If you’re an experienced programmer who wants to get started with Android programming, this beginner’s guide to Android programming with Java will get you up and running in no time. From choosing the best IDE to getting familiar with Java syntax, this guide covers everything you need to know about learning Android programming with Java, including some of the industry’s best practices for effective coding. Plus, I’ll show you how to develop your first app from start to finish and share some tips on how to publish it in the Google Play Store so other Android users can download it and use it on their devices.
Step 1 - Getting Started
If you're new to Android programming, getting started can seem like a daunting task. But don't worry! In this post, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to start coding for Android. First, you'll need the Android SDK and tools on your computer. Second, create an empty project in your favorite IDE - there are many to choose from including Eclipse or IntelliJ Idea. Third, add all of the library dependencies that your app needs in order to run properly - there are also many libraries out there (even some free ones!) so be sure to do some research before choosing which one is right for you. Fourth, add any custom classes or code files that will be necessary for your application and finally compile and run the application on an emulator or physical device!
Step 2 - Setup Tools and Build Your First App
Now that you've got your development environment set up, it's time to start building your first app! Open the Eclipse IDE. From the main menu, select File -> New -> Project -> Android Project. Name your project HelloWorld and click Finish. Eclipse will now open a new window and show you a number of files in this new project folder. Double-click on the file named MainActivity.java to open it in the code editor pane on the right side of the screen. You'll see a package declaration at the top (com.example) followed by a class declaration containing two fields
public static final String tag = Hello World;
private TextView textView;
The next part declares two methods
setText() and getText()
followed by three constants:
public static final int id = R.string.hello;
public static final int hello = R.string.hello;
public static final int world = R.string.world;
Finally, there is an onCreate()
method that contains statements to configure how the activity should be shown when it is displayed for the first time
textView = findViewById(R.id.text);
textView .setText(Hello World);
when you press Run, you should see a small white rectangle in your emulator that displays Hello World. Congratulations! You just built your first app. Now let's go ahead and build another one.
Step 3 - Understand the Fundamentals of Java
Java is a versatile and powerful programming language that enables you to create robust, high-performance applications. To get started with Android programming, you need to have a basic understanding of the Java language. Here are some key concepts you should know:
- Object-Oriented Programming: Java is an object-oriented language, which means that code is organized around objects rather than functions. This can make code more maintainable and reusable.
- Inheritance: In object-oriented programming, inheritance enables you to create new classes that inherit characteristics from existing classes. This can be helpful for creating hierarchies of objects.
- Polymorphism: Polymorphism is the ability of an object to take on different forms.
Step 4 - Learn about the Essentials of Android Development
The Android operating system is based on the Linux kernel, so if you're familiar with Linux programming, you should be able to pick up Android development fairly easily. In terms of specific languages, Android apps are written in Java, so if you're already proficient in this language, you'll be ahead of the game.
Step 5 - Lay Out User Interface (UI) and Program the Behavior
Now that you've got the basics down, it's time to start programming your app's user interface (UI) and behavior. To do this, you'll need to use XML and Java. XML is a markup language that is used to create UIs in Android. It is similar to HTML, but with a few key differences. Java is the programming language that you will use to program the behavior of your app. It is a powerful and widely-used language that will allow you to create complex apps.
Step 6 - Package, Sign, and Deploy Apps to Google Play
So, you've written your first Android app in Java and now you're ready to publish it on Google Play. But before you can do that, there are a few more steps you need to take. First, you need to package your app into an APK file. Then, you need to sign your APK file with a digital signature. Finally, you need to deploy your APK file to Google Play.
Step 7 - Bonus Material : Google Play Developer Console
The Google Play Developer Console is a powerful tool that every Android developer should become familiar with. It allows you to manage your app's listing on the Google Play Store, track your app's download statistics, and more. In this bonus material, we'll give you a quick overview of the Developer Console and show you how to use it to your advantage.