Related
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
if i want to programm an app for Android.
Is it Java or C++ ? I read that with the new SDK you can use C++ is that right? Or can u only use it for some special parts?
Sry for this noob question:_/
I suggest you invest in this book,
http://www.amazon.com/Android-Application-Development-Dummies-Computer/dp/047077018X
The Kindle version's probably a little cheaper.
android development is done in java unless you want to use the ndk
generalamerica said:
I suggest you invest in this book,
http://www.amazon.com/Android-Application-Development-Dummies-Computer/dp/047077018X
The Kindle version's probably a little cheaper.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need a book, just go to developer.android.com.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Hi,
thanks for your replies.
Do i need to learn Java seperately or can i start with the dummie book?
Why i dont need java for the NDK?
ok i saw that i can find there (developer.android.com.) some Tutorials and sample codes. But if i know nothing about Java - is this the right start? Or was i just in the wrong section (i was in resources)
eaglesuper said:
Hi,
thanks for your replies.
Do i need to learn Java seperately or can i start with the dummie book?
Why i dont need java for the NDK?
ok i saw that i can find there (developer.android.com.) some Tutorials and sample codes. But if i know nothing about Java - is this the right start? Or was i just in the wrong section (i was in resources)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're good with c++ then learning Java should be pretty easy. In fact extremely easy since you don't have to worry about memory management and the whole pointers/references/etc thing is straightforward in java.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
So your response according to the question i throw in is, that i need to learn Java first, right ?
I'm not good in C++ I just started once, but didn't read more than the first 100 pages in the book xDD
If there's nobody you can talk to, about programming - it's kind of boring and isolating D
eaglesuper said:
So your response according to the question i throw in is, that i need to learn Java first, right ?
I'm not good in C++ I just started once, but didn't read more than the first 100 pages in the book xDD
If there's nobody you can talk to, about programming - it's kind of boring and isolating D
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes definitely learn java first Don't worry about c++. There are many good, free online java "books" that are great for learning. Once you are comfortable with Java then you can go through the tutorials on developer.android.com
Good luck!
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
While I admire anyone wanting to learn how to write code, it's a little more complicated than that.
I'm a professional programmer...I know how to code in about 6 languages and picked-up Android about 3 months ago. While any programming is hard, developing for a smartphone is even harder in my opinion. I consider myself a complete beginner in Android irregardless of my background.
Programming is so much more than reading a book or some online tutorials. If that was the case, I would pick-up some books and become a plumber or electrician etc.
My advanced COBOL class started with 25 students; there were 10 left at the end
(and I would say that about 5 of the 10 were "pure" programmers)
That being said, it can be done...be prepared for a LOT of hard work, time and dedication. If you make it, it can be one of the most exciting things you do...creating something out of nothing!
Well sure, there's more to it than that, but where else is there to start? I started coding about 10 years ago, first with BASIC on my TI 83. I then picked up a few books on Java, C, Python and C++ and worked my way up from there. I haven't developed for Android yet, mostly out of lack of time, but I'm sure you're right in that it is probably more difficult. However, to say coding isn't more than reading a few tutorials is, to me, not correct. Unless you have the means to pursue CS classes, there's no other way to do it than to pick up a few books, read a few tutorials, watch a lecture here and there and just dive in.
It's easier now than every to learn how to code and you shouldn't try to discourage someone who is interested from diving in and seeing what they can write. Who's to say that you can't read a few books and become a decent plumber or electrician? I built up my car from books and wired houses from reading a few books and talking to electricians as well as learning how to design, build and solder circuit boards entirely from online resources.
I do agree with you though, in that learning how to code is a long and difficult journey that requires a lot of patience and hard work. You're going to have to invest a lot of free time if you want to learn properly, but trust me, it is completely worth it!
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
I really tired to make my point that it's not impossible and to not discourage anyone. It's "easy" to create a smartphone app as they are fairly short...get into some 20k, 40k, 100,000 lines of code programs and you will soon learn about complexity
To be more helpful:
1. Start out with the basic "Hello World" app
2. Create a program that takes some user input and writes it back out to the screen
3. Keep expanding your coding experience with new topics and Android features
For books, I really like 'Professional Android 2 Application Development" by Reto Meier For JAVA and C++, I don't think you can beat the Deitel and Dietel books.
Look for them on Amazon and then check "Prices New and Used". I got a brand spanking new "Objective C for JAVA developers for $1.99 + S&H!...like $5.00 total
I've heard head first java is a good book and was going to pick it up. Any thoughts? Has anyone else bought this book?
StyrofoamTumor said:
Well sure, there's more to it than that, but where else is there to start? I started coding about 10 years ago, first with BASIC on my TI 83. I then picked up a few books on Java, C, Python and C++ and worked my way up from there. I haven't developed for Android yet, mostly out of lack of time, but I'm sure you're right in that it is probably more difficult. However, to say coding isn't more than reading a few tutorials is, to me, not correct. Unless you have the means to pursue CS classes, there's no other way to do it than to pick up a few books, read a few tutorials, watch a lecture here and there and just dive in.
It's easier now than every to learn how to code and you shouldn't try to discourage someone who is interested from diving in and seeing what they can write. Who's to say that you can't read a few books and become a decent plumber or electrician? I built up my car from books and wired houses from reading a few books and talking to electricians as well as learning how to design, build and solder circuit boards entirely from online resources.
I do agree with you though, in that learning how to code is a long and difficult journey that requires a lot of patience and hard work. You're going to have to invest a lot of free time if you want to learn properly, but trust me, it is completely worth it!
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL I started as kid with BASIC and TI83 applications, too.
IMO It's not learning the languages that's so difficult, it's learning how to apply what algorithms, data structures, etc to solve a problem. Then there's the really involved details such as how compilers, OS managed memory and synchronization, etc work.
Hey guys, so I've had an interest in programming for quite a while now. I have tried Python, but I didn't have much success there. I really want to learn to program, and thought I'd start on Android, because I have a few android devices. I know practically nothing about Java(or any other programming language). I'm not really someone that can learn from examples, so I'm looking for some good guides. Guides that start from the absolute basics and work up from there. What are some good ones?
TL;DR? : What are some good guides for learning Java for android development, for someone with practically no programming experience?
Thanks!
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electric...nce-and-programming-fall-2008/video-lectures/
This is mostly python. But once you learn one programming language then all the others will fall into place, the hardest part is learning the first one.
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
Click to expand...
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.
Ok so I'm really interested in android development and I'm gonna get some books to read about them. Books that I'm gonna get are C and Java for general OS knowledge and to develop apps. So I'm wondering what jobs can I get in future??Apart from these:
-Working in Google[i made this an exception at the moment since its not easy to be the top]
-Making apps and sitting at home
-Making mobile apps for companies
Hope to get some good replies, cause I don't wanna choose the wrong path and have my life ruined/jobless in future
PS: Is android OS/kernel 100% on C only?? no C++ or C#? also are the apps 100% Java??thanks!
Learning Java and C++ isn't going to ruin your life even if it turns out to not be what you wanted. It takes like, a semester to get the basics down - this isn't four years of your life. You can even teach yourself.
Writing code is like writing English - most people can learn to do it. It's the creativity and ability to problem solve that makes a difference.
Just learn C++ or Java (flip a coin) and see if you like it and if it's a kind of thinking and problem solving you're good at or even like. It's not going to take ages. It's like taking a cooking class to see if you like it - you're not going to be a master chef or even a good one at first - but you won't know unless you try. And even spending a year and not wanting to go on isn't the end of the world.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
wong93 said:
PS: Is android OS/kernel 100% on C only?? no C++ or C#? also are the apps 100% Java??thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, Android Kernel is actually a modified Linux Kernel which is 100% written in C. No C++ or C# is involved. Android OS is written in C, C++, Java.
And yes, all the android apps are written in Java and there are places where XML editing is performed.
Pennycake said:
Learning Java and C++ isn't going to ruin your life even if it turns out to not be what you wanted. It takes like, a semester to get the basics down - this isn't four years of your life. You can even teach yourself.
Writing code is like writing English - most people can learn to do it. It's the creativity and ability to problem solve that makes a difference.
Just learn C++ or Java (flip a coin) and see if you like it and if it's a kind of thinking and problem solving you're good at or even like. It's not going to take ages. It's like taking a cooking class to see if you like it - you're not going to be a master chef or even a good one at first - but you won't know unless you try. And even spending a year and not wanting to go on isn't the end of the world.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a lot of C++ in android?? i'm kind of confused lol, so its kernel is fully written in C , and the OS is C and C++ while apps are Java??btw what are some jobs I can get i Im really a pro in android one day?? and what if I do not take android?? what path can i go with these languages??
coolsandie said:
Yes, Android Kernel is actually a modified Linux Kernel which is 100% written in C. No C++ or C# is involved. Android OS is written in C, C++, Java.
And yes, all the android apps are written in Java and there are places where XML editing is performed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for the reply,btw any idea what jobs can I get??
wong93 said:
thanks for the reply,btw any idea what jobs can I get??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jobs will be mainly based on your education and experience. Just do stuffs that proves your experience, add it to your Resume, and if employers are convinced you'll get the job. There are countless opportunities for Android development.
Also, you can read this similar article which was published in Portal:
http://www.xda-developers.com/andro...s-dont-work-on-the-internet-xda-developer-tv/