Getting started with Android development
A brief dive into the world of Android Development, from its history to its future.
Android’s brief history
This platform was the outcome of the hard work of Open Handset Alliance, an organization whose mission was to make a mobile phone with better features. A decade has passed now, and there are so many industries worldwide that are offering Android. Nowadays, Samsung, the biggest manufacturer of these smartphones, is also a member of this organization. Even though it all started with merely one device, Android is now available in almost all the market presence worldwide and comprises so many other devices.
If you think of a code that you want to run anywhere in this world, you must know about the Android platform.
Android platform
Taking a look at the capabilities of Android, one can easily get confused between Android and the operating system of a Desktop. Android is a sort of laminated environment that is built based on Linux Kernel. The user interface system of Android includes almost all the things that one can expect from a professional and trustworthy operating system. The browser is capable of browsing the general web as well as direct embedding it into an application.
The mobile web has been transformed now according to the needs of customers and business owners. Android provides its owners with so many different connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular connection with any network one can imagine. Moreover, while using your Wi-Fi, you can pair your device with other devices as well. File Manager is also there to store any data. Android also supports so many image formats as well including JPEG and BMP. Besides this, so many navigation and mapping apps are also a part of Android’s services.
The quality of digital cameras has been exceptional these days in smartphones. Android also supports multiple cameras that are capable of capturing videos in full motion. Similar is the case with Android’s Voice Services to help the users chat (with their voice) without calling others. All in all, Android is a complete platform with so many features and services to offer.
Application architecture
Android applications have been written in the Computer Programming Language named Java. You are also allowed to write in another different Google language known as Kotlin. We’ll talk mostly about Java in this article, but you must take a closer look at Kotlin and learn more about it because of its continuous growth. Within the coming years, Kotlin will grow even more as further support and language development occur. There is already a gradual shift in popularity for both languages, to the point wherein many companies, both coding languages are a requirement.
It is still a recommendation to go with Java in the beginning for a few specific reasons. Firstly, the resources of Android on the web had been focusing on Java for the past decade; therefore, most established companies will have a predominantly Java codebase. Secondly, Java is the kind of language that can adjust anywhere and work with many other platforms, providing more versatility and options as a developer. So, Java is still in demand as compared to Kotlin.
The source code of Java is compiled before being formatted into a bytecode. This bytecode’s sole purpose is to represent any application’s logic, but not the particular instructions for a specific hardware device. The earliest versions of Android were being operated by converting these bytecodes to separate executable codes. This conversion is done by using a compiler and is done every single time an application gets executed.
Basics of Android development
Irrespective of how an application gets converted from a source code to a running code, there are certain basic things to understand before starting Android development. Android applications consist of one of the following classifications.
- Activities
If an application has a visual user interface, it’ll be implemented through an activity. When an application is selected from the Application launcher or the Home Screen, the activity will start.
- Services
If you want an application to be persisted over a more extended period, you’ll require a service. The application may include network monitoring, update-checking, or any such application.
- Content providers
One of the easiest and efficient ways of thinking about the content providers is to consider them a server for the database. The sole purpose of the content provider is to manage the access to any persisted data; contacts on a mobile phone are an example of this. If the application you’re using is quite simple, you won’t need any content provider. But if a more extensive application is in the making for usage, a content provider will get the job done for you by accessing the data.
- Broadcast receivers
Android applications can also be launched for processing a particular element or responding to an event. The text messages you receive on your phone are the perfect example of this.
Exploring the Android Studio
The best way to start Android development is to download the application named Android Studio. You may download a copy of it depending upon the platform of your choice. Android Studio mainly includes the tools that manage so many platform-specific features. It can also test the application on both the actual device and the emulator.
Android Studio has many tools to develop an application. It is seen that the users can target multiple versions of Android devices in Android development, allowing you to build applications for older devices and new ones. If you go into details, you’ll get to know that these Android tools are quite overwhelming. But if you are a beginner, you do not need to worry about it. All you need to do is to focus on a specific version. You’ll get to know more once you start using it.
Additional Features
There is no way one can deny that Android devices are quite accommodative in being compatible with the earliest versions. Apart from this, Android is much more user-friendly and easy-to-use as compared to Apple iOS. You may argue that the standards made by Apple are higher and are launching new versions of smartphones and other devices capable of performing some advanced features. Not so many have got the same features; Android isn’t far from it either. If we take security concerns into account, Apple is undoubtedly better. But as a developer, you’ll be stressed quickly because of the requirement of updating the app regularly to introduce the next version. Android, on the other hand, doesn’t require any such thing.
Since there are pros and cons of everything, Android devices may vary broadly because of which the testing of any application becomes more tricky and time-consuming. One of Android development’s cons is that it takes a lot of time to build and test an application, leading to more cost for that specific application. But it still depends upon the features that the application is possessing. However, one of Android development pros is it is being open-sourced and being developed on any operating system. In contrast, Apple requires their apps to be built on a Mac OS, which can be costly, especially for new developers.
Importance of Android app development
Many people use Android phones just because their operating system is more user-friendly. Android app development has now become a significant thing for most businesses. The app’s various features like text messages, calls, and other internet browsers have helped global access of information. Moreover, using the android app is also accessible, which any person can use after downloading it.
Its importance in another sense is that it is mostly changing people’s lives. The well-developed and unique Android app developed by a company has more demand because it makes it easier to get information. The Android app developers play a very significant role in this regard. As mobile phones are in massive amounts, businesses must have to develop their apps. By doing so, their customers can easily access them and give the companies a good number of sales. Android apps are necessary for the customers, but they can also help the businesses’ marketing teams advertise for their company.
Benefits of Android App development
There are many advantages of developing Android mobile apps for businesses, and some of them we will discuss below:
- Ease for customers
Businesses can develop Android apps for the convenience of their customers. Because the customers can easily reach them through the mobile app, and most of their issues can be handled through the mobile apps. So, it will also help the customers to purchase the products without going anywhere.
- Lessen the premise cost!
It is beneficial for businesses to develop their apps because it will decrease the cost of their employees. When they also provide their services online through the apps, they will not need to hire the employees and pay them. The businesses will only pay those who will develop their Android app.
- Increase in sales!
When businesses make their Android apps, it can also increase their sales and revenue because customers can quickly access them and buy their products without making any effort. Companies can also get help doing their marketing through the Apps by showing their products and writing good slogans, which will attract the customers to buy the products.
The most important thing is that if the businesses provide good quality products to their customers, they will satisfy and use them to purchase the products or get their services. This will be good for the businesses to increase their sales to generate excellent profit.
Most people use Android phones, so Android App development has become of utmost importance for businesses. If a business owner wants his/her company to be famous, he/she must have a mobile app. The reason is that when more and more people will use the app and see the features and benefits, they will communicate with others about it, which will ultimately lead to a popular and successful business.
What are your thoughts about Android development?
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