How much Java should I have learnt before trying Android programming?

Question

Hi - I have been seeking beginner learning books in Android, and of course found out that I should learn Java first. So I began studying Java and now I am quite comfortable with objects, classes, inheritance, interfaces, and just moved onto Layouts in Swing as well as Swing Features. But I am starting to wonder.... do I know enough about Java now? Can I start programming Android yet?

Of course I can keep going in Java, but have been itching to begin programming Android apps.

Any definitive answer here about how much Java I need to know before Android?

Thanks so much!

Answer 1

Try it and see - only you can answer that. If you start and find it difficult, you don't know enough. It'll actually be a good motivation to continue learning Java. I'd go for it.

Answer 2

Go give it a try! I find it best to learn programming languages doing real world example, and if Android keeps your interest it is probably a great example.

Answer 3

do I know enough about Java now?

Yes

Can I start programming Android yet?

Yes

how much Java I need to know before Android?

A complete understanding of the basics would be desirable.

Specifically the following topics:

• Declarations and Access Control
• ObjectOrientation
• Assignments
• Operators
• Flow Control, Exceptions, and Assertions
• Strings, I/O, Formatting, and Parsing
• Generics and Collections
• InnerClasses
• Threads

But if you know already the basics ( classes, objects, inheritance, interfaces ) I think you're ok to start.

You don't need to learn specific libraries ( like swing, or others ) because you won't use them in Android.

Answer 4

What you really need of Java is syntax and capabilities. You don't need to know specific API that you will learn with Android anyway.. so I think you can go with Android easily.

Actually you could just learn Java along with Android without any problems..

Answer 5

Thank you, everyone! For your great input. Since Java was my first language (well, Javascript YEARS ago when I first learned HTML before CSS existed), I am only used to programming with NotePad++ and command prompt compilers using javac and java.

Installing SDK and Eclipse was a headache! All these new GUI instead of command prompt is confusing but I will definitely give it a try and read (and re-read) all the google documentation. Thanks!

Answer 6

I jumped right into Java and Android at the same time knowing basically nothing about either. I had about 2 years experience with C doing homebrew for nintendo DS so nothing was really OOP and it was all single threaded.

Since you know what you do of Java, I'd say you'll be fine. The bottom line, is that slow is good. Take it easy, take it slow and don't skip ANYTHING. The provided developers guide is very solid, covers all of the important concepts. An early piece of advice... don't block the UI thread... If you're going to write a game pay special attention to how to create a proper game loop thread. There's really not a lot on that provided by Google (except for SDK example games) but there's information out there.