I'm not very comfortable with programming yet, but I'd like to build something tangible that I can use and share with people. I'm considering either a simple notes app or a calculator with 2D graphing. I mainly use Linux and macOS, so I was initially looking for a cross-platform approach that could eventually produce apps for other operating systems too.
I have a decent understanding of C from previous embedded-systems work, and I know enough C++ to realize I'd rather avoid it for this project. My Python knowledge is limited. I'll probably use AI tools for assistance, but I want to understand, test, and modify the generated code myself, so a relatively approachable language and a workflow that provides quick visible results would be ideal.
Should I start with a web app, Flutter, C#, or something else? Would it be better to build for one platform first instead of trying to support several at once?
5 Answers
I’d focus on programming fundamentals before taking on multiplatform development. Flutter is a reasonable option once you’re ready, but it means learning Dart as well as the framework. A smaller project in one environment will teach you more than having AI generate a complicated starter project that you don’t yet understand.
Trying to learn a language, a UI toolkit, packaging, and multiple operating systems simultaneously is a lot for a first project. Pick one small feature, such as entering and displaying notes or evaluating basic calculator expressions, and get that working end to end before worrying about distribution or advanced graphing.
If you specifically want a desktop application, C# is fairly approachable and has welcoming tooling. Still, don’t assume the first project needs to support every operating system. Build the simplest useful version on the platform you use most, then consider portability once the core app works.
I tend to take on too much at once, so starting on macOS and adding another platform later is probably the better plan.
The easiest cross-platform target is probably a web app. Browsers behave similarly across operating systems, and there are plenty of examples for AI tools to learn from. You can start with plain HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, then turn it into an installable Progressive Web App later if you want it to feel more like a traditional application.
That makes sense. I’m still a little intimidated by JavaScript frameworks, so I may begin with plain HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and learn the framework side later.
Another practical route is to use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for the interface, then package it as a native desktop app with something like Tauri. That gives you a reusable web UI while still producing installable applications, although the setup adds Rust and some tooling, so it may be better after you’re comfortable with the basic web version.
I learned that lesson after asking AI to make tiny examples in Flutter, C#, and Kotlin. Even a simple button ended up involving far more code and concepts than I expected.