Level up with our 2023 selection of the 10 most valuable application development books. Hone your programming skills, boost problem-solving, and seize the chance to excel in software app development.
For a successful career as a software app developer, continuous learning is crucial due to rapidly evolving technology. These top 10 books in application development make an indelible mark in 2023, offering cutting-edge insights and strategies. Discover enlightening app development insights at all proficiency levels and interests with the best app development books. From foundational principles to emerging
application development trends, these books shape exceptional applications with knowledge. Whether a seasoned developer refining skills or an aspiring enthusiast, these invaluable gems empower you with essential
application development tools and industry know-how for success. Master programming languages, cutting-edge frameworks, and UX/UI design secrets with the help of these books about application development.
Explore our meticulously curated list of the top 10 app development books in 2023 to elevate your prowess and pursue excellence in the app development world.
Authors: Barry Burd and John Paul Mueller
The dominance of Android in the mobile and TV markets is undeniable, providing developers with a vast platform to reach millions of users and generate significant revenues with their diverse app ideas. The third edition of Android Application Development All-in-One, authored by Barry Burd and John Paul Mueller, serves as a comprehensive guide for individuals at all skill levels interested in learning Android programming and regarded as one of the best mobile application development books on the shelf. This Android app development book covers various aspects of development, including mobile, TV, native code, watch, car, Android wear, and other devices, making it a resourceful book for both advanced software developers and is one of the most helpful mobile application development books for beginners.
Author: John R. Carlson
This application development book written by John R. Carlson Ph.D. offers a relatively more engaging approach than other application development books covering the Lua scripting language and Solar2D (formerly the CoronaSDK) as a foundation. It covers fundamental concepts and techniques across 14 hands-on chapters with over 100 sample apps. For those aspiring to create and sell their app but unsure where to start, this book can be the first step on their journey. ‘Cross-Platform Mobile Application Development: A Beginner's Guide Using Solar2D’ is one of the best app development books catering to scripters who prefer a GUI-based development environment through the bundled Drawn2Code IDE. This prototype IDE automates much of the writing process, allowing users to focus on app design which makes this one of the highly referred application design books. Professor Carlson's fun, step-by-step approach has successfully taught over a thousand students to code and create mobile apps, emphasizing the learning of scripting fundamentals while building cross-platform games and utility apps with Solar2D's rich feature-set.
Author: Ashish Choudhary
Kubernetes is the standard for container orchestration, streamlining cloud-native app deployment and management. While it simplifies support work, developers may need enhanced tools for productivity. Introducing Skaffold – a command-line tool automating build, push, and deploy steps for Kubernetes apps. ‘Effortless Cloud-Native App Development Using Skaffold: Simplify the development and deployment of cloud-native Spring Boot applications on Kubernetes with Skaffold 1st Edition’ by Ashish Choudhary offers a practical guide to resolving development loop problems with Skaffold. The book has three parts: common developer challenges with Kubernetes, Skaffold features and architecture, and practical Spring Boot app deployment on Google Cloud Platform (GCP) using Skaffold. It also covers creating CI/CD pipelines for cloud-native apps. By the end, readers gain skills to accelerate app development with Skaffold.
Authors: Ravindra Akella, Arun Kumar Tamirisa, Suneel Kumar Kunani and Bhupesh Guptha Muthiyalu
‘Enterprise Application Development with C# 10 and .NET 6: Become a professional .NET developer by learning expert techniques for building scalable applications, 2nd Edition 2nd ed. Edition’ is a comprehensive guide simplifying the process of building production-ready enterprise apps. It is one of the most highly acclaimed books on enterprise application development providing an end-to-end road map using the latest features of .NET Core 6 and C# 10. Throughout this web application development book, readers create an enterprise app, adding key components in each chapter for testing and deployment. Concepts covered include advanced data structures, Entity Framework Core, parallel programming, and dependency injection. Also, various authentication and authorization schemes in .NET Core are explored. It is one of the books on enterprise application development that suits both advanced software developers and beginners, catering to developers, architects, or senior programmers leveraging .NET 6 and C# language for essential skills.
Author: Puneet Singh Rawat
‘Hands-On Unity Application Development: Unlock the power of Unity3D for non-gaming applications (English Edition) 1st Edition’ by Puneet Singh Rawat is a comprehensive guide for a successful career in the emerging AR and AI technology. It is one of the ideal
mobile application development books for beginners and experienced Unity developers, facilitating cutting-edge AR and AI applications. Authored by an experienced IT expert, the book offers practical advice on exploring opportunities within the field. It covers Unity fundamentals, 360 mobile experiences, object tracking with photogrammetry, and merging physical and digital elements. AR Foundation is discussed for captivating interactive experiences. AI technologies like OpenAI and Google Vision AI are seamlessly integrated into Unity projects for enhanced interactivity and intelligence. Networking Unity applications enables communication and collaboration between devices. The book also explores creating immersive applications spanning multiple screens. Emphasizing practical application, it provides numerous examples to apply Unity skills in real-world projects. By the end, readers will proficiently develop groundbreaking AR and AI applications.
Authors: Ahmad Sahar and Craig Clayton
With almost 2 million apps on the App Store, iOS mobile apps continue to be immensely popular, resulting in increased demand for competent iOS developers. The book ‘iOS 16 Programming for Beginners: Kickstart your iOS app development journey with a hands-on guide to Swift 5.7 and Xcode 14, 7th Edition’ is one of the best mobile application development books for iOS developers and provides a comprehensive introduction to iOS. It covers learning Swift, app creation, and App Store publication, following a practical approach with step-by-step tutorials, real-life examples, and easy-to-understand explanations. Throughout this iOS app development book, readers will master Swift for building and publishing iOS apps, exploring features like Mac Catalyst, SwiftUI, Lock Screen widgets, WeatherKit, and more. Upon completion, readers will possess the knowledge and skills to develop engaging apps and discover valuable online resources to enhance their development journey. The book is suitable for individuals experienced in programming, new to Swift and iOS app development, with a basic understanding of concepts like loops and data types.
Author: Semmy Purewal
Learn web application development fundamentals through a simple database-backed app using HTML, JavaScript, and open source tools. This practical guide, ‘Learning Web App Development: Build Quickly with Proven JavaScript Techniques 1st Edition’ teaches web app developers to create a user interface, write a server, establish client-server communication, and deploy the app with a cloud-based service. It is one of the top books about web application development written by Semmy Purewal and published by O'Reilly Media, Inc. in 2014. It's a valuable resource for college-level courses, offering a solid grounding in web app development processes. Each chapter in this web app development book includes practice problems, examples, and mental models of the development workflow. This web application development book covers setting up a workflow with a text editor, version control system, and web browser; structuring a user interface with HTML and applying styles with CSS; using JQuery and JavaScript for interactivity; establishing client-server connection with AJAX, JavaScript objects, and JSON; learning server-side programming with Node.js; storing data outside the app with Redis and MongoDB; sharing the app by uploading it to the cloud with CloudFoundry; and obtaining basic tips for writing maintainable code on both client and server. It acts as a primary reference work among many books about web application development.
Authors: Robert F. DeVellis and Carolyn T. Thorpe
‘Scale Development: Theory and Applications (Applied Social Research Methods) Fifth Edition’ by Robert F. DeVellis and Carolyn T. Thorpe offers a demystified approach to measurement, focusing on a logical understanding of concepts rather than strict mathematics. The Fifth Edition features a new chapter that clarifies the distinctions between indices and scales, explores various types of indices, suggests approaches for their development, and examines validity and reliability issues. All chapters have been updated to encompass recent developments in measurement while maintaining an accessible and user-friendly format. Published by SAGE Publications Inc., this book serves as a valuable resource for individuals seeking to enhance their knowledge in measurement techniques and applications.
Author: Róbert Nagy
Developers gain a competitive edge by sharing code between platforms. Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile (KMM) facilitates code sharing for Android and iOS native development. The book explores KMM's approach, distinguishing it from React Native, Flutter, and C++. It guides readers on core concepts, UI sharing, and effective SDK usage for native app development. Expert tips and best practices aid project and career growth. Titled ‘Simplifying Application Development with Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile: Write robust native applications for iOS and Android efficiently,’ the book by Róbert Nagy was published by Packt, helps build Android and iOS apps while sharing business logic. It covers exciting features, familiarizing developers with KMM, its inner workings, and Kotlin in the context of Swift. Readers learn to share code efficiently, use KMM tips, and integrate it into existing or new apps. Targeting native Android and iOS developers, prior knowledge of the framework and languages (Java/Kotlin for Android, Objective-C/Swift for iOS) is necessary. For Swift developers, Kotlin will be covered.
Author: William Crain
The 6th edition of ‘Theories of Development: Concepts and Applications’ was published by Routledge in 2010. It examines twenty-four theorists and their perspectives on human development. It focuses on developmental tradition from Rousseau to environmental and learning theories. It is one of the top application development books providing valuable insights for advanced software developers and beginners alike. It offers a comprehensive overview of diverse developmental theories, promoting a deeper understanding of human growth and learning. This knowledge can be applied to personal development and fostering better collaboration with others.
Wrapping Up
Mastering app development in 2023 and beyond requires a commitment to adaptability, continuous learning, and a deep understanding of emerging technologies. The insights gleaned from this list of application development books and software development books serve as a solid foundation for developers to navigate the ever-evolving field and make their mark efficiently. By combining the wisdom of these resources with a passion for innovation and user experience, developers can shape the future of application development and drive the technological advancements of tomorrow.