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Learning to Develop on Android

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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
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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.

[Q] Java for Android

Ok, been using these forums for quite awhile to mod my various devices. However I've never had to post, so you'll have to forgive that this is in the wrong board as it wont let me post in the right one due to lack of posts.
I want to get into actually developing Android apps, and then eventually get into developing ROMs and such. From what I've seen apps would be programed in Java, and I've seen links to a few web resources to learn Java. But none on them answer what I am really looking to find out. I need to know what "flavor" of Java is best to use. Java 1? 2? 6? Java++? Visual Java? Etc etc etc.
I don't want to waste my time learning Java 6, if Android is only compatible with Java 4, for example. And vise versa. Like-wise I don't want to learn a version of Sun Java, if Java++ or Visual would be be better/give better functionality.
In closing, I just need to know what flavor of Java would be best to learn. Thanks.

It's not really java, it's android.
Here you have everything to start:
http://developer.android.com/guide/index.html
And to set up the environment for developing:
http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App

knowing java is a good start, think of android like an advanced java applet programming.

leblid said:
knowing java is a good start, think of android like an advanced java applet programming.
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Yeah, exactly. And that's what I am looking for. Somehing to get my base knowledge started on. But their are allot of diffrent versions of Java and I don't really know which would be the best to use as a jumping off point.
I have also looked at the Android dev site, but it isn't really going to "teach" me from scrach.
Sent from my DROID2 using XDA App

Glgamesh said:
Yeah, exactly. And that's what I am looking for. Somehing to get my base knowledge started on. But their are allot of diffrent versions of Java and I don't really know which would be the best to use as a jumping off point.
I have also looked at the Android dev site, but it isn't really going to "teach" me from scrach.
Sent from my DROID2 using XDA App
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Again, if you plan to develop for android, it's better to focus on android, and not learn first java.. It's like learning first to ride a motocycle, and then go for the car.... It has some common ground, but..
If you want to learn from the scratch, the links I posted are your point. You can also take a look to the tutorials:
http://developer.android.com/intl/es/resources/tutorials/hello-world.html
If you still want to go through Java.. I reccomend you take a look to this:
http://download.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/java/index.html
http://download.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/
and start from Java SE 6 (http://download.oracle.com/javase/6/docs/)
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/index-jsp-135888.html

aitorTheRed said:
Again, if you plan to develop for android, it's better to focus on android, and not learn first java.. It's like learning first to ride a motocycle, and then go for the car.... It has some common ground, but..
If you want to learn from the scratch, the links I posted are your point. You can also take a look to the tutorials:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh ok, I get it now, thank you for breaking it down like that. I thought it was the exact opposite, I thought you needed Java to lead into Android. I'd looked at several books to learn Android, but all the reviews said that you should know Java before getting the books. (Hence where I got the idea) I actually read this post earlier, and I have given the Developer section of the Android site a LOT deeper look, and it looks like you were very much correct. Upon first glance I didn't think it was actually be what I needed. Thank you for your assistance and I am sorry for the missunderstanding.

Glgamesh said:
Oh ok, I get it now, thank you for breaking it down like that. I thought it was the exact opposite, I thought you needed Java to lead into Android. I'd looked at several books to learn Android, but all the reviews said that you should know Java before getting the books. (Hence where I got the idea) I actually read this post earlier, and I have given the Developer section of the Android site a LOT deeper look, and it looks like you were very much correct. Upon first glance I didn't think it was actually be what I needed. Thank you for your assistance and I am sorry for the missunderstanding.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need to ask for sorry we all have to start sometimes from zero it's true that knowing java helps, but I think that if you have some notion on OOP (object-oriented programming) will be enought
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App

How do I become a developer?

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

Where to start in learning programming/android development?

Hey guys.
I'm really into Android and I love rooting and custom roms as much as the next guy. So much, in fact, that I'd like to start learning how it all works.
I'm not a noob to computing or android by any stretch of the imagination, but I AM a noob to programming and development.I'm very proficient with windows and can navigate my way around Ubuntu but when it comes to the terminal or command prompt, I'm lost. However, I'm usually able to follow instructions or type in basic ADB commands but most of the time I find myself wondering why these work the way they do and what they're actually accomplishing.
I have a good understanding of how the android operating system works but am clueless to what goes on under the hood. I know what a custom rom is and can flash it in recovery without problems but usually when I start throwing radios or kernels into the mix that's where things go wrong. These are the kinds of things I'd like to know how they work and what they do for Android, as well as how the file hierchy works, the android SDK, ROM building, and stuff like that.
So, I'd like to learn how to develop the things that people put up on this site. I have a very basic understanding of code and programming in general, so I pretty much need a gameplan on where to start in this endeavor. I'm guessing I need to learn a (or a few) programming languages, and I'm guessing I also need a basic understanding of the terminal in Windows or Linux. I have absolutely no idea where to start.
In the past, I've found video tutorials to be very helpful in learning software like Photoshop or After Effects. I'm more of a visual learner so I'm not sure how helpful a book or PDF would be to me. Lynda.com has been a very trusty sidekick and from what I've found they do have some basic training for Java and other popular languages, but their library for terminal/scripting languages or Android in general are both pretty scarce. If anyone could recommend a few resources on where I can get my foot in the door that would be greatly appreciated as hours of googling have left me ultimately fruitless.
All of the things I've listed above are just things I KNOW I'm going to need an understanding of to truly learn how android works. I realize that there are so many more things I'm going to need to grasp before I'm ready to start making ROMs or building apps. I'd like to know what all I need to learn and the best way to approach it and in what order makes the most sense. Please excuse the extensiveness of my post as well, I wanted to give a summary of all the things I know well and what I'm looking to learn. Any opinions or comments/suggestions are completely welcome, I'm humbly asking for your guys' help because I know you know what you're talking about.
Thanks a ton.

I'm pretty sure, there's a video tutorial on xda main site. Do a search, I'd link it but on phone
Sent from my evo using xda premium

gfunk0311 said:
I'm pretty sure, there's a video tutorial on xda main site. Do a search, I'd link it but on phone
Sent from my evo using xda premium
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I'm having trouble finding any video guides other than small mod-type things. There's a bunch of links to forum posts but I'm not finding the one you're referring to.
If you get a chance I'd love to know the one you're talking about. Thanks!

here is nice tutorial
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1753131

renw0rp said:
here is nice tutorial
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1753131
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That's a good one for specifically learning game development, but before I get that into it I want to gain a really good understanding of how android works and what all I need to learn.

snoshreddax21 said:
That's a good one for specifically learning game development, but before I get that into it I want to gain a really good understanding of how android works and what all I need to learn.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
havent really had time to watch all of these, but perhaps this is a good starting point for you. theres a series of videos called "How to build an Android App part 1..."
http://www.youtube.com/user/xdadevelopers/videos?view=0
---------- Post added at 09:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:07 AM ----------
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1661770
this is in the Android Software Development section of the forum. there may be a ton of useful threads but this is the first relevant one that came up
also, going start to the source is a good option
http://developer.android.com/training/index.html

Can anyone suggest a few things I need to become familiar with besides Java? And perhaps recommend a method of learning?

snoshreddax21 said:
Can anyone suggest a few things I need to become familiar with besides Java? And perhaps recommend a method of learning?
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For learning Java, I would suggest "thinking in Java" by Bruce eckel. It is downloadable for free
Otherwise, getting a common Linux distro and learning your way around that, or osx if you use a Mac, will teach you a lot about the Unix file system and permissions and common commands. All of which are common with android
Best of luck

I've actually been asking the same question myself. I've learned C++ (A bit) took a class on it, did fairly well. But good to know someone else asked I had asked one of my buddies the same question and he had replied, telling me, I was asking too much of an ambiguous question. But either way, I'll start with the videos on this site. :laugh:

peg20 said:
For learning Java, I would suggest "thinking in Java" by Bruce eckel. It is downloadable for free
Otherwise, getting a common Linux distro and learning your way around that, or osx if you use a Mac, will teach you a lot about the Unix file system and permissions and common commands. All of which are common with android
Best of luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had my share of experience with Ubuntu but when it comes to the Terminal I'm completely lost. Any suggestions on how to get started? I have no idea how it works or what commands do and that sort of stuff. I'd love to try it out but I just don't know where to begin.

snoshreddax21 said:
I've had my share of experience with Ubuntu but when it comes to the Terminal I'm completely lost. Any suggestions on how to get started? I have no idea how it works or what commands do and that sort of stuff. I'd love to try it out but I just don't know where to begin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The best learning method is "trial and error", so if you are lost with the Terminal start doing a google search and you'll find many howtos.

Looking to Develop Android Applications and Games

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.