Facebook® Application Development For Dummies®

Understanding the Development Process

Before embarking on Facebook application development, understanding the development process grounds you and adds a feeling of security. You start the cycle by getting your tools and development environment in place. You need the following:

• A text editor to write and edit code: For example, I'm a hardcore vim geek myself. (vim is a text editor from the early days of the Internet that has some different styles of editing and creating text than you may be used to in a traditional editor. If you're new to programming or aren't sure what it is, you may get along better with one of the more traditional text editors, such as BBEdit or Eclipse.) But you can try BBEdit, Textmate, Eclipse, or even Notepad on your PC. The goal is to just have a place where you can write, write, write!
• A server location to host your applications: You can find all kinds of Web hosting services. I recommend the following:
  • • MediaTemple (http://mediatemple.com) for its simple setup and configuration interface
  • • Slicehost (http://slicehost.com) for the hard core because it gives you a full dedicated server you can work with
  • • Fibernet (http://fiber.net), which is what I use currently because their pricing and offerings work great for me (they are also local to where I live, but they have remote options).
  • • Bluehost (http://bluehost.com) if you aren't looking to do too much

    Also, watch my service SocialToo.com for some simple options for Facebook custom Page options that ...