A Beginner’s Guide to Setting Up Cordova on Ubuntu and LinuxMint

In the world of mobile application development, Apache Cordova stands out as a remarkable framework that enables developers to build mobile apps using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This guide is tailored for beginners and will walk you through the process of setting up Cordova on two popular Linux distributions: Ubuntu and Linux Mint. By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to creating your very own mobile applications.

Prerequisites

Before diving into the installation process, ensure that your system meets the following requirements:

• Ubuntu or Linux Mint operating system
• Node.js installed
• npm (Node Package Manager) installed

Step 1: Install Node.js and NPM

Cordova relies on Node.js and npm. If you haven’t installed them yet, open your terminal and execute the following commands:

sudo apt update 
sudo apt install nodejs npm 

Instead of installing Debian packages, You can use popular Node Version Manager (NVM) to install Node.js and NPM.

Verify the installation by checking the versions of Node.js and npm:

node --version 
npm --version 

Step 2: Install Cordova using NPM

With Node.js and npm ready, installing Cordova is straightforward. In your terminal, run:

sudo npm install -g cordova 

The -g flag installs Cordova globally, making it accessible from any directory on your system.

Step 3: Setting Up Your First Cordova Project

Now that Cordova is installed, you can create your first project. Choose a directory where you want your project to be and run:

cordova create hello com.example.hello HelloWorld 

This command creates a new Cordova project with the following parameters:

• hello: the directory for your project
• com.example.hello: your project’s package ID
• HelloWorld: the name of your application

Step 4: Add Platforms to Your Cordova Project

Cordova allows you to build your app for various platforms. To add a platform, navigate to your project directory and execute:

cd hello 
cordova platform add android 

This example adds support for Android. If you’re interested in iOS or other platforms, ensure you have the necessary SDKs installed.

Step 5: Build and Run Your App

To build your Cordova app, run:

cordova build android 

This command prepares your app for the Android platform. To run your app on an emulator or an actual device, use:

cordova run android 

Ensure your Android device is connected or an emulator is running.

Tips for Successful Cordova Development

• Stay Updated: Regularly update Cordova and the platforms to access new features and bug fixes.
• Explore Plugins: Cordova’s power is in its plugins. Explore available plugins to enhance your app’s functionality.
• Use Version Control: Keep your project under version control with Git or any other system of your choice.

Conclusion

You’ve taken your first steps into the exciting world of mobile app development with Cordova on Ubuntu and Linux Mint. The process, from installation to running your first app, is straightforward, making Cordova an excellent choice for beginners and seasoned developers alike. As you grow more comfortable, experiment with Cordova’s extensive features and plugins to expand your app’s capabilities. Happy coding!