How to create an Android app if you are just a beginner
Before considering the process of Android application development, we would like to observe several key things and terms.
- Kotlin and Java are programming languages, with the help of which you can implement the necessary features. Nowadays, Kotlin gets the upper hand over Java, which is a much older option. However, Java still remains very popular.
- XML files include layouts of apps (their visible interface).
- APK (.apk) and ABB (.abb) are build formats. All files created are collected in a holistic one. Users download and run this file on their smartphones.
- IDE (integrated development environment) is a stack of utilities and tools, which helps developers test, monitor, and debug programs. Previously, Eclipse was the most common solution. Today it is replaced by Google with its Android Studio.
We have listed basic tools that would be helpful for beginners. If you wish to learn more, please follow the link: https://developer.android.com/
Installing the IDE
There are numerous manuals about the program setup. In spite of this fact, you will definitely stumble upon certain difficulties. Feel free to ask other developers on different thematic forums or Google. In addition, we recommend visiting the web resource StackOverflow. It is a storehouse of invaluable information, on which you can find working solutions to arising problems. Even professionals experience troubles from time to time, so never mind if you fail. Just learn to cope with obstacles.
- Visit the website Android Studio. Download the latest Windows or Mac version of the tool.
- Launch the program. Choose the second option “I do not have a previous version of Android Studio”
It’s important to update the solution on time. Click on “Check for updates now” to see if a new version is available.
Creating your first Android project
Android Studio provides its users with detailed manuals at each stage of the development. In order to start, you should choose “New Project”. Then you can apply one of the offered templates. For example, the pattern “Empty Activity” is perfectly suitable if you are planning to create a map app. To proceed to further stages, click “Next”.
Fill out a short form on the next screen.
- Name of your application;
- Package name (it is the ID and structure of your app);
- Save location (the path to the application folder);
- Language;
- Minimum SDK (a minimum Android version, from which you’ll start maintaining the application). You had better choose API 23, Android 6 Marshmallow.
Can’t decide what API (Application Programming Interface) to use? In this case, click on “Help me choose”. A special page with useful tips will open: you’ll find out what percentage of devices support certain APIs.
After that, click “Finish”. At this stage, you should wait until the importing process completes.
A few words about the Android Studio interface
Below, we have briefly considered the main moments.
- The tab “Activity”. It’s the screen of your app. When creating the MainActivity class, AndroidStudio inherits it from the Android SDK package from the Activity class. This concept is clear for those who understand object-oriented programming. This means MainActivity is a customizable version of Activity.
- The tab “Layout”. It is the app design in the form of an XML file. You’ll be able to edit it a little bit later.
Launching your app using an emulator
During product development, you have to check whether your app works correctly or not. Android Studio allows you to do that with the help of embedded tools like AVD Manager.
AVD (Android Virtual Device) Manager has all the necessary settings to pick diverse screen sizes, Android versions, and so on. Eventually, developers don’t have to buy different devices to conduct tests on them.
Click “AVD” and then “Create Virtual Device…”. Indicate a smartphone or another gadget and the Android version you need.
To start testing, you should choose the device you have created in the launch field and click “Run” (green button with playback icon).
Congratulations! You have just developed your first app!
Now let’s take a look at some technical aspects to understand how it works. Switch to the Android Studio project section with folders and files on the left of the screen. You will probably need to click on the small tab on the edge (see below) if the project explorer is not displayed.
Learn the structure of folders. Click twice to see their content.
How to edit the project?
In order to change the default line Hello World, you should open the XML file, which has the following path: res/layout/activity_main.xml. Then find the component TextView and the property “android:text”. White down any text you wish.
Note that this manual is not relevant when “android:text” contains a link to a string resource (“android:text=»@string/hello_world” instead of “android:text=”Hello World!”).
Steps if you stumble upon a link:
- Open res/values/strings.xml.
- Look at two string resources, which will appear. They are used in different places. The content is united to provide developers with convenience while working.
- Make the necessary edits in the code.
- Click “Run”
Let’s summarize
We hope you as a beginner will find our article helpful. We have reviewed the principles of code editing and considered the basic questions. Android surpasses iOS more than two times in the smartphone market: the Android share is 70% while iOS takes up 29% of the whole “pie”. Moreover, developing for Android devices is cheaper because you pay once to create a developer account. iOS developers have to pay every year and work only on macOS.
The main con of Android is the huge variety of devices. Sometimes specialists suffer trying to adapt their products for different smartphones, watches, tablets, and so on.