If you are interested in coding and smartphones, there is no better thing to learn than Android app development. Android is a Linux-based operating system released in 2008 and has been on the rise ever since. Linux provides basic system functionalities like process, device, and memory management. However, it is the apps that make a smartphone so useful. Android helped massively revolutionize smartphones, and people want to be a part of it.
Android was developed through massive efforts and investments of many companies, and it wasn't an easy road. The leading company credited for the development of Android is Google, but we have to mention others like Samsung, Intel, LG, and ARM. Thanks to these giants, we can now quickly get into coding on Android without much worry.
Today, Android powers over 3 billion devices worldwide. Not only that, but the average smartphone user uses 10 Android apps per day and 30 per month. This usage results in more than 100.000 new Android apps being released every month. Knowing these statistics, you probably agree that learning Android app development guarantees your future employability.
If you are interested in learning how to code Android apps, continue reading!
Why you should get started with Android app development?
Nowadays, we rely on our smartphones for everything - from waking us up and tracking our health to helping us with work or studying. Having a smartphone is like having a tiny Superman next to you all the time. But, how do these smartphones work? Ten years ago, we used mobile phones to call people and send text messages. Now, thanks to apps, we can do almost anything through our phones. But the fact that mobile phones with android apps are everywhere is not enough. Here are some other reasons why you should get started with Android app development.
Easy to learn
Learning Android app development is easy, even for beginners! There are a lot of resources online that are helpful, such as video tutorials, articles, and many more. People outside of the IT industry can easily understand smartphone apps since that is something they use every day. Needless to say that, if you are already familiar with coding, Android app development is going to be a breeze for you.
A safe choice for the future
Investing money and time into Android app development is a no-brainer. More and more businesses are investing in app development. Companies realized that apps help increase their sales and be competitive. So, with this rapid growth of Android technology, Android developers have nothing to worry about.
Free and open-source
Android is a free, open-source operating system. Because of this, Android has a massive community that can help you solve problems you come across while coding on Android. You can always access the codebase of open-source software, which means that you can learn from it. You can also contribute to the codebase and leave a mark as a developer in the community.
Let your imagination and creativity run wild
One of the most significant advantages of Android programming is that it gives you the opportunity to be creative and stay close to the real world. So often, programming can look dull and uniform, but developing apps gives you the freedom to be innovative and come up with new ideas.
Just think about this - how many times have you thought to yourself:
"I wish there were an app that can _______"?
If you learn Android app development, you can create whatever comes to your mind! Sounds fun, right?
How to become an app developer for Android?
Although Android is a Linux-based operating system, you don't need to know Linux for coding Android apps. However, if you want to become an app developer for Android, you need to master C++ and Java. So, let's get right into it.
1. Java
What is the history of Java?
The history of Java began in 1995 when James Gosling developed it at a company called Sun Microsystems, which Oracle later acquired. Since its humble beginnings, Java has become one of the most in-demand, high-level, object-oriented, and class-based programming languages. Java lets programmers compile a code that can later run on all platforms without recompilation. In its essence, the syntax of Java is similar to that of C and C++. However, it's got fewer lower-level facilities. Java's qualities result in it being constantly in the top 3 programming languages worldwide.
Java vs Javascript: What's the difference?
If you are just now starting with Java, you are probably confused about the difference between Java and Javascript. Both are extremely popular programming languages within software development. Java is an object-oriented programming language, while Javascript is an object-oriented scripting language. Javascript is used for writing client-side scripts, while Java is used for all server-side development. Java develops apps that can run in a browser or a virtual machine, while Javascript apps can run only on a browser. Moreover, Java is used in various ways, such as Android app development, financial apps, and desktop applications. Javascript is limited to only web apps, more specifically making them more interactive and creative.
What is Java used for in Android app development?
The Android platform allows developers to write Java codes that manage Android devices. Moreover, programs written in Java are secure because they run within a sandbox environment. Whatever code you write in Java is compiled into bytecode. This bytecode is then executed inside the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). JVM is an abstract computing model essential to Java's application to Android apps. Like a real machine, JVM has its own instruction set and execution engine. The purpose of JVM is to manipulate memory areas and provide an environment for apps to run on. Not only that, but Java app development includes using some of the most popular tools like Eclipse and Netbeans. These apps assist you in coding and help you influence debugging, which is vital for real-world applications. These powerful tools make Java programming ideal for building an Android app from scratch.
2. C++
What is the history of C++?
The history of C++ goes back to 1972 and 1973 when Bjarne Stroustrup first developed the C programming language. He developed C++ as an extension of C in 1979. C++ was initially named "C with classes". However, it gradually evolved and became one of the world's most widely used programming languages.
What is C++?
Wherever we look, we can find C++ in the code. C++ is an object-oriented and procedural programing language. It directly manipulates the hardware that it runs on, and programmers can fine-tune their code. Additionally, it has a rich library of functions and methods to manage data structures and files. C++ is more suitable for high-end programming, which means it's an ideal building block for applications. Remember when we said that Java is a high-level programming language?
Interestingly enough, Java and C++ are very similar. The programmers who know C++ can learn Java in a breeze, and vice-versa. This similarity is another reason why Java and C++ make a perfect duo for Android app development.
What is C++ used for in Android app development?
When we talk about C++ usage in app development, we can freely say that many developers write at least a part of the app code in C++. There are several reasons why C++ is essential for Android app development. If you build complex and intensive applications such as games and simulation, you will choose C++ for its unparalleled performance. Some will choose it for its cross-platform nature. Others will choose C++ for the use of its libraries. However, it's important to note that you won't be able to use only C++ for coding an Android app. This is precisely why the best combination of programming languages for Android app development is Java with C++.
Let's wrap it up.
Smartphones and other electronic devices are an everyday part of our lives. It's hard to imagine a day where we don't rely on our apps for help. For this reason, learning Android software development is an excellent choice for the future. This article can help you understand how to become an app developer for Android and what to expect from our Advanced Android Programming course.
NIT Academy's Android instructors, Ilija Bašičević and Sreten Tanacković said: "After finishing our course, students will fully understand how Android OS and Android devices work. They will be able to work on Android development in its entirety." So, if you are interested in building an Android app from scratch and learning everything there is to know about Android software development, you came to the right place.
For more information visit our website or contact our staff. Additionally, you can contact professors Ilija and Sreten personally for more information about the course curriculum.
