Making an app using a mysQL database

Question

Making an app using a mysQL database

Can someone point me in the right direction? I would like to take a mySQL database and turn it into an app that would work on the iPhone or iPod Touch. But instead of using the web, I would like all of the content of the database to reside on the user's phone. That way they can still access the data even if they are not near a Wi-Fi hotspot. Is this possible? Is there a tutorial somewhere?

Thanks!

Mac OS X (10.5)

Posted on Sep 22, 2009 6:46 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Sep 22, 2009 7:01 AM in response to polishedstaple

If you want the data accessible off-line you'll need to write a dedicated application using XCode on a Mac with the iPhone Software Development Kit. You pay to sign-up as a registered developer, write your app (in Objective-C), submit it to Apple for approval and then it will be available on the AppStore.

Start here: http://developer.apple.com/iphone/

Reply

Answer 2

Sep 22, 2009 7:14 AM in response to Julian Wright

I have developed a website that uses .php and mySQL. I've never used XCode before. Is there a huge learning curve?

Thanks!

Reply

Answer 3

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Sep 22, 2009 7:18 AM in response to polishedstaple

How familiar are you with C, C++ and Objective-C? If you're fairly well versed in C, at least, then the learning curve, albeit steep (as it would be when you're starting with any new platform) would be not horrific. If, however, you're completely new or a relative novice when it comes to C, then the learning curve is going to be very steep indeed.

Reply

Answer 4

Sep 22, 2009 7:29 AM in response to polishedstaple

It's quite a big departure from PHP & MySQL.

Do you know anything about programming Macs or Objective-C? If so, that will give you a big head start.

Is it absolutely essential that the whole database is available offline? It sounds like your job is done if the user can go online, but if offline access makes it another whole job on top of the web-site you've made.

You might be able to use the HTML5 Client-side database support in Safari:

http://developer.apple.com/safari/library/documentation/iPhone/Conceptual/Safari JSDatabaseGuide/Introduction/Introduction.html

Reply

Answer 5

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Sep 22, 2009 8:15 AM in response to polishedstaple

I would agree with Julian; unless you absolutely need the data to be available off-line, a web app would be much easier to construct, I would think. You can find resources for creating web apps here, among other places:

http://developer.apple.com/safari/

http://iphonetoolbox.com/news/hand-picked-iphone-application-development-resourc es/

Regards.

Reply