App development
This section covers topics including setting up the android IDE, building your first app, configuring a virtual device and running your app on it, running your app on a real device, adding buttons, textboxes and the like.
Installing the android IDEIf you are new to programming you might be wondering what an IDE is and why you need it. Well, then continue reading, else you are free to move to the installation procedure section.
If we go by wikipedia: An integrated development environment (IDE) or interactive development environment is a software application that provides comprehensive facilities to computer programmers for software development. An IDE normally consists of a source code editor, build automation tools and a debugger. Several modern IDEs integrate with Intelli-sense coding features. Got an idea? If not let me put it in simple words. Suppose you want to make a simple text file. What will you do? Open any text editor, say MS Word for those who use windows , and type. Similarly inorder to write a program you need an IDE. It is also capable of converting your code to machine readable form i.e. compile it, after checking for the errors in the syntax.
Our android apps are written in java language and so we need an suitable IDE. Then can I use any java IDE? Yes, you can.Only thing to take care of is that you have to include the required android libraries, namely the android SDK. Android libraries??? Well, you will come to know more about it as you start developing your apps. For now just keep in mind that they help you make your code simple with some inbuilt tools. Now lets move on to the installation. |
Building your first appTo design and build your apps you will be using XML and java programming languages. It is well and good if you are familiar with these languages or have any previous programming background. But don't worry if you haven't even heard about these before. We'll learn it in on the way. Even I had no idea about these languages when I started.
So, lets begin by making a simple app that displays your name. Running your appSo, now you have your first app in hand. Now how to see whether it works properly or not? Lets start by running it on a virtual device followed by a real device if you have one. Continue
|