How much coding is required for a BT app? Is someone typically able to create a finished product in BT and just send out to the App Store and/or Google Play? Or do you typically need to modify a lot of the coding? ...I watched the tutorial videos, but I'm still trying to wrap my head around how it all works, and what the workflow typically looks like. Thanks for any direction you can give.

Hi Harold, Welcome to buzztouch! I have three apps in iTunes, two in Google Play, and one in App World, and I have not had to do a single bit of extra coding. My apps came straight out of the buzztouch box, so to speak, using the features found on the site. The answer to your question is...it depends. Depends on how much above and beyond what buzztouch offers natively that you want to do. But also realize that you can enhance screens like the HTML screen by using jQuery or PHP or other technologies, all without touching the underlying Objective C or Java code. As @MacApple suggested in another post...experiment and play around a bit. You'll be amazed at what you can do. Some docs to get you started: http://www.buzztouch.com/files/howtos/Things_You_Need_Before_You_Start_Developing_Apps_v1.0.pdf http://www.buzztouch.com/files/howtos/buzztouch_For_Android-A_Users_Guide.pdf Mark

In a word, none. That doesnt really tell the whole story though. You can out together an app just using the features provided by the BT site, never touch a line of code and end up a published app developer. Again though that isn't really the full story. You'll have to setup some profiles in iTunes and Play and make some small tweaks to Eclipse and Xcode but nothing that isn't well documented in the forum and how-to section right here on BT site. Have you got Xcode / Eclipse setup yet? Once you do and you see that first app on your phone there is no going back, BT has got you. BT has apps made by people with hard core dev skills and 12 yr old students alike. In short, BT makes it easy but you'll have to do a few things, thankfully we've all done them, made the mistakes and are here to help.

Like @MacApple said we all make mistakes and a Google search will return forum posts that address most issues. And rest assured this is by far one of the best forums around so dive in, get your feet wet and when you do run into a problem or want to ask how to achieve something then post on the forum and you can rest assured that someone will help you figure it out. As stated above once you get going you will be hooked. I have lost countless days creating apps and asking questions in the forum. Have fun!

My online article The Buzztouch Process will walk you through the workflow. Find it at www.MySkylla.com Some coding is required, but not much. You'll want to learn HTML since you'll want to use the html screens. If you only wish to use the existing plugins then not much will be required. Either way I would suggest you begin a course in learning the various languages you'll eventually wish to use.

One point that I'd like to make with respect to Fred's comment about HTML is that (1) it's actually considered a markup language, and not code that's compiled (like Java or Objective C), and (2) buzztouch provides the Custom HTML/TXT screen which provides a WYSIWYG editor requiring no knowledge of HTML at all! But I do agree that at some level, learning a markup language like HTML/CSS, or something like Javascript or jQuery can be immensely helpful in adding functionality to your app. Mark

Welcome to BT Harold. As much or as little as you know or care to learn. As more plugin (screens) come on line the more you will be able to do wthout writing code. Don't over think it. Take some of the BT U courses, read a getting started guide or 2 then roll up your sleeves and create a simple app. You have access to a great support community that can help keep you focused. Mike

HyperText Markup Language (HTML) is the main markup language for displaying web pages and other information that can be displayed in a web browser. "Viewing the hidden code! When learning something new, it often helps to see how others are doing the same thing. This is especially easy with HTML because every file that comes through your browser is formatted in HTML. So how do you see other people’s stuff? By viewing their source code. Here’s how: Go online Open Internet Explorer or Netscape® Navigator Enter the address to your favorite site Go to View on the toolbar and then click on Source for Explorer or Page Source for Navigator. In a matter of seconds, you will see the hidden code of that page. By viewing the source code, you can see what the "big" guys are doing. In fact, viewing other people’s code is considered one of the best ways to learn how HTML works." Code nevertheless. Using the WYSIWYG text editor in the Custom HTML text screen is a great place to start, but the HTML Doc screen has greater flexibility, but baby steps is the way to go. Fred

Totally agree that's an excellent way to understand HTML. My only point is that it's not code, in the traditional sense of the word, which is what I believe @Harold is really asking about. There are tons of editors that allow you to "code" HTML, but don't require knowing a lick of the actual markup. But doing what you propose above is exactly the way I learned how to create HTML pages with good 'ol Notepad! Mark

There you go Harold, everything you need, right here on BT!

Thank you to everyone who responded. Your comments are very helpful and I think have given me good direction on where to start.

Hello! I watch video, do all he does, and a little more, take the quiz many times. And read this on the way: http://www.buzztouch.com/files/howtos/buzztouch_For_Android-A_Users_Guide.pdf Enjoy:)

@Fred, It IS a great help to view source, but as most sites now use server-side scripting, like php, it's not often that you're able to see what a site is doing behind the scenes to actually render the html. It's getting much easier again with many sites using html5/javascript. In many such cases you can simply File > 'Save Page As', and dig into the code locally.

Code, markup, syntax, what the heck! LOL. Good discussion here. I just wanna know who CODED that sweet avatar that @Harold is using. Is that Dennis the Menace? And, what the heck is he looking up for? Too funny, I love it! @Harold: I'm in Sunnyvale often. Assuming this is the Sunnyvale in CA, and not in some crazy remote country somewhere, I'm happy to grab a coffee sometime and talk CODE (and markup of course) if you want. Cheers...

@David: Yeah, I'm in Sunnyvale, CA. Coffee sometime sounds great... just let me know the next time you are up here. The avatar is from Harold and the Purple Crayon, a kids story about a boy that can draw anything with his purple crayon and it becomes real. I guess I am hoping BT is a Purple Crayon.

@Harold: Cool, dig the Purple Crayon idea. Send me email to david 'at' buzztouch.com with your contact info...I'll hollar next time I'm in your neighborhood ;-)