Dash now available on iOS

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dash-api-docs/id935284832?mt=8&uo=4

by davidbarker • 12 years ago

85 37 12 years ago

itunes.apple.com

tmikaeld• 12 years ago

I guess you mean "Dash API Docs now available on iOS"

hk__2• 12 years ago

The original desktop app is called Dash: http://kapeli.com/dash

dimman2• 12 years ago

When speaking of dash, one usually means 'Debian Almquist SHell'. [In the context: 'dash is now available on iOS' to make it abundantly clear]

UUMMUU• 12 years ago

What is the use case for this? I can't imagine that I would be doing a lot of hardcore development on a machine that wasn't my dev machine which has Dash on it.

slantyyz2• 12 years ago

How about screen real estate? If you have a super crowded monitor, you can take advantage of a mobile screen that is otherwise underutilized?

smweber• 12 years ago

That's exactly it. I've been waiting for this since Dash first came out. At the time I was doing iOS dev in a lot of coffee shops and airports with spotty wifi on an 11" MacBook Air. This would have been perfect then, having searchable offline docs on a second screen! Even though I'm working in an office most of the time now, I still bought it to use on my iPad.

sswaner• 12 years ago

Coding in Vim on a Raspberry Pi with a really small screen.

slantyyz2• 12 years ago

It doesn't solve your screen size issue (or if you're not using a gui on your Pi), but it's worth noting that Zeal (http://zealdocs.org/) is compatible with Dash's docsets and runs on Linux and Windows.

BinaryIdiot2• 12 years ago

I can certainly see the use case for this being on the desktop (and for those that don't know: it is). I have been in plenty of situations where I can not access the internet so having offline copies is incredibly helpful.

I don't understand the use case on iOS. I don't want to just outright poo on the idea so is there anyone who is going to pick this up that can articulate why? I feel great value in having it offline but being able to ctrl + f or copy and paste on a larger screen (the same screen I'm developing on), I just don't get the mobile.

emsy• 12 years ago

I have been in plenty of situations where I can not access the internet so having offline copies is incredibly helpful.

Other advantages for me are:

The search function. It's incredibly well implemented. Some online docs just flat out suck at searching.

A more consistent look and feel across different docs, especially when searching or browsing classes.

Easy management of docset versions and automatic updates.

Glide• 12 years ago

I don't understand how well it'll work on an iDevice. I love Dash. I recommend it to people as it makes going to the official docs easier (for me, ymmv). I just hit a shortcut to pop up alfred and I type what I'm looking for and I'm good to go. I don't really read docs on the go.

hrktb• 12 years ago

I never used Dash (I never heard of it before, I might actually give it a try now), but a use case would be to have an iPad as a second/third/fourth screen.

I have a dual screen setup at work, but windows gets buried really fast. A coworker would printout the most static bits of information (API docs, design mocks, storyboard etc.); this could be an alternative to that.

e28eta• 12 years ago

I definitely use an iPad as another screen, like for a UI spec.

I'm skeptical about using the iPad keyboard to look things up, usually I'm copying symbols from code to lookup, or typing into Alfred. Even just moving my hands to a new keyboard would probably be slower.

Which means I'm looking forward to when Dash iOS uses some of the continuity/handoff features to stay in sync with desktop Dash. (Maybe it already does?)

ja27• 12 years ago

That's my thought too, especially since I lug 2 iPads with me for testing.

aardvark179• 12 years ago

Nice searchable Javadocs formatted to fit on my iPhone? That's actually going to be quite useful when brain storming ideas in meetings or over lunch.

ddebernardy• 12 years ago

Having picked up the habit of reading docs (iBook or web site) on my iPad in relaxed mode (couch, terrace, bed, etc.), the case for an iOS version seems rather obvious.

I've admittedly never heard of Dash though. How good is their search compared to using Google on whatever site hosts the docs?

kevinSuttle2• 12 years ago

I designed the docs for my product team, which are extensive, to be mobile-first. There is no such thing as a mobile context or "use case".

http://kevinsuttle.com/posts/the-right-questions-to-ask-mobi...

kevinSuttle2• 12 years ago

I love that this was downvoted.

philgr• 12 years ago

I like the idea of using the iPad as a second screen while I develop, keeping Dash at arm's reach all the time.

If you don't find the necessity for that on a Mac (or if your desk is short of space), use the OS X version, if you're on Windows, I suggest you take a look at Zeal (http://zealdocs.org).

tomengland• 12 years ago

Yep. Dash also has support for in-editor lookup. For sublime, highlight the function IE: app.use and hit ctrl+h, it'll popup the express documentation. Very handy!

tosh• 12 years ago

Great app, awesome plugins.

sudhirj• 12 years ago

Dash has long since become my technical Kindle app. I think of the doc sets as technical books, so being able to carry them around is a massive boon.

kennymeyers• 12 years ago

I've been using the Dash beta, and the use case I have for it is offline docs and quick lookup. I can certainly access Apple's docs in a browser on my iPad, but being able to parse through programming guides, do searches and quick lookups is really helpful. If I want to read up on a Go class, or find something when not at my machine, it's been great. I've really enjoyed using it.

willtheperson• 12 years ago

I didn't say that you couldn't , I said that you shouldn't

niutech• 12 years ago

If you don't mind being online, you can use http://devdocs.io for free.

mikeash3• 12 years ago

It doesn't seem to have any Apple documentation, which is a common use case for Dash.

agrippanux• 12 years ago

Dash is one of those Mac apps you didn't realize you absolutely needed until you have it (like Bartender or FlyCut or Divvy). That said, buying it again for iOS isn't appealing.

cmyr• 12 years ago

Is the 'buying' not appealing, or is using Dash on iOS not appealing? If you don't think you would look up API much on an iOS device, fair enough. For me, being able to use an iPad as my go-to documentation viewer is tremendously appealing. This is a professional tool, that I use daily (on OS X), and having it on iOS will make my life better.

mkhalil• 12 years ago

I don't even have the app, but I really don't like this argument if it has to do with "buying it again". It's not easy writing an application for iOS even if you have one for MAC. They are going to have different feature sets, and now, parallel maintenance times. Why shouldn't he charge for it? (It's also half the price)

ThompJackie• 12 years ago

This is incredibly useful, but I don't know why they are charging $9.99. In my experience they would make more with a free/advertising app

teacup50• 12 years ago

... advertising in developer documentation? Seriously?

Dash now available on iOS

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