The Complete Guide to Android Programming Software for Beginners
With the rise of Android and its popularity, there is a large number of Android programming software available for download. It has become an essential tool for smartphone users.
This type of software can also be used to develop apps, websites, and games. In this article, we will take a look at some of the important features you need to know about Android programming software and how it can be beneficial for you as a programmer.
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It will help you understand the basics of Android development and how to design, develop, and test apps in your own app. It will also help you understand the basics of Android app development and design.
What Is Android Programming Software and How Does It Work?
Android is possibly the most popular mobile operating system in the world. It was created by Google and is now used on more than 80 million devices around the world.
Android has several programming languages. Below we highlight the most used at the moment:
- Kotlin
This is the most widely used Android language for Android programming. Its popularity is due to the advantages it offers developers: simple and intuitive code without sacrificing efficiency. It’s basically inspired by Scala, but with a faster compilation speed.
- Java
Android is developed in Java, so it has long been the standard programming language for developing applications on the operating system. This programming language is simple, fast, and offers a wide range of applications. For this reason, it remains one of the most popular programming languages for Android programming.
- JavaScript
According to Github, this cross-platform Android programming language is the most widely used language. In the specific context of mobile development, it can be used to create hybrid applications, although it is mainly used to optimize the functionality of web pages and user interfaces, making them more dynamic and interactive.
- C#
C# is also cross-platform, making it a good choice for building hybrid apps or programming for Android devices. Object-oriented, it highlights the influence of Java in its syntax, as well as its simplicity, and versatility.
- PHP
Although this language is mainly used in the web environment, it is also possible to use it for Android programming. Its appeal lies in the simplicity and accessibility of its syntax (it is open source).
What Is Android Studio?
Android Studio is the official integrated development environment (IDE) for developing Android applications. Based on IntelliJ IDEA’s powerful code editor and developer tools, Android Studio offers several features to improve productivity when building Android applications, such as:
- A flexible developing system based on Gradle.
- Fast and feature-rich emulator.
- A unified environment that allows development for all Android devices.
- Push changes, and send code and resource changes to a running application without restarting it
- GitHub code and integration templates help to build common app functionality and import sample code
- Multiple test systems and tools.
- Lint tools to identify issues with performance, usability, version compatibility, and more.
- Compatibility with C and NDK.
- Built-in Google Cloud Platform support for easy integration with Google Cloud Messaging and App Engine
What Can I Do with Android Studio?
While Android Studio can be used for many other things, we’ll start with the obvious: building apps. Even if you don’t have programming knowledge, it’s very easy to create a simple application if you allow yourself to follow the clues and help that the IDE itself gives you.
Unless you choose not to include it with Android Studio during initial installation, the IDE also includes an official emulator where you can try any version of Android. Although this emulator is mainly used to test the apps you develop with Android Studio, it can also be used to test the new features of each version of the system, or to perform some experiments that you wouldn’t dare to do on your personal mobile device.
The IDE allows you to run the app on a real device where USB debugging is sufficient by following the steps below.
- Open Android Studio and enter a project.
- Connect your Android phone to a computer that has USB debugging enabled.
- Find a list of available devices in the top option and then select the correct device name.
- Flip the green «Play» icon to run the app on the device.
Android Studio is also used for learning. With thousands of open source projects, you can analyze and use the work of other people and companies to gather ideas, learn advanced programming techniques that you can then implement in your own projects, or just see some of the best examples.
Please note that not all applications can do this. Although there are tools that allow you to decompile apk files to obtain their source code, sometimes the results are not as expected, especially since many companies and developers use code obfuscation techniques.
Android Programming Software: Advantages of Android Studio
In addition to the already mentioned features and functions, it has many advantages over other similar programs.
This allows you to run builds very quickly so you can test your current application for bugs and improvements. Real-time relief design and the ability to use tool parameters.
The application mode simulator allows you to simulate different devices and tablets that can display them in the same environment. This way, you can run multiple applications at the same time and see the parts of code required by each application.
You will be able to create graphical elements for the interface of your application without using code. This feature helps you to create the visual aspect of your application in a very simple way.
It is the official IDE for Android. It ensures the proper functioning of the Android programming software, since the developers of the official Android operating system use it to create all their applications.
These are the main advantages of this IDE, but you will find many more advantages if you use it as a development tool. But like everything, you will find some drawbacks.
Disadvantages Of Android Studio
The Android programming software also has some bugs and glitches that can cause some problems. That’s why we’re notifying you now so you can avoid these errors in the future.
One of its biggest drawbacks is that it does not support NKD development. But don’t be discouraged, because thanks to the IntelliJ plugin you will be able to develop NKD. The output is similar to the default settings, but you can also type in other languages.
Another problem with this Android programming software is that it requires a lot of resources and consumes a lot of battery. So, for the emulator to work properly, you need a decent computer, plenty of RAM, and enough hard drive space, among other minimum requirements.
Android Programming Software: Plan Ahead
Before you start programming with an IDE, you should carefully plan the application you want to build. There’s nothing more frustrating than starting too early and eliminating code you’ve spent hours writing and debugging, or finding out you don’t need a feature at all.
Before you start programming, focus on the user interface and experience of your app. Before coding, identify all the buttons, functions, and screens your application will have. Spending hours writing functions that you later realize you don’t need can quickly become very frustrating.
Follow the design process. Start with an idea that you probably already have. The feature must be written in the specification document, and then configured in the layout.
Add basic functionality as a prototype, then develop flows and visual design simultaneously to build an app from scratch. If set up correctly, it will save you countless hours in the future.
While you don’t have to attend an online college, expect that not all of the resources you need are free. If you really want to be a programmer, spend money on books, online courses, and even a better computer.
As with learning anything, you will have a lot of trouble at first. Try not to get too excited and focus on why you created the app. Libraries are your best friend when you’re in trouble. There’s no shame in finding and adapting existing code to your specific needs. The code is already written, and reinventing the wheel is a waste of time. While you don’t have to write every line of the application yourself, you still need to understand the code.
Learn more about the functionality of Android programming software on our site Para Hombre
