Programming - General Questions and Answers

I have always been interested in learning how to program for the computer but I have never really taken any steps to achieve this goal. My "itch" to get into the programming game became really strong after I adopted Android as my choice of mobile OS. I've just always been intrigued with computers, technology, os's and I'd really like to try and achieve my dream.
SO my question is, how would I go about doing this? My main goal is to program apps/games for mobile phones, Android mainly. I know my way around a computer but have no programming experience. Is there like a book for dummies or a computer program or something to lead me in the right direction? What do you guys recommend cause I have no idea where to start...
Thanks

So can anybody help me?

Related

Upcoming developer: which platform to concentrate on?

Hi there,
it seems to me most people here develop for WinMo devices, but maybe you can help me out nonetheless.
Currently, I'm a web developer in PHP (+ usual stuff). I studied computer science, so I'm not a newbie when it comes to coding I learned a lot of C and (unfortunately only) basics in Java and C++. I never got my hands on C# or VB and stuff - the only experience in developing applications for Windows Mobile was a small Texas Hold'em Clock (basically a simple countdown and some additional stuff) I did a few months back. I pretty much google'd everything I needed and copy'n pasted the code into Visual Studio - not really developing, but those where my first steps
I consider getting started in development for mobile devices like BlackBerry, Windows Mobile devices, iPhone, Symbian and/or Android. The problem is: I don't know which one of these might turn out useful on when I might be applying for a job later (which is basically my whole point doing this, I don't want to do web development for the rest of my life). Any thoughts?
What type of job do you want to do? first find out what the sort of jobs you want to do require, many software houses use c# so you could develop for windows mobile, if they require java then try android. Iphone uses objective c which isn't used outside of the mac world so unless you want to work for a company which creates mac programs maybe you should try something else.
Then again if you just want to make some cool apps and actually make money from them I would say iphone is the easiest to get you product to market then android with wm coming last.
also if you learn java then you can quickly pick up c# and vice versa so I don't think it really matters either way.
there are of course many other options, if you happen to want a job that requires python you could get the excellent upcoming n900 from nokia
Cant offer advise on that, but what you can do is write a better app for Facebook, the MS one SUCKS compared to the iphones (eeek i said the dirty word............)
ms's also sucks compared to the x1 panel facebook which again is not as good as iphones :S

Helping porting Android over to new smartphone

Hi,
Im looking for someone who can help port Android onto a new smartphone. Rather that try and go through the pain ourselves I was wondering if anyone here in this community has any experience of this.
Ideally im going to need some one with low level programing skills in c/c++ and obviously Embedded Linux, helping to write the device code etc etc.
We simply havnt got the time to do this ourselves and so if anyone has experience of it then please get in touch.

cloning windows mobile OS or program

I'll make this as quick as possible, any help would be greatly appreciated. I have been searching for weeks for a solution. I have even looked on the forums here and haven't found anything addressing this. I need to either clone the operating system with included programs from my work phone, or I need to clone a particular program that we use in the field (which is ultimately the object), and i need to either run it as a Virtual Machine on a netbook, or I need to run it on a tablet. I'm not a noob when it comes to computers, but I am when it comes to working with cell phones since computers have mostly been my focus. I'm happy to make the transition though. Any of the programs I would need or tutorials anyone knows of would be fan frickin tastic. I searched youtube also and nothing on there. I'm serious about this, you reply, I'll reply back. Thanks ahead of time.

Looking to Develope

Hey Guys (and Gals),
I've been in the tech scene for a while, rooting and unlocking android/softmodding psps and xboxs for fun. However recently I wanted to contribute to the scene, and I'm kind of in a dilemma. I want to make a few apps, nothing crazy ambitious just learn how to. Though I'm not sure what platform to do it on. I am kind of torn about doing it on Android or doing it on the Windows marketplace. I want the simplest setup, (i have 2 windows 7 computers, and a htc rezound and toshiba thrive and tf300). I took a college course on C++ but it didn't even touch on guis or go that far in depth. So basically I am starting from scratch either way.
I like android and have a few pieces from them, but I feel as windows is just getting a start it would be a good chance to start also. Furthermore what language is best for each platform? I have heard java for android, but heard a c type program is overtaking, and html and javascript for windows. Any input is greatly appreciated
adamsaur said:
Hey Guys (and Gals),
I've been in the tech scene for a while, rooting and unlocking android/softmodding psps and xboxs for fun. However recently I wanted to contribute to the scene, and I'm kind of in a dilemma. I want to make a few apps, nothing crazy ambitious just learn how to. Though I'm not sure what platform to do it on. I am kind of torn about doing it on Android or doing it on the Windows marketplace. I want the simplest setup, (i have 2 windows 7 computers, and a htc rezound and toshiba thrive and tf300). I took a college course on C++ but it didn't even touch on guis or go that far in depth. So basically I am starting from scratch either way.
I like android and have a few pieces from them, but I feel as windows is just getting a start it would be a good chance to start also. Furthermore what language is best for each platform? I have heard java for android, but heard a c type program is overtaking, and html and javascript for windows. Any input is greatly appreciated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Woo! Somewhere I can be helpful.
I'd recommend researching a few game engines / frameworks. For example, check out Marmalade SDK (google madewithmarmalade), it's a cross-platform game engine that will abstract your game from the hardware it's running on.
I'd also suggest sticking with c/c++, it's probably the most versatile, and you'll be able to use it with Android, and iOS (and I believe the new Windows 8 mobile platform).
Hope that helps!
Jamie W said:
Woo! Somewhere I can be helpful.
I'd recommend researching a few game engines / frameworks. For example, check out Marmalade SDK (google madewithmarmalade), it's a cross-platform game engine that will abstract your game from the hardware it's running on.
I'd also suggest sticking with c/c++, it's probably the most versatile, and you'll be able to use it with Android, and iOS (and I believe the new Windows 8 mobile platform).
Hope that helps!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, ill definitely look that up, any suggestions for tutorials on using c++ with android/windows?

[Q] development of android apps 100% on android tablet

Hello! I am new to this forum so i could have posted this into wrong section.
I want to start learning how to develop apps for android, but the thing is, i am not able to do it on PC.
Could someone tell me what android applications i need to get, to fully develop an application, which is made in the same quality as it would be made on PC. ( everything, not just programming). At the moment i got only AIDE ( Android IDE ), but i dont think that AIDE is enough to fully develop an application. If its not possible to do 100% of work on android tablet, please tell me. Thank you for your answers!
bump
Personal advice
Hi, I do have first hand experiene with Android IDE and it's OK if your not able to use your development PC and your really inspired to write some code but you most def will need an external keyboard/mouse if your going to write something bigger than a 'hello world' program. Don't get me wrong, AIDE will get the job done but it will take you much longer, i.e. a single small screen with limited ram/processor does not help.
I don't know your situation for not being able to do it on a PC but if you are serious about becomming a developer then an investment in a desktop/laptop should be at the top of your list, but if you want to test the waters first and all you have access to is a tablet with AIDE then I say go for it, I just hope that the limited enviroment does not discourage you, programming is fun and rewarding if you have the right tools.
Do you have any experience programming?
If not I would recommend you follow the Newboston series of videos for beginning programming with Java first before jumping into Android development, I say development because writing apps for Android consists mostly with writting Java that uses the provided Android API's.
Newboston beginning programming with Java video series (He uses Eclipse here but you can ignore that and just type the same code)
http://thenewboston.org/list.php?cat=31
Newboston application Android development (If you try to complete this without any Java knowledge you will cripple you chances of success)
http://thenewboston.org/list.php?cat=6
Excellent resources provided here at XDA for Android development
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/want-to-learn-how-to-program-for-android-start-here/
p.s. You would be suprised at how cheap you can find a used PC on craigslist, you don't need a gaming monster but get something that is multi-core with at least 4gigs of RAM.

Categories

Resources