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Getting Started With Android Development: Abe Pralle CS 477 February 9, 2012

This document provides an overview of setting up development environments and creating starter projects for Android development. It discusses installing the necessary tools like the Java JDK, Android SDK, and Eclipse plugin. It also covers creating a basic "Hello World" Android project using Ant build scripts, running apps on emulators or devices, and some debugging techniques. The document is intended as an introduction for developers getting started with Android.

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53 views

Getting Started With Android Development: Abe Pralle CS 477 February 9, 2012

This document provides an overview of setting up development environments and creating starter projects for Android development. It discusses installing the necessary tools like the Java JDK, Android SDK, and Eclipse plugin. It also covers creating a basic "Hello World" Android project using Ant build scripts, running apps on emulators or devices, and some debugging techniques. The document is intended as an introduction for developers getting started with Android.

Uploaded by

midowakil
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 15

Getting Started

With Android
Development
Abe Pralle
CS 477
February 9, 2012
tinyurl.com/android-development
Terminology

● SDK - the primary Java-based toolset.


● NDK - Native Dev Kit for C++ shared
object (.so) "DLL" libraries.
● APK - "Android Package" - the "JAR"
containing a standalone app.
● ADB - "Android Debug Bridge" - the
communication interface between your
computer and Android devices.
Terminology (continued)

● API Level - an integer that defines which


version of the Android API your app is
compatible with, e.g. 7 = OS 2.1.x, 8 = OS
2.2.x, etc.
● Thoughout slides, notation ">command"
means "type 'command' on a CMD prompt
or terminal.
Windows Setup
(including command line support)

1. Install the Java JDK:


http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/down
loads/jdk-7u2-download-1377129.html
2. Install the ANT built system:
http://ant.apache.org/
○ Unzip and place in e.g. C:\Program Files (x86)\
○ Add C:\Prog...apache-ant...\bin to PATH
○ Run >ant in CMD window. If error about missing
"tools.jar", add JAVA_HOME environment
variable pointing to jdk base directory and open
new CMD window.
Windows Setup (continued)

3. Install the Android SDK:


developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
○ Add C:\...\android-sdk\tools and C:\...\android-
sdk\platform-tools to your PATH
Mac Setup
(including command line support)

Install the Android SDK:


developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
○ Unzip and place in /Applications folder
○ Edit /etc/paths (>sudo vim /etc/paths) and add the
following lines:
/Applications/android-sdk-mac_x86/tools
/Applications/android-sdk-mac_x86/platform-tools
General Setup
● Eclipse Plugin - popular but not covered here - see:
http://developer.android.com/sdk/eclipse-adt.html#installing
● >android brings up SDK Manager. >android --help
shows other options.
○ Launch SDK Manager and download recommended files - takes a
while (click "Accept All" on license agreement to avoid hassle).
○ Download optional OS versions to target specific API levels in
your apps.
● May want to create one or more AVD (Android
Virtual Device) emulators. Run Android SDK
Manager and select Tools>Manage AVDs...
● Under System Settings for device/emulator, find and
enable "Unknown Sources" and "USB Debugging".
Starter Project

1. Create directory for project and cd to it.


2. >android create project --name
"UserInterfaces" --target "android-8"
--path . --package edu.nau.cs477
--activity UserInterfacesActivity
3. >ant debug to compile.
4. >ant installd to install on emulator or
actual device (whichever is available).
5. Find the program in the "all apps" menu to
run it.
6. Menu>Manage Apps to delete it.
Choosing an API Level
● http://developer.android.com/guide/appendix/api-levels.html
● The lower you choose, the more devices
will be compatible with your app.
● Certain features only available in higher
API Levels.
● To support "Gen 1" devices (e.g. "G1")
choose API Level 4 (OS 1.6).
● Otherwise choose API Level 8 (OS 2.2.x)
unless you really need a certain feature.
API 8 is the first one that allows install to
SD Card.
Project Contents
AndroidManifest.xml
● Contains info & settings about app.
assets/
● Optional dir to store raw binary files that won't be preprocessed.
ant.properties
● Place to override default build properties, e.g. "target=android-10" to
change API used for build, not for distribution.
bin/
● Build products directory. Deletable.
build.xml
● The ANT build file.
gen/
● Used to compile resources (images etc.). Deletable.
Project Contents (continued)
libs/
● Place .JAR and .SO libraries here to be linked with your project.
local.properties
● Contains paths relative to your individual computer. Do not commit to
code repositories. Update with >android update project -p .
proguard.cfg
● Advanced settings for code obfuscator. Can be ignored.
project.properties
● Defines the API Level this project targets.
res/
● Contains text and image resources processed by build system.
src/
● Source code organized by package name.
API Basics
http://developer.android.com/reference/android/app/Activity.html

● Application manager extends "Activity"


(like an Applet).
● Activity has overridable onStart(),
onPause(), etc.
● Define a UI layout in the res/layout/
directory or programmatically define in
onCreate().
Debugging

● Type >ddms to launch log viewer window.


● Type >adb logcat to list log in current
window.
● In the program, System.out.println() and
System.err.println() will work.
● Official system is Log.d( "app name",
"mesg" ) for debug, Log.e(...) for error,
Log.wtf(...) etc.
Quirks and Caveats

● No easy way to terminate an app via the


OS User Interface (Menu>Manage
Apps>App Name>Force Stop).
● Must look in separate menus to launch
app and to remove from device.
● Device usually easier and quicker to test
on than emulator.
The End!

this.finish();

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