Best iPad apps for programming 2018

While the iPad isn't the obvious hardware of choice for programmers, an increasing number of developers are making their apps compatible with the iPad, and the result isn't half bad.

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Here's our list of 11 meaningful iPad apps for programmers to try this year.

This list is constantly being updated so please get in touch with ones you use.

Our top picks so far are:

- Coda
- Buffer Editor
- iOctocat
- JavaScript Anywhere

Read next: Top professional development tips for programmers.

1. Coda

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Originally a Mac editor, Coda now offers an iPhone and iPad text editor. It supports syntax highlighting for Apache, C, HTML, Go, CSS, PHP, Perl, Python and JavaScript among other languages.

Coda also includes local and remote file management, a variety of remote protocols (such as SFTP, WebDAV, Amazon S3 and DreamObjects) and 'Clips', a way to store and repeat commonly used bits of code.

You can also use AirPreview to pull up your coding on a desktop, when paired with Coda for Mac.

2. Buffer Editor

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Buffer is a code editor that can connect with numerous remote services such as Dropbox, Github, iCloud SSH, SFTP and FTP servers. Buffer features unicode support, an extended keyboard and Vim coding support.

Buffer also includes syntax highlighting and code auto-complete for a variety of programming languages including ASP, AWK, ActionScript, Ada, Arduino, C, C++, C#, CSS, HTML, INI, Java, Javascript, Perl, PHP, Progress, Puppet, Python, R, Ruby, SQL, and others.

 iOctocat

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iOctocat is a GitHub client for the iPhone and iPad. The basic version is £3.99 but won't open private or GitHub Enterprise repositories; upgrading to Pro is an in-app purchase of £8.99. 

iOctocat users will receive user activity feeds, access to public repositories (not in basic), a code viewer, open, close and edit issues and a user and repos search tool. 

Download here.

 JavaScript Anywhere

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Launched in 2010, JavaScript Anywhere lets you edit JavaScript, HTML and CSS code from your iOS device and preview in them in the internal browser. When you're happy with what you've created, just import it to your Dropbox!

You'll also be able to use Basic, jQuery, React and Bootstrap project templates.

Download here.

 Mimo

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Mimo isn't an app for established programmers wanting to create a masterpiece on the iPad. Instead, it helps you learn how to program through gamification.

If you're new to programming and have an iPad, with Mimo you can learn how to code in lots of programming languages including HTML, CSS and Python.

You can take advantage of its simple step-by-step tutorials and games, and although it may seem like it's aimed at children at first, it does step up in difficulty later on.

Its 'get started' section is free but you'll need to pay to access the in-depth programming training. 

OmniGraffle 3

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OmniGraffle 3 is a diagramming package for the iPad, with a user interface that is easier to work with than previous versions.

OmniGraffle 3 lets users draw shapes and drag objects while also providing smart guides that help you optimise your diagram in flash. You'll also get automation with JavaScript, a vast floating tool palette, as well as an impressive amount of keyboard shortcuts.

Download here.

Codea

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Codea is especially useful for creating games and simulators. It includes syntax highlighting and visual editing for Lua, a graphics renderer, reference documentation, shader support, a Physics engine, and support for touch, accelerometer, and camera. Finished Codea apps can be exported to Xcode and built as App Store apps. 

Download here.

Textastic Code Editor

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Textastic is a Textmate-compatible text, code, and markup language editor for the iPad with syntax highlighting for more than 80 programming and markup languages.

Textastic has its own WebDAV server and can communicate with FTP, SFTP, and WebDAV servers, as well as Dropbox. It does code completion only for HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP functions when editing. 

Download here.

AppCooker

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AppCooker allows you to mock up apps for iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch, then preview them on devices with a free companion app called AppTaster.

AppCooker requires iOS 8 or later versions and provides fully functioning prototypes of applications. You can also export backups and usable mockups via its AppTaster iOS application in the Jpeg, PNG and PDF formats.

Twinned with its free app AppTester, you'll get a full mock-up and testing package.

Download here.

CodeToGo

CodeToGo allows you to create and run code in lots of different programming languages, including Ruby, Python, Java and Perl, with syntax highlighting for most of them.

It's not the best-looking app but it's relatively intuitive and easy to use. As well as communicating with Dropbox, you can also transfer files to and from your computer using iTunes File Sharing.

Once you're done, you can test your code and see the results using the ideone.com API.

Download here.

Dash API Docs

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Dash is an API documentation browser that enables users to instantly search through countless APIs with an offline function available too. 

Dash provides programmers with access to iOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, Swift, .NET Framework, ActionScript, Akka, AngularJS, Angular.dart, Ansible, Apache, Appcelerator Titanium, AppleScript, Arduino, Backbone, Bash, Boost, Bootstrap, Bourbon, Bourbon Neat, C, C++, CakePHP, Cappuccino, Chai, Chef, Clojure, CMake, Cocos2D, Cocos2D-X, CodeIgniter, CoffeeScript, ColdFusion, Common Lisp, Compass, Cordova, Corona, Craft, CouchDB, CSS, D3.js, Dart, Django, Docker, Doctrine ORM, Dojo Toolkit and many, many more. 

Download here.