Intro to App Development and Software Fundamentals

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About Course

Are you curious about how iPhone apps are made or what it means to be a software engineer? This beginner-friendly course teaches early adults (ages 15+) the basics of software engineering and iOS app development using Swift — Apple’s powerful and easy-to-learn programming language. You’ll gain hands-on experience by building your own interactive apps and games while learning how software powers the digital world. Whether you want to pursue a tech career or just explore your creativity, this course gives you the foundation to bring your app ideas to life.

Course Content

Chapter 1: Introduction to Software Engineering
In this opening chapter, students will be introduced to the world of software engineering and mobile development. They'll learn how software is used in everyday life, what makes up a computer system (hardware and software), and the differences between mobile apps and websites. By the end, they'll run their first Swift program and explore the types of apps they can build, setting a strong foundation for the rest of the course.

Chapter 2: Basics of Computer Programming
This chapter breaks down core programming concepts using Swift, such as variables, constants, data types, arithmetic, conditions, and loops. Students will understand how logic works inside an app and how to structure code to make things happen based on user input or internal conditions. Through engaging examples, they'll practice building decision-based logic and begin thinking like developers.

Chapter 3: Getting Started with Swift Programming
Now that students know the basics, this chapter introduces them to Swift-specific tools and techniques. They'll explore Swift Playgrounds, understand clean code practices, and work with data structures like arrays and dictionaries. The concept of optionals will be introduced to help them write safer, crash-free code. These skills are key to building more dynamic and organized applications.

Chapter 4: Designing Your First iOS App
In this hands-on chapter, students will bring their first real app idea to life using Xcode and Interface Builder. They’ll learn the essentials of user interface design — including buttons, labels, images, and screen layouts. They’ll also connect visual components to code using outlets and actions. By the end of this chapter, students will have built a working login or profile app interface.

Chapter 5: Building User Interfaces with SwiftUI
This chapter introduces SwiftUI, Apple’s modern, declarative UI framework. Students will explore the use of layout stacks (VStack, HStack, ZStack), modifiers, and live previews. They’ll learn how to build clean, flexible designs using simple Swift code, and create interactive interfaces like forms and scrollable lists — no dragging and dropping required.

Chapter 6: Understanding App Logic and Programming Flow
Apps need to follow a logical flow to respond to users properly. This chapter focuses on managing app behavior using conditions, functions, loops, and modular design principles. Students will structure apps that think and act based on user choices. They’ll also begin writing reusable code blocks to make larger projects easier to manage and test.

Chapter 7: Working with Data and Storage
Students will explore how to store, access, and update data in an app. They'll use tools like UserDefaults to retain user settings and basic app info. They'll also learn about data modeling with structs and prepare their app to handle real-world information, like notes or user preferences. This is where apps begin to feel personal and useful.

Chapter 8: Debugging and Testing Your App
Even the best apps can run into problems — that’s why debugging is essential. In this chapter, students will learn how to spot and fix bugs using print statements, Xcode tools, and breakpoints. They’ll simulate real-world user behavior and test their apps for crashes or errors, gaining confidence in identifying and solving issues before publishing.

Chapter 9: Publishing and Sharing Your App
This chapter walks students through the process of preparing their apps for the world. They’ll learn what’s needed to submit an app to the App Store, how to use TestFlight for beta testing, and the basics of Apple's developer tools. Even if they’re not ready to publish, they’ll understand the full lifecycle of an app from idea to release.

Chapter 10: Final Project & Portfolio
In the final chapter, students will apply everything they’ve learned to create a complete app of their own. They’ll plan, design, code, test, and present their app as a final project. This experience helps students build a portfolio-worthy project they can share with friends, family, or future educators and employers. It’s a celebration of their growth and creativity.

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