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How to make an app?

I'm putting my theming project aside for now and get onto creating an app that I've always wanted to create that I do not see ANYWHERE in the market, forums, android websites, etc.
I've been reading and reading and reading different threads, instructions, etc. But no clue where to start. I've been reading on App Inventor but realized that it is very limited and I have my high doubts that App Inventor will not be able to achieve what I have in mind to make.
I've got the latest SDK and AVD Manager, JDK, Java, and have been using my emulator to test edited APKs. I'm pretty sure I'll be using my emulator to see how my app progress is coming along and see possible FCs and other issues and correct them as well as adding more to the app to make it even better.
But right now I'm stuck at where to begin here. Right when I was about to create this thread, I was making the name of the Title of this thread and was given threads relating to my title name and saw one thread that was sort of mentioning what I'm asking here.
I read the link provided in that thread ( http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/fundamentals.html ) and got some clues but just not enough to get me started here. I just need that push to get me going and eventually push it out to the market and make some money as a side project and learn from that and possibly make more useful apps. I cannot disclose my ideas here because then someone else (who has experience making apps) could take those ideas from me and go make it.
Is anyone willing to work with me here to get me started? I've helped countless people so it would be nice for a change for someone to help me out here.

There are so much Android development books on the market that I suggest to start with one of them. It's the best way to get some knowledge of the design principles used by the Android development framework.
Another method is to start with some examples found on the web. Just search for Android examples or something like that and you get tons of links
Another method is just to create something, get stuck and try to search for a solution (the most pragmatic method )

Yeah I know. That's why I'm constantly researching. I'm seeing some similarities between Java coding and building scripts in IRC (which I used to do, nothing big, just really small stuff). But my main problem is knowing what exactly are the main tools I need. I've had Eclipse for awhile but never used it. It has a lot of stuff in it and I get lost after a couple executions.
I'm just anxious to get started somewhere and get the momentum rolling for starters.

Could someone point me to a good book/ebook ? There are many out there but I'm sure that are some better than others...
If any french-speaker knows one in Voltaire's language, I'm in too. But English is fine...

DannyBiker said:
Could someone point me to a good book/ebook ? There are many out there but I'm sure that are some better than others...
If any french-speaker knows one in Voltaire's language, I'm in too. But English is fine...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, a good book (english) would be great. Can anyone recommend one?

You don't have to buy books but they do contain a lot more info in one book and would be better to have than trying to scour the internet and pull a bunch of infos together and try to put it together to understand step by step on how to get started and everything else.
Here's a link to a lot of android development books:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...pment&sprefix=android+application+development
Here's a link to some more info to getting started that is also useful:
http://developer.android.com/guide/basics/what-is-android.html
You may also need to get a Java coding book to help you put codes together properly and understand what each coding does, and tweaking them to work better.
Here's the link to Java coding for Android stuff for beginners:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...x=java+for+dummies&rh=n:283155,k:android+java
I just bought 2 books for Android application development and looking around for a good Java coding for beginners.

mdonova33 said:
Yeah, a good book (english) would be great. Can anyone recommend one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
professional android 2 application development by Reto Meier: http://www.wrox.com/WileyCDA/WroxTi...ication-Development.productCd-0470565527.html
Or, the Busy Coder's guide to android development by Mark L Murphy: http://commonsware.com/Android/
Last one is more written in a "let's get dirty" style. Really like that

TheSwaggeR said:
...
I just bought 2 books for Android application development and looking around for a good Java coding for beginners.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think any java book will do, as long as it covers the principles of object oriented design and the data structures used by Java. You don't need any info about GUI programming in Java because that's all covered by the Android application framework.
The best Java books are the ones written by James Gosling et al, the designers of Java. But that may also be over the top for Android application development. Just some basic Java will do to get you started. The algorithms needed for basic apps aren't that complex.

App Inventor is a great tool to develop your android app. It simplifies the development and the editor is very intuitive.
Check out my blog on App Inventor and AppToMarket and a Workshop
http://Amerkashi.Wordpress.com

[Q] How to make an Android app?

Hello people
I've wanted to make a Android app for a while now but I don't know where to start.
Can someone give me some pointers on where to start.
If it involves coding then be warmed I'm a complete novice at that.

No coding method: search Google for Android app inventor.
Coding and better method: Android apps use JAVA. Take some basic online courses, then learn the Android sdk. (functions that are specific to android)
Option b is better, and if you have a little patience it won't be too hard.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

alex ainsley said:
Hello people
I've wanted to make a Android app for a while now but I don't know where to start.
Can someone give me some pointers on where to start.
If it involves coding then be warmed I'm a complete novice at that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to get somewhere forget the app inventor and invest some time.
Start by using google on terms like "android tutorial" "android hello world".
Download eclipse and the android sdk (google has all the info and tutorial on how to do that).
The sdk has ALOT of very good example apps. From 3D drawing to system infos and interface layouts.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Google app inventor is doing my head in.
if anyone is reading this on a scale from 1 to 10 how hard/complicated is making a app using coding?

Depends entirely on what you want the app to do unfortunately. If you can give some basic ideas of what you want it to do it will be easier to say how hard it will be.

well all id like my first app to do is when it starts up to show a picture with text then link you to a web page.
Nothing hard

Thats not too difficult, you could patch work something out of existing tutorials/example.
But its always relative saying how difficult something is.
It depends on the person...

Well sorry that's not helping much. I'm still at a loss on what to do.

Basically all you need to do is copy and paste the code from some tutorial examples, or you could even use the app inventor as you need barely any code to do this, for example:
http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/graphics/index.html
http://developer.android.com/guide/webapps/webview.html
Putting it all together and making it into an application shouldn't take you more than half an hour once you have gone through the starter tutorials to understand how and what it is you are using.

Ok I'll try that.

Click Here is the link for a LIVE remote workshop / presentation
-Cheers

omg
i really wanna learn, so i went to purchase course and
DescriptionsAmount
Diploma in Java Programming.Diploma in Java Programming.
$1,695.00Item price: $1,695.00
$1,695
are you serious??

Well if you are really determined to learn it, you can manage doing it on your own too, with the help of free online resources. Search for a tutorial series on youtube. Here's one I had found useful when I was learning:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hl-zzrqQoSE
You should also buy a good book on Java programming and read it. That would help a lot too.

read android developers guide

You can check android developers official site it has lot of tutorials and resources.

You can go to next university library and borrow any Android book. It will not include the latest version of OS, but it will have lot of fundamental information in one place, written by one person. Tutorails often show you how to solve single problem only.

Thank you
Also great video

You're Welcome! Yes it is a great video. That guy really does explain it nicely.

Is App Inventor still working?

Look also at cornboyz tutorial on youtube. Same guy, slightly different tuts

basic4android development tool

Hi all,
I searched here on Android forum but I did'nt find any reference to this very nice development tool:
http://www.basic4ppc.com/
does someone of you know it? what do you think about it?
I find it very interesting, special for people (like me) that has some programming skill but not a specific java knowledge... it costs a reasonable price (starting from 39$) and it seems really powerfull, with a very original integrated designer tool... I'm thinking to buy it... I would like to have your dev's impressions and evaluations...

[mod edit]

I am using it and I think it is an excellent development tool.
Takes a lot lesser time than Java and if you are familiar with VB or any other Basic, then you will be up to speed in no time.
Besides they have very good support.

Any more reviews? I'm very interested in this application.

love it
personally i love it. the fact that its fast (and uses basic ) . its just a great program. they also added error support for your internal coding mistakes....so they are really moving forward...if your a student you can get a %50 discount on the enterprise edition . ( i did )

i had the same issue
thank you guys for sharing

I am also interested
I am just learning to make apps, I literally have no experience yet. Would Basic4android be good for the type of app I'm trying to make?
I am needing to make a fairly simple, mostly text-based app, kind of like a user manual/instruction guide. Key features I am needing for this app would be:
*a "find" like CTRL+F to find words or phrases
*an index to jump to specific sections
*rip/copy protection so people can't steal the text and put it on a different device or computer
*smooth scrolling and fit-to-screen text
I know nothing about coding but I am very willing to learn! if this program makes it more simple, please let me know!

darkangel314 said:
I am just learning to make apps, I literally have no experience yet. Would Basic4android be good for the type of app I'm trying to make?
I am needing to make a fairly simple, mostly text-based app, kind of like a user manual/instruction guide. Key features I am needing for this app would be:
*a "find" like CTRL+F to find words or phrases
*an index to jump to specific sections
*rip/copy protection so people can't steal the text and put it on a different device or computer
*smooth scrolling and fit-to-screen text
I know nothing about coding but I am very willing to learn! if this program makes it more simple, please let me know!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basic for android could and would work. It is based off of visual basic. Which is a windows based code format...
I would recommend learning JAVA. Basic for Android is mostly for people who already Know visual basic....such as myself...
Learn Java. There are MANY xda tutorials on it.
Sent from my LG-E970 using Tapatalk 2

furius said:
Hi all,
I searched here on Android forum but I did'nt find any reference to this very nice development tool:
]
does someone of you know it? what do you think about it?
I find it very interesting, special for people (like me) that has some programming skill but not a specific java knowledge... it costs a reasonable price (starting from 39$) and it seems really powerfull, with a very original integrated designer tool... I'm thinking to buy it... I would like to have your dev's impressions and evaluations...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, B4A and B4i are both awesome, easy to learn and very powerful, best on the market, no exceptions.

[Q] Learning coding

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

Starting to develop

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.