Database Users

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

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?

Learn or do it the easy way??

Ok guys, im currently learning Java and I'm still learning the basics. I'll say I know about 80% of the basics things in Java. I am really desperate to create my own app and then I stumbled upon the 'MIT App Inventor' (MIT AI). Its basically a simiplified way on creating a android app. Just drag and drop things etc. I reckon I can build my app using the MIT AI since a guy controlled his robot using the MIT AI so I see no reason why I wont be able to build my app using the MIT AI.
But if I use the MIT AI, I feel as if I'm going to to the cowards way. Like I'm not going to build my app using Java but just by dragging and dropping things into place. So what do you guys think?
I'll still be learning Java but as of right now, I leaning towards using MIT AI for now but i'll probably have a guilty feeling about it

Yeah, I recommend learning Java. You cannot do everything with the App Inventor. Basic things can be done with the App Inventor, but very complex things cannot.

nikwen said:
Yeah, I recommend learning Java. You cannot do everything with the App Inventor. Basic things can be done with the App Inventor, but very complex things cannot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess for the time being I'll use MIT AI since the app I want to create is not that advanced. But there is a feature that I would like to put in my app later on when I learn Java since that feature is WAY TO COMPLICATED for me to put into my app for now...
How long did it take you to learn Java?
EDIT = Damn, just realized that I won't be able to implement the feature to my app later on since I wont be getting the source code for my app...

TwilightLoz said:
I guess for the time being I'll use MIT AI since the app I want to create is not that advanced. But there is a feature that I would like to put in my app later on when I learn Java since that feature is WAY TO COMPLICATED for me to put into my app for now...
How long did it take you to learn Java?
EDIT = Damn, just realized that I won't be able to implement the feature to my app later on since I wont be getting the source code for my app...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You've pretty much answered your own question Through my few years in programming, I've come to realize this: the easiest solution is not always the best.
The drag-and-drop programming environments look good on the surface, however as soon as you start implementing and experimenting with complex ideas, they becoming limiting. These type of environments are ideal for those just beginning and with little desire to advance their skills. You, on the other hand, already seem to know a bit about Java and have expressed a desire to learn more - a simple environment will just limit you.
My recommendation? Stick with Java. Start out with a small project like a calculator, and follow some tutorials. After you've grasped the basics, try jumping into a complex project, where you're forced to learn. I can vouch for this, because it's exactly what I did. I started with a few simple Android app and then worked on a bigger project. I googled, used StackOverflow and followed tutorials and learned a lot along the way.
Hope this helped, please feel free to ask anything else!

Yeah, im just self teaching myself Java. I know a basic C++. I dont really want to study computer science in college/university since the fee of the course is so overpriced for the course and to be honest, I see no point in studying it since you can learn off from the internet. Thats just my opinion. I dont really have a problem with people going to university to learn CS but I personally wouldn't.
I'm really just self teaching myself computer science. I know decent knowledge about hardwares in computers. I built my own computer back in '09 and still is running like a pro
The thing that is putting me off from learning any type of computer language is the time it takes to learn... I guess I just gotta be patient and keep learning.
So have you published any apps on the play store?

TwilightLoz said:
Yeah, im just self teaching myself Java. I know a basic C++. I dont really want to study computer science in college/university since the fee of the course is so overpriced for the course and to be honest, I see no point in studying it since you can learn off from the internet. Thats just my opinion. I dont really have a problem with people going to university to learn CS but I personally wouldn't.
I'm really just self teaching myself computer science. I know decent knowledge about hardwares in computers. I built my own computer back in '09 and still is running like a pro
The thing that is putting me off from learning any type of computer language is the time it takes to learn... I guess I just gotta be patient and keep learning.
So have you published any apps on the play store?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I have got no apps out there, but I want to release one soon.
I learned Java by reading (without testing) the book Head First Java. However, I had some Delphi and Python programming knowledge.
This book is really great. And it is fun to read it.

Learn, that's what it is all about , and it's going to be great fun too
Sent from my HTC Explorer A310e using Tapatalk 2

yep, im just currently following the bucky tutorials (thenewboston.org) right now. Ive actually got that book and read a few chapters. Its a good book but I didn't understand some parts of it. Thats why im going through all the bucky Java tutorials and then going to read the book so I have a full understanding of Java.

TwilightLoz said:
yep, im just currently following the bucky tutorials (thenewboston.org) right now. Ive actually got that book and read a few chapters. Its a good book but I didn't understand some parts of it. Thats why im going through all the bucky Java tutorials and then going to read the book so I have a full understanding of Java.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like a good plan.
Happy coding!

hey there. Im currently having difficulty learning about event handlers. I know what they do but im just confused on how to use them.
This is the framework of a typical '.addItemListener(){}' method:
.addItemListener(
new ItemListener(){
public void itemStateChanged(ItemEvent event){
}
}
);
I dont know what those keywords mean or when to use them. Could someone shine some light on this?

TwilightLoz said:
hey there. Im currently having difficulty learning about event handlers. I know what they do but im just confused on how to use them.
This is the framework of a typical '.addItemListener(){}' method:
.addItemListener(
new ItemListener(){
public void itemStateChanged(ItemEvent event){
}
}
);
I dont know what those keywords mean or when to use them. Could someone shine some light on this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you programm for computers, you need ItemListeners to get informed when the selected item of a JComboBox changed.
That means that the itemStateChanged method is invoked when the user selects an item.
However, you do not need them when you learn Java for Android. You do not need Swing and AWT at all!
Skip everything related to the UI as it is different for Android.

Ive been spending most of my time recently learning about GUI in Java... I feel wasted.
Thanks for the help though. Much appreciated.
I'll probably still finish the bucky vids and then move onto the head first Java book. Does that book contain everything I need to know in order to build a successful app?
I also came across this website. Seems much better and more easier to understand than the book I have:
http://mobile.tutsplus.com/series/learn-java-android-development/
Your thoughts?

TwilightLoz said:
Ive been spending most of my time recently learning about GUI in Java... I feel wasted.
Thanks for the help though. Much appreciated.
I'll probably still finish the bucky vids and then move onto the head first Java book. Does that book contain everything I need to know in order to build a successful app?
I also came across this website. Seems much better and more easier to understand than the book I have:
http://mobile.tutsplus.com/series/learn-java-android-development/
Your thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The head first book explains Java. It explains object-oriented programming very well and tells you everything you will need to get started with Android programming.
As soon as you have got Java knowledge, you can start with Android programming. You need Java for Android programming, that is what the book (and your link) explains, but it does not explain Android programming. I recommend this site for Android Tutorials: http://www.vogella.com/android.html It is great.
In a short form: Java knowledge are the basics, Android related things require Java knowledge and are related to the special conditions on the device. Therefore they have another API for the UI, background services and other things.
Btw, I needed to learn the Java UI things later when I wrote a desktop application. You did not waste your time. Your knowledge will be helpful later.

nikwen said:
The head first book explains Java. It explains object-oriented programming very well and tells you everything you will need to get started with Android programming.
As soon as you have got Java knowledge, you can start with Android programming. You need Java for Android programming, that is what the book (and your link) explains, but it does not explain Android programming. I recommend this site for Android Tutorials: http://www.vogella.com/android.html It is great.
In a short form: Java knowledge are the basics, Android related things require Java knowledge and are related to the special conditions on the device. Therefore they have another API for the UI, background services and other things.
Btw, I needed to learn the Java UI things later when I wrote a desktop application. You did not waste your time. Your knowledge will be helpful later.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh okay. Thanks. So yeah, i'll probably finish with the bucky vids, then go the link I posted to reinforce my Java skills then go to the head first book. Then I'll probably go to the link you sent me although the link you sent me seems a bit too 'intimidating'... so I'm thinking of referring to this:
http://developer.android.com/training/index.html
for Android programming.

TwilightLoz said:
Ahh okay. Thanks. So yeah, i'll probably finish with the bucky vids, then go the link I posted to reinforce my Java skills then go to the head first book. Then I'll probably go to the link you sent me although the link you sent me seems a bit too 'intimidating'... so I'm thinking of referring to this:
http://developer.android.com/training/index.html
for Android programming.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, the vogella tutorials might not be the right tutorials for you.
However, I do not like the official training sites. They are too difficult for beginners in my opinion. I would not start with these.
Some like the new boston videos: http://thenewboston.org/list.php?cat=6
(They are many. I do not want to intimidate you, but I thought that I should mention them as you like video tutorials. Don't worry, you will not need to watch even the half of them. I would recommend to watch the first ones and then watch the other ones if you need their content. SQL or WebView operations are unimportant for a beginner. )

nikwen said:
Ok, the vogella tutorials might not be the right tutorials for you.
However, I do not like the official training sites. They are too difficult for beginners in my opinion. I would not start with these.
Some like the new boston videos: http://thenewboston.org/list.php?cat=6
(They are many. I do not want to intimidate you, but I thought that I should mention them as you like video tutorials. Don't worry, you will not need to watch even the half of them. I would recommend to watch the first ones and then watch the other ones if you need their content. SQL or WebView operations are unimportant for a beginner. )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I gotta admit, when I looked at the android sections I felt as if I wont even have the chance to build an android app since theres over 200 vids and theres too much to learn but then you said I wouldnt even have to watch nearly more than half of them so that lifted up my spirit
But im just wondering, how long does it actually take for a person to learn 'enough' Java to start making a android app?

TwilightLoz said:
Yeah, I gotta admit, when I looked at the android sections I felt as if I wont even have the chance to build an android app since theres over 200 vids and theres too much to learn but then you said I wouldnt even have to watch nearly more than half of them so that lifted up my spirit
But im just wondering, how long does it actually take for a person to learn 'enough' Java to start making a android app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That really depends on his experience. I had some experience and I read the head first book and started. Of course, I learned afterwards, too. And of course, I am still learning. You do not need the UI things and stuff like this. You should understand Collections, inner classes and interfaces, though.
In case of doubt, start with the Android part and if you do not know something related to Java, search what it is. Learning by doing.
However, I cannot understand the order of some of the videos. I think that ToggleButtons (23) are not as important as RelativeLayouts (44).

Just finished watching the beginner section of Java from his vids. Probably going to watch the 'intermediate' vids tomorrow or probably forget about watching the vids and just read the book...

TwilightLoz said:
Just finished watching the beginner section of Java from his vids. Probably going to watch the 'intermediate' vids tomorrow or probably forget about watching the vids and just read the book...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I must say, stick it out the hard way. Automated-app builders will not teach you anything.
I say this because I myself have been developing Android apps for ~2 years. I had NO prior experience or knowledge in how any programming language was used or written. Now, through determination, I have 3 (still learning, so still basic) apps on the market.
I have self-taught myself Android(java) with the help of a few YouTube videos. I also learned some SQLite which will be used for all android databases, XML, and HTML. All which I have implemented into my apps.
So what I guess I'm trying to say is, if I can learn all of this in ~2 years by myself (albeit you'll run into many educational mistakes) then nothing is impossible. I didn't even make it through high school shamefully.
Regardless, knowledge is power. An auto-app will not do any justice IMO. Android is not the best starting point, but if you already understand programming logic, you should be alright.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

Learn my friend! That's what XDA is about.
I'd say definetly get familiar with the general activity lifecycle, learn some basic things like intents and such, then think about something simple you want to try, and find out how other people are doing it. (Look for guides, or study open source apps etc.)
i've been teaching myself over most of the last year and am super impressed by what I;ve managed to figure out how to do. I still got years to go before I'd call myself a "good" developer, but just keep pluggin away.
It all depends on how you like to learn too. I read tons, and tried watchign videos, but I do much better by just jumping in and fixing errors as I go. then before you know it, you'll be able to do a lot of things. For me I found it became a lot easier when I started breaking stuff up into single parts. like If I want some app with a listview that goes to a webview, I'd make a simple Main Activiy with a list view, then make a new project with just the webview, then worry about linking a couple things together.
Every body learns different though.
Good luck!
(plus I think MIT, even though it's a neat idea, just helps to clog the playstore with junky apps.)

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

Best Way To Learn Java?

So I'm just beginning to try getting into development and saw from several users on here that the first step would be to learn Java, so my obvious question is what's the best way to do that? I have little programming experience. I believe I correctly installed JDK and also have Eclipse and AndroidSDK. A brief but clear explanation pointing me in the right direction would be appreciated. Thank you for anyone who can help.

Imnice777 said:
So I'm just beginning to try getting into development and saw from several users on here that the first step would be to learn Java, so my obvious question is what's the best way to do that? I have little programming experience. I believe I correctly installed JDK and also have Eclipse and AndroidSDK. A brief but clear explanation pointing me in the right direction would be appreciated. Thank you for anyone who can help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The first thing you should do is ignore the AndroidSDK for a while !
It's not worth touching a phone before you can at the very least write a few simple Java programs.
Start with a single class that prints some stuff out to the screen and go from there.
Once you are comfortable with the syntax, I'd say you'd need to be able to write a standalone Java program that has, say, 10 classes in it as a first step.

PicomatStudios said:
The first thing you should do is ignore the AndroidSDK for a while !
It's not worth touching a phone before you can at the very least write a few simple Java programs.
Start with a single class that prints some stuff out to the screen and go from there.
Once you are comfortable with the syntax, I'd say you'd need to be able to write a standalone Java program that has, say, 10 classes in it as a first step.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the advice! I'd definitely agree that I should be able to read and write at least basic code before putting anything to use, however where should I learn how to write the classes? I downloaded the Headfirst Java textbook because I saw people talking about it and seemed pretty legit. Do you know anything about it or how to go about using it? I can't seem to open the .class or .java files even though I believe I correctly installed JDK. Is there a better place to learn? Thanks for any help you give, clearly I'm new to this, however very interested.

Imnice777 said:
Thanks for the advice! I'd definitely agree that I should be able to read and write at least basic code before putting anything to use, however where should I learn how to write the classes? I downloaded the Headfirst Java textbook because I saw people talking about it and seemed pretty legit. Do you know anything about it or how to go about using it? I can't seem to open the .class or .java files even though I believe I correctly installed JDK. Is there a better place to learn? Thanks for any help you give, clearly I'm new to this, however very interested.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I liked the official tutorials much and I'm sure you would like it too.
Just focus on the concept for a while before proceeding any farther.
Good luck.
http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/java/index.html

Imnice777 said:
So I'm just beginning to try getting into development and saw from several users on here that the first step would be to learn Java, so my obvious question is what's the best way to do that? I have little programming experience. I believe I correctly installed JDK and also have Eclipse and AndroidSDK. A brief but clear explanation pointing me in the right direction would be appreciated. Thank you for anyone who can help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to learn java for android application development then i would refer you to thenewboston
They have 200 videos for Android Application Development starting from the basics.
Saurabh Shah
----------------------------------------------------------------
Hit Thanks :good:

Thanks both of you. I've been looking at the official tutorials on Oracle but some videos would definitely help too. I have a little programming experience so it's making sense to me, just trying to get all the terms right. Videos will help me out with the explanations. Thanks again!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Many people like the New Boston videos:
Java (Beginner): http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFE2CE09D83EE3E28
Java (Intermediate): http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL27BCE863B6A864E3
Android: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2F07DBCDCC01493A
I haven't watched any of their videos as I'm one who learns best reading up on that topic.
EDIT: Sorry, didn't see a-ssassi-n's post.

nikwen said:
Many people like the New Boston videos:
Java (Beginner): http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFE2CE09D83EE3E28
Java (Intermediate): http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL27BCE863B6A864E3
Android: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2F07DBCDCC01493A
I haven't watched any of their videos as I'm one who learns best reading up on that topic.
EDIT: Sorry, didn't see a-ssassi-n's post.
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It's all good, if anything this just confirms that they're good videos lol...if you have any suggestions that have yet to be mentioned, feel free to add them. Thanks.

Imnice777 said:
It's all good, if anything this just confirms that they're good videos lol...if you have any suggestions that have yet to be mentioned, feel free to add them. Thanks.
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Yeah, if you want a book, I can recommend the Head First Java book. That's how I learned it.
You can also have a look at the Vogella tutorials, especially for Android specific things.
One tip: If you learn Java just to be able to develop for Android, skip the UI parts. They are completely different on Android.

nikwen said:
Yeah, if you want a book, I can recommend the Head First Java book. That's how I learned it.
You can also have a look at the Vogella tutorials, especially for Android specific things.
One tip: If you learn Java just to be able to develop for Android, skip the UI parts. They are completely different on Android.
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Sounds good, I have already downloaded the Head First Java book, however I haven't been able to utilize it as of yet. Am I supposed to compile the lessons first? Run them with Eclipse?

Imnice777 said:
Sounds good, I have already downloaded the Head First Java book, however I haven't been able to utilize it as of yet. Am I supposed to compile the lessons first? Run them with Eclipse?
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In my opinion that depends on how much knowledge of other programming languages you have.
If you already know how to use for/while/do-while-loops and if/switch-conditions, you might want to skip those examples. Do it just if you're sure you don't need them.
I didn't run any of the codes. (Wanted to start with Android as soon as possible. :laugh I learn very well just by reading on programming languages because they are basically all the same. So it's not difficult to learn another language if you already know another one.
However, I ran the examples in the books I used to learn my very first languages (Delphi and Python). I just skipped them for Java.
Decide whether it will be helpful for you. If you're in doubt, run them.

The textbook for JAVA in our college is 'Starting out with JAVA' by Tony Gaddis and its really very good for beginners. Just give it a try.

Just read the tutorials, create a new project and start tinkering around. If you have questions, ask them in appropriate java forums.

Tr-man said:
Just read the tutorials, create a new project and start tinkering around. If you have questions, ask them in appropriate java forums.
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... like this one.

nikwen said:
Many people like the New Boston videos:
Java (Beginner): http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFE2CE09D83EE3E28
Java (Intermediate): http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL27BCE863B6A864E3
Android: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2F07DBCDCC01493A
I haven't watched any of their videos as I'm one who learns best reading up on that topic.
EDIT: Sorry, didn't see a-ssassi-n's post.
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Click to collapse
Now there is a TheNewBoston Android app as well https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Thenewboston