Coding on iPad Pro is a game changer. With its ultra-fast 5G connectivity and all-day battery life, it is tempting to leave the laptop at home and just bring an iPad on the go. And sometimes you only have an iPad to code if your laptop or Mac is not around.
What Do you Need Coding on iPad Pro?
To code on an iPad Pro, you will need a few essential tools. The most important of these is a keyboard, as coding requires a lot of typing. The Apple Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio are both great options for iPad Pro users. The Magic Keyboard also offers a trackpad, which can be a useful feature for coding on iPad Pro.
We have reviewed both of these keyboards in our article, “Best Keyboards for iPad Pro 2023,” along with other options, so you can make an informed decision on which keyboard is the best fit for you. Additionally, it’s also worth checking out rival keyboard options to find the one that best suits your needs and preferences. Having a keyboard stand for your iPad can also be useful to keep your device propped up at the right angle for typing.
Why Coding on iPad Pro is Awesome?
Coding on iPad Pro is all about convenience. These devices are smaller and lighter than most laptops, making them more portable. Plus, the most recent generation of iPad Pro is more powerful than many laptops, thanks to its Apple M1 – M2 chips (the same chip used in MacBook Pro), 8-core CPU, and 16GB RAM.
You can also check out all the iPad models on our review All the iPad Models 2023 – 10 Best Devices and compare them.
When it comes to coding on an iPad, there are two options: using native iPad apps or using the iPad as a thin client to connect to an IDE running on another machine or server.
Using Native iPad Apps for Writing Code While the most popular code editor, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), is not available as a native iOS app, and it seems unlikely that there will ever be one, there are still a variety of code editors available in the iOS app store.
Some of the best and most popular include Textastic, Koder, and Pythonista. These apps offer features such as syntax highlighting, file access via FTP, SFTP, and WebDAV, and integration with Git repositories through the iOS Git client, Working Copy.
However, it’s important to note that the biggest hurdle to using an iPad for coding is its lack of a runtime environment for most languages, forcing you to move your files to a server for compiling and testing. Additionally, the experience of coding on an iPad using a native editor can be good, but it’s not quite there yet and may not be suitable for professional use.
Using cloud-based IDEs If you’re looking for a more seamless and feature-rich experience, using a cloud-based IDE may be a better option.
GitHub Codespaces is one such option, and it allows you to access a fully cloud-based version of Visual Studio Code, complete with virtual servers, so you can build and test your code without the need for a local environment. This option is free for individual accounts, and it is compatible with the iPad.
GitHub Codespaces
Thankfully, Microsoft has introduced GitHub Codespaces, a fully cloud-based version of Visual Studio Code. This means you can build and test your code without any extra hassle. And, the best part is, it’s completely free for individual accounts. With the addition of the iPad Magic Keyboard, which has a trackpad and makes it easier to navigate through files, coding on an iPad is a reliable option for everyone.
All you need to do to start coding with GitHub Codespaces on your iPad is log into GitHub on the web, visit the repository you want to work on and press the “.” key on your keyboard, or change “github.com” in the URL bar to “github.dev” and hit enter. This will instantly open a cloud-based version of Visual Studio Code, ready to edit your files. The code editor feels just as responsive as the desktop version and even saves your changes in your browser’s storage if you have a patchy connection.
If you want to run a server alongside your code and test your changes, that’s available too. Although, it does require a small amount of project-specific setup for some more complex servers. To set it up, go to the repository you want to work on, click the green ‘code’ button, then the ‘Codespaces’ tab and select ‘New Codespace.’
CodeAnywhere
Codeanywhere, which allows you to access a virtual machine from your iPad and run your code there. This option may require some setup and a paid subscription, but it allows for a more complete development experience.
Codeanywhere is a game-changer for anyone looking for a powerful and versatile code editor. This web-based platform offers support for all major programming languages, including JavaScript/TypeScript, PHP, Python, Ruby, Go, Java, C/C++, and C#. The intelligent editing features, such as auto-complete, code refactor, go to definition, and rename symbol, make coding a breeze.
One of the standout features of Codeanywhere is its debugging capabilities. With breakpoints, call stacks, and an interactive console, finding and fixing errors is made much easier. Additionally, the fully featured Git client makes it simple to manage and collaborate on projects. For those who want even more functionality, there are a vast number of existing extensions available to expand the capabilities of the editor. Overall, Codeanywhere is a top-notch choice for any developer looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly code editor.
Code Sandbox
CodeSandbox is a cloud-based development platform that offers users the ability to code, collaborate, and ship projects of any size from any device. The platform offers two different types of web editors, browser and cloud sandboxes, each serving different use cases and supporting different types of technologies. For iOS users, CodeSandbox offers a native editor that allows for the use of local sandboxes, which are sandboxes that have been downloaded onto the device. This allows developers to work on their projects even when they are offline.
One of the great features of CodeSandbox is its team collaboration capabilities. Once you sign in to a team, you will have access to all your sandboxes that have been created in any editor. This means you can work on them in the iOS editor and collaborate in real-time with others. CodeSandbox for iOS is a full-fledged development environment that brings the power of modern JavaScript development to your iOS device.
It’s the perfect tool for developers who use their iPhone or iPad as their primary development device. With CodeSandbox, developers can develop and run their Node.js applications on their iOS device with ease. Overall, CodeSandbox is a powerful and versatile development platform that offers a lot of features for iOS developers.
Coding on an iPad is as possible as any other devices since Code Sandbox is a web based application.
SUMMARY
In conclusion, coding on an iPad Pro or any iPad model is definitely possible with the right tools and resources. A keyboard and stand, such as the Apple Magic Keyboard or Smart Keyboard Folio, are essential for a comfortable and efficient coding experience on an iPad.
However, for professional or full-time coders, a laptop or desktop may be a better option due to the added versatility and capabilities. But for those who enjoy the portability and convenience of an iPad, or those just learning to code, there are plenty of resources and tools available to make coding on an iPad a viable option. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of the user. With options like CodeSandbox and Codeanywhere, the possibilities are endless.
