How to Get Started Developing Android Apps

[kennethmsmith]

Can some one put together a list of steps an absolute beginner would need to follow to learn how to develop apps for Android phones? For example. something like .. "Step 1. - Learn the basics of programming in Java, Step 2. - download the Android SDK, etc. etc. " but maybe with a bit more detail of course. I want to learn to develop for Android, but I'm not really sure where to start. I have only had a couple of classes in programming (C++ from back in the day), and I'm not sure what the best path is to becoming a published android app developer.

 

[kennethmsmith]

Ok.. well I'll kick this one off. First of all, I'm no expert, so if anyone finds errors in what I post, please update / correct me.

I'll just tell you what I have learned and applied so far.

Step 1.) I downloaded and installed the latest Java Development Kit from Sun.
Step 2.) I downloaded the Eclipse IDE and extracted it
Step 3.) I downloaded the Android SDK and extracted it
Step 4.) I followed some steps I found in a good tutorial on youtube (search for hello android in eclipse) and made sure that I had everything installed correctly.

Now I think I need learn some basics of Java programming and learn more about android app development at android.com.

If anyone has a good idea of where to go from here, jump in. Thanks

 

[pknyo]

Search "Tim layton`s tech tips", and "introduction to java programming". Introduction to Programming Using Java, Fifth Edition, is available for free online, and Tim Layton has a good introduction to android development.

 

[chaluxedeluxe]

YouTube has one of the best videos around for starting android development.

 

[chdtpn]

YouTube has one of the best videos around for starting android development.

What video is that? lol

I'm glad that you asked this question because I was wondering about this too. Too devs:

1. How hard is it to get your app approved to get on the market?

2. How can you kno it works on different phones?

 

[BriMcFly88]

It's been a few days and I am starting to tackle this same issue - any progress? I have most necessary files downloaded but I'm getting an error in eclipse. I have general knowledge in coding but was especially good in mIRC/VB/php/MySql. My experience in C is limited but I pick up fast. I want to take a scrolling rpg video game I made in VB and port it to C. Shouldn't be too hard because a game is just images animated, so they look harder than they really are. What were some of the good youtube videos?

 

[chdtpn]

I would love to hook up with someone and do a collab on an app. I've always wanted to do a Twitter app that is similar to Tweetie or TweetDeck for the Android. I'm also ok with photoshop and could do the images if anyone really was interested in doing a collab.

If you want to check out my art CLICK HERE.

Within the next few days I will be opening a website too if my said partner didn't know or have the time to do that either.

 

[FurRelKT]

Ok.. well I'll kick this one off. First of all, I'm no expert, so if anyone finds errors in what I post, please update / correct me.

I'll just tell you what I have learned and applied so far.

Step 1.) I downloaded and installed the latest Java Development Kit from Sun.
Step 2.) I downloaded the Eclipse IDE and extracted it
Step 3.) I downloaded the Android SDK and extracted it
Step 4.) I followed some steps I found in a good tutorial on youtube (search for hello android in eclipse) and made sure that I had everything installed correctly.

Now I think I need learn some basics of Java programming and learn more about android app development at android.com.

If anyone has a good idea of where to go from here, jump in. Thanks

Thank you, this is a great start for ppl as well as taking a look at some YouTube videos.

 

[youlege]

I too have been wanting to learn some programming. I'm going to check out "Introduction to Programming Using Java" are there any other books I should look for? I really don't have any programming experience so I need to start at the beginning. I'm in the same boat as Kennethmsmith.