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Android Programming for Beginners
Android Programming for Beginners

Android Programming for Beginners: Learn all the Java and Android skills you need to start making powerful mobile applications

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Android Programming for Beginners

Chapter 1. The First App

Welcome! In this chapter, we won't waste any time in getting started with developing Android apps.

We will look at what is so great about Android, what Android and Java are exactly, how they work and complement each other, and what this means to us as future developers.

After this, we will spend a little time setting up our development environment and then get straight to building and deploying our first app.

By the end of this chapter, we will have done the following:

  • Set up the Java Development Kit (JDK), part of the required Android development environment
  • Installed Android Studio, the final part of our Android development environment
  • Built our very first Android app
  • Deployed an Android emulator
  • Run our app on an Android emulator and a real device

How Java and Android work together

After we write a program in Java for Android, we click on a button to change our code into another form that is understood by Android. This other form is called Dalvik EXecutable (DEX) code, and the transformation process is called compiling. Compiling takes place on the development machine after we click on that button. We will see this work right after we set up our development environment.

Android is a fairly complex system, but you do not need to understand it in depth to be able to make amazing apps. The part of the Android system that executes (runs) our compiled DEX code is called the Dalvik Virtual Machine (DVM). The DVM itself is a piece of software written in another language that runs on a specially adapted version of the Linux operating system. So what the user sees of Android, is itself just an app running on another operating system.

The purpose of the DVM is to hide the complexity and diversity of the hardware and software that Android runs on but, at the same time, its purpose is to expose all of its useful features. This exposing of features generally works in two ways. The DVM itself must have access to the hardware, which it does, but this access must be programmer friendly and easy to use. The way the DVM allows us access is indeed easy to use because of the Android Application Programming Interface (API).

The Android API

The Android API is the code that makes it really easy to do exceptional things. A simple analogy could be drawn with a machine, perhaps a car. When you step on the accelerator, a whole bunch of things happen under the hood. We don't need to understand about combustion or fuel pumps because a smart engineer has provided an interface for us. In this case, a mechanical interface—the accelerator pedal.

Take the following line of Java code as an example; it will probably look a little intimidating if you are completely new to Android:

locationManager.getLastKnownLocation(LocationManager.GPS_PROVIDER);

However, once you learn that this single line of code searches for the available satellites and then communicates with them in orbit around the Earth while retrieving your precise latitude and longitude on the planet, it is easy to begin to glimpse the power and depth of the Android API in conjunction with the DVM. Even if that code does look a little challenging at the moment, imagine talking to a satellite in some other way!

The Android API is mainly a whole bunch of Java code. So, how do we use all this code to do cool stuff without getting swamped by its complexity? How do we find and manipulate the pedals, steering wheel, and sunroof of the Android API?

Note

There are many different estimates to the number of lines of code that have gone into Android. Some estimates are as low as 1 million, some as high as 20 million. What might seem surprising is that, despite this vast amount of code, Android is known in programming circles for being "lightweight".

Java is object-oriented

Java is a programming language that has been around a lot longer than Android. It is an object-oriented language. This means that it uses the concept of reusable programming objects. If this sounds like technical jargon, another analogy will help. Java enables us and others (such as the Android development team) to write Java code that can be structured based on real-world "things" and, here is the important part, it can be reused.

So, using the car analogy, we could ask the question: if a manufacturer makes more than one car in a day, do they redesign each and every part for each and every car?

The answer, of course, is no. They get highly skilled engineers to develop exactly the right components that are honed, refined, and improved over years. Then, that same component is reused again and again, as well as occasionally improved. Now, if you are going to be picky about my analogy, then you can argue that each of the car's components still have to be built from raw materials using real-life engineers, or robots, and so on.

This is true. What the software engineers actually do when they write their code is build a blueprint for an object. We then create an object from their blueprint using Java code and, once we have that object, we can configure it, use it, combine it with other objects, and more. Furthermore, we can design blueprints and make objects from them as well. The compiler then translates (manufactures) our custom-built creation into DEX code.

In Java, a blueprint is called a class. When a class is transformed into a real working thing, we call it an object.

Note

Objects in a nutshell

We could go on making analogies all day long. As far as we care at this point:

  • Java is a language that allows us to write code once that can be used over and over again.
  • This is very useful because it saves us time and allows us to use other people's code to perform tasks we might otherwise not have the time or knowledge to write for ourselves.
  • Most of the time, we do not even need to see this code or even know how it does its work!

One last analogy. We just need to know how to use that code, just as we only need to learn to drive the car.

So, a smart software engineer up at Google HQ writes a desperately complex Java program that can talk to satellites. He then considers how he can make this code useful to all the Android programmers out there. One of the things he does is he makes features such as getting the device's location in the world a simple one-line task. So the one line of code we saw previously sets many more lines of code in action that we don't see. This is an example of using somebody else's code to make our code infinitely simpler.

What exactly is Android?

We know that to get things done on Android, we write Java code of our own, which also uses the Java code of the Android API. This is then compiled into DEX code and run by the DVM, which in turn has connections to an underlying operating system called Linux.

Then the manufacturers of the Android devices and individual hardware components write advanced software called drivers, which ensure that their hardware (CPU, GPU, GPS receivers, and so on) can run on the underlying Linux operating system.

Our compiled Java code, along with some other resources, is placed in a bundle of files called an Android application package (APK), and this is what the DVM needs to run our app. This process is explained in the following figure:

What exactly is Android?

In summary, all we need to do is learn how to read and code Java, so we can begin to learn and take advantage of the Android API.

All these tools are free, so let's take a look at the development environment we will be using.

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Key benefits

  • Kick-start your Android programming career, or just have fun publishing apps to the Google Play marketplace
  • A first-principles introduction to Java, via Android, which means you’ll be able to start building your own applications from scratch
  • Learn by example and build three real-world apps and over 40 mini apps throughout the book

Description

Android is the most popular OS in the world. There are millions of devices accessing tens of thousands of applications. It is many people's entry point into the world of technology; it is an operating system for everyone. Despite this, the entry-fee to actually make Android applications is usually a computer science degree, or five years’ worth of Java experience. Android Programming for Beginners will be your companion to create Android applications from scratch—whether you’re looking to start your programming career, make an application for work, be reintroduced to mobile development, or are just looking to program for fun. We will introduce you to all the fundamental concepts of programming in an Android context, from the Java basics to working with the Android API. All examples are created from within Android Studio, the official Android development environment that helps supercharge your application development process. After this crash-course, we’ll dive deeper into Android programming and you’ll learn how to create applications with a professional-standard UI through fragments, make location-aware apps with Google Maps integration, and store your user’s data with SQLite. In addition, you’ll see how to make your apps multilingual, capture images from a device’s camera, and work with graphics, sound, and animations too. By the end of this book, you’ll be ready to start building your own custom applications in Android and Java.

Who is this book for?

Are you trying to start a career in programming, but haven’t found the right way in? Do you have a great idea for an app, but don’t know how to make it a reality? Or maybe you’re just frustrated that “to learn Android, you must know java.” If so, Android Programming for Beginners is for you. You don’t need any programming experience to follow along with this book, just a computer and a sense of adventure.

What you will learn

  • Master the fundamentals of coding Java for Android
  • Install and set up your Android development environment
  • Build functional user interfaces with the Android Studio visual designer
  • Add user interaction, data captures, sound, and animation to your apps
  • Manage your apps' data using the built-in Android SQLite database
  • Find out about the design patterns used by professionals to make top-grade applications
  • • Build, deploy, and publish real Android applications to the Google Play marketplace

Product Details

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Publication date : Dec 31, 2015
Length: 698 pages
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Publication date : Dec 31, 2015
Length: 698 pages
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Table of Contents

31 Chapters
1. The First App Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
2. Java – First Contact Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
3. Exploring Android Studio Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
4. Designing Layouts Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
5. Real-World Layouts Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
6. The Life and Times of an Android App Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
7. Coding in Java Part 1 – Variables, Decisions, and Loops Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
8. Coding in Java Part 2 – Methods Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
9. Object-Oriented Programming Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
10. Everything's a Class Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
11. Widget Mania Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
12. Having a Dialogue with the User Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
13. Handling and Displaying Arrays of Data Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
14. Handling and Displaying Notes in Note To Self Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
15. Android Intent and Persistence Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
16. UI Animations Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
17. Sound FX and Supporting Different Versions of Android Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
18. Design Patterns, Fragments, and the Real World Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
19. Using Multiple Fragments Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
20. Paging and Swiping Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
21. Navigation Drawer and Where It's Snap Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
22. Capturing Images Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
23. Using SQLite Databases in Our Apps Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
24. Adding a Database to Where It's Snap Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
25. Integrating Google Maps and GPS Locations Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
26. Upgrading SQLite – Adding Locations and Maps Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
27. Going Local – Hola! Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
28. Threads, Touches, Drawing, and a Simple Game Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
29. Publishing Apps Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
30. Before You Go Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
Index Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

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Rating distribution
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon 4.1
(47 Ratings)
5 star 55.3%
4 star 23.4%
3 star 4.3%
2 star 12.8%
1 star 4.3%
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Fabrizio Sep 23, 2016
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Amazing book. You can learn easily from the exercises throughout the book. Totally recommended.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Siri Jan 07, 2016
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Disclaimer: I received an early copy of this book.Coming from a DB background, I wanted to increase my knowledge base to JAVA and then to Android. With an aspiration to eventually move to mobile development, I stumbled upon John's book - Learning Java by Building Android Games. I simply fell in love with its simplicity and clarity for concepts. To take it up a notch, I spent my holidays delving into this new book - Android Programming for Beginners. If you are looking for good fundamentals on Android subject, I would highly recommend this book. It covers everything from - JAVA, Android Studio, life cyclies, intents and introduces all the key concepts to get you started in app development.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
naman May 20, 2018
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Bigineers guide...True
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Mihir Kulkarni Aug 08, 2018
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Good book for beginners but the instructions in the book do not comply with current android studio version.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Nico Jan 14, 2016
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon 5
Disclaimer: I received an early review copy of this book from the publisher.I decided to explore the world of Android programming, and read lots of books on how to program, but this one is by far the best one I have read. I have not yet finished the book before writing this review but can tell you that it is clear concise and very user friendly. I can also say as the title suggests it is very easy for a beginner to pick this book up and follow the examples. This book clearly explains everything so that beginners don't get confused like many other books I have started to read. It covers everything from setting the software up that you need to program in Android (Android Development Environment) to the actual code and then explains the code in a very easy to understand way. I love the way that complex areas are introduced early on in the book but are then explored in more detail as you progress through the book in various other chapters by doing mini projects, makes this a more manageable way to digest and actually take in the information easier. If like me you are wanting to explore and learn a new skill then I would recommend you read this book.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
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