Hi guys,
I think I have been an xda user long enough..so I though, why dont I try my hand in developing and be more of a giver than a taker in this great community.
Problem is, I dont know where to start. So if you dev guys could give me an effective learning path(study this first, then this, then this)..I would be most greatful!
Im not a developer by training(an accountant, of all things!!), however, I did get into IT audit so I know a little bit about the different flavors of unix..and I love coding(we use some scripting software in the trade, i know i know, its different) and i am never happier than trying to figure out how to make things work using code..
I know some of you may laugh at me, but I really am interested in this.
Thanks!
There's a great site here with lots of useful info
If your endgame is to develop for Android it might be best for you to jump in the deep end and start learning Java immediately. Don't worry about learning it by developing Android applications, just focus on developing on PC and you will have a much easier time. Once you've picked up the basics of Object Orientated programming then it's time to take a look at the Android APIs and go through some tutorials so you can see how the apps come together.
At the end of the day it's going to be a big job for you because you have very little experience. Unfortunately theres no real easy way out so you just have to put in the hours.
Yep!! Sleepless nights! Just like a real dev..hehehe... I do know some languages like vb..python..javascript..but that was just me muckin around..nothin serious also..already had the netbeans ide setup...and got my java hello world cherry popped..hahaha..so lame
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DreadPirateDan said:
There's a great site here with lots of useful info
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Thanks man!!! Looks good!
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saunderez said:
If your endgame is to develop for Android it might be best for you to jump in the deep end and start learning Java immediately. Don't worry about learning it by developing Android applications, just focus on developing on PC and you will have a much easier time. Once you've picked up the basics of Object Orientated programming then it's time to take a look at the Android APIs and go through some tutorials so you can see how the apps come together.
At the end of the day it's going to be a big job for you because you have very little experience. Unfortunately theres no real easy way out so you just have to put in the hours.
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Yes..that is my endgame..but i was hoping you guys could point me to some android specific stuff..like how kernerls work..etc..basically i want to know the environment first...using google doesnt really yield in depth stuff
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Android is basically Linux with a custom UI.
If you want to know how kernels work (and you really shouldn't(!) if your goal is to make apps, as that's REALLY in-depth lowlevel stuff) just check out how Linux works - there's a million million articles on the net about the internals of Linux.
Android specific app development stuff, incl. tutorials and samples are here:
http://developer.android.com/guide/index.html
Maybe you just wanna setup the SDK and try to get the "Hello World" working, continue from there.
SDK: http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
Related
Where is the best school or course for learning to program android?
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You should learn Java first, I guess. And then just read some communities and blogs of practicing Android developers. Also watch videos and read tutorials. Try developing simple apps and practice will make perfect I don't think any organized schooling is needed for this. Most of the Android developers I know learned this by themselves, just because they liked it and wanted to become professionals.
Check the search function this topic gets covered weekly.
It is quite impossible for someone to recommend you the best android course.
First off only people near you could recommend you one you would actually visit.
You would not go to germany if germany has the best android courses, would you?
Also it is a bit like getting your drivers license, yes you can do an android(java) course and learn something there, but you only really start learning and advancing your skills after the course when you are driving/programming yourself without preset tasks.
Fredter said:
You should learn Java first, I guess. And then just read some communities and blogs of practicing Android developers. Also watch videos and read tutorials. Try developing simple apps and practice will make perfect I don't think any organized schooling is needed for this. Most of the Android developers I know learned this by themselves, just because they liked it and wanted to become professionals.
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Could not have said it better .
Thanks for the help.
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Its a question so that's why I put it here but it has to do with development so take it as you will....I understand to be a devlipe or kidder you obviously need a good base of Java and Linux knowledge. My question is since I'm trying to break into developing for android what are tips if any that any of you have for someone trying to start out?
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trafalger888 said:
Its a question so that's why I put it here but it has to do with development so take it as you will....I understand to be a devlipe or kidder you obviously need a good base of Java and Linux knowledge. My question is since I'm trying to break into developing for android what are tips if any that any of you have for someone trying to start out?
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Wouldn't hurt to tweet/message Ace or Dragon on twitter. Ace - @aceoyame Dragon - @dragonzkiller
Both of them are on regularly. Hope you get some answers.
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trafalger888 said:
Its a question so that's why I put it here but it has to do with development so take it as you will....I understand to be a devlipe or kidder you obviously need a good base of Java and Linux knowledge. My question is since I'm trying to break into developing for android what are tips if any that any of you have for someone trying to start out?
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Well, to start, get a book on Android Application developing, then download and install Eclipse. (It's best to do this in Linux, rather than Winderz, but there are several devs that work strictly through Winderz.) I use Linux personally as compiling ROMs you can only do in Linux as the Winderz tools don't work so well. If you are looking at developing applications, there are a TON of resources out there. Just Google it. If you are looking to do more with the Android OS, then learn Linux, it helps, a lot!
Hope this little blurb helps.
Ciao!
If you don't know Java, I would get a Java book first before even attempting to learn how to program Android. Most Android books assume you have Java and Object Oriented Programming experience.
And just reading the books won't do it. There is much to be said about experience. You could read a book, do all the code samples and then you think you know programming, but until you apply it, it's completely different.
All of my coding experience was self-taught at the beginning. It started with typing in programs from magazines on my Apple ][+ (and then eventually a //e). I would go in, type in the programs, debug them and get the to run. I would then see what would happen if I started changing things to see how it react. You really learn from your mistakes, because once you make one and correct it, it stays with you.
I also purchased books on programming and learned that way as well. Together, with typing in programs from other programmers, experimenting/changing/modifying their code, writing my own applications, etc, that's how I learned to program.
By the time I got to college to get my Computer Science degree, I had the basics of programming down pat, but I learned a lot more, but the stuff I learned was new and I didn't have to worry about the other basic aspects that some other people had to learn since they never really programmed before.
I'm also trying to get into developing. I've themed my X2, but that's about all the stuff I've done myself. I've edited the build.prop and stuff, but only with stuff other people wrote. I'm trying to learn Java, I've kind of got the structure down, but the code is the hard part for me, trying to remember what terms do what. And arrays too haha
My suggestion would be to learn Java and get familiar with Linux, I'm still trying to do both. Java is going to be the first language I fully learn. I've played around and attempted to learn C++ and Python. But I was easily distracted
Good luck on learning, its overwhelming!!! But once you start to dive in, things start stacking into place and make sense
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I also use Linux and have taught myself Java even though km no wizard and am using g eclipse and working with some books on android development as well sounds like I'm at least pointed in the right direction at least
And on a side note I've used some flavor of Linux exclusivly for maybe 10 years now hate windows....last laptop I bought has a rwaltek wireless card in it or I would be using debian right now put could never get it yo work even using g wrappers...but that's a bit off topic sorry
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So I came into this with previous programing knowledge, but not knowing java. I've read a book on java, then the programing android book.
So from those of you that actually write apps for the android platform, what do you think is the next step? Just get to it already? Start using eclipse and its built in tools to get started and learn by doing and googling as I go along?
Is that the way most of you have got your start? Any other books I should pick up?
Thanks
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Moving to Q&A
I am getting started too, am beginner / intermediate java programmer with little experience. The android site has some nice resources.
Developer.android.com ... Resources tab: look at the tutorials. The Hello World is a nice intro. You will install the Android SDK, eclipse, write a simple app, and seeit in action using the emulator. I have done Hello World and Hello Views.
I'd also appreciate any advice / guidance from more experienced droid devs!
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I've done that stuff so far. I've also played with the layout manager to.o. I th.ink I might start out making a sound board app. That seems pretty simple to do.
I'm just looking for some advice as the best way to precede
You're on the right way. The next step as a developer is just to develop software. Thats it.
You can look at some books and resources on the Internet to learn basics.
But I think the best thing to do is to imagine a mini-app (very simple, for example a calculator), and try to make it from scratch.
You'll learn how to search information and this will be less boring.
You can also create new projects from samples of the SDK, they are quite interesting.
Write code! Seriously. Screw the books (or you can waste money like me). I am sure that if you start building something like I have coming from a similar background, you will know what books to pick up when its time.
If you are a coder, just make up a project and learn Android in the trenches by figuring it all out as you go. That said, it would be invaluable to read up on the platform itself (the Android dev site is great) as programming for it is a bit different than what a lot of us are use to.
It's fun after you figure out the build environment on your platform. Also, if you are like me you live and die by text editors. That said, I have learned to finally embrace both Eclipse and Java thanks to Android.
EDIT:
I am now getting a lot of mileage out of Creating Android Applications by Chris Haseman. This is only after wasting money on books I wont read or that teach me to do things the wrong way. I was only able to make an informed decision after hacking together my first serious app. This book is packed with nuggets of insight from a and immediately answers questions I have from my experience with the ocassionally sparse documentation. I would highly recommend this book and because of it my future code is going to be very solid without the "did I do the right" feeling. <-- typed on g2x in Browser
Your right, I think I have enough background to dive in. I was playing around and created an app that plays mp3's when you click on buttons, didn't take long at all. Next thing I want to do is create a splash screen, and I took a quick look to see how to create buttons that are a picture and text, similar to the buttons in the google api sample.
Having fun with it so far.
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i understand this question has been asked in similar ways but programming is quite broad so hopefully i can get a personalised response to help zone in on my learning.
bit of information about me:
ive been using computers all my life whilst doing a little bit of code tweaking for a variety of things such as; games(hex editting) web coding and even a bit of excel macro work.
i currently have no plans or commitments as of now and wanted to use my free days to learn something new that ive been intrested in since i was about 12 years old.
im looking for a base or a starting point in learning coding... i understand jumping straight into coding apps and things is way out of my reach but i guess i have to start somewhere! Im very much intrested in customisation and the ability to customise as much as possible on phones, games and applications but i have no idea where to start...
ive been looking around and people recommend learning all sorts of languages from:
php/css moving up to java
straight to java
python
c#
c++
c then progressing into c++
but id rather get an answer from a community that is notoriously skilled in the developing area so much so that i feel this is the best place to ask!
if there is anyone who also wishes to help me personally in helping me along the way and giving me some advice then please pm me as id be so grateful to have someone there to help me.
thanks in advanced for your responses im looking forward to learning and hopefully starting something that will be a major part of my life from now on.
Well, since this is a mainly Aneroid development website, and if you are interested in aneroid, I would just jump straight into Java. That's what I did at least... to learn Java just google "Beginner's guide to Java" or something. Hope this helps.
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i was hoping for more input then just one person, i would like to know what others feel is the best way to go about it so i can build up an idea of peoples opinions to see what i feel is the best strategy of learning.
i appreciate your input ballarous =)
penfold1992 said:
i was hoping for more input then just one person, i would like to know what others feel is the best way to go about it so i can build up an idea of peoples opinions to see what i feel is the best strategy of learning.
i appreciate your input ballarous =)
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What are your development plans for? Do you plan on donning an apron and becoming a rom developer or do you plan on developing apps? You're setup will differ between the two but either way grab yourself a few good java books but understand it applies to Android differently than regular java. Learn the fundamentals of java, it's core rules etc but study googles open source api to see how you implement your phones system into regular java format. Here is a link to the Google source for developers (not source as in the source you sync to build Android, source as in how to implement phone apis into that source) http://developer.android.com/reference/packages.html
Here's some general app development guides that will broaden your understanding http://developer.android.com/resources/index.html
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From my experience...
It probably does not matter where you start... I personally started with web based languages like VBS, and javascript, then jumped into c++... I completely avoided Java until recently.
VBS or Visual Basic is used for excel macros so you already have some experience under your belt. It should be pretty simple for you to apply that same understanding to the different syntax of Java.
Good evening all
I was wondering if someone could make some recommendations please, I am looking to develop an Android App that is heavily text based, it's not going to be a game or anything like that, more like a random generator.
I don't have much coding experience outside of some C++ and Java and was wondering what is the best way to make it? Would I need to code that from scratch or are there some good programs out there that would make this much simpler?
At the moment I'm looking at learning Kotlin but if there's something easier to use I'm all ears!
Thanks for reading this!
Hiya, welcome to XDA.
You didn't mention if you wanted a dogmatic opinion or not.
Since you already know a bit of Java, why don't you stick with that for a bit before embarking on Kotlin?
Normally people just start with Android Studio https://developer.android.com/studio
If you're a hard-core looney (like me), you can just make your app without an IDE, just the "platform tools" in the SDK and a bit of sweat.
You'll be rewarded by knowing what's what. The SDK can be found by scrolling down the above link.
Renate said:
Hiya, welcome to XDA.
You didn't mention if you wanted a dogmatic opinion or not.
Since you already know a bit of Java, why don't you stick with that for a bit before embarking on Kotlin?
Normally people just start with Android Studio https://developer.android.com/studio
If you're a hard-core looney (like me), you can just make your app without an IDE, just the "platform tools" in the SDK and a bit of sweat.
You'll be rewarded by knowing what's what. The SDK can be found by scrolling down the above link.
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Thanks for the reply!
I'll check out the link and hopefully I'll be able to figure enough of it out to get started xD
Thanks again! <3