I'm currently looking into learning about android development. I know i have a lot to learn. I've just been applying mods/roms/kernels to my Samsung Fascinate, but now i want to start to develop apps, and possibly in the long run help the DEV's out in fixing bugs or whatever.
so far I've read some of the stuff on the android development page. i have Eclipse installed on my Arch box. currently at work i use C++, Perl, PHP. So now I'm guessing i should pick up some books on how to program in Java. does anyone have an recommendations on some books specific to android that are very helpful, or should i just rely more on Google search? Basically, in addition to learning java, what are some specific topics that i should be looking into. i figured as my first project i'm going to create an app, so maybe i should concentrate on that aspect?
any help to point me in the right direction would be great.
thanks
Related
hey guys... just in the very beginning stages of wanting to learn how to develop android apps/roms and looking for some quick help to get on the right track. (my bro in law and father in law are developers in python and bro-in-law is really getting into android). I am reading through a book which teaches the beginner Java programming to start. In the mean time, I have installed the newest version of JDK (with all the plugins), Eclipse, and Android's plugin for Eclipse.
1. Is this all I need to get started?
2. Does every developer use Eclipse? It was my understanding that it is more of a "crutch" to make android app developing easier... I want to understand the code behind the program.
3. What other advise do you guys have for me?
Thanks for any and all help.
in_dmand said:
hey guys... just in the very beginning stages of wanting to learn how to develop android apps/roms and looking for some quick help to get on the right track. (my bro in law and father in law are developers in python and bro-in-law is really getting into android). I am reading through a book which teaches the beginner Java programming to start. In the mean time, I have installed the newest version of JDK (with all the plugins), Eclipse, and Android's plugin for Eclipse.
1. Is this all I need to get started?
2. Does every developer use Eclipse? It was my understanding that it is more of a "crutch" to make android app developing easier... I want to understand the code behind the program.
3. What other advise do you guys have for me?
Thanks for any and all help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1) Pretty much.
2) I don't know if every dev uses Eclipse, but it's not a crutch. You're probably thinking along the lines of the garbage web pages Frontpage generates. That's not what Eclipse does. It'll generate some tedious code for you (when you tell it to), but it's a powerful and customizable tool, not a babysitter. Anyone that tells you do use Notepad instead is an idiot.
3) A lot of people will disagree with me, but I think learning Java with no programming experience is about the hardest path you could take. But it's tough to try to learn another language for the sake of it while what you really want to do is make an Android app. Just know, going in, that the path you're taking is tough.
You'll hear about object oriented vs procedural programming, but what everyone neglects to say is that object oriented expands upon procedural. That's why, ideally, I'd recommend everyone start with a procedural language.
Make sure you at least get a decent understanding of what object oriented programming is all about. And make sure you bookmark the Java API! If you're not using it you're doing something wrong.
Edit: Disclaimer: I've been a software developer for over 10 years and using Java for most of that. I spent a couple days looking through the Android SDK and tutorials and decided I didn't have a good enough app idea to make it worth the effort.
thanks so much, your input is much appreciated!
Be patient and do write many small apps as a start. And oh, xda chef central is another great resource also stack overflow is your best friend.
I would suggest you be patiently read or watch some tutorial before do 'try and error' way to test what works. Learn from experienced dev is really important
From my RAZR MAXX
Yeah I agree, I would definitely start out with small apps. The first few (several?) things you write are going to suck. Even if they work perfectly well, the code behind them is going to be poorly designed and hard to maintain and enhance.
In a class way back when, our instructor had us writing a to-do list manager. You can start with a simple list and then enhance it as you learn more. ie, add/delete items, priorities, due dates, reminders, etc. You'll read and say "hey, I could use this to do so-and-so," or "I wish I could add this function" and learn how to do it.
In addition to learning how to code and use the Java api, you'll also learn why you eventually want to understand how to design as much as possible up front.
Hi, Now I want to know how can I start to modified rom by my self?
I know about java programming and c#, how can I start to learn?
Thank you every body!!
ps. sorry for my english.^^"
A good place to learn web development is http://www.codecademy.com/
Java you can learn online, C# you might wanna learn C++ first although they're very similar. Personally I'm in college so I learned with textbooks, classes, and excercises. Some textbooks are really good but they're really expensive. Are you looking to learn for Android programming or just general programming?
Thank you for your answer!!
I want to learn about android programming.
Interesting thread, I want learn mostly because for S5830i not have support yet :/
For Android programming, start with the Android SDK (software development kit):
http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
You will probably want to download the Eclipse development environment:
http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/
And also the ADT (Android Development Tools):
http://developer.android.com/sdk/eclipse-adt.html
Unfortunately getting all this junk to work correctly for your first project can be a bear.
If you have an experienced friend to get this all setup on your laptop/PC it would be a big help.
Then just start with your first program.
There are plenty of examples in the SDK.
When you get stuck you'll do like everybody else does and look on Stack Overflow.
Head over to....http://http://www.xda-developers.com/android/compiling-from-source-the-easy-way/
You can find many tutorials in the Chef's Central forums as well.
Since this thread is mainly discussing android I'm going to go ahead and move it over there.
Hey folks!
Yes, this is my first post, and yes, it may be in the wrong section. If so, I would kindly ask some moderator to move it to the correct section.
Anyway, let me just get right to it:
I have NO coding experience whatsoever! I have never coded anything but a bit in html when I was 16 or something. I have a good understanding
of Android from a user-end perspective, and same goes for computers and website management - I've just never coded anything.
Now, I would really love to learn how to code applications for Android, as I feel like it would be a great challenge to take upon myself + I have a lot of ideas for apps, which I believe will be fun.
Now, I know that Android runs on Java, so I suppose I should start learning the basics of Java before moving into learning Android development, right?
In my search for great free / somewhat cheap online resources, I've found that "thenewboston .org" has a Java and an Android development section with video guides. I believe I should start with the Java section and then move on to the Android one.
Would you recommend using that site, or should I start somewhere else?
And also, is it correct for me to start diving straight into Java, or is there something I should know beforehand?
Or should I learn any other coding languages?
Please take into consideration that I know no coding language as of right now.
All help is very much appreciated! :fingers-crossed:
Java is the best option to start with!
All native applications of the android OS are written mainly in Java, which makes it a good option to start with. Also, as you already know some HTML Coding, you might not find it problematic using "XML".
Head over to this link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2195
You might find it useful to begin with.
vineethraj49 said:
All native applications of the android OS are written mainly in Java, which makes it a good option to start with. Also, as you already know some HTML Coding, you might not find it problematic using "XML".
Head over to this link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2195
You might find it useful to begin with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First of all, thanks a lot for your reply.
What I take from your answer is, that it would be just fine to start diving right into Java, and also take a look at XML whenever I have extra spare time. Is that correct?
And also, what part of an application is built on/in XML?
The layout mainly comprises of xml
ltsune said:
First of all, thanks a lot for your reply.
What I take from your answer is, that it would be just fine to start diving right into Java, and also take a look at XML whenever I have extra spare time. Is that correct?
And also, what part of an application is built on/in XML?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check any android app's source code. The application's interface mainly is made using xml's.
Welcome to this world, you'll have fun here for sure
Anyway, to your questions:
Yep, you need basic Java knowledge. Any website will be great to get started (actually, if you have a doubt and can't find the solution there, simply use Google. There are so much developers out there, is difficult to find an unanswered doubt).
You can get started with Java directly, you don't need to learn any other programming language. Take in mind that only the syntax changes between languages, the logic behind the programs is identical.
Android apps use Java for its core, and XML for its GUI. Don't worry, Eclipse (and after, Android Studio as well) offers a visual environment to build your GUI, without touch XML directly (of course, you can edit the XML code if you wish, for example, to make a quick change).
Good luck, dude :highfive:
RoberGalarga said:
Welcome to this world, you'll have fun here for sure
Anyway, to your questions:
Yep, you need basic Java knowledge. Any website will be great to get started (actually, if you have a doubt and can't find the solution there, simply use Google. There are so much developers out there, is difficult to find an unanswered doubt).
You can get started with Java directly, you don't need to learn any other programming language. Take in mind that only the syntax changes between languages, the logic behind the programs is identical.
Android apps use Java for its core, and XML for its GUI. Don't worry, Eclipse (and after, Android Studio as well) offers a visual environment to build your GUI, without touch XML directly (of course, you can edit the XML code if you wish, for example, to make a quick change).
Good luck, dude :highfive:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was a very helpful answer!
You basically answered all my questions, and a few more than I hadn't even written yet.
Thanks for letting me know about the option to edit the GUI directly from Eclipse, which is currently what I use to learn Java.
I've found a lot of great resources here at xda-developers as well, so I'm really looking forward to dive into this now!
Already learned the very basics of creating user inputs etc. (yes, that is a noob talking - I know), and I am thrilled to learn even more
I am toying with the idea of developing for the Android. It's mostly for fun and to see where it goes. I am a programmer, but do not know Java specifically. If i was to learn Java, i would need to learn it from scratch, but for a programmer, not for a newcomer to the programming field.
I downloaded Android Studio and can follow the guides, but i wonder: Is it better to learn Java first and then Android? Or is it better to learn Android first? And regardless of which, is there a level of basic learning that is "enough" to foray into the other. I ask this because it seems that guides for Android expect one to know Java already. Then again, someone told me he learnt how to do Android, and found Java snippets on the web as he went along.
If there is no specific answer, please lend your advice or personal experience. I am very interested in hearing what other have to say about this.
Do both together
Hey there,
I was a bit worse off than you because the only "programming" experience I had was MS Excel formulas but with some effort now feel pretty good about getting even relatively complicated things working in Android. Basically, I would recommend you learn both Java and Android at the same time.
Here's why:
- you need to get the Android Studio tool set up anyway, and it will do a great job showing you syntax issues and recommending changes as you go. In this way you can rely on Android's developer tools to help you learn basic Java.
- the Internet is chock full of sample code for Android. You can use that as a base, deploy it to a device, change it around, deploy it to a device (or emulator) again, and so on. It will give you both hope and eventual confidence when you're able to see the changes you make in Java actually reflected in an app. It makes it more fun too.
- in the end the majority of your time will be learning the Android SDK frameworks, and I was often able to use the Android documentation examples themselves to teach myself both Java and the Android platform's ins and outs.
Dive in and enjoy!
Hi everyone. I want to share some resources that may helpful for anyone who still don't know where to start.
If you don't have any background, consider learning programming using Scratch or Alice. It seems just suitable for kids but actually for everyone who want to think logically.
If you have some basic background and want to have solid Java background (which I recommend) before moving to Android development, you should start with "Head First Java". They also have "Head First Android", but personally I don't like it so much.
After you have a solid Java background, you can start learning Android using this free course on Udacity. It has 5 parts that cover everything that you need to make literally any app on Play Store.
After you completed the above course, let's make your own project. You don't have to learn other courses or textbooks in order to make an app. You should try to make your own app using what you have learned with the above course. When you making your project, you will encounter real-life problems. By solving it (using Google, StackOverflow, XDA, other tech forums, ...), you will learn more than any course or textbook can help you.
I hope you will find this post helpful for you. If anyone has a question, please leave your question below
Hi, new user here. Thanks for the read
Hi,
I just signed up on this forum and came across this thread and so decided to post a question. First, i have been a full-stack developer and now working on Cloud, AI/ML but android mobile app development is new to me and i am pursuing a self-paced training. My intention is to start off by learning the basics of android and the ide, the various elements and work my way up to the advanced level. Then start learning and work on flutter. I have a fair bit of experience on Java as i have developed java enterprise and web application (JSP, applet based) in the past.
Right now, i am looking at the Android Basics to Advanced nanodegree program offered by Google on the android site, udemy, udacity, etc and lots others on the internet. just wanted your opinion which course would be a good place to start.
Thanks.