I am new to Android but not to programming. I have taken C++ in school and we have been taught how to create objects, but not how to build robust programs using multiple objects. So you can see that using java to build Android apps leaves me with questions.....
thinking like an object oriented programmer, do i just shop through a list of classes until i find ones that i think would suite my app
is there a definite method of choosing the best classes for your project
do i find an app similar to the one i am trying to create and try to find what classes they used
any thoughts appreciated!!!!!!
The best way to learn (for me, at least) is by making small incremental changes to an example so I can how all the various elements of it work.
Download the examples (listed here) - but accessible from your AVD and SDK manager tool from within Eclipse (Window -> Android SDK and AVD Manager).
Start by modifying those examples. They are the best possible examples you can get for much of what you will want to do.
I'd recommend you start with Tutorials and also read about Application Fundamentals - they should get you started. Also browsing Classes is useful if you like wading through lots of technical docs (I do). Those three links are definitely worth looking at.
Well first when building Android applications you need to:
Figure out what your application will be, and how it would work.
Next you would need to find out how you will implement the android classes.
i would recommend first reading a book on Android development. One that really helped me and made me an advance developer was CommonsWare
You should really get these books. When you finish you will be well on your way.
Related
I found this Image on the web and want to use a such list in android. Do you have an idea where I can find a such List in Android Studio?
There are certain lists that others have provided as free source code to be used within your applications. What you have discovered is not a built-in feature of Android (the IDE has not relevance on this).
You can however find resources to use a wheel such as those. One of which used in the past has been from the android-wheel code. Most will demonstrate examples and provide useful tips on going forward with implementation. But you can find others if you look hard enough.
I have downloaded Android 4.0.1_r1 source code to my local system. I'm working to understand building own custom Android ROM and modify it according to my requirements.
I went through a number of web based tutorials on how to build custom ROMs for Android and I am clear with the overall process. What I'm essentially looking for is a well defined structured way of removing packages that are downloaded along with the source code but not needed for my own version of the build.
Additionally, it would be helpful if someone can provide me links pointing to building android source (guides,books or tutorials) as most of the available resources are based on creating Android APPs using Android SDK and the application framework. Its difficult to find any decent indepth tutorial explaining the entire architecture , source tree and different build guidelines for platform level developers.
This is a good book, but it's not officially out yet (you can get the first few chapters only).
There is no real documentation, but if you hang out with CyanogenMod forums/IRC long enough you can get some insights. You can also ask questions on the official Google Groups, android-porting and android-platform should be helpful. Reading XDA can be helpful too, if you can filter out all the noise.
Generally, the whole thing is quite complicated, and there are parts that are device specific. The only thing that you can remove more or less safely without modifying things (much) are the bundled user-level apps (Calculator, etc). Even some of those may provide some system-level services, so you should watch out.
In short, buy the book, read the groups and ask more specific questions, like 'how do I modify X in order to do Y. I tried Z and it didn't quite work.
In addition to the answer, this is the closest I got to find a suitable information for modifying packages in the source code before building. It also has a decent information for memory optimization.
http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/TI-Android-ICS-MemoryOptimization
For removing packages please refer to the section
Run Time-Volatile Memory Customization
subsection - Customizing Android Product Package
The article pertains to Froyo , but the concepts are pretty much the same Android 4 ICS.
I have added this for anyone seeking reference material on the same.
New to Android. Trying to find docs that show what Android classes expect to elicit changes. For example, to make a keyboard always visible, I could find some info searching Google, but not directly in the docs of the SDK. Is there a source for more comprehensive docs on how Android works not just from the individual class level, but how it boots up and what to do to make small tweaks for an app.
I don't know if this would be what you're looking for, but here's some information on packages and classes
http://developer.android.com/reference/android/inputmethodservice/package-summary.html
I've been teaching myself Android for about a month now and the best reference I've found so far is the Android Developer site, especially under the References and Resources pages.
Hopefully that helps a little bit. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
I am currently starting to create an app for a small charity company. But I'm not entirely sure how to properly learn how to code for the Android OS. I have searched online for tutorials, but most stop at the same stage and only show you how to launch the "helloWorld" app.
My question is this:
1) Will using solely XML be sufficient to code an app? Does it require working in partnership with Java?
2) Does anyone know of any books, recommended books of course, that break everything down for you step-by-step?
Android Developer site very good to give you all ideas. Start from Hello, World
1.) Not at all. XML is ONLY used for the layouts.
2.) There are a few books out there that I'm sure someone will come along and recommend, but I've found the tutorials here to be the best start.
In your case, I'd look at AppInventor which allows you to create small Apps without coding (at least that's what it says, haven't used it yet myself)
1) No, you can use XML for interface, but you can't write an Android app in XML :) You are not required to work with Java, but Android language is based on Java, so knowing Java is an advantage while learning to code.
2) Did you installed Eclipse and the plugin for Android?
The Android Training is pretty useful, and I've learnt a lot from the tutorials and the sample code provided there. (The Notepad app is way more complex than the Hello World tutorial ;)!).
Also, take a look at the answers on that question: How can I learn Android?
I'm not looking for a mock up tool, I'm looking for a reasonable GUI design tool for the final product in the style of Apple's Interface Builder. Droid Draw is buggy, out of date and inaccurate in my experience. Using the Eclipse plug in to do a complex layout makes going to the dentist seem fun. I'd even settle for hand-coding CSS pixel coordinates over the current model. Is the solution found here: http://andrdev.blogspot.com/2010/01/gui-designer.html the best, or have one of you ninjas found something else? If there is an actively developed project that isn't ready for show yet, I'd like to know that as well.
I don't see why you'd want something like this (especially the tool you posted a link to). That would mean learning a whole new language just to use that tool. Why not learn the XML definitions directly? Yes, it's a relatively steep learning curve but once you're up to speed you'll see it's great. Also, doing XML by hand will allow you to optimize your layouts a lot (there are a few articles out there on how to do that).
As to the Eclipse plugin, I find it quite awesome, although I never use it directly. I don't add/remove/edit elements with it. I write my XML code and then test it with the plugin so I don't have to recompile the app > upload it on the emulator > run the app > go through all the activities to get to the one I'm editing right now, just to see that I need to add a little more padding.
Also, in general, it's best to use the tools you are given. Third party tools are very likely to become outdated, discontinued, deprecated, ...
In conclusion: do it the right way. Write your XML by hand. Use the Eclipse plugin as a convenience tool.