Android Application Development
The Android Software Development Kit (Android SDK) is Google's answer for connecting developers with mobile devices. An Open Handset Alliance Project, developers can use Java programming language for Android application development.
Some core applications ship with the Android SDK, including:
- Email client
- SMS program
- Calendar
- Maps
- Browser
- Contacts
These core applications help to simplify reuse of framework APIs during Android application development. Combined with the included libraries, Android Tools, and other streamlined managers, programmers will find that Google has built an innovative bridge to the mobile device market.
Every Android application development is based on a combination of up to four basic components: Activity, Intent Receiver, Service, and Content Provider. Most Activities are a single screen in the application, while the Intent Receiver is a reaction to an event, such as the phone ringing.
A Service may be built of one of more activities, such as a media player. The final basic component of some Android application developments is the Content Provider. This class allows data from one application to be shared with another, such as an SQLite database.
After deciding on the core components needed, the next step to Android application development is the user interface. Android uses views and viewgroups, and also offers a set of widgets and layouts. Developers may create custom views or use XML with nested tags to create screens. Themes can be applied either from the Android default style or by a custom creation.
Storing and retrieving data in an Android application development is accomplished in the following ways:
- Preferences
- Files
- Databases
- Content Providers
- Network
Each Android application retains private data. Using the above processes, that data can be exposed or requested by other applications.
Security and permissions within Android application development are enforced with user IDs and
External files, or resources, supported by Android include XML, PNG and JPEG files, among others. These files are installed in the source tree during the Android application development. Symbols for each resource are included be the programmer in the source code. These resources are auto-generated into an R class and recreated when the resources are updated. The Android tool aapt (Android Asset Packaging Tool) creates a resource table and binary asset data during generation of the final ZIP file.
Programmers can make Android application development as basic or complex as desired. Through Google's $10 million Android Developer Challenge, your application may even be eligible for inclusion in Challenge II to begin after the winning apps from Challenge I become available in the second half of 2008.