Android development is the process of creating applications for hardware running the Android operating system. Android Studio is the official integrated development environment (IDE) for native Android.
Read More: Android App Development
Do you plan to develop applications for Android? Find more about the advantages of Android and useful tools that can improve your results.
To circumvent limitations on mobile devices, use extensive APIs.
Incorporate services that enhance user experience and runtime efficiency.
Get free resources to improve results and speed up Android development.
Thinking about developing a new Android app? You have company. Since its inception in 2003 as an open-source project built on the Linux kernel, Android has expanded to become the most popular mobile operating system globally. Over two billion smartphones utilize Android at the moment, and developers have released over four million apps. Many of the leading phone manufacturers—HTC, Huawei, Lenovo, LG, Samsung, and Sony—use Android on their devices.
Regardless of your prior experience with Android programming, you are aware that planning may make a significant difference in the way your project turns out. Having the right information and resources makes for a smooth start and a productive, successful process.
Why develop for Android apps?
Android provides several advantages to developers, such as:
Cloud services and APIs: The Android platform offers a wide variety of APIs that let you go beyond the limitations of mobile devices and reach the cloud. They frequently have less memory and computational power than other platforms. Using a cloud backend in the design of your mobile application is one method to get past such limitations. Creating a small app and optimizing API calls to cloud-based services can help minimize the memory and processing load on a mobile device. Google often updates its users on the inclusion of new cloud service access APIs.
Versions for different devices: When it comes to developing applications that make use of cutting-edge technology, Android developers are afforded a great degree of creative freedom. Tablets and smartphones with touchscreens are the main target audience for Android. Moreover, Google has developed Android versions for a growing range of devices, including Internet of Things (IoT) devices, in-car entertainment systems, and wearables and smartwatches. If your business is in the automotive industry, you may make a dashboard application. Users may use this software to play music from Android devices, navigate using Google Maps, and ask questions in Google Search. It is possible to create an Android application that works with several car brands and models.
Scalable distribution: Whether you’re distributing your Android app to employees, business partners, or customers, Google Play makes it simple to do so. Your program may reach a large market and has few restrictions when it is published on Google Play, an online marketplace. All it takes to have your app published on Google Play is $25 to register for an account. The software will be accessible for download in a day or two. Your app can operate on a lot of devices because Android is so popular.
Android is designed to run on Java, one of the most popular programming languages. Using Java, creating apps for Android smartphones is simple and straightforward. It’s easy to make use of native programming approaches and the native capabilities of the mobile device. Java is a general-purpose language designed to make it possible to “write once, run anywhere.” Put otherwise, compiled Java code runs on every platform that supports Java without the need for recompilation. It can run on any Java virtual machine and is compatible with all computer architectures.
Acquiring resources, including code snippets and tests
Once you’ve determined that Android is the platform of choice, you’ll need a few tools to get your project started. First things first, new developers usually go to the Android website after seeing the Google home page. As an alternative, you can visit the Android Developer Site straight (this link takes you outside of ibm.com).
You have access to a variety of materials, including the following:
An introductory example of a piece of code
Make sure your software works and is user-friendly by testing it before publishing it.
As you are creating your application, make use of these design and behavior guidelines.
Before proceeding, you should install Java and set up the Java development kit (JDK) on your computer. Installing the Android software development kit (SDK), required to create Android applications, comes next. The APIs it contains can be used or consulted while developing your application. The default browser when you initially install the operating system is Google Chrome. You are able to use alternative browsers, such as Firefox, if you so want.
Install Android Studio, which comes with the SDK. Android Studio is the official integrated development environment (IDE) for native Android. The IDE is essential for activities like coding, spell checking, creating user interfaces, and error notifications. Android Studio replaced the Eclipse tools that were used as the Android IDE in the past. Android Studio is built on JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA software.
C++ is widely used to construct apps because to its exceptional efficiency and quick reaction times, which is why so many game developers choose to use it. If you want to utilize C++ code again in your Android application, get the native development kit (NDK) for Android. With the help of this tool set, you may implement parts of your program using C or C++ code and libraries.
Additionally, programs that simulate Android on several operating systems are available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. The Android emulator works by converting Android files into a format that is compatible with other operating systems.
Android also follows the material design concept, which is used by a large number of business applications that are now accessible. The Android Material build provides principles for visual, motion, and interaction design to assist you in creating an engaging user experience across all platforms and devices.
Adding value to an application
When creating projects, today’s mobile developers want to make their apps as competitive as feasible. Consider including features that can enhance the usability and functionality of the app.
Push notifications: A quick way to hold customers’ attention is to alert them of important information. This content might include special offers, occasions, news, how-tos for important functions, and other materials that persuade people to use your app.
Mobile analytics: You may improve your application using AI-based analytics that can respond to user questions, customize user interactions, spot fraud, and manage natural language content.
With functions-as-a-service, or FaaS, you may use the financial benefits of not having to run backend computing on your application until it makes a function-specific API request to the cloud. Let’s take an example where you would like to set up push notifications for once a month. When using a FaaS platform, you just pay for the seconds or minutes of compute time required to send your notifications.