Meet student developer Nishita. She is a Microsoft Student Partner who has developed apps for Windows 8 and Windows Phone. She is also a Microsoft Certified Professional and a certified specialist for programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3. We asked Nishita about her experience learning to develop, read the interview below to see what she had to say.
Could you tell us about your experience with Windows Phone and Windows 8 and developing for them?
It has been a great experience for me with Windows Phone as well as Windows 8. I started developing from nothing and today I am here with nineteen successful apps in the Windows Phone Store and one app in the Windows App Store. The thing which made me stick with the development is Windows Phone SDK and Windows 8 SDK. For a developer an SDK is a blessing. With easy to use SDK and Visual Studio students can bring their innovative app ideas to life and can reach out to the world.
What inspired you to start developing?
I was new to the language Visual C# when I started developing apps with just few ideas in mind. Easy access to resources like Visual Studio through Microsoft DreamSpark and online MSDN documentation and Channel 9 videos made it simpler for me to learn and develop great apps for use. But the key factor which attracted me toward development was beautiful design and UI of the Windows Phone.
After seeing the tremendously awesome user interface of Windows 8 I felt that “yes I will develop for Windows 8 as well.” Following several MSDN Blogs and installing Microsoft Visual Studio Express Edition I began my Windows 8 career.
The development phase either for Windows Phone or for Windows 8 was actually the way to explore more about them (their limitations and advantages over other platforms).
Could you tell us about the apps you have developed?
I started developing apps in September, 2012 and today my apps have many downloads worldwide. The app with highest number of downloads is Constellation, where names of different constellations and their shapes are given to help students to learn and night sky gazers to identify particular constellations.
My app Help Services provides users all the helpline numbers /contacts so that they can immediately call for help to nearest stations. Another of my apps, Vastu has information on vastu shastra tips for the architect design of a house.
You can view all of my apps here.
Do you have any advice for students learning to develop?
o Thinking of an idea is the first step in the app development. Whenever you think of an idea focus on the requirement of such an app and the targeted users. And if such an app already exists then think of making a better app. While developing apps, I would suggest you keep your web browser open and search for the solution whenever you get stuck in a problem.
- You don’t need to be very advanced in programming. Do have a list of good contacts The more you get to communicate with others you will get to know more about technical requirements and current market trends. So always try to develop good communication skills and never put an age barrier in making contacts.
- Always start coding with the clear image of the app in mind, about all the components, how it should work, feeling like you are a user of that application. MSDN even provides sample codes to start with if you are completely new to development.
Anything that you have had to overcome while developing? Did you ever hit a bump, what/how did you learn from it?
The first challenge I faced was with the emulator. I initially started developing on Visual Studio and not SDK and I was not able to debug my apps but looking at system requirements and installing Windows Phone SDK worked. So starting to work from Windows SDK is a good practice. SDK helps a developer to develop anything he/she wants. Although there are troubles but I feel like exposure to these kind of troubles make us even stronger. Also, I suggest developers to have a fair contact with several developer forums.
Have you participated in any other Microsoft programs (Imagine Cup, Microsoft Student Partner, DreamSpark, etc.)
Yes I am a Microsoft Student Partner. Microsoft has provided me the platform to deliver sessions on new technologies of Microsoft like IE-10 ,Windows 8 and Windows Phone app development in colleges and Techdays. It’s a great experience organising such development events. Now I am also involved in teaching Microsoft Office to children in government schools.
Besides this I have participated in challenges of Imagine Cup and am continuing to work on it. Now I am working on developing apps using HTML 5, JavaScript and CSS.
How can fellow students contact you?
Feel free to contact with any queries regarding development. People can contact me through Facebook and twitter @nishitatanwar.
Before winding up I would say “An idea can change your life.”