What’s Android?
Android is an open source mobile operating system released under the Apache license, it in market from around 11 years now. OS is powered by Linux kernel, most of the code, libraries and API’s etc. are written in C and application software runs on open-source java implementations/frameworks.
For more details visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system)
Developers who already have experience coding for iOS (iPhone/iPad) needs to consider that there are millions of devices that runs different versions of Android OS, there is also isn’t any standard screen size; you will have to optimize the app for screens ranging from 3.8” to full 9.7” tablets.
Preparing Development Environment for Android Development
So do you want to know what you need to start Android Apps development?
Here’s the quick reference to download and install necessary tools that will help us create apps easily.
1- First we need to install Java (JRE and JDK)
Java Standard Edition Software Development Kit will work, you can download it from this link and select specific version based on your O/S http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/ SELECT Only Java Platform (JDK)
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk7-downloads-1880260.html
SELECT your O/S Linux, Windows 32-bit or 64-bit versions. MAC O/S already has this pre-installed.
2- Download Eclipse IDE
Eclipse is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that will help us do programming in managed way and gets things easier.
Go to http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/
SELECT package for Linux, Windows or MAC OSx etc. And download Eclipse IDE for Java Developers from the above link for required O/S.
3- Install Android SDK and setup AVD.
Android SDK (Software Development kit) will allow us to use structures, methods / objects that are specifically designed for Android. And AVD (Android Virtual Device) will help us test our Android applications on a virtual device (emulator) which really helps if you don’t have an Android device at hand. Through AVD you can test your apps on many types of devices to evaluate how our developed applications will run/behave.
If you have successfully installed Eclipse you open Eclipse > Help menu > Install New software
Add the ADT plugin https://dl-ssl.google.com/android/eclipse/
SELECT from available options and install Android ADT for Eclipse.
These links can also help:
http://developer.android.com/sdk/
http://developer.android.com/sdk/eclipse-adt.html http://developer.android.com/sdk/installing.html
Then open Eclipse and Window menu > Android Virtual Device Manager
4- Installing Android Samples
Open Eclipse Window menu > Android SDK Manager
From here you can select samples for any version of Android SDK that you want to go with, I would recommend
- · Android 4.2.2 (API 17) latest version with most recent feature or
- · Android 2.2 (API 8)
This pretty much what you need to start with Android development, do visit again for more quick and easy articles to get hands-on approach for beginners.
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