The barcode butler
How I used TypeScript, React Native, Expo and GitHub for learning
Born in 1981 in Ludwigsfelde, Germany, I grew up in a working-class family and was always encouraged to be curious and seek out new experiences. During my 11th school year, my teacher introduced me to Java programming and I discovered a passion for software development. After finishing high school, I started studying computer science at the University of Potsdam but dropped out before completing my degree. Because of my wife I went on to Hamburg to work for several software development companies, eventually restarting my studies in 2010 in Business Informatics and earning my bachelor's degree in early 2015.
One of my proudest professional achievements was setting up a payment gateway for some large clients in the German public transportation market. On private software development I challenged myself with a personal project, building an app to fill a gap in Facebook Pages post list feature.
I believe that the future of software development lies in the use of AI and I want to stay ahead of the curve by being an early adopter of these new tools. If others asks me about a statement in the field I want to encourage them always to be curious, question patterns, and never be afraid of change.
Recently, I took on the challenge of creating a barcode scanning app using React Native and Expo, and I decided to use TypeScript to deepen my learning about the language. I am happy to share that the result of this project was a successful and educational experience, and I learned a lot about TypeScript, React Native, Github, and the CI/CD integration using Github Actions.
The Barcode Butler app is a simple and convenient tool for scanning barcodes and storing the data for later use. Using the smartphone camera, the app can quickly scan barcodes and save the information for later retrieval. The app is designed to be easy to use, with a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy for anyone to start scanning barcodes in no time.
Using TypeScript in this project was a great experience, as it allowed me to write cleaner and more maintainable code. TypeScript's strong typing system made it easier for me to catch errors early in the development process and prevented me from introducing bugs into the app later on. Additionally, the TypeScript community has a wealth of resources and tutorials that made it easier for me to learn and understand the language.
In addition to learning about TypeScript, I also learned a lot about Github and the CI/CD integration using Github Actions. With Github Actions, I was able to automate the deployment process, making it easier and faster to release new updates to the app. This not only saved me time but also ensured that the app was always up-to-date and functioning properly.
Finally, I learned about the process of bringing the app into the Android Play Store. This was a new experience for me, and I was able to learn about the various requirements and guidelines for submitting an app to the store. Overall, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow as a developer through this project, and I am proud of the final result of the Barcode Butler app.
If you are interested in trying the Barcode Butler app, you will be able to find it on the Google Play Store soon. I hope that you will find it as useful and enjoyable to use as I did to create it.
