Android Development Basics
The appealing qualities of applications are what capture the interest of consumers. The advent of apps and the conveniences they provide have fundamentally altered modern life. Professional programmers are hard at work conceptualizing and developing their own programs, which they then load up with useful extras.
Among the several mobile platforms available, Android has by far seen the most success. Android is used by hundreds of millions of mobile devices in over 190 countries. By the year 2020, it has captured almost 75% of the worldwide market share, and its momentum is only increasing.
Several excellent inquiries from students about Android Development fundamentals were received, and we have compiled them here for the benefit of others who may have similar concerns. Check out the following queries; these could be of use to all newcomers to Android development. Learning Android programming language from Softlogic helps you understand more about application development in Android and build your expertise in it.
What are the prerequisites to learning Android development?
Learning the basics of XML programming, Java programming language or Kotlin programming language is important to learn Android development.
How and why did Android become so popular?
Android is a free and open-source mobile operating system developed by Google and based on Linux. Android was created by the Open Handset Alliance, a consortium of firms led by Google.
Because Android development provides a standardized framework for creating mobile applications, programmers need just write code once, and it should execute on all Android-powered devices.
While Google published the beta version of the Android SDK in 2007, the first commercial release, Android 1.0, didn’t happen until September 2008.
Google unveiled Android 4.1, codenamed “Jelly Bean,” at the Google I/O developer conference on June 27. Jelly Bean is a minor upgrade whose primary goal is to enhance the user interface in terms of both performance and usefulness.
Android’s code is open source, meaning that anybody can access it and modify it as they see fit. Google releases most of its code under Apache License 2.0 and the rest, including modifications to the Linux kernel, under the GNU General Public License 2.
Brief Android’s Capabilities and Features
When compared to Apple‘s 4GS, Android is a more robust operating system with better support for useful functions. This list only contains a small fraction of the possible examples.
Elegant user interface
The default screen for Android operating systems is both attractive and easy to use.
Connectivity
Connectivity options include GSM/EDGE, IDEN, CDMA, EV-DO, UMTS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE, NFC, and WiMAX.
Storage
In order to keep track of information, SQLite, a small and efficient relational database, is employed.
Media Formats
Android development is compatible with a wide variety of media formats, including H.263, H.264, MPEG-4 SP, AMR, AMR-WB, AAC, HE-AAC, AAC 5.1, MP3, MIDI, Ogg Vorbis, WAV, JPEG, PNG, GIF, and BMP.
Communication
Communication via Short Message Service (SMS) and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)
Web browser
Chrome’s V8 JavaScript engine supports HTML5, and CSS3, and is based on the open-source WebKit layout engine.
Multi-touch
Smartphones like the HTC Hero were among the first to offer Android’s built-in multi-touch capabilities.
Multi-tasking
The user is free to switch between tasks, and multiple programs can operate in tandem.
Adjustable widgets
Users can resize widgets to display more or less information, depending on their needs.
Multi-Language Support
Android development supports multiple languages and can process text in both directions.
GCM
With Google Cloud Messaging (GCM), programmers don’t have to rely on a custom syncing mechanism to provide small amounts of data to Android users through text messages.
Wireless Direct Connectivity (Wi-Fi Direct)
A protocol that facilitates the direct pairing of applications across a high-speed peer-to-peer network.
Android Beam
Touch-to-share is a well-liked NFC-based technology that enables instantaneous sharing between two NFC-enabled smartphones.
How Google’s Android Apps were created?
- Using the Android SDK and the Java programming language, Android apps are created.
- When an Android app is complete, it can be packaged and distributed through a variety of online markets, including Google Play, SlideME, Opera Mobile Store, Mobango, F-droid, and the Amazon Appstore.
- Numerous mobile devices in excess of 190 nations are powered by Android. There is currently no other mobile platform with a larger installed base than Android. More than one million Android devices are activated every day throughout the world.
What exactly is meant by the API level?
An integer value known as the API Level is used to specifically identify a particular framework API revision that is made available by a particular version of the Android platform.
You will be relieved to learn that you are able to initiate the development of an Android application on either of the following computer operating systems:
- Windows XP or a later version of Microsoft Windows is required.
- Mac OS X version 10.5.8 or a later release with an Intel processor.
- Linux with GNU C Library version 2.7 or a later version.
The second reason is that all of the tools necessary to develop Android applications are readily available for no cost and can be downloaded from the internet. The following is a list of software programs that you will need before beginning the process of building an Android application.
- Java JDK5 or later version
- Android Studio
The latter two components in this set are optional; however, if you are working on a Windows PC, installing these components will make the process of developing Java-based applications much less difficult for you.
How to set up a Java Development Kit (JDK)?
The most recent version of Java JDK is available for download from the Java SE Downloads page on Oracle’s Java website. In the files that you downloaded, you will find instructions for installing JDK; simply follow the steps that are given to you in order to install and configure the setup. The next step is to configure the PATH and JAVA_HOME environment variables so that they point to the directory that includes java and javac. This directory is normally located at java install-dir/bin and java install dir, respectively.
What are Android IDEs?
To develop android applications, one can choose from a wide range of complex technologies, including the most common ones, which make primary use of the tools listed below.
- Android Studio
- Eclipse IDE (Deprecated)
What is the use of Android Libraries?
This category contains all of the Java-based libraries that include functionality that is unique to Android development. The application framework libraries, as well as those that make it easier to design user interfaces, render graphics, and access databases, are all examples of the kinds of libraries that fall under this category. The following is a synopsis of some of the most important core Android libraries that are accessible to Android developers:
- android.app gives users access to the application model and serves as the primary building block for all Android apps.
- android.content is a package that helps applications and application components communicate with one another and access and publish material more easily.
- android.database is the package that allows users to access data that has been published by content providers. It also offers SQLite database administration classes.
- The android.opengl package provides a Java client for the OpenGL ES 3D graphics rendering API.
- android.os grants applications access to basic operating system services such as messages, system services, and inter-process communication. Among other things.
- android.text is the name of the API that is used to render and manipulate text on a device’s display.
- The core building blocks of application user interfaces are referred to as android.view.
- android.widget is the vast assortment of user interface components that have already been pre-built, including buttons, labels, list views, layout managers, radio buttons, and many others.
- android.webkit is a collection of classes with the purpose of enabling web-browsing features to be included into programs.
What is the framework for Application Development?
Java classes are what are used to deliver many of the higher-level services that applications require. These services are provided by the Application Framework layer. It is permitted for application developers to make advantage of these services within their own apps.
The Android Development framework is comprised of the following essential services :
- Controls all parts of the application lifecycle as well as the activity stack. Activity Manager.
- Content Providers are responsible for enabling apps to publish data to be shared with other applications.
- Access to non-code embedded resources like strings, color settings, and user interface layouts is made available through the Resource Manager.
- Notifications Manager is a tool that gives programs the ability to notify and alert the user.
- A View System is an expandable collection of views that are used to build user interfaces for applications.
Thus we have discussed certain important queries that we received from students during the introductory session. Hope it will be useful for students of basic level. To master Android development like a pro, enroll in the best android programming language training in Chennai.
