This unit applies to mobile device application developers. They may be programmers, game developers, designers and testers who are working in the area of mobile applications development.
The context of the unit applies to development platform environments that provide tools to build and deploy applications into the target platform environment, such as Android, Symbian, Java ME, Compact Framework, iPhone, and a number of other mobile development platforms.
Not applicable.
1. Work effectively on target platform | 1.1 Review requirements 1.2 Establish platform 1.3 Install required development tools and environment 1.4 Use available debugging tools and techniques 1.5 Deploy completed applications on target device and for public download 1.6 Test application using an emulator |
2. Develop an application for a multi-touch device | 2.1 Design and code application responding to events 2.2 Design and code application responding to taps, touches and gestures 2.3 Use a model view controller design approach 2.4 Develop making effective use of auto-rotation and auto-resizing facilities |
3. Develop code using the features of the mobile device | 3.1 List the available features of the mobile device 3.2 Write code requiring web connectivity and using web services 3.3 Write code that communicates with another device using a communication protocol 3.4 Write code using application programming interface (API) related to at least one other advanced device feature |
4. Use available data persistence facilities | 4.1 Write code to read and write to the devices file system 4.2 Use synchronisation techniques to synchronise data between the device and external data sources 4.3 Write code to make use of available database facilities on chosen device |
5. Develop applications that are secure and stable | 5.1 Determine and apply performance objectives 5.2 Ensure memory management, using tools and techniques effectively 5.3 Use tools and techniques to evaluate performance 5.4 Eliminate zombies using appropriate tools and techniques |
Required skills
analytical skills to:
analyse designs for small devices
evaluate appropriate mobile-development environment
communication skills to provide advice and guidance to others
literacy skills to read and interpret technical and non-technical information
numeracy skills to make basic calculations for specifying the layout of the mobile-user interface design
problem-solving skills to:
address common problems in building and deploying mobile applications
perform basic program-debugging skills
research skills to find and evaluate relevant technologies in mobile applications development
technical skills to:
create eXtensible markup language (XML) documents
design user interface
test and debug applications
use an integrated development environment (IDE).
Required knowledge
basic knowledge of:
hardware and networking
object-oriented programming
user interface design
web design
detailed knowledge of:
XML programming and web services
techniques for developing software applications.
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Evidence of the ability to: design applications for small devices that allow multi-touch user input and have advanced mobile features build and test these applications deploy these applications on mobile phones, pocket personal computers, PDAs and EDAs. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: hand-held devices and simulators IDE internet and web services server system with sufficient privileges to deploy applications specific tools and licences, depending on particular platform appropriate learning and assessment support when required modified equipment for people with special needs. |
Method of assessment | A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit: verbal or written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge of mobile development environment evaluation of candidate’s mobile application, including its distribution to target devices. |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate. Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed. Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support. In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. |
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Platform may include: | Android BlackBerry iPhone Java ME .NET Compact Framework Symbian. |
Development tools may include: | cross-platform deployment emulator availability frameworks: Flash Java Platform, Micro Edition and Java Platform Net compact platform Qtopia for embedded Linux-based mobile devices Sprout Core (open-source JavaScript framework) Standard Edition IDE: BlackBerry SDK Eclipse NetBeans Visual Studio XCode languages: C# C/C++ Java JavaScript Objective-C PHP WML server and client tools, libraries and tools: Core Data JavaScript SQL Lite SQL Server Compact Edition. |
Communication protocol may include: | Bluetooth general packet radio service (GPRS)/3G radio frequency identification (RFID). |
Device feature may include: | accelerometer address book animation audio camera compass map GPS video. |
Programming and software development
This unit contains employability skills.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.