Ok so basically I am 26 and very interested in learning about how to work with and customize technology and not just phones but in general. Things such as computers,phones,game systems etc. What im wondering is where do you begin learning this stuff because I am around the net and people talk so confidently about linux, operating systems, kernels, Programs and how they work and i find myself just lost in wtf they are talking about. Now like alot of people I can get things done by following step by step tutorials and things of that nature but what I would really enjoy is understanding these things and being able to do more then just google search and follow the leader so to speak.
Does anyone have any suggestions how to go about that. Would i need to take some kind of college/university course in computer engineering or something? I wish I would have knows how interested I was in these things earlier in my life because as a kid I found myself unfocused and undriven and now later in life i finally have an idea of what I want to focus on but again feel lost in where to start.
I ask here because I see alot of people like the ones I mentioned earlier and by that I mean confident in how all this stuff works.
Hi,
It's good to know that people are keen to learn about these "geek" stuff.
The best part is that, on the Internet, there are special interest groups that offer free tutorials. I collated some websites which might provide you with some "beginner's guide".
Generally, the Wikipedia resources will be a good "first-read" on anything you want to learn about. It will give you the basics, history and development and features of those topics you mentioned. XDA has a consolidated wiki of the operating systems here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/
Next up, when you want to go hands on, then working the online tutorials will give you leg-up. For example:
Linux:
http://linuxsurvival.com/
For the rest, you can also search the Internet, just have to search using "learn xxx".
The more you read about them, the more you will begin to understand.
If you need guided (with a person), then you will need to enrol in one of those (usually) expensive courses for system administrators for the respective operating system you want to learn about. These courses will usually delve deep into the bolts and nuts of managing the respective operating system. This will be the way to go if you want to make a career of in this field.
Hope this helps.
chan.sk said:
Hi,
It's good to know that people are keen to learn about these "geek" stuff.
The best part is that, on the Internet, there are special interest groups that offer free tutorials. I collated some websites which might provide you with some "beginner's guide".
Generally, the Wikipedia resources will be a good "first-read" on anything you want to learn about. It will give you the basics, history and development and features of those topics you mentioned. XDA has a consolidated wiki of the operating systems here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/
Next up, when you want to go hands on, then working the online tutorials will give you leg-up. For example:
Linux:
http://linuxsurvival.com/
For the rest, you can also search the Internet, just have to search using "learn xxx".
The more you read about them, the more you will begin to understand.
If you need guided (with a person), then you will need to enrol in one of those (usually) expensive courses for system administrators for the respective operating system you want to learn about. These courses will usually delve deep into the bolts and nuts of managing the respective operating system. This will be the way to go if you want to make a career of in this field.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sounds Like I have a long road ahead but very worth it. Im trying to learn to change my boot logo and animation and wow even something that simple seems so complicated. Technology is just so advanced now even simple aspects just are not. But I am A big fan of customization and technology and all that good stuff so I think I will enjoy this journey to figuring all this stuff out.
chan.sk said:
Hi,
It's good to know that people are keen to learn about these "geek" stuff.
The best part is that, on the Internet, there are special interest groups that offer free tutorials. I collated some websites which might provide you with some "beginner's guide".
Generally, the Wikipedia resources will be a good "first-read" on anything you want to learn about. It will give you the basics, history and development and features of those topics you mentioned. XDA has a consolidated wiki of the operating systems here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/
Next up, when you want to go hands on, then working the online tutorials will give you leg-up. For example:
Linux:
http://linuxsurvival.com/
For the rest, you can also search the Internet, just have to search using "learn xxx".
The more you read about them, the more you will begin to understand.
If you need guided (with a person), then you will need to enrol in one of those (usually) expensive courses for system administrators for the respective operating system you want to learn about. These courses will usually delve deep into the bolts and nuts of managing the respective operating system. This will be the way to go if you want to make a career of in this field.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really like what chan.sk said. I really feel like it's spot on! Trying to learn the basics and then attempting to put them into practice is a great way to go. I think school is always a great option but really make sure you weigh all the options before you do that(major,what courses you are going to take, cost, time commitment, etc.)
And I can actually really relate with you Hunsdale. Genuinely. I went to school to do Mechanical Engineering and graduated worked for two years and at age 23/24 I realized it wasn't for me. I had "direction" when I went to school but it was only because I wanted a job. Never thought too much about if I would enjoy it. Haha!
So about a year and half ago I decided after really searching myself that I wanted to get into game and software development. Though I know this is not directly what you want to do I figured Id give you a rundown of how I got where I am now (Have Currently developed 2 games that are published in Google Play).
First, I just engulfed myself in what I wanted to do. I started particularly with game development. For me for example, I watched almost every available video I could on gdcvault.com. There was genuinely times I had no idea what was going on with all the acronymns and terms being used but It helped me to get used to their context,
Once I felt like I understood what was going on, I looked for a way to start developing a game in a very simple way so I took a tutorial. In particular I took a tutorial at sdltutorials.com because it was very thorough and stepped me through the process step by step. Didn't completely understand the tutorial but then I set a goal to use that tutorial to make a small game! THAT WAS THE BEST DECISION I EVER MADE!!
Because I didn't understand everything I was doing during the tutorial, trying to make a game of my own based off that tutorial FORCED me to learn what everything did from the ground up.
Made that small game. Then took some more tutorials on more advanced things.
Made another small game and then decided I wanted to try my hand at mobile developement.
Looked up different things on mobile development and started to learn stuff about different platforms, how they differ, the languages they use, etc. Once I understood that, I decided to make android based games and took ANOTHER tutorial. From that tutorial i made a small game that turned into my first game.
To be honest, I just rinsed and repeated that formula over and over. Choose a new direction, learned about it, looked for tutorials and examples on how it works, made my own sample project using tutorial, then branched off from what I've learned to more advanced things.
I hope that was helpful in some way.
Also, just as a side note I considered going back to school but couldn't afford it sadly. Haha!
Being in the same boat you are not too long ago, I know how it feels. I learned mostly through YouTube videos, the forums right here on XDA, and other sites that are similar. A lot of things are easier to learn as you do them, so take the time to learn everything carefully as you do it and slowly you'll build onto those skills and eventually you'll be able to do everything with no worries!
@TheGospelGamer
Wow that is impressive man, sounds like you went through alot to get to where you are and hopefully I can follow in your footsteps though it will not be easy and im sure frustrating at times haha congrats tho on your progress
@BraydenLarwill
Ya this site seems very helpful I used it to successfully flash a new rom onto my phone which so far works very well. I will check out youtube and see if i can find some good videos to help in what I am trying to do.
My vision for my boot logo and bootanimation ( which i will have to make myself ) is a combination of bleach,onepiece,naruto which is my fave anime/manga at the moment which I don't know if people here follow but basically Id like to.
have the boot logo be a picture of 3 different manga cliping on on picture
And the the animation will be this same picture being slowly coloring in until all characters are fully colored. I dunno if i will succeed but I am gonna give it my best shot.
Related
I have been programming with Java for about 6 years now. I am currently getting my masters in college for Computer Science (Programming).
I just finished reading the book Hello, Android by Ed Burnette. It was a pretty good book I must say and got me on my feet towards developing for an Android device. For those who do not know the book, each chapter you gradually build a Sudoku game. In the later chapters it discusses some openGL, sound, video. Overall the game is pointless and a waiste.
I never really liked game programming, I wish to do something such as tools, or a feature. However I have hit a roadblock and do not know where to go from here or what to read. I get the structure of the app, the XML setups, etc but the book did not give me a good enough background on the Android System for what I would like to do.
Any suggestions?
Thanks for your help in advanced.
Travmanx I think the way to go from here is use your Java experience to assist in unlocking these phones. I know these guys that are doing the hard work would appreciate all the help they can get.
ZC
I'm very new to android programming too and I agree there does seem to be a big gap in going from the usual tutorials and guides to really getting your feet wet and digging into proper coding.
I think the key here is to think of a simple idea and start to program it, by choosing something simple you can get the basics working quickly, while still giving you room to experiment further with extra features and improvements later on (where the real learning happens).
As to what idea... that is more difficult, I would suggest you do something which you will use so that you've got a drive to keep working on it and improve it.
i.e. If you travel, then a quick currency converter could be useful...if you play tennis then perhaps a score board...it doesn't matter much as long as the incentive is there to code it.
Look forward to hear what you decide to write!
hello there
I would suggest you do something which you will use so that you've got a drive to keep working on it and improve it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
first of all +10 for ^ meltwater
i did an app to (scoreboard) for a card game, instead of using paper and pen.
then:
i am a Java Developer to,
and recently started doing some android apps
i already have 2 of them in the market...
i am just like you, don't like to do games, i prefer tools and other staff...
however, my point is, whenever you can build an app whatever it is,... all you need now is an idea
try to find an idea and start developing it, and on every problem you face try to dig and fix it, then continue on ur main target... otherwise i don't see any advantage of reading more books, because you have to find something to do, then try to find how to do it (based on your input with 6 years java dev)
otherwise i think you will get lost.
my opinion, find an idea and start with it, then fix every block you face.
Good Luck
Yes I am asking you!
Your personal experience on how you learned coding!
Feel free to vent, my eyes are wide open
my reason? Why I have a book on coding (for Andriod) and the coding package (Eclipse, Andriod SDK, and SO ON)
but is this enough?
How did you start? What was your motivation?
is it fun!?
Please if anyone replies to it, i'd be very happy
Many moons ago, there was a magazine called BBC Micro User, and in it there were pages and pages of code for games written in BASIC.
Normally the code was wrong in places, which meant you had to debug and therefore learn how it worked rather than just copying it verbatum.
This is of course related to our phones as the BBC B was an ancestor to them (now there's a thought!)
Problems? No problems! You need a small program to make your life easier? Go and read in all forums! Ask questions! Start programing by leaning by doing.
Mizulunaris said:
Yes I am asking you!
Your personal experience on how you learned coding!
Feel free to vent, my eyes are wide open
my reason? Why I have a book on coding (for Andriod) and the coding package (Eclipse, Andriod SDK, and SO ON)
but is this enough?
How did you start? What was your motivation?
is it fun!?
Please if anyone replies to it, i'd be very happy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why did you buy a book to find out about technology?!? That book will be outdated tomorrow...I suggest looking up info on the internet and there's this cool thing that's called google that lets you ask any question you want...check it out.
Hope this helped Mizu Luna!
Thank you all for relpying !
think the book is already out dated XD
It was made when android 2.2 just came out....I figured any info toget me startd would be nice.....
I still haven't gotten into the gist of the forum though.....I still don't know many of the terms and aren't familiar to a lot of things talked about...or where things are placed.....and no formal training to help me.....
I guess I'll read on a bit until I can properly place my feet
I couldn't even tell you how I started, I was like 8 years old and just playing around for the hell of it. Been switching around and trying languages ever since. As for motivation, the only reason I ever write a program is because I need something done... I'll feel like I wish my PC/phone/website did something differently - so I make it do that
Really, the best thing to do is just dive right into it. If you want to start with Android, find a good tutorial that at least has you get an IDE and build environment set up... Then from there just start experimenting with some example code, or apps others have written as you go through more tutorials.
If you want to properly learn how to code though, most would suggest starting with something on a PC rather than diving right into Android dev. Starting with an easy-to-use scripting language or interpreter (like Python) is a good way to start playing around - and then you can move on to other languages such as Java with a solid understanding of how programming languages work.
It's all personal preference though, just find a solid tutorial and stick with it. Try to experiment as you go along, try things with the code, and actually understand what it's telling you.
I started with webpage design and slowly moved into other venues. I became interested in making apps for ideas that I had and started to search google on how to code specific tasks that I wanted in my apps and then mixing it all together and making small changes in the code and watching to see what it did.
NEWBIE...Im fairly new into the developing world, but I have a solid background in anything computer orrientated. I started with a droid x, rooted it, and have never looked back. I'm taking java classes and learning as much as I can about programming. Any helpfull advice for someone starting a career/lifelong hobby in this feild? Reading a lot of books and blogs, but any other resources would be greatly appreciated.
Thx to all the professional devs out there who make it a fun digital world to cusomize!!!!
http://goo.gl/xB9rK
Lets start by using the search function.
This question gets asked and answered several times per week...
Personally i would skip the books.
I started by an idea in my mind what i wanted my app to do and taught myself through tutorials, stackoverflow, irc and lots of google...
Start something small, maybe an app that plays a single mp3 file.
Now you think, how can i choose different ones -> make a file explorer.
And so on... kinda like reading wikipedia, you start with some topic but end up in another topic far away ;-).
Thats if you want to program apps... there are lots of types of devs.... apps, roms, themes, kernel...
Now don't say you want to learn everything .
Thanks & more
Thanks for being the first to reply! And also for the info. I've done a little programming, vb and java, but am more interested in the rom/kernal side of things. Seen the vid before! Awesome!
I tried searching the site for what I'm looking for but unsuccesfull, figured the best way to get forward in this site, and get specific info, was to post a thread in one of the only places I could. Reread the rules and newbie posts, and figured out the reasons but they dont bother meat all.
Guess I'm looking more of an answer to this question, from everyone who replies:
How did u get to where u are now? (be it app dev, device help, other software dev)
Again thx for the help! P.S. what software do u use to program? And which os is preferred, linux, windows, mac?
I'm learning linux as fast as I can and wouldn't mind help there either if its out there.
Sent from my Xoom. Via whatever the heck I want!
I started with knowledge in C++,C,SystemC and some script languages from university + plus some knowledge about programming in general.
We had to use java in the university but i never properly learned it (just couldnt be bothered). I knew the ideas behind it and some concepts.
I actually only started learning java after i had written the exams (one which was about java but thank god didn't require actual working code in the exam ).
This was winter 2010.
So after i no longer had to learn it, i wanted to learn it and started out pretty basic.
Used google alot tried the basic tutorials, i.e. button doing something and so on.
After that got boring i was looking for an app with an actual purpose.
I made a voice recording app, did some bounty requests, wrote a control app for a modification from another xda member and some other stuff, cba to list it all now .
I use the android sdk + eclipse. Currently on windows 7, but that doesn't really matter. I've got a laptop with linux and a virtual machine with it too. It just that i also play video games for which windows is somewhat required and so i'm programming on it too. But it doesn't really matter. Eclipse and android sdk don't really differ on the OSs.
For compiling kernels, you might need linux, but maybe its possible under windows too... (cygwin)... don't really know ;-)
The thing is, you don't need to read 5 books, have 2 degrees in X to start.
Let's take custom ROMs.
No one actually builds those things from scratch.
90% of them are just other ROMs(custom or stock) that have been modified to some extend.
Download a ROM, unpack it, swap some files, change some scripts/configs, maybe recolor some things, add some extra apps, maybe a different kernel.
Repack it and XING you made a custom ROM.. now just flash it and see if it works, if it doesn't... well try again
Trial&Error...
You will get more knowledge about what you can change and what can be done with the time.
There is a custom ROM tutorial thread somewhere on xda, just search for it.
I'm going to write a little bit on my next app now
I'm looking to learn how to code, mainly because its something that has always interested me but I have never done. I have no experience in it at all. I'm looking for a book that can set me up with the very basics in java (or is it better to start off with a different language?) and hopefully I can move on from there.
If anyone knows of any good books that could help me I would greatly appreciate a link to it.
Thankyou.
http://goo.gl/xB9rK
Why does no one use the search before opening another thread?
Ohnoez
http://www.google.com/cse?q=learn+c...ub-2900107662879704:fs7umqefhnf&ie=ISO-8859-1
Wut?
http://www.google.com/cse?q=learn+d...ub-2900107662879704:fs7umqefhnf&ie=ISO-8859-1
I seriously could not find an answer to your question by using the search function.
http://www.google.com/cse?q=learn+p...ub-2900107662879704:fs7umqefhnf&ie=ISO-8859-1
So even on sophisticated websites like this there are still childish idiots like yourself on them. Yes you're probably right in that I should have searched before creating a new thread, however obviously I didn't think of that.
Maybe next time you should try and show maybe at least an inch of maturity when posting. Oh and for someone who would like me to donate to them and buy/download their apps you're not going the right way about it.
I dont know if that because you joined before me or have more posts than I do, this makes you think you have some superiority over me or new members, but it doesn't and remember with every new member is potentially another donation to you for your work. So if you want to carry on alienating these member towards you then carry on but if you don't then you might want to re-think your mentality towards them, because personally I wont be donating or ever downloading any of you apps.
With that said, thankyou for the links.
SxcKieranGrr said:
So even on sophisticated websites like this there are still childish idiots like yourself on them. Yes you're probably right in that I should have searched before creating a new thread, however obviously I didn't think of that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What you are seeing is my lack of understanding for people creating new threads with topics that have been covered a hundredtimes over.
I'm merely calling you out for your obvious mistake of not using the search.
You made the mistake, deal with it.
childish idiots like yourself
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. May i call you lazy idiot?
SxcKieranGrr said:
Maybe next time you should try and show maybe at least an inch of maturity when posting. Oh and for someone who would like me to donate to them and buy/download their apps you're not going the right way about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't want anything from you.
You want something from this forum, more exactly from its members.
You want an answer.
You did not pay anything for the knowledge available for free here, neither the time a member puts up to help you out.
What you could do is show some courtesy by using the search function to not waste the time of people who are willing to help out.
I dont know if that because you joined before me or have more posts than I do, this makes you think you have some superiority over me or new members, but it doesn't and remember with every new member is potentially another donation to you for your work. So if you want to carry on alienating these member towards you then carry on but if you don't then you might want to re-think your mentality towards them, because personally I wont be donating or ever downloading any of you apps.
With that said, thankyou for the links.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Both my join date and post count are indirectly related to this.
It just means that i have seen too many threads like this, which could have been avoid by a few seconds of search.
What is more astonishing is that i still browse the question and answer forums to help people out.
Yeah maybe some people won't get the answer they wanted to hear, but hey you got your answer.
Im confused now, from looking around it looks like python is the most basic of languages but if i was to start with a dummy book for that, would it actually help me achieve learning java? I dont want to get the wrong book and be completely lost because I havent learnt the complete basics.
It seems like everyone says different things and I cant get a clear answer of where to start.
@Dark3n I'm not going to sit here and argue, you have your view I have mine let's leave it at that. If you would like to help me (which somehow i doubt) that would be great, thanks.
SxcKieranGrr said:
Im confused now, from looking around it looks like python is the most basic of languages but if i was to start with a dummy book for that, would it actually help me achieve learning java? I dont want to get the wrong book and be completely lost because I havent learnt the complete basics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The most basic language would be machinecode (ASSEMBLER).
But beleive me that it is really painfull to write and learn.
Python is a nice language to write in, no doubt.
But you should think about what you want to do with your programming skills?
Something Android related?
Then you should look at C for linux kernels and the lower levels of android.
or
Java for Apps and the higher levels of the android os.
If you want to learn java there is no advantage in learning python first, besides that you can program in python and java.
I would like eventually to create an app for android, which is obviously done in java but if i got even the most basic of java books would i still be lost?
Edit: I just remembered there was a thread similar to this one where i already had a lengthy discussion about this topic.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1179816
SxcKieranGrr said:
I would like eventually to create an app for android, which is obviously done in java but if i got even the most basic of java books would i still be lost?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not totally lost, you will learn about variables, if statements, loops, classes etc. those things are all still valid when writing apps. Those somewhat remain valid through most of the programming languages.
But basic java does not cover connecting your java code with the android user interface or making use of any android feature (rotate display, sensors, telefon,gps,etc.).
But seriously you don't need a book. Of course you can get one if you really want to. I would probably search the amazon bestseller list for something on android programming (for dummies) which does not require previous programming knowledge.
You can also just jump into it, google for "android hello world tutorial" or something like that.
But the official hello world tutorial should do.
Should make you able to write your very first app pretty quick. It's only a "Hello World" app, but hey thats where everyone starts out.
Aside from the programming itself, knowledge of Linux and *nix orientated operating systems would be useful. Terminal commands and such will prove invaluable if you take application development to a professional level in the future.
C and Java are obviously what's mainly involved in Android. But if you want something simple to begin with look at HTML and CSS (which are basically just translation matrixs not languages).
DeviateDefiant said:
Aside from the programming itself, knowledge of Linux and *nix orientated operating systems would be useful. Terminal commands and such will prove invaluable if you take application development to a professional level in the future.
C and Java are obviously what's mainly involved in Android. But if you want something simple to begin with look at HTML and CSS (which are basically just translation matrixs not languages).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTML and CSS knowledge would help a bit with the android user interface, but not with the actual code of the apps/programs themself.
I would advise the OP not to start with HTML and CSS if he wants to get into the programming buissness.
Unless you are going to make webpages HTML and CSS takes you pretty far of the track.
HTML and CSS knowledge would help a bit with the android user interface, but not with the actual code of the apps/programs themself.
I would advise the OP not to start with HTML and CSS if he wants to get into the programming buissness.
Unless you are going to make webpages HTML and CSS takes you pretty far of the track.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HTML and CSS, are two useful skills to have regardless. As you mention for interfacing, and also for the ability to work with Web Apps in the future. For myself learning Javascript and PHP has certainly helped with getting into Java/C.
Certainly HTML/CSS aren't related to learning Java and C but it's a good entrance point to coding in general. Although you yourself may see it as sidetracking, it can help some not to jump in at the deep end.
I wish the OP the best of luck.
Hey dar3n, I had posted a similar thread as well, minus all the attitude, but I agree it does get posted alot, after talking to u and searching around a bit. Why dont u get someone to make a sticky post in one of the newbie rooms, or the q&a. Start a sticky discussion and I bet half these posts dissapear.lol
Hello, xdaDevelopers (Is it like that? Or XDADevelopers, or XdaDevelopers, well, doesn't matter, you can leave your opinion about that here, too.)!
I can see this is kinda a common thing around here, but, I really need the basics for programming, with a final goal of being able to make code for Android (from APKs to ROMs and such).
I just need people to point out good sources of learning, with a learning curve, please, that would be a great bonus in understanding what the heck I'm learning, from the basic of basic, to the goal here intended.
Maybe this is a bit too ambitious, but I pretend to be a professional programmer in the future, but I still have a kinda long way to college (3 years), and I wish I could start sooner that, it could even make my college life even simpler.
Well, I hope you leave your enlightenment in this thread. Thank you very much for any opinion given here.
*bump* Sorry. It was already in the second page. I just didn't want it to fall into oblivion.
Well your going to have to stsrt learnibg java if you want to make apps. Read some books. Also take a look at thenewboston channel on youtube.
Im learning myself. You just need to start and don't give up
Sent from my Galaxy SII
I'm also posting (lazy way of subscribing to this post). I knew java, although it was long ago. I'd need a refresh on everything. And then, knowing java is not the only thing you need, as you also need to know how to develop for android itself. Up to date, which book would you guys consider the most easy to follow to learn easily to program?
Thank you!
Yes. I'm asking for links or books (preferably e-books) that could have all that information. I just hope I can become a great XDA developer.
Griffrez said:
I just need people to point out good sources of learning
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 to this. i would also like to get into learning how to develop for android.
google has a lot of info on their developers page, it's probably one of the better places to start.
i don't know many other good websites or books though. anyone have suggestions?
If you want to develop Application on Android. You will need...
1.JDK (Java Development Kit), which includes the JRE. ( I use Java SE 7 )
2.Eclipse with the Android Development ( I use Eclipse Classic 3.7.1 )
3.Android Development tools ADT Plugin for Eclipse
( I use android-sdk_r13-windows.zip )
more detail http://androidcontrol.blogspot.com/2011/10/android-development.html
java for the user interface "pretty" part of the apps, but the real heavy-lifting guts of the app (where the real magic happens) will normally be written in c
Tech_Boy said:
Well your going to have to stsrt learnibg java if you want to make apps. Read some books. Also take a look at thenewboston channel on youtube.
Im learning myself. You just need to start and don't give up
Sent from my Galaxy SII
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm watching these. These are great. Starting with Java Development.