[Q] Beginning Android Programming - Android Software Development

Hey Devs,
After years of being into mobiles I want to start developing my own Apps.
I want to specifically program Apps for Android because I really like how Android is set up. the way it handles "closed application" and ofcoursebecause more and more people are getting an Android.
Now I'm not sure what the best way to start is.
How did you guys start developing for android?
Which books did you used?
I hear a lot of people telling me I have to start with Java, now I get Java at school but how much Java is enough to start in android? do I have to go as far as BufferedReaders and Swing or just the basics of Java?
I found this book: http://www.pragprog.com/titles/eband3/hello-android
That seems really interesting because it covers Android 2.1, does anyone have any experience with this book?
Or any other book?
All help is welcome!
I really want to make a good start in the world of Android programming
and what to get it at such a level I can actually develop programs in a company.
Thanks in Advance,
//Sterallure

Can nobody help me out with this?

As long as you know most of the fundametals of java programming learning android api and libraries should'nt be all that hard. I'd start by going to the developer.android.com learn how to install the android SDK and Eclipese, also read through the dev guide. Hello, Android latest Edition is a pretty good book for beginners, beginning android 2. as you get better move to pro android 2, or what ever you think will fit your needs. There is enough information online such as developer.android.com, forums, and tutorials that can help you learn android without having to buy a book.

I have to agree. I am no crack programmer, but there have been tutorials or sample code around the internet for almost everything I wanted to do. Especially forums and blogs. Google is my friend.

Thanks alot for the information I will also look into Beginning Android 2. I've read a couple of dev guides but I always really like reading books.
I just want a really good basic knowledge of Android programming itself and I think the API will come later, if I just know how to program somenthing then the API is helpful for creating new things

Programming for Android is basically using the Android API's

I suggest www.commonsware.com books. Its a $40 subscription and you get 4 books(Android Programming, Advanced Android Programming, Android Programming Tutorials, and Android Beyond Java) that are updated periodically. Its really a great deal. I have it and I've learned so much and also the author is very active on stackoverflow and also writes many articles on android.

Related

Hey Devs, what's the best way to learn Android development?

I've been playing around with the App Inventor for the last few days. I like it, it's fast, it's pretty easy, and I find it fun. The problem is though, right now you can't publish apps to the market.
Throw in the fact that you can't make very robust or professional apps with the App Inventor and I've been thinking of trying the more traditional route.
But where do I begin? I've got the Android SDK, Java JRE, and Eclipse all installed and ready to go, but that's where I'm stalled.
I've got zero programming experience. Should I pick up a book for Android development? Should I start just developing for Java and move onto Android later? I've got a few ideas for applications, some for businesses, some for users, some paid and some ad-driven. I've got the ideas, but lack the knowledge to implement them.
Even the official Google Android tutorials seem a little over my head, like they were made for people that are already knowledgeable in programming.
There is so much information out there, it's hard to find a good "Starting from zero" point / tutorial.
Thanks for the suggestions!
You're going to want to become experienced with Java and then move into Android.
There is some good information on the web. I learned some of the basics from this guys videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl-zzrqQoSE
I also picked up a book thats called Head First Java that is supposed to be really good and noob friendly, with easy to remember examples and challenges. I am nowhere near experienced, but I have been doing research on it for a while.
Beginning Android Development
I'd probably try Beginning Android 2 This edition covers Android 2.0+.
Those both require some experience with Java. You have to start with Java first.
engagedtosmile said:
You're going to want to become experienced with Java and then move into Android.
There is some good information on the web. I learned some of the basics from this guys videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl-zzrqQoSE
I also picked up a book thats called Head First Java that is supposed to be really good and noob friendly, with easy to remember examples and challenges. I am nowhere near experienced, but I have been doing research on it for a while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 on Head First Java. Several people have suggested it. Also, there was a thread where someone had posted information, but I have searched and can't find it. I will try again later.
Thanks for all the input! I'll pick up a copy of heads first java.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Best place to start?

Trying to figure out the best place to start for writing android apps. I have experience coding php, a little c#, and html (if you really want to even call that a programming language ). Anyways, I have been looking into air for android and praying for my app inventor invite. But I really want to get a good grasp for it before I start using a cookie cutter app so I can just use it for the tedious stuff and modify and add to the code for my usage. I guess I said all that to say, I am lost and am kinda just wondering what some of the indie programmers did to get into coding for android. Any help/nudge in the right direction is greatly appreciated.
I agree, I also am looking into starting to program and have a background similar to yours. I have books like head first java that I have tried but... there is something about it that i just cant grasp. It's so much easier if you have someone near you that you can say, what does this mean or, why does this work the way it does... to help get a better understanding.
Any information greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks
found a great book called Professional Android 2 Development on amazon, good info in that book and gets you going and is very detailed so far. Its $30 of course and not so proudly, i DL'd it sorry but the author of this book is a Google biggywiggy and I'm sure my $30 lacking isn't going to kill the guy. Also I got my app inventor invite today FTW!!!
It is realy hard to learn Android without any Java knowledge. Therefore, please learn first Java! If you have the basic Java skills then you should start with Android Development. Because i know a guy that also started directly with Android and also without java knowledge. He bought a Android book but all the Android Developer books expect Java knowledge. Thats my advice.

Getting Started with Android Development

Hey Everyone!
I apologise if this is a thread or question that gets posted often, I had a search around but I couldn't see anything.
Essentially, I'm just looking for some good resources and tips for getting started with Android development. I have looked at a few books and tutorials (and the official SDK documentation, of course) but I was wondering if I'd missed any good one.
The main issue I'm having is that the things I've found so far seem to assume you know quite a bit about Java development. I come from a pretty experienced C++ background so although I'm very familiar with coding in general, I'm not all that hot with Java. Would you recommend sticking with Android and picking it up as you go along, or waiting and doing some pure-java stuff first? In either case, which are the best books/examples/tutorials you guys have found for an android beginner like me that does know a bit about programming (just not java)?
Thanks in advance!
I think the best way to learn is to get an android book and work through the tutorials in order.
Don't just skim read it though, you need to actually type out the code yourself and think about what each line is doing.
jgittins said:
I think the best way to learn is to get an android book and work through the tutorials in order.
Don't just skim read it though, you need to actually type out the code yourself and think about what each line is doing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh absolutely, I'm looking for suggestions for good books, too =)
I found Lars Vogel's introductory tutorials very good when getting started in Android. If you're already familiar with other programming languages, you'll pick up the java needed pretty easily as you go...
- jc
neoKushan said:
Oh absolutely, I'm looking for suggestions for good books, too =)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used Reto Meier's professional android 2 book and thought it was pretty good. The most important stuff to learn at the start is how activities and intents work. The other stuff you can kind of pick up from google as you go.
I haven't developed any application for Android (yet). If you want to develop native code applications, you will need the Android SDK and the Android NDK (gcc rules!). This seems to be the installation order. Check the installation instructions for both of them. The NDK contains some examples. As far as I could see, a native application has a java part and a native dynamic linked library (which is called/loaded by the java part). The NDK also comes with documentation. I guess the Android developer gurus may give you more hints about documentation links.
I am interested in getting started with Android Development as well. I have a background with Java, but that was a year or so ago. I'm sure I could pick back up with it pretty quickly.
What books do you recommend?

[Q] Any tutorials for Android development for C# developers?

I've come up with an idea for a mobile app that I think people would find useful. Since I have an android phone, I'm going to start there. I'm a C# developer in mostly windows forms and ASP.Net applications. I haven't done much in Java other than what I did in college about 5 years ago. So.. Anyone have an tutorials that can bring a lowly C# developer up to speed in Java / Android development? I did a search on the googlez but I kept getting links for MonoDroid and I don't want to go that route.
http://developer.android.com/resources/tutorials/views/index.html
________________________________
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Thanks. Not quite what I was looking for, but helpful none the less.
java syntax is so similar to c# that you really shouldn't have much problem..
As you're learning the ins and outs of android, I'm sure you'll pick up on the differences between the two languages
As for actually learning the android specific stuff... I don't know
I really prefer learning from videos as opposed to reading
I tried to find some good video tutorials but I couldn't find anyway
there were a few that had one video that was good but that was it(doesn't get you too far)
you might want to check out this site though
http://www.codinggreenrobots.com/
they're going to be broadcasting live workshops on android every other week starting today
I have no idea if they're any good but it looks promising
if you don't mind reading though, there's tons of good books
I read part of "Pro Android" because my work had a copy
it was decent
Hey thanks for that link. I'm going to check them out tonight.
I'm in the same posion as you are, working for webdevleoper for over 10 years. Just did all my stuff in C# but wanted to create an Android app.
The best way to learn is to just mess around. There is no tutorial or page wich compares java syntax to c#. Just start with the same old Hello World, create some click events etc. Start to develop small parts of you applications as practice. Don't start with the complete app design because it will be frustrating.
I've created an app and love building apps in Eclipse because it's quite similar to c#. Although there are some really strange thing happening in Java. For example, there is no Switch for a String value, only int and enum values. From c# point of view you will bump into other strange stuff like that. Accept it, search and learn.
Again, it's not that hard. I think it's harder to understand how Android really works with Intents etc. That's quite hard to learn(for me;-))
Good luck!
Hey, I'll trade you some Android stuff for some .Net stuff. I'm an unemployed programmer and all I see these days is "Wanted...ASP, PHP, .NET, C#, VB, AJAX, SOAP" etc. for jobs. (What the HELL is AJAX and SOAP? rofl )
And I'm old and broke and can't afford to go back to college for even 2 years to get schooled in the "latest and greatest"
Yeah, I know, buy some books and learn it! LOL
Yea, as others have said developer.android.com has really all you need.

Which is the best book for Android beginners ?

Hey guys, I want to find work as either a freelance android developer or even make money by developing my own apps. I started from zero only a month ago. I now have an acceptable knowledge of Java - I am familiar with most concepts. Now, I am starting Android ....now which book do you think I should start with ?
1. Busy Coder's guide to Android development by Mark Murphy
2. Beginner's Android 4 Applications by Wei-Meing Lee
3. Professional Android 4 Applications by Roto Meir.
I have bought all 3 books. But I wonder which I should start with before I move on to the next. Mind you, I am not a skilled java programmer shifting to android like many of you here. And how long do you think does it take for an average novice programmer to gain acceptable command of Android and develop apps ?
RedDevil99025 said:
Hey guys, I want to find work as either a freelance android developer or even make money by developing my own apps. I started from zero only a month ago. I now have an acceptable knowledge of Java - I am familiar with most concepts. Now, I am starting Android ....now which book do you think I should start with ?
1. Busy Coder's guide to Android development by Mark Murphy
2. Beginner's Android 4 Applications by Wei-Meing Lee
3. Professional Android 4 Applications by Roto Meir.
I have bought all 3 books. But I wonder which I should start with before I move on to the next. Mind you, I am not a skilled java programmer shifting to android like many of you here. And how long do you think does it take for an average novice programmer to gain acceptable command of Android and develop apps ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Learning programming is nothing you can do casually. It can take quite a while.
However, it depends on what you define as good knowledge. You will get really good coding skills after decades of programming. But don't worry. You won't need skills as good as a professional developer's skills at the beginning. (And I don't claim to be as good as one of those old folks I described.)
It also depends on what you want to do. Some things like server communication are more complex while other things are easier.
I hope that this didn't discourage you. If you start with small apps, I am sure that you will be able to learn that. Coding is nothing magicial.
I'd start with book #2. I think that you can skip a lot of chapters of book #3 afterwards. I wasn't able to look into the first book on Amazon, but I think that I'd take that one as the last one.
However, make sure that you understand Java first. Without Java, the base for Android programming is missing.
I am sure that you can manage that. Enjoy it.
I'd also recommend book 2. It's very good for basic stuff.
I don't know any of these books, but i would also recommend you Googles Android Developer Site:
http://developer.android.com/training/index.html
There are great tutorials and all concepts of Android Applications are described in detail and quite easy to understand for beginners.
Thanks guys, as you suggest, I will start with book 2...
nikwen said:
Learning programming is nothing you can do casually. It can take quite a while.
However, it depends on what you define as good knowledge. You will get really good coding skills after decades of programming. But don't worry. You won't need skills as good as a professional developer's skills at the beginning. (And I don't claim to be as good as one of those old folks I described.)
It also depends on what you want to do. Some things like server communication are more complex while other things are easier.
I hope that this didn't discourage you. If you start with small apps, I am sure that you will be able to learn that. Coding is nothing magicial.
I'd start with book #2. I think that you can skip a lot of chapters of book #3 afterwards. I wasn't able to look into the first book on Amazon, but I think that I'd take that one as the last one.
However, make sure that you understand Java first. Without Java, the base for Android programming is missing.
I am sure that you can manage that. Enjoy it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Nikwen.....I am gonna devote this whole month completely to android, probably work on it for 15-16 hours a day....at the end of the month, I will know where I stand, and whether I can make a career out of it, or not.
RedDevil99025 said:
Thanks Nikwen.....I am gonna devote this whole month completely to android, probably work on it for 15-16 hours a day....at the end of the month, I will know where I stand, and whether I can make a career out of it, or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Welcome.
Wow, that's much time. :good:
Enjoy it.
I'd also recommend stackoverflow.com
If you have a question regarding programming , there's a 95% chance it's been answered there
Sent from my SGH-I337M using xda app-developers app
alobo said:
I'd also recommend stackoverflow.com
If you have a question regarding programming , there's a 95% chance it's been answered there
Sent from my SGH-I337M using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right! :good:
Howevewr, I think it is even higher. :laugh:
Hello Every,
please use the following links for your android learning requirments
For Beginning
BEGINNING
ANDROID™ APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT Beginning Android Appication Development - Wei-Meng Lee
http://www.mediafire.com/?43g9rgzd2py396c
Android CookBook - Ian Darwin
http://www.mediafire.com/?7q5m1yd4wa90h43
Begging Android 4 - Grant Allen
http://www.mediafire.com/?d0sldbmcx9stdy3
Beginning Android 4 Games Development - Robert Green, Mario Zechner
http://www.mediafire.com/?nn8wcxjgsbozowt
Head First Android Development - Jonathan Simon
http://www.mediafire.com/?iq8n7grt2nu6m4v
Practical Android 4 Games Development - J. F. DiMarzio
http://www.mediafire.com/?2zkv7obn9wj2smf
Programming Android - Zigurd Mednieks
http://www.mediafire.com/?13u9b7shseu2bd1
For Pro
Professional Android Sensor Programming - Greg Milette, Adam Stroud
http://www.mediafire.com/?ei2w3u5t774q34c
Pro Android 4 - Satya Komatineni, Dave MacLean
http://www.mediafire.com/?dsebkb2b4b7ab1h
Advanced Android 4 Games - Vladimir Silva
http://www.mediafire.com/?nh5vq0jk5iqccdl
Pro Android media - Shawn Van Every
http://www.mediafire.com/?c83wjmum3r9e463
Pro Android Apps Performance Optimization - Hervé Guihot
http://www.mediafire.com/?aba5al9fa932za7
Please don't forgot to click thanks
your friend Ashish Gaur
Android is an open source and Linux-based operating system for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers.
For writing apps for Android is more than just learning code syntax. If you've never learned to code, you can check out plenty of resources online.
There are plenty of eBooks that are available which provides clear depth tutorial for creating Android apps from scratch.
I would like to recommend you one such eBook where I am sure you would get benefit out from it.
Here is the eBook link @ learnsauce.com
The best programming language for beginners is Basic4Android (similar to Visual Basic).
Check out for my ebook on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Game-development-Android-example-creating-ebook/dp/B0777PSGJZ
and start coding

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