Android development is a highly sought-after skill in today's technology-driven world. Building applications for Android, the world's most popular mobile operating system, can lead to various opportunities in the tech industry. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started with this rewarding career path.
When I started building Android apps during my college days, I was able to make money right from the start as there used to be very few Android developers capable of building apps in the market. My first project “Emergere” helped me make $1000. In today's modern world, learning Android development is a little different and it's essential to make the correct decision if you want to ensure that your efforts do not go to waste.
1. Understand the Basics of Programming
- Choose a Language: Java and Kotlin are two primary languages for Android development. For 2023 and beyond, Kotlin has been endorsed by Google as a first-class language for Android, so it's a great place to start.
- Learn Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): Understanding OOP concepts will help you design robust and efficient Android applications as the Android SDK is mostly based on OOP concepts that you will have to learn if you want to understand what you are building.
How to learn Java?
Learning Java for Android development is a great way to start building apps for the Android platform. Learn Java if you want to learn a programming language that can help you with Web development backends, DSA-Algo & building Desktop apps. It’s an all-rounder which is also a great candidate for a first programming language. Start by learning the fundamentals of Java which includes understanding variables, data types, operators, control structures (if-else statements, loops), and functions (methods in Java).
You can learn Java for free from platforms like YouTube videos, Udemy, etc. Though I do not recommend the official documentation of Java for beginners.
How to learn Kotlin?
In my personal opinion, Kotlin’s documentation is quite comprehensive and user-friendly (Much better than Java’s documentation I must say). The Kotlin documentation page is well-structured and covers everything from the basics to advanced concepts. It's a great place to gain a solid understanding of the language's features and syntax.
Another way to learn Kotlin is through the Kotlin Playground. It is an interactive online environment where you can write and run Kotlin code without any setup. It's a fantastic tool to experiment with code snippets and concepts in real-time.
Kotlin can be learned through different online free tutorials as well as YouTube videos. You can also learn Kotlin from this Course on Udemy:
This course teaches you Kotlin Basics + Android development right from scratch.
2. Get Familiar with Android Studio
The next step is to get familiar with Android Studio.
- Download and Install: Android Studio is the official IDE for Android development. It's available for free on the Android Developer website. This is a piece of software that keeps on updating and it's always recommended to download the latest version.
- Explore the Interface: Spend time getting acquainted with Android Studio's layout, features, and tools. Initially, this software may seem daunting, leaving you troubled and feeling as though you cannot grasp its functions. However, with time and experience, you will become familiar with its features. Understanding the location of various buttons, layouts, and the XML file will become second nature. You will easily find your way around, including locating the AVD, and what to click for specific features.
- Utilize Resources and Elements: Familiarize yourself with effectively managing assets such as images, text strings, and dimensions within Android's resource system. This system empowers you to efficiently control various aspects of your app's presentation and behavior in a centralized manner.
- Master Intents and Flow: Dive into the concept of intents, a pivotal aspect of Android development for facilitating communication between different sections of your app or even among diverse applications. Gain expertise in navigating smoothly between screens and activities to ensure a seamless user experience.
Once you are familiar with Android Studio and its fundamentals, you can start building your first app.
Remember, your first app doesn't have to be complicated. Start with something simple and easy – there's no strict rule that says it must be anything complex. You can begin by creating a simple "Hello World" printing program or even a basic to-do app or a calculator. The most important thing is that you're learning and trying something new.
3. Get Familiar with Jetpack Compose
Jetpack Compose is a modern toolkit for building native UI which accelerates the UI development process on Android. The USP of Jetpack Compose is that it uses Kotlin-only development without XML views which in my opinion is a game-changer for faster and reusable development. This is a very powerful toolkit that no one is talking about in the context of Android development. This is something that can make you stand out from the crowd.
You can begin by exploring the foundations of Jetpack Compose by understanding how to create UI components using the declarative syntax, which allows you to describe the UI's structure and behavior using concise Kotlin code.
Once you're comfortable with Jetpack Compose, you can start creating apps. Begin by making simple things like text, images, and buttons. As you play around and get used to it, you'll become more confident in using Compose to design how your app looks and feels. Then you can move towards advanced stuff like Navigation Compose Library, animations API, etc.
There are so many resources from which you can learn Jetpack Compose, here are my recommendations:
- Official Documentation: The official documentation of Jetpack Compose is very thorough and easy-going. You can start learning the basics here.
- Courses: There are so many Courses out there on platforms like Udemy, you must try them out. Here are some of my recommendations:
4. Cross Platform Applications
Now, if you want to build cross-platform apps, then I would recommend you to learn Flutter & Dart.
Flutter is great for building apps that work well on iOS, Android, the web, and desktops, all from one codebase. It's easy to design good-looking interfaces using its tools. Dart, the language behind Flutter, is user-friendly and efficient. With Flutter and Dart, you can create versatile apps that perform well and look great on various platforms.
When compared to Kotlin and Jetpack, Flutter & Dart offer a different approach to app development. Flutter allows for cross-platform development, enabling you to build apps for multiple operating systems from one codebase. Dart is the language that powers Flutter and is known for its simplicity and performance. This combination provides a highly productive environment for creating visually appealing and performant apps.
You can learn more about Flutter & Dart from these Udemy courses:
- Flutter & Dart - The Complete Guide [2023 Edition]
- The Complete Flutter Development Bootcamp with Dart
Conclusion
To sum it up, whether you go for Kotlin and Jetpack or pick Flutter and Dart, your Android development journey offers excitement, challenges, and constant learning. With the right basics, tools, and resources, you're all set for a rewarding career. Happy Coding!