I've been doing so digging and I don't have a clue what it would take to develop an event finder app. I'm not sure if I'd need to use an api or what.

Event finder? You mean as in, real world events, like fairs/sales/etc? Or Lua event, as in, functions?

Also, anything you make you'll have to use APIs, for everything ;)

Oh ok, and yes I was thinking like as in functions. Using the users current location and list current events close to the user. Say I'm located in atlanta and I want to know what's going on around town. An app for that.

You need a source for the event data. You can use Corona SDK to get GPS information and even map it with the map API, but you are going to need to connect to some service on the internet to find out what is near you.

That will probably be the hardest piece.

Ok, this is my first app and I don't have any experience at all.. I hope I'm not diving in head first with this one. LoL!

Also what's the best way to learn the language? I'm reading awesome things like people are developing apps with no prior language in as little as 4 weeks! How in the world is that possible? I've tried learning objective c as well and I wasn't having any problems with it with all the resources for learning, but about half way through I found this site. I've since decided to learn this language instead.

The best way to learn? That will vary by person, their ability to understand and visualize abstract concepts, their attention to detail and Zen with the machine.

Some people learn better from books, others tutorials, others asking questions or taking classes. Programming isn't hard, but you've got to have the right mindset for it. If you don't programming will be harder, if you do easier.

If you were able to handle learning Objective C, Lua should be child's play.

The best way to learn? That will vary by person, their ability to understand and visualize abstract concepts, their attention to detail and Zen with the machine.

Some people learn better from books, others tutorials, others asking questions or taking classes. Programming isn't hard, but you've got to have the right mindset for it. If you don't programming will be harder, if you do easier.

If you were able to handle learning Objective C, Lua should be child's play.

Yes that's what I mean as in sources for learning. Are there any books, videos, tutorial web sites or things of that nature. I'm pretty sure I'll get it, I'm just looking for as many resources as I can to do so.

I know there is a Corona SDK book in the works and there may be books on Lua. But there are many "programming" books which are a start.

I found quite a few tutorials on YouTube searching for Corona SDK.

Peach has a website http://techority.com/ loaded with tutorials and sample code. There is also this site: http://www.learningcorona.com/

Thanks for sharing, Peach's tutorials are exactly what I needed! I haven't had a chance to visit the other site just yet because I've been on her's since your comment, but I just had to thank you because I've gotten things going over here.

Thanks again!

Just a word of warning -- that's a *really* bad first app to create. :)

Why? Because an app like that is just a fancy front-end for a server-based bunch of data.

Let's say you're incredibly skilled and with the power of Corona SDK you create a KILLER app! It looks great, it has ZERO bugs, etc.

You load it on your phone, head outside, and turn it on.

(Cue the sound of crickets.)

What is it supposed to "read" to know of an event close to you? Or an event far from you, for that matter?

Without a database of events you can pull from, an app like you want is completely useless (except as a way to learn how to program in Corona).

If you want to create an "Event Finder" app, first find a source of data you can pull from. Then create the app to read that data based on the current location.

Jay

Just some follow-up thought (that are probably worth what you paid for them)...

If you're going to do that app, do a search on SimpleGeo -- they released a 20-million location database that's free to use. And while you're not talking about doing a "places" app, events do happen at specific places, so it might give you a jump start.

Second thing I was thinking about was trying to create something that was "community built" so you don't have to put the data or the events in place. Really, if it's up to you (and you're a one-man shop), how many events are you going to have in there? When someone opens the app you want them to FIND stuff that's going on.

To make it community driven/built you probably want to niche it down. Instead of trying to create an app for everyone and every event, target a specific group of people. For example, radio control aircraft enthusiasts. Your app would focus on those people and the events they have, the fields they fly in, etc. You can give them a tool they can get excited about -- and help spread the word.

Maybe it's not RC airplanes, maybe you target dog people (obedience trials, dog parks, etc.), or garage sales.

Whatever it is, if it's specific instead of generic you're more likely for a community of people to get behind the idea and help populate your back-end with the data that will help everyone.

Jay

Thanks for such excellent advice Jay! Having a "community built" app is a good idea. I don't have a specific number of events in mind just yet and yes I want people to be able to find stuff that's going on, but your comment has me rethinking only events because your right places have events as well. I have a bit of brainstorming to do, as well as learning the language. I've only been trying to learn it for about 2 days now and I currently don't have a clue how to get this thing off the ground which is why I created this post. I've taken your advice about SimpleGeo and I'm currently trying to figure out how to use it to create the app.

Thanks again, your comments were really helpful!