Database Users

Visual basic for Android

A new development tool is now available for Android devices: Basic4android.
Basic4android syntax is similar to Visual Basic with support for objects.
Basic4android includes a GUI designer that supports multiple screens and resolutions.
I believe that this tool is much simpler to start with than Eclipse + Java.
Compiled applications are regular APK files, and the performance is similar to Java performance.
You can see more information here: basic4ppc[dot]com

Does it have a tutorial or may some one leave a brief training here?

thanks for finding something like this. I've always wanted to create my own apps and now I can and with this program it looks pretty good.

Does it have a tutorial or may some one leave a brief training here?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are several tutorials in the documentation center.
basic4ppc[dot]com/android/documentation.html
Sorry that I cannot post working links...

Erel said:
There are several tutorials in the documentation center.
basic4ppc[dot]com/android/documentation.html
Sorry that I cannot post working links...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Godsend. I've been self-learning Java this week and slowing developing my first two apps using Eclipse. I've got a good grasp of the language but I was always better with vb.
Thanks heaps

I had Basic4PPC for WM Development, then Android came along. I'm glad the author has released Basic4Android as well!
Doug

Looks very promising!! Though I would have liked to see C# instead of visual basic coding. I can't even remember it anymore. It's been so long since I have used visual basic!! Lol. Maybe it's time to study up. I have refused to use have for a number of reasons!
Sent from my Droid using magical powers.

Does anyone have now experiences with that programm? I have an application written in VB for Windows Mobile. I want to change that to Android.
Would be nice to get some information before i buy this tool.

Wow, this looks interesting. Might pick this up
Edit: wow this was an old topic..
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk

I tried it, seems to hard to get it to run any app, has a glitch

I tried it, seems to hard to get it to run any app, has a glitch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It shouldn't be difficult. If you like you can post this issue in Basic4android forums. I'm sure that it will be solvable.

I use mostly b4a, it is very simple and there is a lot of help on the forums, and people developing libraries and code classes.
I am learning on android studio now, but I have been happy developing with b4a!

[Q] Moving over to Java from Actionscript3

Hi guys,
I have successfully developed and released my game to the market. However I did this using Adobe AIR and the Starling Framework.
After many compatibility issues/limitations, I am now considering re-coding my game in Java. I have setup my IDE and SDKs according to how developer.android.com suggest.
Does anyone know of any good books or tutorials to help get me on my way quickly to getting my app up and running in Java.
I know this is a vague question, but any recommendations of tutorials or books will be very helpful.
Thanks!:laugh:
And I have heard that libgdx is a good framework to be using?

First of all you have to consider if you are going to use a 2D-3D engine or just go with full native android sdk.
What's your choice?

taomorpheus said:
First of all you have to consider if you are going to use a 2D-3D engine or just go with full native android sdk.
What's your choice?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the delay. Well, probably 2D. Maybe somebody can take a look at my current flash game and then tell me if it is possible using only the android SDK. Wouldn't want to use an engine if it's not necessary.
I'm not trying to pawn downloads off you guys here XD
Link to Google Play (yes, it's free): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=air.co.za.rainisfalling.SheepJump&hl=en

That's quite a good book for game devs : http://books.google.fr/books/about/..._Development.html?id=-IBpqY51DfwC&redir_esc=y
If you need to learn the basics of Android development, I recommend you watch thenewboston's 200 video tutorials series for beginners on youtube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j4prh3NAZE&playnext=1&list=PL33384E9848C4F55E&feature=results_main

Planning to learn coding games for android - need help

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.

Advise needed: How do I go about developing my first android app ?

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.

Can I learn by my self?

Hi, I dont know java but I know a little about Eclipse and make apps.
But I nedd know if is possible learn by my self.
And How??
Thanks

angelgavipo said:
Hi, I dont know java but I know a little about Eclipse and make apps.
But I nedd know if is possible learn by my self.
And How??
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you really need to know Java basics, and then just start learning off the getting started guides on the official site

deanwray said:
Well you really need to know Java basics, and then just start learning off the getting started guides on the official site
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks

It's possible to learn on your own, but it can be good to have others to either learn from or run your ideas by also. It's difficult to notice you're stuck in a box sometimes!
It's also a good idea to play with the SDK sample apps when you're learning not only Java but Android APIs.

angelgavipo said:
Hi, I dont know java but I know a little about Eclipse and make apps.
But I nedd know if is possible learn by my self.
And How??
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YES YOU CAN
The best place to start would be to download and import the source codes of very simple open source android apps, read them thoroughly and then start making little modifications to it to learn what code affects what part of the app's functionality, try adding new functions and features. This way you will learn and build up your confidence.

angelgavipo said:
Hi, I dont know java but I know a little about Eclipse and make apps.
But I nedd know if is possible learn by my self.
And How??
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although it would probably be easier if you were taught it in an educational envrionment (university maybe?) or, like driving lessons, you had an actual android developer sit down next to you when learning/developing I personally think the official android Design and Develop series can take you from novice to intermediate - low end of complicated development. You could use these in conjunction with xda dev or stackoverflow to get any information/code that's missing or you don't understand how to implement.
developer.android.com/design
developer.android.com/develop
developer.android.com/training (especially this one)

Thankyou very much, I will start download source code and test modifys.
Android Developer official Israel very difficult for me.
But thanks
Sent from my GT-I9500 using xda app-developers app

angelgavipo said:
Hi, I dont know java but I know a little about Eclipse and make apps.
But I nedd know if is possible learn by my self.
And How??
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can...Headfirst Java is a good book for beginners plus there are many web Tutorials on Youtube. You just need to be patient and work hard.All The best.

voilaworks said:
Yes you can...Headfirst Java is a good book for beginners plus there are many web Tutorials on Youtube. You just need to be patient and work hard.All The best.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you

You can learn the basics by reading books or doing online Tutorials Did it aswell - successfully ofc

angelgavipo said:
Hi, I dont know java but I know a little about Eclipse and make apps.
But I nedd know if is possible learn by my self.
And How??
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, the answer you are looking for is absolutely! You can learn everything you need to by yourself, granted it will take much longer than if you had someone to ask questions.
How do I know? I started programming on Android ~3 years ago, by myself. I had nobody that talked me into it, and I didn't attend any colleges. A motivational spark encouraged me. I had absolutely no programming experience, how it worked, or anything about it. Now, I have 5 apps on Google Play, and am working on my 1st game. All with the knowledge I've accumulated over the years out of pure interest. People laugh when I tell them it's my hobby, I stand serious haha.
For me, youtube (something visual) helped me get started, as you can easily follow along. After you feel you have a grasp on the basics, I started looking online further. Searching this site, and StackOverflow.com are great learning resources. Before you know it, you'll be a master! Good luck!:good:

Firstly, it might help if you describe what is your exact situation. How much experience (not job experience, but coding experience) do you have in programming? How much comfortable you are with any programming language, say C? How familiar you are with OO concepts? Are you uncomfortable just because there's something different with Java, or is it because Java is your first programming language? If you read carefully, the preface of SCJP book says that this book is not to be used to learn Java from the scratch.
Btw, unless you get all building blocks in place (e.g logic constructs - loops, basic data structures, OO concepts etc.) don't go for other stuff like threading, swing, JDBC, xml parsing etc. :good:

You can definitely learn it on your own as long as you have to drive to do so. I taught myself ( I had no computer background). I am no expert but I can get by. And I just released my first multi-player game, Word Cloud Social, on Google Play yesterday. Check it out .

auricPuneet said:
You can definitely learn it on your own as long as you have to drive to do so. I taught myself ( I had no computer background). I am no expert but I can get by. And I just released my first multi-player game, Word Cloud Social, on Google Play yesterday. Check it out .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, thanks for your words, inspired to me.
A friend teach me a little and gime me a source code of a theme pack and I know change the image and customize this, but I need learn more.
Thank youvery much

As auric stated, you have to have the motivation and determination to learn by yourself, but it is definitely possible.
Don't rush it, take your time and try to understand it. Analyze everything, and if you have questions search the web, or ask on sites like here right away.
You have to believe in yourself
Noted to self thrice via tapatalk

angelgavipo said:
Hi, I dont know java but I know a little about Eclipse and make apps.
But I nedd know if is possible learn by my self.
And How??
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes you CAN, i did it my self one year back, now i have my own app in playstore
useful links:
http://www.vogella.com/tutorials/android.html
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/tagged/android
http://docs.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/
http://omapzoom.org/
http://grepcode.com/project/repository.grepcode.com/java/ext/com.google.android/android/

angelgavipo said:
Hi, I dont know java but I know a little about Eclipse and make apps.
But I nedd know if is possible learn by my self.
And How??
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course you can, read a lot of tutorials or watch a lot of video tutorials depending on what you prefer and how you learn best, but most importantly: practice.
I think the best way is to find a simple idea you like for an app, and learn just what you need to create this app along the way, start off with a basic "how to setup an android app project" tutorial and work your up from there.
The android framework is quite wide, you can't learn all at once, I think this method allows you to stay on a defined path and actually achieve something.
And by learning the APIs you need for your app idea, it'll open more doors for you to learn other APIs to improve upon your project, or start a new one being more comfortable with the environment.
If you're more the type of learner which learns best by watching, I recommend you watch the 200 videos series for beginners by TheNewBoston, it's a good start:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2F07DBCDCC01493A
The official training courses and docs can be a bit overwhelming for beginners I think.
If it's something you really want to do, then just practice a lot and stick with it, you'll get there.
Just 3 or 4 years ago I didn't know anything about programming except some very basic HTML, I learned by myself and now I work full-time as a front-end Web & Android engineer at a french startup (IZIPass), on projects for clients such as McDonalds and Subway.
If you're looking for some inspiration, the series about Hacker Schools by former XDA TV producer Jayce Broda is an awesome one.
It shows how Mark Rossetti evolved from a total beginner to being hired by SalesForce in the SF bay area in 12 weeks.
You really get to see his progression as these are weekly interviews, it's great, I know it inspired me a lot. And still inspires me to try and go live in San Francisco, but that's another subject^^
Just make your own "Hacker School" for yourself

You certainly can. I'm still in highschool and I'm self taught. I educational book I've enjoyed reading was Java Notes 6. Its free of charge on his website!
Sent from my Nexus 5 using xda app-developers app

gh0stslayer said:
YES YOU CAN
The best place to start would be to download and import the source codes of very simple open source android apps, read them thoroughly and then start making little modifications to it to learn what code affects what part of the app's functionality, try adding new functions and features. This way you will learn and build up your confidence.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Love this idea.

ricky310711 said:
Love this idea.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you
To get interesting app's source codes one could use F-Droid (it's an app store which only hosts open source apps).
And also people with somewhat limited coding knowledge could use APIs to further reduce their efforts.
I found this app very helpful and inspiring in this regard.