Nextcloud Passwords - Interview with the developer of a fantastic app

Did you have any prior development or coding experience?

Yes, I have had. I started by doing some simple web pages and I've learned more and more until nowadays.

What was the most challenging aspect of developing mobile app?

I knew React Native before coding this app, but making a project from scratch is always challenging. On the other hand it made me strengthen my knowledge in the field.

_{David Daper}

I am a 27 year old computer fan, almost self-taught since I was really young. Currently working as a software engineer. Beside my job I am always involved in personal projects and meeting groups. My interests fluctuate on a very broad spectrum from IoT home automation, GNU/Linux systems administration to programming apps like 'Nextcloud Passwords' for Android and iOS.

Name a few of your favorite apps and reason you love them.

'JuiceSSH', it fulfills exactly my needs in a clever and user-friendly way. 'Spotify', it is clean, simple and available almost everywhere. 'Inbox by Gmail', they are going to shut it down in the next months, but I hope 'Google' won't do such a thing, it just does the job that 'Gmail' doesn't - in a clever and easy way.

How long have you been working on this app?

My initial release just included the login views and components and a searchable list of sites with the ability to edit them. Surprisingly I achieved that in just a weekend. But I've been working on features and bugs like fingerprint/security settings, support for adding new sites or viewing the folders since then.

What need of the user did you have in mind when developing this app?

I am glad that you asked this question because I was looking for an idea to make something with React Native but I did not get anything. And it came suddenly when I was moving my files from some cloud provider to my own hosted 'Nextcloud' instance. When I gave a try to the 'Passwords' app and realized that I couldn't really use it because a lack of a good Android client, it moved me to code my own. I was not going to publish it until I shared it with a friend of mine who also used 'Nextcloud' and recommended me to upload the app to the 'Google Play' at least.

In what way do you think your app is better than similar apps on the market? Please describe in detail what innovation you think you bring and what you are proud of in your app.

My app only aims to fill the gap with working as an app client for 'Passwords' app for 'Nextcloud'. As there aren't any other apps with the same purpose I can't say if it is better than the other apps.

What are your future plans and expected features of the coming new versions of this app?

There is a big bunch of things already pending to be implemented, like folder editing, moving sites from folders, sharing, revisions, tags and Android autofill service. Despite the bugs, I really would like to do the autofill service because it would be a new challenge.

Assuming new users of your app are reading this page. What do you want to ask them to do (contact you about X, Share the app, etc.)?

Feel free to share, review, comment, improve, open an issue on 'GitHub' or contact me. And also feel free to download the app, use it and press the "Buy me a pint" button ?.