Android Application Development – Few Things To Begin With

Introduction to Android Application Development

I am an Android app developer and this is my first tutorial on Android application development for beginners to guide them how to develop simple but effective Android applications. We'll start by the procedure of installing Android SDK with Eclipse ADT plugin, and using these two softwares we'll develop a simple program, "Hello World", So let's do it.

First-of-all, we'll learn about installing Android SDK

Requirement for the installation

»  I am using Windows 7 as operating system in this tutorial, the procedure may differ if you are using an OS other than Windows 7.

»  Java development kit is a very essential component for the installation, so just make sure whether it is installed in your computer or not. If it is not installed, than you can download it from the link below and simply follow the installation instructions link from the page.

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html

»  As Android app development requires the basic knowledge of JAVA programming and XML based scripts, so if you are not familiar with these programming languages then you can download online tutorial from internet and learn java programming using them.

Installation of Android SDK

»  Download the latest Android SDK from this given official link according to your requirement: http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html

»  Choose your Android SDK according to your requirement, (I am using Windows 7 64 bit version, so I will download installer_r22.6.2-windows.exe)

»  When the download gets completed, extract the zip file in any folder of your choice, but remember that there shouldn't be any white space in the file path.

»  Now you can begin the installation by choosing the SDK platform that you need to install, you can also install various code samples, documentation and add-ons.

»  Congratulations, you're done with the installation of Android SDK.

Installation of Eclipse IDE and ADT Plugin

»  Download the latest version of Eclipse IDE & ADT plugins from the link given below. You can also download IDE and ADT plugins for JAVA developers.

»  After downloading the components, extract them in a folder.

»  Now, open the Eclipse IDE and choose Windows > Preferences

»  Choose Android within the setup and set the SDK location. Click Apply and then OK.

»  Now, we'll install the Eclipse ADT plugin. Choose Help > Install New Software...

»  Click on Add... Type Eclipse ADT in front of Name and place the path http://dl-ssl.google.com/android/eclipse/ for location, as shown in the picture below.

»  At last, just check the Developer Tools and click Next to install. Accept the required agreements and follow all the instructions. 

Congratulations, you have installed Android SDK, Eclipse IDE and ADT plugins successfully.

Now, let's create the first Android program

»  It's very essential to make a new Virtual Device, before creating an Android project. Open SDK Manager and choose Virtual Devices in it. Click on New... to create new Virtual Device.

»  Check-out the picture provided below, and set all the options according to the given picture and click Create AVD.

»  Now we are done with Virtual Device. Next step, open File > New > Project.... Choose Android Project and then Next....

»  Check-out the two pictures provided below, fill-out the details accordingly and click Finish.

 

»  Now, it's the time to test the application, Click on the Run button and a Run As window will appear, choose Android Application. Wait until the Virtual Device appears.

»  Finally, you'll see a screen like this, and you have created your first Android application successfully.

Check-out these free online sources to learn more about Android application development

• https://developer.android.com/training/basics/firstapp/index.html?hl=p
• http://www.tutorialspoint.com/android/
• http://www.coreservlets.com/android-tutorial/
• http://www.javacodegeeks.com/2010/10/android-full-application-tutorial.html
• http://thenewboston.org/list.php?cat=6
• https://www.udemy.com/android-tutorial/
• http://www.vogella.com/tutorials/Android/article.html

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Android is a nice platform for beginners to begin with. Please share your thoughts about this article in the comments section below.

About Anna Harris:
Anna Harris working as web content writer and a strategist for a major IT firm specialized in various mobile application development services for iOS, Android, Windows Phone and other operating systems.

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