Learn Android Development: All You Need to Know to be an Android Developer
TechsPlace | As the world moves toward digitalization, app stores receive an influx of innovative and intuitive apps from companies around the globe. They offer another portal for people to connect and engage in unique and exciting ways.
The increasing demand for mobile app development services makes the job of an app developer more enticing and fulfilling. With the majority of the world relying on apps for their needs, it has altered how the service industry conducts its businesses. From banking to rentals, travel, and entertainment, all are influenced by the incursion of mobile apps in the digital market.
Here we’ll discuss how to learn mobile app development, specifically for android apps:
Why Android App Development?
Compared to iOS, Android has a dominating hold on the global smartphone market. Many of the smartphone users around the world function on the Android OS. Additionally, the emerging markets for Android in Mexico, Turkey, and Brazil translate to market leadership and job security for Android app developers.
Furthermore, the Android platform is open-source with the complete documents and texts on the source code accessible via the Web. It makes the Android community dynamic and enriching for an individual developer.
Google provides tools like Google Play services that simplify standard app functions like sign-ins, authentication, GPS navigation, and storage. It gives Android developers the luxury of putting all their focus on coding the main features of the app.
That said, app development has immense opportunities for Android app developers. It’s an excellent time for you to learn the skills to code. So, here’s what you need to know about Android development:
Skills You Need to Know
To be an android developer, you need to sharpen your technical skills. It’s not enough to be a tech geek with a passion for the cyber world. The best thing about Android development is that you can do it on any platform, including Mac, Windows, or Linux. Here’s what you need to develop your android app:
Programming Languages
As a developer, programming languages are the tools you need to converse with the machines for them to work as you need. Brian Kernighan describes them as “specific to instructing a computer to do a particular structure of a sequence. It’s the way you tell the machine what you want it to do.”
Developers need to have a sound grasp of the programming languages to develop apps that offer exceptional user experience. Specifically, for Android development, learn the following languages:
- Java
Java is the traditional building block for Android development. Before Kotlin or other cross-platform languages came to be, it was one of the most preferred options for Android developers. Even now, for successful app development, you need to understand the basic Java concepts, including lists, loops, variables, and control structures.
As one of the original languages, there is much more text and resources available for Java. Therefore, before you tackle modern formats, learning Java would give you a boost in your coding journey.
- Kotlin
Kotlin is the modern version of the traditional Java programming. It shares most of the same structure as Java but a much simpler syntax, clarity, readability, and security. Its readability accounts for faster development, and a lack of null exceptions translates to fewer coding errors.
Kotlin has a low learning curve, especially if you already have a firm grasp of Java. In a nutshell, Kotlin offers an advantage over Java for Android app development. But as a beginner, its best to start with Java.
- SQL
SQL is a domain-specific programming language. It is designed to manage collected data or stream processing in a relational database management system or a stream management system, respectively.
It is useful for writing queries to recall information from databases. Knowing how to write SQL will help in organizing the data so that you can find what you need without a hassle.
- XML
XML is formally used to describe data. It is a markup language that will help in designing the UI layouts of the applications and sorting the data feed collected from the Web. Although most of what you need the XML for is possible via the Android Studio, understanding the basics will ensure success in your coding journey.
Android Studio and Software Development Kit
With Android being an open-source platform, it makes all the documents and tools accessible for anyone. Android SDK and Android Studio are the tools of the trade for an Android developer.
Android Studio is an official IDE for Android development. Integrated Development Environment is where you write the code for the software and assemble the apps from different packages and libraries.
The Android SDK is the development kit that includes the essentials of Android development. Here you’ll find sample code, software libraries, coding tools, and more for building, testing, and debugging the app.
Additionally, publishing the app on the Play Store is exceptionally convenient for a developer than it is on the App Store. While Google has strict quality standards for its app, the process is more straightforward. As a developer, you register for the publisher’s account on Google Play, refer to the checklist, then submit through the Google Play Developer Console. As soon as Google approves, you’ll see the app in the Play Store.
Sources You Should Refer
We discussed what you need to learn to be an Android developer. Now, let’s look at the resources available. Here are the sources you should access to learn the skills you need:
Online Texts:
- Stack Overflow
- Android Weekly
- Android Dev subreddit
- Vogella tutorials on Android development
- YouTube tutorials
- Google’s official site for Android Developers.
Printed Texts:
- Head First Java
- Android Programming: Pushing the Limits
- Java: A Beginner’s Guide.
Develop Your First Android App
With the mobile app market being all-encompassing, you can learn Android development and design an app for any industry you choose. From an e-commerce app to banking, an education-based game, your choices are unlimited.
The development sector is continuously evolving. With the Android market expanding beyond its limitations and new technologies emerging every day, it’s the best time to be an Android developer. So, learn the skills and join the market with your app!
Olivia Marie is a digital marketing specialist at Cubix who enjoys creating content on intriguing topics, including Blockchain, B2B business models, mobile, and software development, and more. She is a passionate writer and an active tech enthusiast.
