With more than one billion active users on Android platform, there is a huge demand for Android app development in the market. Such statistics are enough to drive you towards Android app development.
But if you are a newbie then gaining complete knowledge about Android app development is require before you instigate the process. To make it convenient for you, we have tried to share the most about Android app development for beginners or newbie.
What is Android all about?
Android particularly refers to the mobile operating system based on Linux, which is developed by Google. This is open-source software, implying that the source code is available for everyone and is subject to modifications.
Therefore, Android code can be used as a base code and customized into proprietary features as per the requirement.
Is Android Designed Only for Phones?
No! Besides mobile phones, Android can be used to run all types of devices, game consoles, car systems, cameras, and other platforms.
Android users can consider using any device that is right for them. If you are a budget-conscious professional, you can even consider free of cost tools. Moreover, if you are not convinced with the operating system configured on your phone, you can always overwrite it with a customized version.
Getting Started with Android App Development – Establishing an Android Studio
Before you begin the Android App Development process, you must follow these basic steps;
- Installing Java on the computer. Avoid this if Java is already installed on your device.
- Installing Android SDK.
- Installing Eclipse. This is integrated development environment, or IDE suggested for Android development.
- Using and installing Android Development Tools or ADT plugin for eclipse.
- Downloading the remaining SDK components from SDK manager in eclipse.
There are Android app development tools available for OSX, Linux, and Windows. Hence, you don’t require purchasing any additional hardware for developing Android apps.
What languages Available for Android App Development?
Usually, Android apps are developed in programming languages known as Java. It is a highly popular and object-oriented language that is easy to pick up and works with other object-oriented languages, such as C#, Ruby, or Objective-C.
Also, there is a Native Development Kit or NDK offered from Google that enable developers to write vital part of their apps with native languages such as C++ or C. This is helpful if you require reusing the existing libraries or code in such languages, or if you wish to try the best performance as possible for the app.
There are a few tools that enable you to write apps with web languages like CSS, HTML, or JavaScript. Also, you can write apps running inside WebView, implying that it is a full-fledged web page.
How much cost is involved in Android App Development?
The great thing about Android app development is that it is available for absolutely free. There is an emulator included in Android SDK that functions like a real Android device from the computer. Hence, you don’t even require a tablet or phone.
There are numerous free tools listed that ensures you don’t have to spend much. All you need is an internet connection and a computer.
Recommendations for You
There is certainly no correct way to develop apps for Android, but it is worth investing in Google’s recommendations.
One major benefit is that the community of Android app development is expanding at a rapid scale. There are reliable resources available such as StackOverflow and Treehouse that offer communities with big support. Additionally, there are numerous useful tools and libraries available for the development process.
If you are beginning with a programming language, just make sure that Java for Android is quite different than Java for complex and big enterprise systems. To ensure that the process goes smoothly, it is wise to check some nice Google tutorials that walk through the basics of this process. Most importantly, it is essential to absorb what you have learned from your experiences.
Summing Up
Android is still a new concept, but it has quickly become a popular platform for smartphones and has progressed and matured over the years. The future of Android Application Development is even more interesting and holds great exclusivities for Android developers and devices. While the world is going mobile, Android app development is at a high pace. Most importantly, the process is easy and available for free.
Hence, if you want to make the most of your business, now is the correct time to learn how to write your apps on Android platform.
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