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So I've been palying around with the Android SDK. I've done a bit of developing before, but never in Java. The Android APIs are pretty well documented, but I'm missing the basics of Java programming (data types, declaring variables and constants, file operations, etc.).
Does anyone have any suggested references? I've been digging some myself but it's slow going.
If you haven't already, check out http://www.helloandroid.com , http://www.anddev.org , and look for O'Reilly books on Java or skip the first five chapters of "Java for Dummies."
Both of those are really focused on Android specifically. Anddev.org is really for developers while HelloAndroid.com is more of a blog and not much technical info.
Here's the best site I was able to find about the Java basics.
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Java_Programming/Overview
After that it just learning the APIs, and I think Anddev is really going to be the site to watch on that.
I thought I'd share in case there are other aspirng developers watching.
Developing Thread
I didn't know where to add this, but if you need to move it to the right thread please do.
I want to start developing, but I don't know any Java. I'm sure that you guys probably know some books that I can pick up to start learning. Actually any advice or resources would be great since.
Ever since i got the G1 and seeing everybody speaking code it realy started to interest me. So any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
I heard the dummy books aren't that good to start off with, but thanks I'll still look at it.
Bump,
Come on people i know you have some ideas, so i can learn java or anything to develop for Android.
Im also thinkin about starting or trying to develop for Android, like how would I start off makin a custom rom build?
Come on guys
See here
Christopher3712 said:
Come on guys
See here
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that would have worked great if you spelled develop right LOL
The thing with programming textbooks is no one can ever agree on what book is "best". Some people like books that are basically just giant lists of functions and their syntaxes, some people like books with a lot of examples, some people like books that primarily explain the most basic functions in plain English. Some folks don't like to use books at all and learn programming purely from studying others' source code.
A lot of the Java-specific books written in the past decade are written without requiring pre-existing knowledge of C++, which would be good if you have never programmed in any language before. I think the "Headfirst Java" volume is supposed to be well-regarded, but I can't say that from personal experience.
Of course, you could always just find your local community college/adult school/vocational center and sign up for Java classes. Some community colleges might place Java far down in the CS track and make you take prerequisite courses. Depending on how the course is set up, what text it uses, and how much ground it intends to cover, it may or may not have prerequisites.
Good luck
neoobs said:
that would have worked great if you spelled develop right LOL
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lol, i'm just all over the place today! no matter, i made my point
Christopher3712 said:
lol, i'm just all over the place today! no matter, i made my point
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasnt referring to apps, but thanks?
Christopher3712 said:
Come on guys
See here
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OMG hahahahaha i love it!
Learning to Develope on Android
I want to learn how to develop apks, use the SDK to its fall extent. I put Debian on my phone and windows x , made a couple of my own themes. However, i want to do more i just don't how the knowledge to do so. i tried to read on how to use java, c++, c.net, etc but I'm just not picking it up all to well. I just installed Ubuntu on my computer but my knowledge of Linux is very little. I'm welling to put the time and effort into learning how do these thing but I'm getting no where. Watching people like JK come out with roms just makes me want to do the same. i also just updated to the new SDK but for some reason it won't work (haven't gone around to find out why thou). Can anyone help me out, maybe point to toward some good sources, books, or whatever. i love messing with me G1 i just want to take it to the next level. i finish school on the 20th of this month and i have till July 15th of free time ( i leave for Basic Training). so i would like to get started between these times.
If a similar thread was already made i'm very sorry i searched like crazy to find one but had no luck, so please don't get made if there is one just point me to it.
THANK YOU
www.android.com
find source code to play with and read, read, read!
dead2hill said:
www.android.com
find source code to play with and read, read, read!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have read so much my head could explode, but i think I'm reading from the wrong sources or just not getting it at all. I'm reading some books i got from friends with Master Degrees in this stuff and they are just confusing me.
The major problem is I'm a fantastic hands on learner but i have no one with the spare time to help on any of these. I've been taking the Cisco Academy Online and didn't get any of it until i had someone help with a hands on learning and it all just flowed right into me easily now i'm close to getting my CCNA.
But i'll keep reading till i get it, some day
fankly i would say if you wanna make apps then read a buch of tutorials, stare ata lot a source code. and create a few simple things first. i have not bothered with any of the sample's with the SDK because i just don't like them. i do however read lots of code daily and am currently trying to find the best way to get my app running. i am one of those people that if handeed source code i could tell you what it does and when, but if told to write a program that does something it will take ages for me to figure out. even with a year of both java and VB .net under the belt i still don't know much since those classes where a long time ago. read lots of code and you could probably benefit from having a java book around too
I found the sample code and tutorials shipped with the SDK very educational, and would recommend the soon-to-be Android developer to plow thru them. They give you (at least they gave me!) a basic understanding of how Android apps are supposed to work.
If you're not used to general Java development at all, I recommend starting out with a beginners book on Java development first.
/Mats
@hellsonlyangel - I have the same desire to learn how application development as you, particularly Android development. I've done the same as you over the years, reading tons of books and online tutorials on programming, but learning very little. I am taking a very general, but comprehensive, scripting course right now as a part of my Network Admin degree program, and I fell that I understand more after 2 weeks in this course than I did from all of my self study attempts. Sometimes, there's just no substitute to structured learning programs. The ISBN for the book that my course is using is 1418836338. It can be had on the cheap, used for around $8, just in case you want to check it out. Good luck.
hellsonlyangel said:
I want to learn how to develop apks, use the SDK to its fall extent. I put Debian on my phone and windows x , made a couple of my own themes. However, i want to do more i just don't how the knowledge to do so. i tried to read on how to use java, c++, c.net, etc but I'm just not picking it up all to well. I just installed Ubuntu on my computer but my knowledge of Linux is very little. I'm welling to put the time and effort into learning how do these thing but I'm getting no where. Watching people like JK come out with roms just makes me want to do the same. i also just updated to the new SDK but for some reason it won't work (haven't gone around to find out why thou). Can anyone help me out, maybe point to toward some good sources, books, or whatever. i love messing with me G1 i just want to take it to the next level. i finish school on the 20th of this month and i have till July 15th of free time ( i leave for Basic Training). so i would like to get started between these times.
If a similar thread was already made i'm very sorry i searched like crazy to find one but had no luck, so please don't get made if there is one just point me to it.
THANK YOU
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the best way I found to learn this is through trial and error. I will write code for a simple program, for instance a clock app. I will work on it until it does what I want it to then I will trash the code and build it again using what I just learned. It's just a lot of practice and don't get too deep until you have a full grasp of the concepts behind programming. You'll just get stuck and frustrated.
I've been a member of XDA Forums since about October (when I got my vibrant). And I wad wondering how to become a developer. I feel like I should help contribute to this community instead of just being someone downloading and flashing. Im planning on majoring in computer science in college and I know it will help me with this type of stuff but I cant wait another year (Junior in high school)... I would really appreciate it if you guys would point me in the right direction or take me under your wing so I could pursue this interest.
dcaples002 said:
I've been a member of XDA Forums since about October (when I got my vibrant). And I wad wondering how to become a developer. I feel like I should help contribute to this community instead of just being someone downloading and flashing. Im planning on majoring in computer science in college and I know it will help me with this type of stuff but I cant wait another year (Junior in high school)... I would really appreciate it if you guys would point me in the right direction or take me under your wing so I could pursue this interest.
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I'm doing computer science also to become a dev, I'm a senior! I have no idea, but I would love to dev also, I know it takes a lot of work though.
Step 1 - cut a hole in the box
step 2 - put your junk in the box
step 3 - make her open the box
step 4 - and that's how you do it (its my d$#* in a box)
haha naw i'm jk, I would like a clear way on how to dev specifically for the vibrant, I've seen a bunch of different ideas and tutorials on how to do it, but their specific for that phone, and its hard to comprehend on how to put the knowledge to the vibrant
Yea I know its alot of hard work but it will all pay off in the end.
I think it would be nice if one of the vibrant developers put up a video of how to become a developer and a video of him/her cooking up a rom. Im sure alot of people would take intrest to that. It would also give us enough knowledge to maybe be able to develop other phones or programs.
Learn your way around a linux box as it's pretty much necessary to compile source and what not. If you're wanting to develop programs for Android, learn some Java...
there's a few good e-books on amazon for android developing if you can learn from books.
I think you should start out with themes....so you know exactly which apks control what...which XMLs control what...then get some Linux knowledge so you can know how to tweak for speed....then start to learn some Java and Smali code....and do a sh*t load of research....i tried to create my own ROM based from official Vibrant source....MAJOR FAIL ...i think my phone went into shock ....but find someone who is willing to teach you...but make sure you're patient enough to learn.
Due to the nature of vibrant roms anyone can be a developer! That's a good and bad thing. Anyways... best way to learn is to learn Java. Android is built on it. It may not loom like it on the surface but it helps (ask whitehawk). Mr apocalypse's advice is probably the best.
Also a video is a horrible idea(no offense). It will empower people who have no business making roms to make them. Do you want people who don't know how to make a flashable zip making roms for your phone? It could potentially lead to bad things...
I was where you were a couple years ago (not that I'm much further ahead). Learn you some Linux. Learn you some theming and try and make a simple app for android.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
Good afternoon,
I want to start learning programming for Android, as I am sure many before me have said. And as the title very well expresses, I am completely virginal in relation to programming. OK, some years ago I punched some Delphi lines, but what I learned about it can be amounted to zero
In order to commence the task, I count with a netbook, running Ubuntu 11.04, an Android phone (Xperia Play) and an Android tablet (Advent Vega), two "starting in Android" books, HTTrack in order to save websites for offline reading, a vacant summer, and the enthusiasm to learn something new. I don't have a specific goal in mind (is that a problem? Should I aim for something concrete to do as well?) but I think that, if I win certain knowledge, I will be able to create a useful app to share here.
The reason why I've opened this thread is because it should serve as a log of what I am doing concerning this endeavor, and maybe spark some support, some naysaying, some interesting discussions and some natter. At any rate, I hope to be able to contribute something good!
I am interested also. I was going to program for the iOS but can't bring myself to buy a MAC.
I have a lot of VB 6, VB.NET and Java - JSP development experience. My 10 year old daughter is a big gamer and wants to make games when she is older. I want to get her to help me make a small game so she can see what is involved in programming.
I still need to search for resources but if anyone has any good starter tutorials that would be great.
Sorry not trying to hijack your thread Logseman. Just don’t want to make more threads on the same topic.
Thanks
It's cool, in fact it'd be great if other people "out themselves" as potential programmers. It'd be a bit like a blog then, with the whole commenters sharing experiences . From what I've read your Java experience should make programming in Android quite easy, as the OS itself seems to be. I'm going to fire up my netbook and start the whole deployment. It can take the whole night easily...
After a whole night of downloads, I have deployed the SDK and eclipse on my netbook. They should make it more amenable, IMO, not only in this case but in installations in general. Installations are boring, as are videogame loading screens, but many of the latter feature something to make it worth your while.
I recently started android developing too (im 14 ) but since i was teaching myself it was hard to find a good book, but hello android by ed burnette easily teaches you how to make anything from 2D graphics to web views and 3D games. Tell me if you need a link, hope this helps
is that possible learn android programing without know any programing language before ?
kancil168 said:
is that possible learn android programing without know any programing language before ?
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Sure you can. At the end of the day you have to start somewhere. Why not Android ?
I have an EEPC netbook with Ubuntu Linux also. I think I will pull it out and see what I can do with it.
Does anyone think it would be good for this or should I use my HP windows laptop?
I hope we can get some feedback from some experienced Android Devs.
Well, I am happy to see people sparked by the same idea! I hope we all get to do something worthwhile!
Ncaissie, I'd recommend the Linux netbook. It's more portable, which is particularly important for your assistant if she wants to handle part of the process and I have to say, after instaling many Linux distros, I find Ubuntu 11.04 a perfectly stable, quick and efficient OS, much more than Windows or other Linux distros. I am in fact pleasantly surprised as I was unconvinced by Unity in 10.10. Aside of that, since you're programming in Android, which is a mixture of Java and Linux, it reduces the confusion if you work with a Linux host as well, in my opinion.
About the learning process, I've been reading a bit about Activities and Services and Android building blocks. I've decided on my first milestone: a "Hello XDA" app. If time allows, I will have it done before this weekend. If I can't post it after this weekend, I'll stall the project as it would be clear I am not focused enough.
14yrolddeveloper said:
I recently started android developing too (im 14 ) but since i was teaching myself it was hard to find a good book, but hello android by ed burnette easily teaches you how to make anything from 2D graphics to web views and 3D games. Tell me if you need a link, hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
have read good reviews for this book but I decided that I would learn Java before android since I'm planning on taking computer science anyway.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I was set to buy a cheapo Android phone as a development device. Turns out I made the worst choice: the Huawei U8110 Selina I chose seems to have issues about being recognised by ADB. Had I known this, I'd have taken some other one...
Fate conspires to keep me away from development Now my Xperia Play is not mounting the SDCards I feed it. I need to reflash it with FlashTool, but since I only had Linux installed on my computer and Flashtool requires Windows, I'm having to set up a dual boot environment, which implies wiping Linux, installing Windows and setting up two partitions, and then installing Linux again. Seriously, it's crap.
I really like this post,good luck with it.
Only one thing- I think it's important that you'd come with an idea for an app,rather than learning Android in general.
It will keep you motivated to move on and progress.
I've recently started developing for android too. While they get mildly bashed sometimes I've found that the apress books are pretty good. "Learn java for android development" by jeff friesen is long and very technical, and also requires that you be paying attention, but gets a pretty decent amount of java floating around inside your head before you even have to open up eclipse.
Honestly though I found it easier to work on a project and when I needed something that I didnt know to search around and find code snippets or dig through my books until I find the right answer and then move on to the next problem.
Good Luck
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA Premium App
tofira said:
I really like this post,good luck with it.
Only one thing- I think it's important that you'd come with an idea for an app,rather than learning Android in general.
It will keep you motivated to move on and progress.
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Click to collapse
I do have an idea in mind, and it is related with the security pattern grid. Is that part of Android opensourced?
Enviado desde mi VegaComb usando Tapatalk
I wasn't able to pick up the pace this weekend But my goal is clear for now. I'm up for a Hello XDA app.
Well, here comes my very first apk... plus source (complying with XDA's rules ) I managed to screw some things because I typed the code incorrectly. Eclipse moaned in two lines until I discovered two syntax mistakes. Just therefore, because I saw them, I think I did the proper thing in typing this example code even if I had it in front of me. I will try not to copy-paste code if I can avoid it.
I've installed HelloXDA in my XPlay and it works as intended, and per the source you can see there's no malware in the app. And I know that I'm making a bit of a fuss about a stupid HelloWorld app, but hey, it's MY HelloWorld app, I coded it
I like this thread. I'm also going into android programmins as a noob still in highschool. I've got a question: I am looking into creating a home screen replacement app, so what do you reccomend me to do: Learn java first or just read through the sections of the android books I've purchased that talk about homescreens?
Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using Tapatalk
Start with something smaller than a homescreen. Mess around with some tutorials.
roblikeschocolatecake said:
I like this thread. I'm also going into android programmins as a noob still in highschool. I've got a question: I am looking into creating a home screen replacement app, so what do you reccomend me to do: Learn java first or just read through the sections of the android books I've purchased that talk about homescreens?
Sent from my DROID2 GLOBAL using Tapatalk
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what book is that?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Hello,
I would like to get into Android game development, mainly as a hobby, but given how obsessed I can get about hobbies I will not rule anything out! I have limited programming background (a bit of C, VBA, JavaScript...just the basics: variables, If/Else, For/While Loops, Arrays, functions, sub-routines etc..) but I tend to pick these things up fairly quickly....however I expect this to be a real long term project for me.
I have attempted to determine a sensible starting location and direction for a beginner to get started, but with so much information it really is a little overwhelming and I can't figure out what would be the most productive way to spend my time right now.
I gather that Android development requires Java knowledge, right? If yes, can anyone recommend any good websites/books with tutorials and code samples that can be used by someone who doesn't have an coding background already? To what sort level should I try to attain in Java before it's worth considering the Android specific side of development (I'm aware 'level' might be very hard to define!), or should I be thinking about these things in tandem from fairly early on?
If anyone has gone through a similar process, can you share your experiences? Pitfalls to avoid? Things not to overlook?
I have a couple of hours a night to dedicate to this for the foreseeable future, so any help filling that time efficiently would be much appreciated!
p.s. If there is a forum that is more suited to my question that I'm not aware of then please let me know!
Thanks!
Jess
I once wanted to become a droid developer too bro! I didn't get far though as I needed to focus on my day job more.
Anyway, what I did was learn about SDKs first. Just google it up, there are actually a lot of tutorials on the web. You'll need to be prepared to spend some money though for the SDKs.
you might get an idea here
http://marakana.com/s/intro_to_android_development_tutorial,1018/index.html
good luck
cepcamba said:
I once wanted to become a droid developer too bro! I didn't get far though as I needed to focus on my day job more.
Anyway, what I did was learn about SDKs first. Just google it up, there are actually a lot of tutorials on the web. You'll need to be prepared to spend some money though for the SDKs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the advice, I noticed that google has it's own SDK, is it still worth investing in one of the other options?
shanman-2 said:
you might get an idea here
http://marakana.com/s/intro_to_android_development_tutorial,1018/index.html
good luck
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Click to collapse
Thanks for that. I've watched the first three so far, and have Eclipse & the SDK manager set up now. It was interesting to see that Android code is actually compiled twice, and given that the second stage doesn't have to be Java, it means that you can write the apps/games in something else, e.g. C.
Do you have any advice regarding which language would be the most sensible to code with? Apparently C is much faster for some things, so maybe it would make sense to dedicate myself to learning that rather than Java?
I don't know which would be best. All I can say is that I am learning java at the moment and hope to move on to android soon!!
Interesting to note Oracle are in court with Google at the moment in regards to copyright infringement. Android really is not a programming language , it's a mix of other languages....
I recommend this book...
http://goo.gl/APX0w
You can obviously get it at other places, and cheaper than that too, but it's a great book. It covers setting up Eclipse and the Android SDK and gets you going with lots of the major elements of both Java and Android together.
I rate it, but I rate Sams books in general. They've always been good.
Yes, I've already searched the forums. I know there is a guide on here from a developer, but that doesn't leave as much open-endedness as I would like. I'm looking to learn to develop games and applications for the Android OS. I've spent the past week learning Java so that I could learn to develop for Android, but it seems to me that is only the tip of the ice berg. The question I have for you guys is how do I go about learning this stuff? I'm sure most of it is trial and error, but hell what can I try if I don't know where to start?
I know you guys probably get this type of question all the time, but I'm not wanting to take the easy "can you basically code it for me route?". I really want to make the game I have in mind and it's fleshed itself a bit more since I actually learned the backbone of the stuff as well. I've seen The New Boston stuff, but that guy doesn't seem to know what he's talking about. He calls > the less than sign and vice versa. :\
aquaars said:
Yes, I've already searched the forums. I know there is a guide on here from a developer, but that doesn't leave as much open-endedness as I would like. I'm looking to learn to develop games and applications for the Android OS. I've spent the past week learning Java so that I could learn to develop for Android, but it seems to me that is only the tip of the ice berg. The question I have for you guys is how do I go about learning this stuff? I'm sure most of it is trial and error, but hell what can I try if I don't know where to start?
I know you guys probably get this type of question all the time, but I'm not wanting to take the easy "can you basically code it for me route?". I really want to make the game I have in mind and it's fleshed itself a bit more since I actually learned the backbone of the stuff as well. I've seen The New Boston stuff, but that guy doesn't seem to know what he's talking about. He calls > the less than sign and vice versa. :\
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you are e developer , to learn java (at least the basics) is the step no 1 , and its not so hard
if you have no idea what programming means , then you sould spend time to have some general knowledge about programming.
then you sould try to understand android platform , read general info , read sdk documentation , read about the structure of an android app , and
play a litle with Eclipse. you can find everything on the net. tutorials , code , how to etc.
Start doing tutorials, that's what I'm doing.
Check YouTube for beginning Android programming and stuff like that. Eclipse has some good tutorials as well
Sent from my LG-E739 using xda app-developers app
aquaars said:
Yes, I've already searched the forums. I know there is a guide on here from a developer, but that doesn't leave as much open-endedness as I would like. I'm looking to learn to develop games and applications for the Android OS. I've spent the past week learning Java so that I could learn to develop for Android, but it seems to me that is only the tip of the ice berg. The question I have for you guys is how do I go about learning this stuff? I'm sure most of it is trial and error, but hell what can I try if I don't know where to start?
I know you guys probably get this type of question all the time, but I'm not wanting to take the easy "can you basically code it for me route?". I really want to make the game I have in mind and it's fleshed itself a bit more since I actually learned the backbone of the stuff as well. I've seen The New Boston stuff, but that guy doesn't seem to know what he's talking about. He calls > the less than sign and vice versa. :\
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you are referring to my guide. You say it "doesn't leave as much open-endedness as [you] would like." What do you mean by that?
The guide is first and foremost written for beginners.. if you have suggestions on how I can improve it, let me know
And I wouldn't call learning "trial and error." It's more of practice and understanding.
You are right in saying "What could I possibly try if you don't know where to start?"
Following a structured series of tutorials at first will start you off on a strong foot.