Database Users

So many question, so little time.

Hello all,
I am new to the Android scene and I wanted to find out if there are any good tutorials on app/rom development, what are the programming languages used, etc... I know learning from scratch is probably a long and bumpy road, but it is something I am interested in. I have already rooted and flashed my phone, good times that was. Thank you all for your help.
Th3Cap3

What's your existing programming experience? You could do worse than check out the anddev forums. App development is principally in Java though you can write parts of apps in C or even assembler.

My existing programming consist of very very very basic python, and some web stuff like HTML and CSS, I would basically have to learn how to program the ones you have mentioned from scratch, I have books for most of those though. I will go check out those forums and see what I can dig up Thanks for the info.

I bookmarked that page thank you, I just got a hold of their Eclipse software and all of their beginner tutorials I can't wait to dive into this stuff.

Me too. I know C, but only have a passing acquaintance with Java & Linux; Android I know even less about, not having encountered it till getting my Hero in February. I'm working my way through Thinking in Java (Eckel) to be followed by Professional Android 2 Application Development (Meier).
Even if your grasp of Python is basic it's still a start - you don't have to struggle again with fundamental procedural programming concepts like conditional execution, program flow control & so forth. Plus Python is an OOP language, aiui (I don't know Python) so you have a head start there too
I've installed Java, Eclipse & Android's SDK on this Windows box, but I'm thinking of dual booting Ubuntu as some things just work better in Linux, especially if one wants to cross compile ROMs. Aiui Cygwin, which I already use, can be a little problematic & when one is likely to be asking for help at times, it's useful to be using a similar set up to most devs.

I have been thinking about dual booting again, I just havent had to time to partition my drive and install some sort of linux release, UBuntu is the one I am most familiar with, which isnt very, but its a start.
I am going through those video tutorials from anddev.org right now, it seems to be similar to Python in the way the coding is done, I am excited.
I have also downloaded the Eclipse program, but I have the pulsar version, it seems to be geared more towards mobile development and I have gotten the Android toolkit installed and I have had the Android SDK from when I rooted my Hero (Which is awesome, running the newest Damage Control) good times.
I think I may have a java book on PDF somewhere as well, I will have to go look.

Atm I can't make up my mind between dual boot & Virtual Box, or maybe both, to see if I can wean myself off m$

I have been thinking about the dual boot option a lot since you mentioned it, not sure what to do, I may wait till this quarters class is over so that if something goes missing. it Sony be a big deal
Sent from my HERO200 using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk

Computer Science student with Java experience looking to dev in android

Hey guys, as the title says i study computer science, and i use java and c#.
But its only on desktop platforms.
How much does it differ on an android platform?
Is it really just differences the APIs or is it a completely different approach to programming fundamentals?
Also what is the best way to go about developing? Can i get an SdK that plugs into netbeans or the like??
thanks

I too, study computer science - besides already working in these and related fields. My first impression of Android development is that there are a few paradigm differences that one has to accept.
For example, on desktop platforms, development and execution of applications follows a clear line through your code while on Android (and possibly other mobile platforms I am not currently aware of) your application architecture is based around the concept of activities. Traditional predictable execution like you would know it from a console application has to be emulated as the activities virtually replace the usual entry point (that would be, the main method or function). Anyhow, once you're actually developing anything serious, you'll get used to it pretty fast, so I wouldn't worry too much about it.
Furthermore, if you're coming from C# and have used WPF or Silverlight, the Android SDK/NDK does indeed look like hell to you. I came to Android and iOS development from C++ (indeed I have gained a lot of experience with C++; that's why I learnt C# and used WPF in a week's time) and at this point, you really start to feel how Android has grown very fast over the past 12 months. Deprecated APIs aside, it seems really hard to me to keep up with the developments so far.
What personally annoys me the most - that is, by far the most - is the Java programming language and it's omnipresence in the system. For an at least somehow experienced C++ programmer, the way concepts are implemented in Java, and this statement is not limited to Android in particular, seems awefully redundant and painful to use. But if you like it that way, you'll be fine. I have set up a template for myself so I can write most of my code in C or a bigger subset of C++ even though the NDK guidelines explicitly oppose it.

You are not limited to Java, you can use C and C++ through the NDK. I use the Eclipse IDE along with the ADT plugin, you could use Netbeans as well.

Developing for Android

I have no programming experience but I'm extremely interested in teaching myself how to program. My main goal is to one day develop my own apps for Android. Now I've read a lot online and most people recommend starting with Python as your first language as its easier to grasp than others. This sounds like a great idea but I dont believe you can code for Android in Python, correct?
So my question is, should I start with Python, get familiar with the language building my programming knowledge and later learn Java for Android? Or should I just jump head first into Java as my first language even though it may be more difficult to start with?
Thanks!!

michaelearth said:
I have no programming experience but I'm extremely interested in teaching myself how to program. My main goal is to one day develop my own apps for Android. Now I've read a lot online and most people recommend starting with Python as your first language as its easier to grasp than others. This sounds like a great idea but I dont believe you can code for Android in Python, correct?
So my question is, should I start with Python, get familiar with the language building my programming knowledge and later learn Java for Android? Or should I just jump head first into Java as my first language even though it may be more difficult to start with?
Thanks!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Python is a great start.
However, with a good book like the "Head's first Java" you will also be able to start with (the desktop) Java. Get some programming knowledge before starting with programming for Android.

nikwen said:
Python is a great start.
However, with a good book like the "Head's first Java" you will also be able to start with (the desktop) Java. Get some programming knowledge before starting with programming for Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I looked at the book as an option for me but it says directly on the "Head First" website that these books assume you have expirence in other languages so I dont think that book is for me quite yet.
If I decide to go the Python route, I was looking at this book: http://www.amazon.com/Python-Progra...ie=UTF8&qid=1368992505&sr=8-6&keywords=python. Any thoughts on this book?

michaelearth said:
I looked at the book as an option for me but it says directly on the "Head First" website that these books assume you have expirence in other languages so I dont think that book is for me quite yet.
If I decide to go the Python route, I was looking at this book: http://www.amazon.com/Python-Progra...ie=UTF8&qid=1368992505&sr=8-6&keywords=python. Any thoughts on this book?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok. You are right. Found this on the web now, too: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110111230807AA8fVgP
(Check the link.)

[Q] App development help

Hi everybody,
So, I'm volunteering at a non profit and recently I was approached with a proposal about an app for the organization which would consist of a small questionnaire to tell people if we can help them. Something like:
o Are you between the ages of
o Do you live in
o Are you unemployed
o etc. etc.
And the radio buttons would work as check marks that depending whether these are checked or not, an if then would kick in and direct the user to another page, either proceeding instructions or a sorry, you do not meet the criteria.
I'm familiar with some coding, a little fortran, java script and php but I just have no clue how to create an app. I downloaded the developing tools from google but I'm just blank. Can someone point me on the right direction or maybe there are templates of this kind that need just a little tweaking. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'd suggest you creating just a web page
I have made a demo trogper.cf/surv_demo

No, that's the easy part, I'm still fresh on client side programming. What I want is an app for android.

Hello
Eclipse or Android Studio are necessary tools to develop native java apps for Android but you should have basic java (and at least OO language) notions to code it.

Get Eclipse or Android Studio.
Then...
There are loads of tutorials on the net for basic android/java programming.
For example...
mkyong.com/android/android-checkbox-example/
tutorialspoint.com/android/android_checkbox_control.htm
would get you started with your app.
you'll need to put www before the links, i'm new so not allowed to post links yet

If you want to simplify your life a little try NativeScript or Corona SDK.

Develpoing GUI in Java

Hi everyone,
some days ago, i was substancially forced to join an Android project by my professor.
The fact is that his course was about C++ (your equivalent of that course should be Compuer Science II, and i have a good knowledge of C++), and this project is in Java. I have a little experience in Java (in fact, one of the courses that i am attending is focused on Java). Now, i think that in order to be a Computer Science engineer i have to fit myself to the situation ( i have some docs about the project) but i have no experience in Android app development and a very little knowledge of XML, so i ask you some help :good:.
What i have to do is to realize some GUI for his application. It is not very difficult, but i have no idea about from where i have to begin. In these 2 days i have managed to start some very simple application from Eclipse on my smartphones, but that's all, nothing more. So, is there any book or (better) some short guide or video to follow?
I use, as IDE, Eclipse (because i usually use it for Cpp, but some people said me that Android Studio should be better). I know that Eclipse is a really god IDE (For Cpp i tried also CodeBlocks, VisualStudio and Netbeans), but i know too that it raises some error that newbie user could not managed to solve easily: one of them is a java.lang.nullPointerException raised in every main.xml file...
Moreover, the project has to connect to a IBM Bluemix-stored database.
Last but not least please share a comment about my English (that, i have to admit, is not very good). I would really like to know how it - really - is.
(Excepting the typo in the thread title).
So, i ask you to kindly share resources (video, guides ...) about realizing GUI in Android.

Well first i'd recommend using android studio since it is the official ide for android by google, and I have worked with eclipse for 2 years and the android plugin is just too buggy.
About designing the ui it is usually done in xml rather than in code since its more intuitive and there is a preview.
You should start learning the basics and from there they teach you how to design the ui.
Try the official guide in the google developers section for android "developers android training"

Are you talking about https: //developer .android.com /training/index .html ?

Yes exactly, they have some nice guides there.

Here is a very nice guide for creating your first app in Android Studio: http://www.raywenderlich.com/78574/android-tutorial-for-beginners-part-1
Here is a layout tutorial: http://code.tutsplus.com/tutorials/android-user-interface-design-layout-basics--mobile-3671
Here is a compilation of Android beginners tutorials: http://www.sitepoint.com/12-android-tutorials-beginners/
If you give a more focused description of what you are trying to achieve (what are you intending to display and how do you want to display it), more focused tutorials can be suggested.
Best of luck

EliteRazor said:
Hi everyone,
some days ago, i was substancially forced to join an Android project by my professor.
The fact is that his course was about C++ (your equivalent of that course should be Compuer Science II, and i have a good knowledge of C++), and this project is in Java. I have a little experience in Java (in fact, one of the courses that i am attending is focused on Java). Now, i think that in order to be a Computer Science engineer i have to fit myself to the situation ( i have some docs about the project) but i have no experience in Android app development and a very little knowledge of XML, so i ask you some help :good:.
What i have to do is to realize some GUI for his application. It is not very difficult, but i have no idea about from where i have to begin. In these 2 days i have managed to start some very simple application from Eclipse on my smartphones, but that's all, nothing more. So, is there any book or (better) some short guide or video to follow?
I use, as IDE, Eclipse (because i usually use it for Cpp, but some people said me that Android Studio should be better). I know that Eclipse is a really god IDE (For Cpp i tried also CodeBlocks, VisualStudio and Netbeans), but i know too that it raises some error that newbie user could not managed to solve easily: one of them is a java.lang.nullPointerException raised in every main.xml file...
Moreover, the project has to connect to a IBM Bluemix-stored database.
Last but not least please share a comment about my English (that, i have to admit, is not very good). I would really like to know how it - really - is.
(Excepting the typo in the thread title).
So, i ask you to kindly share resources (video, guides ...) about realizing GUI in Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can take a look at vogella web site tutorials
They have very usable tutorials, easy to understand.

Thanks everyone, i'll give a look to these resources