Getting started with Android Development

What do I require to learn Android app development

Android applications are written using Java language. This doesn’t mean you should be a Java geek. You just have to know basic java syntax and how OOP is used in Java.  Let me tell you I am not a Java geek. I program in PHP and just have basic knowledge of java, about Inheritance, interfaces, packages and how to use it.

Chris has some good explanation regarding myths, people have, about Android Development.

You require 3 things to get started.

1. Free Android SDK (comes with an Emulator)
2. Free Eclipse with ADT (Android Development Tools) plugin
3. Free documentation of Android and the best place is developer.android.com or you can use offline Documentation that comes with Android SDK

Steps for installing Development Environment.

1. Download Android SDK and Install it.
2. Install Android API’s for different android versions. The latest version (at the time of writing this post) is Android 2.3.
3. Download and Install Eclipse
4. Install ADT plugin.
5. Create AVD (Android Virtual Device) for testing the applications.

No, I’m not going to explain how to install all these stuff. Android’s website has the best tutorial. There are other good sources also. Free  Andbook from anddev.org has some extensive information to get started.

Ok! This was small and not so interesting post.

However, In next post we will get our feet wet, writing code for our first android application.

Don’t forget to ask questions and doubts if you have any. Your suggestions and feedbacks are very important for us so please give.