” of your own, reverse engineering the existing one, or even creating a “better version” without the issues that you might have come across. In this article, we define an app, go through the basics of coding one, and show you step-by-step how to code an app from scratch. We also talk about why learning by doing is a great approach and answer some questions you might still have about how to build an app from scratch.

1. What is an app?

An “app,” which is short for “application,” is software that’s designed to carry out specific functions and that runs on a device.

A banking app is designed to help customers access financial services, while a dating app helps users connect with people they might want to go out with. A gaming app—surprise surprise—allows you to play a game.

Apps bundle features together, making them accessible to users. For example, you can create an account on a dating app, build a profile, and include the specifications that you want in an ideal partner. 

Types of app

There are different types of apps, categorized based on the platforms they’re built to run on:

• Native
• Hybrid
• Web
• Desktop
• Progressive web apps

Let’s briefly look at each of these:

Native apps

These are built to run on specific mobile operating systems (OSs). There are two mobile OSs: iOS (for iPhones and iPads) and Android. 

Apps built for iOS, for example, can’t function on Android—you’ll need to install a native app on your smartphone or mobile device before you can use it. You’ll find native apps in app stores (the iOS App Store and the Android Play Store).

Hybrid apps

These can run on both iOS and Android. Like native apps, you can find them in app stores. The entire or part of the app displays web content when you launch a hybrid app. 

Web apps

These are accessed via a browser and aren’t device or platform-specific. You need to be connected to the internet to interact with web apps. 

Desktop apps

As the name suggests, these are installed on computers. They’re built to run on the computer’s OS, for example, Linux, Windows, or MacOS. They’re usually not OS compatible, and you need to install the particular version built for your OS. 

Desktops apps may require internet access or not. For example, Microsoft Word doesn’t require internet access to use it. You do, however, need to be connected to the internet to access more font options, though. 

Others, like the Spotify desktop app, require an internet connection to stream music or podcasts.