Android App Development Fundamentals for Beginners‍

In 2023, are you curious about how to build Android apps? Even though becoming one of the 5.9 million people who provide Android application development services may seem challenging. The need for Android software development is becoming increasingly problematic as many firms face an IT skills shortage worldwide.

So, what are the requirements to form an Android application? This Android app development lesson will cover the fundamentals of Android app development and recommended practices for building an Android app from the ground up.

Introduction: Android app development for beginners.

Specifically designed for mobile devices, Android is an operating system designed for smartphones and tablets. The platform was created by Google, which relies on the Linux Kernel and other open-source technologies. Mobile devices use the platform with touchscreens such as smartphones and tablets. Nowadays, devices with these capabilities are found on Android Auto automobiles, as well as TVs, watches, cameras, and other electronic devices. Android Inc had created android OS for development purposes, but late in 2005, Google acquired it.

For these Android-powered smartphones, many software (apps) such as games, music players, cameras, and so on are developed. There are over 3.3 million apps in Google Play. Android Studio is the application used to create the app. APK (Android Package Kit) is used to install these executable programs (Android Package Kit).

What is the best method for building Android apps?

The next step after having an idea for an android mobile app is to develop it. There are three main techniques for developing an Android app, each with its advantages and disadvantages.

1. Developers of Android apps

Android app builders (no-code drag-and-drop app creation) can help you quickly get your idea into the Google Play store. However, it frequently results in subpar results.

2. Understand Android app development.

Suppose you wish to produce an Android app on your own or looking for information on Android app development so that you can compete with other software developers. Learning how to build Android apps can take a significant amount of time.

3. Obtaining expert assistance

In a crowded market, being able to design an app rapidly can make the difference between success and failure. When it comes to learning how to build Android apps, it's sometimes advisable to employ someone else: either a web app development agency (with a team of skilled developers and UX designers) or a freelancer (solo developer). A team often brings more experience, flexibility, and dependability to fulfill business objectives.

Top Five fundamentals One should consider during Android app development for startups.

1. Languages for Programming in Android

We'll start with the Android programming language because nothing else is possible without it. Android apps can be written in one of three different languages: Java or C++, as well as XML. The app's backend is written in Java/C++, while the front end is written in an XML markup language. In addition to Java/C++, a new language known as KOTLIN has recently gained popularity. Let's look at each language.

1. Java

It's an object-oriented programming language. One of the reasons it is recommended for Android App development is because it is built to run with few dependencies.

2. The C++ programming language

C++ is another programming language that might be used to create applications. C++ is a programming language that can be used for various purposes, and C++ was initially published in 1985.

3. XML

Extensible Markup Language (XML) defines rules that encode documents in a human- and machine-readable format. XML was created with the goals of simplicity, universality, and internet usability in mind.

4. KOTLIN

Kotlin was first released in 2011; It is a general-purpose, cross-platform programming language that works seamlessly with JAVA. Google announced in May 2019 that It is the preferred language for mobile application development for android.

2. Knowledge of the Appropriate Tools for developing apps for android.

Following the Android mobile app development lesson, we will learn about Android Studio, the official Android Integrated Development Environment (IDE). Developers who are new to Android should not use environments other than Android Studio for development.

An SDK (software development kit) for Android is a collection of tools, libraries, scripts, and documentation for creating apps. Among the features of Android Studio is the Android Emulator, which allows you to test your apps across various devices and API levels.

3. Understanding of Application Components

In the development of Android apps, application components are the basic building blocks. The components provide distinct entry points into the system. Some of them are interconnected, and not all have true entrances, despite their independence and specific purpose.

Each of the five types of app components has a purpose and life cycle that dictates how it is made and destroyed. Here are the five types:

Activities: The component displays a single screen of the user interface (for example, a messaging app might have one activity that shows new messages, one activity that composes messages, and another activity that reads messages). An app's activities are incorporated to provide visitors with a seamless experience. However, each of them is self-contained.

Services: A service is an integral part of a remote process or long-running procedure. The program lacks a graphical user interface (for instance, another application can run in the background while the program plays music).

Content providers: Content providers are components that control a common set of app data. This component allows for the querying and updating of data stored on a file system, on the web, or in an SQLite database (provided the content provider permits it). Using this component, you can also read and write data that are private and accessible only within your app.

Broadcast receivers: This component receives broadcast announcements on behalf of the entire system. It's primarily liable for developing broadcast receivers. Although they don't have a UI, they can provide a notification on the status bar. Generally, it serves as a link between the other components and performs only minor duties.

Activating components:

Three out of four components are activated by intent (i.e., services, activities, and broadcast receivers). Each element, whether it belongs to your app or not, is also bound together at runtime through intents.

4. Android App Layout

1. Android Manifest

The Android Manifest is an XML file containing all the information required for the app, Android build tools, Android OS, and Play Store.

2. JAVA files

The functionality and utility of the buttons, calculating, storing, variables, toast(small popup message), programming function, and so on are all included in the folder.

3. Folder of Resources

The resource folder contains all of the application's non-code files, such as images, XML layouts, and UI strings for the android app.

4. Drawable

All of the images used in an Android application are stored in Drawable.

5. Layout

The Layout Folder contains all the XML files required for the Android application to function properly. That app, as we saw before, does at least one activity. As a result, activity main.xml is located in the folder.

6. Midmap

The launcher.xml. file is found in the Res folder's Midmap folder. On a phone or tablet, the Launcher XML file defines the icons that will appear on the home screen.

7. RAW

All media data other than photographs, such as audio or music files, are stored in the Raw folder. These can be found using the following syntax: R.raw.filename.

8. Values Folder

Values, colors, characters, integers, and other data are stored in this folder.

9. Gradle

It is a storage system for numerous build systems that can be applied to the app modules when called. Android studio is not required to use the gradle folder, and they are in charge of the entire construction process. It includes procedures and configuration options for developing and testing Android apps.

5. Making the Best Decision When It Comes to Needed Tools

A Mac or Windows PC, any sort of Linux, Eclipse, the ADT Plugin, and the Android SDK—all of which are free—are all you need to develop an Android app. Learning how to set up your development environment is possible by reading the installation guide on Google; it has all the necessary documents. When building an Android app, you should consider a few specific parameters. Among them are the following:

Performance and responsiveness: If you don't respond to user input in five seconds, the operating system will ANR you. (If your ANR application isn't responding, you'll have no choice but to force close it.)

Users will experience approximately 100 milliseconds of lag: Since there is only one UI thread, it should never get blocked, as stated previously.

Resources are limited: Wake-locks (the mechanism that forces the device to accomplish something despite the battery manager's advice to put it to sleep) should be used sparingly. Unnecessarily polling hardware (e.g., GPS or accelerometer) will deplete the battery.

Conclusion

It's impossible to create amazing Android apps overnight, and even the best apps require ongoing maintenance to stay current. Technology and design trends change quickly, so read multiple blogs, news sites, podcasts, and the official Android development blog to keep up with the latest developments in Android. The key issue this year is privacy and security – do you know how to keep your app secure and compliant?

This article has hopefully clarified some of your doubts regarding android app development. Send us your comments below. We, Groovy Web, a top-rated Android app development company, will do our best to address any issue.

Author's Bio

Krunal Panchal is the CEO & Co-founder of Groovy Web. He has been a hardcore programmer since he was 11 and started his professional career very young. His technical and logical mind drove him to choose coding as his destiny. At an initial stage, he got essential experience and the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. Learning something new is a never-ending process for him. Under his leadership, Groovy Web has become an established organization that serves industries from startups to enterprises, regardless of any limitations.