Hi community, I noticed several online apps building sites. Many allow to generate apk or ipa file automatically without compiling them using eclipse or xcdoe. So my question is do you know what technology do they use to do this automatically. Is that possible we can create such functionality for self hosted servers? thanks

There are countless ways to try to do this. We are not in support of any of them for a few key reasons. 1) If you're developing for Apple (and most other markets) your app will be rejected if YOU don't compile it using their SDK intended for their developers. ALL the sites that offer this are helping would-be app owners break these terms and conditions that are clearly explained by the markets without knowing it (or they don't care to explain it). Hiring a developer to compile something for you or working with a developer to do this is an entirely different matter. 2) Our site and community focusses on helping folks understand the entire process, not part of the process. Removing the compile steps from the process would change significantly what it means to "make an app" from start to finish. About a hundred other reasons go here....

Really explanatory answer, i got it. But one thing i wish to know, do they not use some built in technology that does the same thing as we manually do. Like if i as a developer compile source code using eclipse and create apk file then why we can not have some technology that does the same process but automatic? thanks

Sure, you could do it, it's not a technical barrier. Some common approaches include... --Setting up the Android SDK (compiler and tools) on a remote server and using the command line to compile. You can compile Android code (it's java afterall) without the Eclipse IDE. --Setting up a remote Mac running the iOS SDK then using something like RDP (remote desktop) to manipulate that computer. In other words, log into that computer using any other computer (including a Windows machine, it's browser based) and run Xcode on the remote machine. Deliver the compiled binary wherever or to whoever you want.

I like first approach, can you little elaborate first approach I mean what kind of remote server i will need and how i can compile without eclipse? Also it means there will be two different servers needed, one for android app compilation and other for iphone app? thanks

@Waqasnu I personally started on the "appmaker" sites and that what it sounds like what you are wanting. Totally get the shortcut mentality but I should warn you....making an app can be done many many ways.. Becoming a successful developer requires a great deal more work. It sounds like you are looking for a "quick" way. Buzztouch is probably not your answer. But if you are looking to start a business and are serious about becoming a developer then I would recommend going to the "How to" section on top of the website and looking how to start the process. Just take one step at a time...there is no rush into this...you can do it! Many have. Take step back and figure out why you want to develop apps? What is the app going to look like? All the answers are on here....you got to read the instruction manual before you build something....the great thing about buzztouch is the instruction manual can be started anywhere.... asking questions on the forum is great way to get started...However, you will get more of a result if you go to the How to section and read some things on your own first. Congrats on your journey! Sheri

@wasqasnu Alright, so you do need a pretty great deal of tech background to be able to generate a .ipa app file in the manner of which your speaking of (no user has to compile). I 100% agree with david, even if it wasn't against the rules, it's still a bad route to go, open source is almost always the best way to go. But here's how it's done: You need to set up a "build server" on a server that you own. This is some software that has already been created and you can also go and create it yourself. Basically, what happens is you'll sort of install Xcode on your server, and the server (with information you send it) like for buzztouch it would be the BT_Config.txt file. Then you would set up some "Cron Jobs" via Unix Commands to automatically add the file to the xcodeproject, configure the xcodeproject and compile the xcode project, then return the .ipa file. OR.... You can simply create a .ipa file, and since it's really just a folder, you can just add the BT_Config.txt file to the .ipa file via php or some other technology, then configure the .plist files.

I really like both answers. @Sheri, actually i am trying to learn how automated process works, but surely i agree with you regarding learning these manual steps instead of shortcuts. @theMonster , really helpful to me. After searching i found some open source solutions that can help to automate process like hudson but surely they will require a lot of work to setup correctly on Server. Appreciate all responses thanks