Smartphones can be a burden and a time-consuming force. But on the other hand they can do the opposite – teach you, increase your discipline, help you become more efficient. Use this list of apps to make your smartphone a friend.

CodeSnack

As the developers claim, a good IDE should always be at a programmer’s fingertips. Of course, this program is not perfect but it is good to use when you urgently need to write code and you only have your phone or tablet handy.

The app provides easy-to-use tools for creating programs, and helps you learn to code by example and deploy real server and client applications.

iOS: 4.5.

Android: 4.3.

QuickEdit Text Editor Pro

This is a text editor optimized for smartphones and tablets. It can be used both for simple text files and as a code editor for programming files.

QuickEdit includes a number of performance optimizations and user interaction settings, a code editor with syntax highlighting for 50+ languages (C++, C#, Java, XML, Javascript, Markdown, PHP, Perl, Python, Ruby, Smali, Swift, etc.). The program includes an online compiler that can compile and run more than 30 languages.

Android: rating 4.8; price: $2.5. There is a free version of the same name, but there have been complaints about the volume of intrusive ads.

Hacker’s Keyboard

A program that supplements the usual smartphone keyboard with computer keys: it has Tab/Ctrl/Esc, punctuation marks in the usual places and arrow keys. As the creators specify, it will be especially useful if you use ConnectBot – SSH (Secure Shell) client.

The application is based on the AOSP Gingerbread soft keyboard, so it supports multitouch for modifier keys.

Android: 4.1.

Habitica: Gamify Your Tasks

An app that helps you form the habit of planning and completing tasks. To do this, it uses elements of retro role-playing: each completed task is encouraged. If you’re tired of boring black-and-white planners, the app will bring fun variety to your work process.

Here you need to create an avatar, add tasks or goals that you want to work on. You get gold, experience and items for completing them, which you can use in the built-in game.

Android: 4.3.

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Notion

An easy-to-use planner with no distracting details. It can be used to make a record repository, a working calendar, and even a database.

iOS: 4.0, free for personal use, yet with a storage limit.

Android: 3.9 .

Textastic

Analog for iOS is a universal text and code editor available for iPad and iPhone. It supports syntax highlighting of more than 80 programming and markup languages.

Through it, you can connect to SFTP, FTP and WebDAV servers or your Dropbox or Google Drive account, use the built-in SSH terminal to work directly on your server.

iOS: 4.8; price: $10.

AppBlock

A productivity app will be useful for those who often hang out in the entertainment channels of Telegram or Instagram while working. It blocks access to sites and apps within a set amount of time (based on a specific Wi-Fi connection or your location).

It also has a tracker to track your phone usage time and reminders.

Android: 4.5.

Flora

A similar app, but it does not block sites, but rather tries to develop self-discipline in users and form positive habits. The principle is this: you set yourself a task, a time to complete it and start a timer – a boring tree appears on the screen, which gets bigger as the task is completed.

If you minimize the app to check out something else, the tree withers. Complete tasks to the end without distraction – add the tree to your garden (the garden is all the completed tasks and an indicator of how good you are).

In addition, there are reminders, to-do list, statistics, and more – recommendations for planting and caring for real trees.

iOS: 4.7.

Codea

The tool allows you to create games and simulations, or rather quickly visualize almost any idea that comes to mind. Codea is a simple and beautiful code editor, built in the Lua programming language. As the creators assure, the language is not too dependent on characters, so it is ideal for iPad. In cooperation with passright.com.

To create a simulation, enter your code, press play to see how it works, then interact with it to bring your idea to life.

iOS: 4.6; price: $15.

Remember: pick your apps wisely, and entrust your gadget repair to professionals.