How to Become an Android Application Developer
Today, it was announced that Android devices now account for 50% of the global smartphone market, making it the most popular mobile platform on the planet. Android was a distant fifth in mobile platforms when it was introduced in 2007, trailing Apple’s iOS, Blackberry (RIM), Windows Mobile, and Symbian. With millions of Android devices in use and over 500,000 new Android devices being activated every day, Android is the most popular mobile operating system on the planet.
Learning Android application development, like all great opportunities, isn’t easy. There are several steps in the process for non-programmers, and even experienced programmers have a lot to learn when it comes to Android. Here are my six steps to becoming an Android application developer if you’re interested in creating new and innovative apps for the world’s most popular mobile platform.
01: Gather the Tools: Java, Android SDK, Eclipse + ADT Plugin: —
Android Can be developed on a PC, a Mac, or even a Linux machine. More good news: all of the tools you’ll need to create Android apps are available for free. To begin, go to the Oracle website and download and install the most recent version of Java SE. Next, go to the Android Developers site and download the Android SDK (Software Development Kit). The SDK contains the Android code libraries, the emulator, and some useful tools.
02: Learn the Java Programming Language
The majority of Android apps are written in Java (though some are written in C++). For Android application development, a strong command of Java is required. The object-oriented programming model of Java is used by Android. In object-oriented programming, programmer elements are broken down into pieces that resemble “real-world” objects. In an Android video game, for example, the player character and the enemy combatant.
03: Understand the Android Application Lifecycle
Even if you’ve written desktop or web applications before, it’s important to realize that writing mobile apps is a completely different experience. The operating system manages other applications and their priorities with a desktop application. It’s up to you to code your Android app to deal with external events. What happens if the phone rings, for example, in your application?
04: Learn the Android API
While Android applications are written in the Java programming language, the Android API (application programming interface) expands the command set by adding entirely new packages. You can write code that controls everything from the on-board camera and audio recording feature to Bluetooth functionality and Wi-Fi access, and much more, using Android packages (groups of classes).
05: Write your first Android Application!
Writing your first complete Android app can be intimidating, but if you choose a topic that you enjoy, the process will be much easier and more enjoyable. Write your app in multiple iterations, starting with the most basic features and gradually expanding its capabilities. Debug and test your application thoroughly along the way to ensure that it works in all scenarios. Testing should be carried out.
