Aptly: Making Mobile Apps from Natural Language

Evan W. Patton; David Y. J. Kim; Ashley Granquist; Robin Liu; Arianna Scott; Jennet Zamanova; Harold Abelson

doi:10.1145/3706599.3720081

Aptly: Making Mobile Apps from Natural Language

Human-Computer Interaction 2025-06-17 v2 Artificial Intelligence Programming Languages

Authors: Evan W. Patton , David Y. J. Kim , Ashley Granquist , Robin Liu , Arianna Scott , Jennet Zamanova , Harold Abelson

View on arXiv ↗ PDF ↗ DOI ↗

Abstract

This paper introduces Aptly, a platform designed to democratize mobile app development, particularly for young learners. Aptly integrates a Large Language Model (LLM) with App Inventor, enabling users to create apps using their natural language. User's description is translated into a programming language that corresponds with App Inventor's visual blocks. A preliminary study with high school students demonstrated the usability and potential of the platform. Prior programming experience influenced how users interact with Aptly. Participants identified areas for improvement and expressed a shift in perspective regarding programming accessibility and AI's role in creative endeavors.

Keywords

programming languages human-computer interaction large language model

Cite

@article{arxiv.2405.00229,
  title  = {Aptly: Making Mobile Apps from Natural Language},
  author = {Evan W. Patton and David Y. J. Kim and Ashley Granquist and Robin Liu and Arianna Scott and Jennet Zamanova and Harold Abelson},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2405.00229},
  year   = {2025}
}

Comments

6 pages, 4 figures

Aptly: Making Mobile Apps from Natural Language

Abstract

Keywords

Cite

Comments

Related papers