introduction to android development: before getting started

Android Application DevelopmentSeminar on Getting Started

Ahsanul Karim [email protected]

Sentinel Solutions Ltd.http://www.sentinelbd.com

http://androidstream.wordpress.comEngineering Students Association of Bangladesh (ESAB)

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.sentinelbd.com/

http://androidstream.wordpress.com/

Before Introduction

Before Introduction: Your Suggestions1. Monotonous discussion should be banned

But, let me try… after all it’s a free seminar. No one’s going to kill me….

Before Introduction: Your Suggestions2. This could be the first phase and it should be continued.3. Arranging a workshop is better than seminar for the novice.

We have following probable plans:

1. Workshops2. Training Programs 3. Onsite Contests with help from experienced Developers4. Idea-based Contests with help from experienced Developers5. Jamming Events

Depends on your feedback

Before Introduction: Your Suggestions4. You can emphasize on learning OOPs before starting session on Android. Because very large number of Software Developer have no clear concept on OOP.

OOP concept is indispensable. But we have to learn in parallel.

5. It might get a little more interesting if the attendants are allowed to have the opportunity to play or use some of the android apps themselves.

Can you suggest how can we do that? May be next time we’ll try.We may review some good apps today.

Before Introduction: Your Suggestions6. If you give us some knowledge regarding to developing android software and how to post them in the android market it can be helpful to us in the future.

We’ll do that in this session

7. You can give us some video about mobile application programming which can help us.

We’ll provide you complete course content with video tutorials we did in BASIS (Bangladesh Association of Software & Information Services)

Before Introduction: Your Suggestions8. Consider all type of audience.

Excellent suggestion. We’ll try that

9. Discuss from technological perspective as well as business.Excellent suggestion. We’ll try that

10. Forecast about near future associated with Android.

Excellent suggestion. We’ll try that

So Today…

1. Get Basic Idea on Mobile and Smartphone Applications2. Get Basic Idea on Mobile, Smartphone & Tablet Platforms3. Identify the Position of Android Platform4. Background and History of Android5. Get the Idea: Why Should We Learn Android Platform6. Opportunities7. Some App Demos8. System Architecture9. Environment Setup to Kick-start10. Application Structure11. Cross-platform development12. Resources

Mobile and Smartphone ApplicationsMobile Phones

A mobile phone (also called mobile, cellular telephone, cell phone, or hand phone is an electronic device used to make

1. Calls across a wide geographic area. 2. Send Text SMS3. Can see call records4. Can capture image 5. Can run music 6. Can browse web etc.

To learn about mobile phones in details: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phone

You’ll get detailed history about how this technology evolved over the years

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phone

Mobile and Smartphone ApplicationsMobile Phone Applications: Some ExamplesCategory: Utility ToolsPersonal Finance Calculator

Another example can be: Daily Planner ApplicationPossible Features:1. Task List2. Reminder3. Appointment etc.

Mobile and Smartphone ApplicationsMobile Phone Applications: Some Examples (Contd.)Category: GamesSudoku Tetris Snake

Mobile and Smartphone ApplicationsMobile Phone Applications: Development

1. Different Mobile phone vendor companies use different platforms for developing applications for their own platform.

2. We’ll discuss about a open “Legacy” platform as an example which is J2ME

Java Platform, Micro Edition, or Java ME: 1. It is a Java platform designed for embedded systems (mobile

Devices are one kind of such systems) . 2. Target devices range from industrial controls to mobile phones

with Java (KVM support). Formerly known as Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition (J2ME).For details:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_Platform,_Micro_Edition

Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson and many other vendors supports J2ME for applications and games development

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_Platform,_Micro_Edition

Mobile and Smartphone ApplicationsMobile Phone Applications: Development With J2MELimitations1. Memory Issues

1. Vendor Specific Implementation2. Insufficient Memory3. Inefficient Memory Management

2. Device Compatibility Issues3. Not enough Access to Core System of the Phone4. Vendor Specific Implementation of KVM

That is why…We see sites like this:

Mobile and Smartphone ApplicationsSmart Phones

1. A smartphone is a mobile phone that offers more advanced computing ability, Features and connectivity than a contemporary mobile phones.

2. Smartphones may be thought of as handheld computers integrated with a mobile telephone.

3. They also provide their own Operating System with Application Development Framework

To learn about smart phones in details: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone

You’ll get detailed history about how this technology evolved over the years

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone

Mobile and Smartphone ApplicationsSmart Phones Platforms

Android iPhone Palm PreBlackBerry

Mobile and Smartphone ApplicationsTablet Platforms

Android: Galaxy Tab Apple: iPad

Overview of Application Platforms (alphabetically)

Platform Language (s) RemarksAndroid Java, C, C++ Open Source OS (Based on Linux)

http://developer.android.com

bada C, C++ Samsung’s mobile platform running on Linux or RealTime OShttp://developer.bada.com

BlackBerry Java, Web Apps Java, Web Apps, Java ME compatible, extensions enable tighter integrationhttp://na.blackberry.com/eng/developers

iOS Objective-C, C Requires Apple Developer Accounthttp://developer.apple.com/iphone

MeeGo Qt, C++, others Intel and Nokia guided open source OS (based on Linux)http://meego.com/developers

Symbian C, C++, Java, Qt, Web Apps, others

OS built from the ground up for mobile deviceshttp://www.forum.nokia.com/symbian

http://developer.android.com/

http://developer.bada.com/

http://na.blackberry.com/eng/developers

http://developer.apple.com/iphone

http://meego.com/developers

http://www.forum.nokia.com/symbian

Overview of Application Platforms (Cont.)

Platform Language (s) RemarkswebOS HTML, CSS,

JavaScript, CSupports widget style programming (based on Linux)http://developer.palm.com

Windows Mobile

C#, C .NET CF or Windows Mobile API, most devices ship with Java ME compatible JVMhttp://developer.windowsmobile.com

Windows Phone

C#, VB.NET Silverlight, XNA Frameworkshttp://create.msdn.com

Source: http://mobileplatforms.wikidot.com/

http://developer.palm.com/

http://developer.windowsmobile.com/

http://create.msdn.com/

http://mobileplatforms.wikidot.com/

http://mobileplatforms.wikidot.com/

Application Platforms

Why AndroidThey say a picture is worth a thousand words!!

Why Android (Cont.)They say a picture is worth a thousand words!!

Why Android (Cont.)

Why Android: Google TV

Why Android: Finally BlackBerry Gives In

Open Handset Alliance (Nov 2007)Manufacturers: Designing the Android Handsets

Content Providers: Developing Apps Mobile Operators

Markets: Distribution

Why Android (Cont.)

What about ASIA-Pacific region???

Low cost devices from China manufacturers… $96 Android devices

Why Android (Cont.)Technical Advantages

No need to pay for any developer’s program to develop and test apps in real devices

Open source platform with scope of more innovation (Less proprietary restrictions)

Java programming language

Rich and easy to integrate feature sets

Easy, effective and cost-effective prototyping for research and business

Development Environment Support in Windows, Mac & Linux (Ubuntu)

Imagination is the Limit

Why Android (Cont.)Business Advantages

Android market: Integrated market appOne time low registration fee

Many Distribution Channels:(We’ll see next)

Low Barrier to Market:No approval processLess restrictions with copyright issues

Why Android (Cont.)Opportunities

Android market: (http://market.android.com)Integrated Android Market Application in phones can ensure your reach to

millions of users without any approval process.

Amazon Appstore for Android: http://www.amazon.com/mobile-apps/b?ie=UTF8&node=2350149011

Enterprise Market:https://marketplace.cisco.com/

3rd Party Distribution Channels :1. Andspot 2. Handango 3. GetJar 4. SlideMe 5.AndAppStore6. AndroLib 7. AppBrain and many more…

http://market.android.com/

http://www.amazon.com/mobile-apps/b?ie=UTF8&node=2350149011

https://marketplace.cisco.com/


Android Market: (1) Analytics to help decision making


Android Market: (2) Crash log to support bug fixes


Android Market: (3) Requirements


Amazon Appstore for Android:


Enterprise Market:

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

Why Android (Cont.)Monetization Opportunities

Paid Apps $ $ $ $ $ $ $ In-App Billing Free Apps with Ads

AdMob AdWhirl Mobclix and many more

Freelancing Opportunities

Statistics Source: http://www.elance.com/android-programmers-freelancers/230

Similar trend is seen in other freelancing sites

Why Android (Cont.)

Can be a good source of income to support your own product development or research

http://www.elance.com/android-programmers-freelancers/230

Game Development OpportunitiesWhy Android (Cont.)

Case Study: AhhhPah http://ahhhpah.com/

Simplified Game frameworks1. Libgdx: http://code.google.com/p/libgdx/2. AndEngine: http://www.andengine.org/3. Unity3d: http://unity3d.com/

Development Time: 8 hoursDownloads: millions

http://ahhhpah.com/

http://code.google.com/p/libgdx/

http://www.andengine.org/

http://unity3d.com/

Some Interesting AppsWhy Android (Cont.)

ShazamHear a song you don't know? Shazam identifies it instantly.

INSTALLS:10,000,000 - 50,000,000

Some Interesting AppsWhy Android (Cont.)

Guitar : Solo LiteINSTALLS:10,000,000 - 50,000,000

My StoryWhy Android (Cont.)

ProTranslate INSTALLS: 50,000 - 100,000

Features:1. Support for wide range of

languages2. Share translated text

(Email,SMS,twitter,facebook)Pronounciation and speech output

3. Website translationDocument translation and share via email

4. Auto-prompt to translate SMS received

5. Optimized for all Android devices

It gave us Google’s Device Seeding Program Award

My StoryWhy Android (Cont.)

ProTranslate

Research OpportunitiesWhy Android (Cont.)

Easy Prototyping of any idea is possible in Android. Some of the advanced research based projects are prototyped in Android.

mHealth

Developed by the Johns Hopkins Center for Clinical Global Health Education, eMOCHA uses video, audio, touchscreen quizzes, GPS and SMS to collect and analyze large amounts of data.

eMOCA (www.emocha.org)

http://www.ccghe.jhmi.edu/ccg/index.asp

http://www.ccghe.jhmi.edu/ccg/index.asp

http://www.emocha.org/


Easy Prototyping of any idea is possible in Android. Some of the advanced research based projects are prototyped in Android.

mHealth

Developed by ClickDiagnostics, uses video, audio, touchscreen Quizzes to upload data to server to reach the consultants.

ClickDiagnosticshttp://clickdiagnostics.com/

http://clickdiagnostics.com/


mHealth

Clinical diagnosis + Data acquisition


Android + Arduino = Innovation UnlimitedArduino (http://www.arduino.cc/)

1. Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform2. can sense the environment by receiving input from a variety of sensors and can affect its

surroundings by controlling lights, motors, and other actuators.

http://arduino.cc/blog/2011/10/12/android-open-2011-massimo-banzi-arduino-android-infinite-possibilities/

http://www.arduino.cc/





Android in Disaster Management

A Mobile Disaster Management System Using the Android Technologyhttp://www.naun.org/journals/communications/19-280.pdf

Implementation of an Android based disaster management systemhttp://www.bcdph.com/download/android.pdf

Android Incident Reporting for SAHANA Disaster Management Systemhttp://code.google.com/p/sahana-incident-reporter/

Case Study: Bangladesh Army

1. Custom sensor device to accumulate weather data2. Create forecast3. Use data feeds to plan strategies for recovery4. Integrated solar cell for self sufficient power

http://www.naun.org/journals/communications/19-280.pdf

http://www.bcdph.com/download/android.pdf

http://code.google.com/p/sahana-incident-reporter/

Application Development OpportunitiesWhy Android (Cont.)

Augmented Reality

Some more: http://techsplurge.com/3214/mega-list-33-awesome-augmented-reality-apps-games-android/

Real World Environment+ Sound, Video, Graphics data generated by systems= AR

http://techsplurge.com/3214/mega-list-33-awesome-augmented-reality-apps-games-android/


Android in Space!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REsEgrhmMjc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REsEgrhmMjc

Android is a software stack for mobile devices that includes an

operating system, middleware and key applications. The Android SDK provides the tools and APIs necessary to begin developing applications on the Android platform using the Java programming language.

What is Android

Google describes Android as:The first truly open and comprehensive platform for mobile devices, all of the software to run a mobile phone but without the proprietary obstacles that have hindered mobile innovation.

Android Features

Features1. Application framework2. Dalvik virtual machine 3. Integrated browser4. Optimized graphics 5. SQLite Storage6. Media support 7. GSM Telephony 8. Bluetooth, EDGE, 3G, and WiFi 9. Camera, GPS, compass, and accelerometer 10.Rich development environment

Android Features (Cont.)

Light Sensor

Thermal Sensor

Gyroscope

Accelerometer

Magnetic Sensor

GPS

Your AppWith logic to

Actuate+ =

TTSVoice Search

Android Architecture

System RequirementsSetting up Development Environment

Supported OS1. Windows XP (32-bit), Vista (32- or 64-bit), or Windows 7

(32- or 64-bit)2. Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later (x86 only)3. Linux (tested on Ubuntu Linux, Lucid Lynx)

Supported Development Environment (Eclipse IDE based)1. Eclipse 3.4 (Ganymede) or greater/Eclipse Classic (versions

3.5.1 and higher)2. JDK 1.5 or 1.63. ADT Plugin

To set up the development environment, we need:1. Java Development Kit (JDK 1.5+, 1.6 is preferable)2. Eclipse IDE3. Android SDK

Setting up Development Environment(Contd.)

Java Development Kit (JDK)

Setting up Development Environment (Contd.)

Download Link: http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp

Download JDK from here and Install JDK

http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp

Eclipse IDE


Download Link: http://eclipse.org/downloads/

Download the highlighted version of Eclipse IDE

http://eclipse.org/downloads/

Android SDK


Link: http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html

Download and Install the SDK starter package from the table above (Highlighted)

http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html

Android SDK Setup (1)


1. Install available packages to get all SDK platform versions



2. Installation progress



3. ADT Plugin for Eclipse

ADT Plugin: Android Development Tools (ADT) is a plugin for the Eclipse IDE for

1. extending the capabilities of Eclipse to set up new Android projects2. creating an application UI3. adding components based on the Android Framework API4. debugging your applications using the Android SDK tools5. exporting signed (or unsigned) APKs in order to distribute your application

We’ll see the 5 points gradually during development



4. Installing the ADT

1. Start Eclipse, then select Help > Install New Software....

2. Click Add, in the top-right corner.

3. In the next window, you'll see a list of the tools to be downloaded. Click Next.

4. Read and accept the license agreements, then click Finish.

5. When the installation completes, restart Eclipse.



5. Set SDK path

1. Start Eclipse, then select Window > Preferences

2. Browse and show the path of Android SDK.

3. Press Apply and OK.

Development Environment Setup is now completed!

Setting up Development Environment (Contd.)In Our Lab (1)In our D:// Drive we get:

Setting up Development Environment (Contd.)In Our Lab (2)First we install JDK

We have already done that

Setting up Development Environment (Contd.)In Our Lab (3.1)We’ll setup Eclipse Galileo


You can create a shortcut in the desktop for eclipse.exe


Choose your WorkSpace


You have already seen this for previous case HeliosExpecting a question


We’ll become familiar to our new IDE gradually and I swear you’ll start loving it

Setting up Development Environment (Contd.)In Our Lab (4.1)We’ll setup ADT Plugin


Adding ADT Pluging is DONE… You’ll now get a message

Setting up Development Environment (Contd.)In Our Lab (5.1)We’ll setup android SDK

After restarting Eclipse we get:

Don’t forget to ask me about the red marks


SDK and AVD Manager: If we click on it:

So, we have to set the location of Android SDK and show it to our IDE

To do so….

Setting up Development Environment (Contd.)In Our Lab (5.6)We’ll setup DDMS

Now We are Ready

Let’s say “Hello” to the Android World!

In the subsequent slides: 1. We’ll create an application step

by step using the help of IDE and ADT.

2. We’ll then explain application structure and identify the building blocks.

3. We’ll experiment with components and learn to convert our innovative ideas into neat apps.

Now that our development environment is ready, we’ll build our first Android application.

Let’s say “Hello” to the Android World! (Contd.)1. Start Eclipse and Go to File>New>Android Project

2. We keep project name “Hello World” (Since 1970 Ritchie’s book on C programming, programmers always say Hello World first)3. Build Target “Android1.6”4. Application name: “Hello World”5. Package name: com.sentinelbd.hallo6. Initial Activity Name: HalloActivity7. Min SDK Version: 48. Click Finish

Congratulations! You’ve just created your first Android application

We’ll explain each input shortly

Let’s Go Deep…Created Project has the following structure

Project Structure

-Source (src)-Generated Class (gen)-Android 1.6 library-Assets (assets)-Resource(res) -drawable-hdpi -drawable-ldpi -drawable-mdpi -layout -values-AndroidMenifest.xml-default.properties

Let’s Go Deep… (Contd.)To run the app in emulator, we have to do the following steps:

1. Create AVD (Android Virtual Device)2. Create Run Configuration3. Run the Application

To run the app in device, we have to do the following steps:

1. Install device driver2. Connect device through USB3. Create Run Configuration4. Run the Application

We’ll run the app in emulator for now

Let’s Go Deep… (Contd.)1. Create AVD (Android Virtual Device)

Use Android SDK & AVD Manager to create AVD

Let’s Go Deep… (Contd.)2. Create Run Configuration

1. Create a Run Configuration

2. Browse and select the project to run

Let’s Go Deep… (Contd.)3. Select AVD & Run

Click Run to start AVD/emulator

Let’s Go Deep… (Contd.)Result in Emulator

Now its time to analyze how it works

Project Structure…Created Project has the following structure

Project Structure

-Source (src)-Generated Class (gen)-Android 1.6 library-Assets (assets)-Resource(res) -drawable-hdpi -drawable-ldpi -drawable-mdpi -layout -values-AndroidMenifest.xml-default.properties

Project Structure (Contd.)-Source (src)We have used only one class here which is an Activity named HalloActivity. We’ll describe about Activity in detail with lifecycle shortly. For now we can consider Activity as Android analogue for the window or dialog in a desktop application. It can load view from xml layout (here main.xml under res/layout folder)

In the HelloActivity class the view of the Activity is set from main.xml given below

Project Structure (Contd.)-res/layout/main.xml

1. UI Layout can be defined from source code using View or by layout xmls. 2. The layout xml can be generated by visual tool given by ADT

Project Structure (Contd.)-res/drawable1. From Android 1.6 to support different screen sizes and screen densities graphic files

are kept in 3 different folders drawable-hdpi, drawable-ldpi and drawable-mdpi2. In our current project, they contain only default icon file with different dimensions

to support devices with different screen resolution.

-assetsHolds other static files you wish packaged with the application for deployment onto the device. In this project, we have none

-gen/R.java -values/strings.xml

Project Structure (Contd.)-AndroidMenifest.xml

XML file describing the application being built and what components – activities, services, etc. – are being supplied by that application

Cross-platform Development1. RhoMobile http://rhomobile.com/

2. Appcelerator http://www.appcelerator.com/

3. PhoneGap http://www.phonegap.com/

http://rhomobile.com/

http://www.appcelerator.com/

http://www.phonegap.com/

Resources: DVDDVD Content

Tools

Tutorials Day Content1. Video Tutorials2. PPT Slides

Ebooks

Resources: Android Developers’ Sitehttp://developer.android.com

1. Tutorials & Design Guidelines2. SDK References3. Articles on Pragmatic & Good Practices4. & anything you’ll need including Google IO Videos

http://developer.android.com/

Resources: Open Source Projects1. http://code.google.com/p/apps-for-android/2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_open_source_Android_applications

http://code.google.com/p/apps-for-android/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_open_source_Android_applications

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_open_source_Android_applications

Questions?