How can I learn Android?

Question

I am a freshman in college which has been Java programming for over a year. I haven taken a couple of programming courses, both of which were with Java. And I have done web development for several years. So overall, I would't say that I am a complete beginner in programming.

Recently, I have developed a strong interest in developing for Android. I read that Android development was with Java and I thought it would making development easier for me. But I was very wrong. Based on reviews from Amazon, I have begun reading "Professional Android Application Development by Meier but everything is going over my head. The Busy Coder's Guide to Android Development seems a bit more for my level but I still want everybody else's opinion. The Google stuff isn't very helpful to me at my level and neither are the tutorials on anddev and such.

Any advice for a complete beginner on how to get started?

Thanks.

Answer 1

http://developer.android.com/guide/index.html

If you don't like the information there, please elaborate on what need. It contains a pretty gentle introduction and a few example applications.

Append: And if you need to study Java, check out Sun's Java Trail], but there are lots of resources to learn Java. I think you'll find it's better to take baby steps than to be overwhelmed and possibly give up (as most people learning programming do).

Answer 2

What exactly are you having trouble with, the APIs or the language? If beginning Android tutorials are over your head (note, it may not be best to start with a book in this case), then that probably indicates you don't know Java well enough yet.

Answer 3

Have you tried looking at sample apps? That's a good (and free) place to start. Like this one. And the apps that are in the SDK docs that Kent listed. I think there's plenty of information on AndroidCommunity.com and code.google.com. Blogs are a big help too. I don't think you need to start with books personally, but I'm not a very good book learner.

Answer 4

I've been finding Hello, Android: Introducing Google's Mobile Development Platform by Ed Burnette to be the best of the first round of Android books. One problem with those initial books is that they were probably written based on the SDK but not on the G1 phone, so the examples are often pretty abstract and hypothetical. Hello, Android does, however, provide some reasonably concrete examples with a reasonable amount of background. That said, it still won't teach you how to do object-oriented programming in Java.

Answer 5

Check this online training: http://android.voxisland.com It is a set of tutorials about developing applications for the Android mobile devices. Going through the installation of the SDK (APIs and ADT), eclipse and will bring you to GUI design, coding... and advanced features. Basic Java language knowledge is expected.

Answer 6

I've found http://androidforbeginners.blogspot.com to have some good, basic tutorials too. It's written in plain english and tries to explain what's going on.. At least can help to get you off the ground :)

Hope that helps.

Answer 7

The "Busy Coder's Guide ..." is very good. Start there.

The hard thing for me was understanding how the java and xml play together. I found it best to work with some very simple examples. If you dive right into a difficult task you will get overwhelmed.

Answer 8

Is it necessary to know Java to learn Android?Few guys told me one should have good command over UNIX.