Related
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?
I would love to create an android game. So I am planning to start learning it.
I have coded an application already and I think I know the basics. So now I want to get into game programming which is too complex if I heard it right.
I would like my fellow developers who have experience in coding games to give me some links and tutorials which will come handy for newbie like me.
Thanks in advance!
obscurant1st said:
I would love to create an android game. So I am planning to start learning it.
I have coded an application already and I think I know the basics. So now I want to get into game programming which is too complex if I heard it right.
I would like my fellow developers who have experience in coding games to give me some links and tutorials which will come handy for newbie like me.
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the best way to learn any new area of software development is to get stuck into a project. I've been working in various embedded and real-time environments for years but a couple of years ago myself and a couple of mates decided to try to make a game. At the time we wanted to learn C# so we dived into the XNA framework & made something that ran on Windows & XBox. It was never released, but I learned a lot of new stuff. Started with their tutorials and went from there. I can't help with links and so on for Android but don't be put off by the idea that games are too complex - the first software job I ever did was on a full size submarine simulator for the Navy & that really was complicated!
I think that this is a very good piece of advice: http://www.raywenderlich.com/12065/how-to-create-a-simple-android-game
It helped me very much.
Coding games has become very easy these days thanks to the superb engines but some do come at a premium price
Sent from my GT-S5302 using Tapatalk 2
Hit Thanx Button if i helped you!
sak-venom1997 said:
Coding games has become very easy these days thanks to the superb engines but some do come at a premium price
Sent from my GT-S5302 using Tapatalk 2
Hit Thanx Button if i helped you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. But Andengine is free and very good. Look at the link I gave above.
I used Unity3D for my class project before. It's very nice and easy to use. You should check it out
there is a great guide on xda: link.
ciao99 said:
there is a great guide on xda: link.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I have started learning!
Also another great resource is the new Boston. You can see them here and select Java Game Development. http://thenewboston.org/tutorials.php
You can also learn regular Java and Android development on that Site!
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2
When I started to learn android game developing I found some very useful tutorials at: obviam.net. Look for the series 'Getting started in android development with libgdx'.
This series uses the framework libGDX, which enables you to write your game once and easily port it to many different platforms.
Fíghter02 said:
When I started to learn android game developing I found some very useful tutorials at: obviam.net. Look for the series 'Getting started in android development with libgdx'.
This series uses the framework libGDX, which enables you to write your game once and easily port it to many different platforms.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I totally support this. I created my first Android game (Rock Ninja) with no previous game development experience thanks to the awesome Libgdx framework/community.
Yeah, LibGDX great thing and very easy to learn on GoogleCode's wiki page by simply reading topics one by one. Of course if you are familiar with java first
I'm also member of libGDX community, even helped to fix some bugs in particle editor. But after deeper look at this engine, you find some problems in deployment on other platforms. So, I'm looking at the Unity 3d now, besides it became free for android and iOS version.
Widesteppe said:
I'm also member of libGDX community, even helped to fix some bugs in particle editor. But after deeper look at this engine, you find some problems in deployment on other platforms. So, I'm looking at the Unity 3d now, besides it became free for android and iOS version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, iOS is still work in progress with Libgdx. Good news is that the new RoboVM backend(that will replace Monotouch/Xamarin) is looking really promising and a first app has already been successfully published to the Appstore.
I have a decent stash of books on mobile development. I would start with either monogame, libGDX(provided you know openGL), AndEngine, Unity3D, or use cross platform tools that turn HTML5/CSS3/Javascript into native code. Give me a PM if you need anything, best of luck :good:
Monkey_King said:
I have a decent stash of books on mobile development. I would start with either monogame, libGDX(provided you know openGL), AndEngine, Unity3D, or use cross platform tools that turn HTML5/CSS3/Javascript into native code. Give me a PM if you need anything, best of luck :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need any knowledge of OpenGL for Libgdx, everything is abstracted out for you.
ob1cat said:
You don't need any knowledge of OpenGL for Libgdx, everything is abstracted out for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't the GLSL used in LibGDX?
Monkey_King said:
Isn't the GLSL used in LibGDX?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Internally yes, but it's abstracted by the framework for you not to need to worry about it.
Hi,
I am a recently laid off 30 year old SAP consultant from India. Over the last few weeks, I have been reading about the wonderful world of android apps. There is a great opportunity in India for android apps as millions of smart phones are sold every year. I have decided on building apps targeted at the Indian stock market - like stock screeners, that help people reach a proper investment decision. I want to make money out of my apps, so I want then to be fairly professional so that somebody buying them wont feel cheated. Also, there are not many (any) stock screener apps targeted at Indian stock market. So there is an opportunity there and I want this idea to be my first.
But how do I go about it ? I learnt Java at college, 10 years ago. My Java is highly amateurish even after I refreshed it over the last few weeks.I have bought a book on MIT App Inventor...and developed a few simple example apps already and tested them on my mobile. I am not yet sure App Inventor can help me develop more complex apps like the one I mentioned above.
So, I am desperately looking for advise from people who have been there, done that. How do I go about developing my first app ? Should I go about it the hard way - learn Java better ? Read a book on Android application development ? Build Web Apps using HTML5, JavaScript, JQuery ? Or stick to MIT App Inventor ? Try some app builder development tool like Tiggzi, Codiqa or Kinvey ?
I really need your advise as I really need to develop something quickly and make money out of it. :fingers-crossed:
Hi!
As far as i can help....i made some apps, some of them native with Java and others with HTML5.
From my experience, if you plan to make somekind of "atlas app (like wikipedia)" or not very user interface intensive or if you already know html5+css+javascript, you could go with html5, but i will always recomend native with Java as you have much more control over you app.
Anyway, if starting from 0, go for Java (Android SDK) get any tutorial around the web, there are tons of them, some better than others ofc, and free.
Hope you find your way to go!
good luck!
forgin said:
Hi!
As far as i can help....i made some apps, some of them native with Java and others with HTML5.
From my experience, if you plan to make somekind of "atlas app (like wikipedia)" or not very user interface intensive or if you already know html5+css+javascript, you could go with html5, but i will always recomend native with Java as you have much more control over you app.
Anyway, if starting from 0, go for Java (Android SDK) get any tutorial around the web, there are tons of them, some better than others ofc, and free.
Hope you find your way to go!
good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that. But may I also know your opinion on MIT App Inventor ?
I started with App Inventor and quickly out grew it. Using java will make it easier to move on to complex apps or add more complexity to any current ones.
RedDevil99025 said:
Thanks for that. But may I also know your opinion on MIT App Inventor ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I personally wouldnt use app inventor nor any other kind of "easy app maker"
I would not use the inventor, too.
I recommend reading the Head's First Java books (skip the UI part) and for Android the Vogella tutorials.
---------- Post added at 09:13 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:10 PM ----------
(Btw, you cannot build an app quickly to make big money. If you want to be successful, you need to spend a lot of time on development.)
RedDevil99025 said:
Hi,
I am a recently laid off 30 year old SAP consultant from India. Over the last few weeks, I have been reading about the wonderful world of android apps. There is a great opportunity in India for android apps as millions of smart phones are sold every year. I have decided on building apps targeted at the Indian stock market - like stock screeners, that help people reach a proper investment decision. I want to make money out of my apps, so I want then to be fairly professional so that somebody buying them wont feel cheated. Also, there are not many (any) stock screener apps targeted at Indian stock market. So there is an opportunity there and I want this idea to be my first.
But how do I go about it ? I learnt Java at college, 10 years ago. My Java is highly amateurish even after I refreshed it over the last few weeks.I have bought a book on MIT App Inventor...and developed a few simple example apps already and tested them on my mobile. I am not yet sure App Inventor can help me develop more complex apps like the one I mentioned above.
So, I am desperately looking for advise from people who have been there, done that. How do I go about developing my first app ? Should I go about it the hard way - learn Java better ? Read a book on Android application development ? Build Web Apps using HTML5, JavaScript, JQuery ? Or stick to MIT App Inventor ? Try some app builder development tool like Tiggzi, Codiqa or Kinvey ?
I really need your advise as I really need to develop something quickly and make money out of it. :fingers-crossed:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Hibernate trainer quoted the following "You guys are brought up with IDE we used to compile on console". My sincere suggestion even in this RAPID developmental technologies around refresh your "Java skills" on console (DOS or Unix your wish) and make use of Eclipse IDE with Android SDK plugins for fast development. That would do. Start with Eclipse Helios and Google Android SDK and AVDs. Here you go... http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
I have developed a couple of very good apps and I use one myself but Google play store expects payment to become one of their developers Why should I pay for my own app to releasing to public for free? I choose XDA let them validate and evaluate my apps and enjoy. Let us CJava++++
The day is not far may be you get donated enough expand your ideas.
My advice is - don't read books, just start coding. A year ago I knew absolutely nothing about Java or Android. Find a webpage with sample android Activity. Start spawning your code from there. That's how I did it. Then lear something about deriving from View class... and so on...
Hey guys, thank you for all the advise. I will go through what each one of you has said and do things systematically.....I am basically starting from zero......so, lets see how far I go....and I will inform you guys about my progress and seek guidance from you.
Thanks again.
developer.android.com
Best site there is to start it has a training part and other examples. I'd personally work my way up from there if I was starting now.
radical_thinking said:
Best site there is to start it has a training part and other examples. I'd personally work my way up from there if I was starting now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't like the site when I started. In my opinion it is too difficult for beginners.
Better now
nikwen said:
I didn't like the site when I started. In my opinion it is too difficult for beginners.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea it wasn't always good but now they have a good training part + they provide sample code that you can run and fiddle with
It has a couple good step by step stuff, but its mostly "add this code" and has snippets that don't often make sense till you have a decent understanding of the rest of the code.
I'm totally new to programming & i wanna know what software do i need to create my 1st app .Also,i would like to know what would you suggest as a good start.
riffraffboss said:
I'm totally new to programming & i wanna know what software do i need to create my 1st app .Also,i would like to know what would you suggest as a good start.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe you start with reading some android book. They have some simple examples that you can play with.
riffraffboss said:
I'm totally new to programming & i wanna know what software do i need to create my 1st app .Also,i would like to know what would you suggest as a good start.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I highly recommend you to read a book called Head First Java. Once all your concepts are clear, then start reading Head First Android to know the basics about Android app development. Good luck
You should start with googling Hello world application for android. Next you need Eclipse with ADT plug-in (mostly used IMO) plus Android SDK as dev tools.
abcdjdj said:
I highly recommend you to read a book called Head First Java. Once all your concepts are clear, then start reading Head First Android to know the basics about Android app development. Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the book I also recommend to everyone who hasn't got very much expirience with programming. It is easy to understand and fun to read. So get that book and learn Java first. However, you can skip the parts about designing the user interface (UI) as that is completely different for Android.
Afterwards get a book about Android programming. You need a good understanding of Java for that though.
Software which you will need is Eclipse and the Android SDK.
Basics
You need to learn the concepts of Java, (reading the books as suggested) and try experimenting and changing what you've learn through Eclipse
Gutsycat said:
You should start with googling Hello world application for android. Next you need Eclipse with ADT plug-in (mostly used IMO) plus Android SDK as dev tools.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have personally read Head First Java and agree its a good place for you to start. I had been learning for about a year on and off when I finally picked up the book. It was like a light switch turned on and finally started wrapping my ahead around the things I had been failing to comprehend.
I want to point out to those some things to those that think they are just going to jump in and start developing world class apps. First thats not going to happen. Learning Java and other parts of Android are like learning whole new languages in their own. You have to learn to walk before you can run. But for those that really want to do it, don't give up and you will eventually get there. :cyclops:
You can also find many beginner's java tutorials(they may not be as good as the books). But once you have the concept you should be on your way to app development.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app
riffraffboss said:
I'm totally new to programming & i wanna know what software do i need to create my 1st app .Also,i would like to know what would you suggest as a good start.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the best and complete way is studing the java tutorials provided by oracle and the android tutorials by google.
You can start with the basics of object programming and the fundamentals of java and android.
After, use the advanced tutorials for specific concepts.
pizandroid said:
I think the best and complete way is studing the java tutorials provided by oracle and the android tutorials by google.
You can start with the basics of object programming and the fundamentals of java and android.
After, use the advanced tutorials for specific concepts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my opinion there are better tutorials than Google's ones for beginners. Too complicated for newbies in my view.
download adt and create helloword app
download adt and create helloword app
riffraffboss said:
I'm totally new to programming & i wanna know what software do i need to create my 1st app .Also,i would like to know what would you suggest as a good start.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi !
I answered your question here. Of course you need to know Java before you start with Android programming.
Hey all,
I'm quite new to the Android development, but I have about a half a year of Java experience. I've been reading "Java Programming for Android Developers For Dummies" by Barry Burd, but I'm completely lost.
I need to make an Android app for school, so I just want to make a simple Tetris clone. Any help that anyone has would be very much appreciated!
First application
I would start with some easy application and after try to create something like tetris. For game you will need some framework not just Java and Android.
Yeah, something like http://libgdx.badlogicgames.com
dewsy96 said:
Hey all,
I'm quite new to the Android development, but I have about a half a year of Java experience. I've been reading "Java Programming for Android Developers For Dummies" by Barry Burd, but I'm completely lost.
I need to make an Android app for school, so I just want to make a simple Tetris clone. Any help that anyone has would be very much appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For learning android i suggest u take a look at the new boston tutorial series. For games, Beginning android 4 games is a very good read. It explains game development fundamentals in detail.
Super Wilmer
I'd suggest using libGDX as well, I'm starting to port our game Super Wilmer to it, the reason you want to go with a framework like this is so that you can port to other platforms, like iOS for example. They have a lot of good support material and getting started tutorials.
Here is the documentation to get you started...
http://libgdx.badlogicgames.com/documentation.html