Lessons Learnt on My Second Android App - Android Software Development

Hey. I want to share some knowledge I've learned lately. I recently finished my second Android app and made note of interesting things I learned along the way. Hopefully you fellow devs will find it useful and save some time and effort.
Lessons Learnt on My Second Android App
Actually, if you like above I've also got two other posts about stuff I learned writing my first Android app. I'm new to XDA so I haven't shared any of that stuff here before.
Releasing an App for Android - Part 1
Releasing an App for Android - Part 2
Hope you enjoy and/or find this helpful

japgolly said:
Hey. I want to share some knowledge I've learned lately. I recently finished my second Android app and made note of interesting things I learned along the way. Hopefully you fellow devs will find it useful and save some time and effort.
Lessons Learnt on My Second Android App
Actually, if you like above I've also got two other posts about stuff I learned writing my first Android app. I'm new to XDA so I haven't shared any of that stuff here before.
Releasing an App for Android - Part 1
Releasing an App for Android - Part 2
Hope you enjoy and/or find this helpful
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting read, thanks. Always good to see what new developers go through - screen density and memory would be at the top of the list for many people I think.
One idea for further reading is to research Android's non-compacting garbage collector - it's a surprise to pretty much every Java developer I think - and in some cases can influence the way you design your code.

Related

Hello, 12 Months In And Still No App Developed

I just wanted to say hello to the forum since I have only been lurking.
I actually started learning about Android over a year ago. I have a new development cpu and A855 phone. Just haven't got very far with doing anything.
I went to update my SDK to 2.2 today. Yah
I have found that every time I come up with a app idea someone beats me to it.
So Ive decided to put the hammer down this summer and just do something even if its just a bunch of hello's.
Any ideas of some practice apps or good reading to start with?
Hope to be around more
Thanks
BTW its kind of hard to post here because a search comes up with so much info. You sort of have to invent something.
do you already know java? if you do check out www.anddev.org real good site for android programming tutorials.

Making apps!

I'm new to developing apps and I want to make apps to submit to the market. What do I need to do start making .... ie - tools and codes, etc.. I want to make a clock app and maybe some other crazy ideas I got. Also once I make it how do I submit to the android market to maybe make money? Also do free apps have to have ads in them?
Sent from my HTC Liberty using XDA App
If you have to ask this question you should probably think twice about writing apps.
DPLOY said:
If you have to ask this question you should probably think twice about writing apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh so if you're worthy of writing apps it will just pop in your head one day? I fail to see how this response is helpful or how it makes one feel welcome in the XDA forums.
As far as the OPs question, I would not know how to respond as I have never attempted to write an app but I am sure if you do some searching you will find help in these forums. I can assure you that not all members are quick to insult and unwilling to help.
first, read this.
second, go here.
those should give you a good place to start.
hope it goes well for you!
In order to start writing applications for Android, you will want to learn Java...that said, you can start tinkering before you have to learn too much.
Installing the Android SDK - Software Development Kit
Hello World for Android.
Once you've covered those bases, you might google "android development tutorials"...

Developers Stories

Hello All,
This post is mainly for developers and is meant to just be kind of a "brain tickler". I think it would be kind of interesting if any ROM, app or mod developers (or android devs in any capacity) to try and provide us the community with a quick and dirty (or longer if you have massive amounts of time, which I'm guessing you don't ) explanation of how you got into Android Development. If you have some coding background already, or if you were already fluent in most linux config files and such, or what I think would be somewhat interesting is someone with none of the above who just runs ubuntu in a vmware for the sole purpose of programming android, and they've never touched code before.
So Devs, tell us your stories. I feel it might help to "humanize" what developers are and help some people who may be afraid to give it a try building their own stuff if we see the wide range of Devs.
+1
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
+1
10charac
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Well let me be the first.
I started rooting phones with my evo. I didn't do know developing untill done time has passed with my epic. You cam say I was a noob when I joined xda. I didn't join xda untill after I got my epic. I had no experience with linux. I'm basically learning as I go along. I have a background in web design. Mostly html and xml and a little bit of java script but all on web design.
I started developing on the epic cause I seen to themes I liked and mixed them together to make one. Androdena and baked snack. This started my quest to make the perfect theme in my eyes. I seen things both themes left things un touched and didn't complete the look. So I started digging in deeper. It was at this time I started getting help from others but for the most part I'm 80% self taught in the short time I've been doing it. Now I'm teaching the people that taught me the last 20%.
As my theme progressed different mods started coming out and I wanted to add them to my theme. That's when I started learning how to edit .jars and writing/editing smali code.
I'm now at the point I'm working on my own mods and porting others. I've been working with k0nan with the SRF rom and reading as much info as I can as I wanna start making my own kernels and roms.
I did all this and I've only been a member if xda for a little over 7months.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
MysteryEmotionz said:
Well let me be the first.
I started rooting phones with my evo. I didn't do know developing untill done time has passed with my epic. You cam say I was a noob when I joined xda. I didn't join xda untill after I got my epic. I had no experience with linux. I'm basically learning as I go along. I have a background in web design. Mostly html and xml and a little bit of java script but all on web design.
I started developing on the epic cause I seen to themes I liked and mixed them together to make one. Androdena and baked snack. This started my quest to make the perfect theme in my eyes. I seen things both themes left things un touched and didn't complete the look. So I started digging in deeper. It was at this time I started getting help from others but for the most part I'm 80% self taught in the short time I've been doing it. Now I'm teaching the people that taught me the last 20%.
As my theme progressed different mods started coming out and I wanted to add them to my theme. That's when I started learning how to edit .jars and writing/editing smali code.
I'm now at the point I'm working on my own mods and porting others. I've been working with k0nan with the SRF rom and reading as much info as I can as I wanna start making my own kernels and roms.
I did all this and I've only been a member if xda for a little over 7months.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats pretty bad ass man. Inspirational for sure.
daddymikey1975 said:
thats pretty bad ass man. Inspirational for sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you.
My story shows you how far you can go in a short period of time if you put forth the effort to learn.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
daddymikey1975 said:
thats pretty bad ass man. Inspirational for sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
MysteryEmotionz said:
Thank you.
My story shows you how far you can go in a short period of time if you put forth the effort to learn.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't forget about all the progress you have made with Swype
Great story Mystery.... Thanks for all you do...
ptfdmedic said:
Don't forget about all the progress you have made with Swype
Great story Mystery.... Thanks for all you do...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Aww my good ol friend swype....lol. It still gets the best of me sometimes but not as often.
Thank you
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk
All I wanted a Just in Time compiler in Dalvik VM for Samsung Moment.. We have stable 2.2 JIT on the 2.1 system.
Once I get a new computer I would like to help contribute to the community and may need some assistance.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Alright I'll share my story. I started developing a few years ago on WM6.5.xxx. I did that for a little while and then moved to BlackBerry. I made the switch to Android last summer. I settled on the Epic and began tinkering. I started out by reverse engineering ROM zips. I started adding to or taking away from and it just kinda grew form there.
I started customizing my ROM's before flashing them and got pretty comfortable doing that. Eventually I worked up the nerve to start sharing the customized ROM's. Over time I was able to do more and more on my own. Making simple scripts or modifying more complex ones and putting ROMs together on my own. My midNIGHT ROM got it's name from the time of day it was I usually worked on it. My life is pretty complicated so the only time I really got to work on this stuff was around midnight. The name just kinda stuck.
I got some good feedback. One day it occurred to me that I could use an Android ROM to help spread Autism Awareness. Most of you know my story if you don't and are interested you can read my blog. People seem to really like the ROM and as more people used it the more I was able to help spread awareness. I have all of you to thank for that. Now I see Autism Awareness ribbons around the forum. I hope to continue to learn from the AMAZING developers here and maybe even some new ones. I want to say thanks to all of you for your support and thanks to all the developers for helping me learn by freely sharing their knowledge.
I would really like to learn how to tear into a kernel, or mess w/ the bluetooth stack hahaha
Have no idea where to start, so i keep poking around
Maybe some day i'll be able to develop roms too
Although i have no clue about programming this stories make me want to take a class
I do see that making a rom is a crazy amount of work but i wanna say some day i gave back to the xda community
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
Well I just wanted to add that after being a member on this forum you guys inspired me to go back to college to be a software engineer. So I start my journey tomorrow as it's my first day. Thank you to all the great developers and Themers who inspired me to do this. I look forward to maybe one day developing on android.
Sent From My Evo Killer!

Need help with developing, eager beginner

I am a total beginner, don't know coding or anything. I would love to learn how to write code and any other android related development. I own an HTC thunderbolt and an HTC Droid Eris. I could use either phone for developing, just to learn. I have ambitions to make awesome thunderbolt roms, but I don't know how...
Please do not ignore this if you can help, I would love to become a part of this community and learn something new. If anyone could kindly please point me in the right direction, I would greatly appreciate it.
Sent from my ThunderBolt using Tapatalk
It's a must that you have to learn java first
http://download.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/
Then read everything here;
http://developer.android.com/guide/publishing/licensing.html
Work thru all the links on the left side of the screen.
________________________________
http://ron-droid.blogspot.com
rigman said:
It's a must that you have to learn java first
http://download.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/
Then read everything here;
http://developer.android.com/guide/publishing/licensing.html
Work thru all the links on the left side of the screen.
________________________________
http://ron-droid.blogspot.com
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate this! Sorry for the late reply, i kinda forgot i posted this , i wouldnt need any C or C++ backgrounds before java? I knew c++ once, but that was a long time ago
icanhazdroid said:
I appreciate this! Sorry for the late reply, i kinda forgot i posted this , i wouldnt need any C or C++ backgrounds before java? I knew c++ once, but that was a long time ago
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, there's no need to learn C or C++ before Java.
icanhazdroid said:
I appreciate this! Sorry for the late reply, i kinda forgot i posted this , i wouldnt need any C or C++ backgrounds before java? I knew c++ once, but that was a long time ago
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need any C or C++. You can use either, though, if you use the Android NDK, which lets you use either Java, C, or C++. However, it's complicated and you probably shouldn't use it unless you know what you're doing.
You said you wanted to write roms. If it's true you will need c too for the kernel development. If you only want to write apps for Android java is enough.
I might learn C later on down the road, but Java sounds like all i need for now as far as kernels go, whenever i get around to being good enough to writing roms Ill probably just use kernels from other devs (with permission of course).
Guys tell me learning to code and finally developing mods and apps(no roms) generally take how much time?
If u want to know my technological skill level i ld say i am not from computer engg background but I am in India's best technology institute which is also 3rd best in d world after mit and berkley.please help
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
abhiwltya said:
Guys tell me learning to code and finally developing mods and apps(no roms) generally take how much time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It clearly depends on the app complexity.
I started from scratch (I'm basically a C developer, I didn't know anything about Java) and published my first game in 5 months, working nights and weekends.
The second one, will be hopefully published next september, so after 4 months of dev (nights and we).
Zappescu said:
It clearly depends on the app complexity.
I started from scratch (I'm basically a C developer, I didn't know anything about Java) and published my first game in 5 months, working nights and weekends.
The second one, will be hopefully published next september, so after 4 months of dev (nights and we).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too am trying to learn how to makes apps and games for android, been a goal of mine for ages.
How did you learn? what did you use/read? any help/advice/guides/tutorials would be very welcome! I am very determined!
FK1983 said:
I too am trying to learn how to makes apps and games for android, been a goal of mine for ages.
How did you learn? what did you use/read? any help/advice/guides/tutorials would be very welcome! I am very determined!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've also started as good as from scratch (i've got a VHDL background with little C/C++ experience during my study).
I've started with the book Beginning Android. I didn't read it from A to Z but just started to fool around with the examples given in the book.
Besides that i've searched a lot on the internet for examples to try to understand how they work.
A website which I still use a lot to find my answers is Stackoverflow were you can see my the questions which i've asked.
First search on the internet. There is really a lot information out there. If you really can't find the answer, just ask. There are a lot of people willing to help you with your questions.
After about half a year fooling around with examples, in weekends and evenings after my daytime job, I've released my first App on the market. I'm currently working on my second app.
Tricky-Design said:
I've also started as good as from scratch (i've got a VHDL background with little C/C++ experience during my study).
I've started with the book Beginning Android. I didn't read it from A to Z but just started to fool around with the examples given in the book.
Besides that i've searched a lot on the internet for examples to try to understand how they work.
A website which I still use a lot to find my answers is Stackoverflow were you can see my the questions which i've asked.
First search on the internet. There is really a lot information out there. If you really can't find the answer, just ask. There are a lot of people willing to help you with your questions.
After about half a year fooling around with examples, in weekends and evenings after my daytime job, I've released my first App on the market. I'm currently working on my second app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for all the advice! been having a look and will make a start shortly!
If anyone else has advice to add it would be welcome as I have a feeling I will need all the help I can get!
Learn basic Java first. It's easy to play with Android developing when you have some knowledge in Java.
Android have Java and XML, so if you know Java all you need to learn is the XML which is easier because there's no logic in it.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
You could also start by theming ROM's. That's where I have started and it's a lot of fun. I've put together a comprehensive "how to" page to get anyone started.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1140034
Just an update, I just started learning Java today because I've been busy with other things, and I'm actually liking it so far After that I'll probably do C++ again, I forgot all of it, but knew it once upon a time...
As far as theming goes, I wouldn't mind doing that because it's generally fun, but I would rather spend my time learning how to develop first

[Q] Is the Android studio a good place to start for new developers?

Hey everyone.
I'm a new developer, and I'll start with the mandatory apologetic prelude to my question, which is, I hope I'm in the right forum. Also, I've searched through the forums for an answer to my query, admittedly not too much, but the information seemed to be scarce.
Anyway, I'm a new aspiring Android developer, and I'm making my baby steps into coding for my favorite mobile OS.
Since I'm just starting right after the latest I/O, my attention is leaning toward the welcoming Android studio. The problems that arise are:
A. No tutorials for this new environment.
B. It's surly buggy.
So my question really, is the Android studio the right place to start in? Or am I better off starting with the ADT Bundle, which includes (I assume) all the stuff I need to get started with.
Thanks a bunch!
p.s
I'm sorry for any typos etc, English is not my main language. :cyclops:
You should not
This is a 0.1 release and you'll loose more time trying to find why things don't work than learning android.
Depending on what you want to do with Android (little apps for you or bigger project later) I'd recommend either to go with eclipse since it will still be maintained and you'll have most tutorial on it.
If you want to think about future I'd go with real IntelliJ to learn using it and be ready for future Android studio and all the gradle things that will come.
Tolriq said:
You should not
This is a 0.1 release and you'll loose more time trying to find why things don't work than learning android.
Depending on what you want to do with Android (little apps for you or bigger project later) I'd recommend either to go with eclipse since it will still be maintained and you'll have most tutorial on it.
If you want to think about future I'd go with real IntelliJ to learn using it and be ready for future Android studio and all the gradle things that will come.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. :good:
Tolriq said:
You should not
This is a 0.1 release and you'll loose more time trying to find why things don't work than learning android.
Depending on what you want to do with Android (little apps for you or bigger project later) I'd recommend either to go with eclipse since it will still be maintained and you'll have most tutorial on it.
If you want to think about future I'd go with real IntelliJ to learn using it and be ready for future Android studio and all the gradle things that will come.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply.
IntelliJ it is.
Is there a specific course you might recommend?
Thanks again.
shermenz said:
Thanks for the reply.
IntelliJ it is.
Is there a specific course you might recommend?
Thanks again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go with eclipse, even IntelliJ is same as Android Studio... Rest is upto you.
Happy programming, Good luck!!
shermenz said:
Hey everyone.
I'm a new developer, and I'll start with the mandatory apologetic prelude to my question, which is, I hope I'm in the right forum. Also, I've searched through the forums for an answer to my query, admittedly not too much, but the information seemed to be scarce.
Anyway, I'm a new aspiring Android developer, and I'm making my baby steps into coding for my favorite mobile OS.
Since I'm just starting right after the latest I/O, my attention is leaning toward the welcoming Android studio. The problems that arise are:
A. No tutorials for this new environment.
B. It's surly buggy.
So my question really, is the Android studio the right place to start in? Or am I better off starting with the ADT Bundle, which includes (I assume) all the stuff I need to get started with.
Thanks a bunch!
p.s
I'm sorry for any typos etc, English is not my main language. :cyclops:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think u must try develop on eclipse first.. because alot of tutorial android with eclipse IDE
I suppose i agree with the other people somewhat, but i've just started following tutorials and using android studio. I haven't really ran into any major issues, and i think going through and trying to find something myself really helps me learn. I guess it depends on how adventurous and patient you are. I haven't really found any bugs, but you could wait till an update that fixes major bugs if you want. Oh and it looks nicer, and is a bit more handy than eclipse. good luck
atishpatel2012 said:
I suppose i agree with the other people somewhat, but i've just started following tutorials and using android studio. I haven't really ran into any major issues, and i think going through and trying to find something myself really helps me learn. I guess it depends on how adventurous and patient you are. I haven't really found any bugs, but you could wait till an update that fixes major bugs if you want. Oh and it looks nicer, and is a bit more handy than eclipse. good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I find it better for coding. However, I have already experienced some bugs. But they are just related to the layout preview thing. So nothing serious.
I still think that for new developers it is better to start with Eclipse due to the amount of tutorials for it, but I agree that it is a great learning experience. :good:
Hope I'm Not Too Late!
I Hope I'm not too late, I learned Java first. What I'd suggest you to do is go to Google, look up "Learn Java MyBringBack." Click on the first Youtube Video. The videos are made by Sir Travis Cornelius. I love that guy, he's awesome! He teaches Java to beginners in a way everybody will love.
After getting past the 5th or 6th tutorial. If you can, then buy a "Beginning Java for Dummies" book. There are a lot of things about Java which can't be explained in a video.
Please Do Check it Out
P. S: I'm not trying to gain views for that video, I'm just telling you this because of personal experience!

Categories

Resources