Preface
The growth of Android since the launch of Cupcake has been astonishing. Today, Android powers more than just mobile phones; it has become the go-to solution for manufacturers of audio equipment, tablets, televisions, cars, and more.
As the use of Android becomes more prevalent, the demand for developers who are familiar with using it has also scaled. Developers who understand how the system can be built, leveraged, and used are necessary to provide the next wave of amazing and must-have applications.
Many people around the world are being introduced to Android for the first time, and we as developers need to make sure to provide them with a first-class experience that will put a smile on their face and help them understand how truly amazing the Android system is.
Why Development Patterns?
In the fast-paced world of development, patterns are the time-saving solutions that developers use and access to maximize their output and minimize time wasted creating a solution that will ultimately fail.
Android development is a special place that is both familiar and foreign to many Java and object-oriented programmers. The relationship it has with the Java language and structure helps to bring in developers who have experience and get them up to speed in an almost effortless manner. However, there are some optimizations and memory-handling techniques that are not optimal for the seasoned Java developer.
This particular book is the bridge that helps seasoned developers understand the Android way of building and thinking. It is written so that those new to Android development gain a foundation for the platform and how to work with the many facets and intricacies that Android brings to the table while giving some in-depth hints and strategies that advanced developers will need to make their app a success.
Who Should Read This Book?
Anyone interested in how Android development works should find this book enjoyable and helpful. Those just beginning their Android journey may not find this as complete of a volume, but some development experience will help; however, those who are tenacious and don’t mind getting elbows-deep should find this to be an acceptable companion on their quest toward their perfect app.
Those who are interested in seeing only theoretical development patterns with large explanations about individual bit-shifting and hand-tuning memory management will be disappointed in that this book instead focuses on how Android works together piece-by-piece with example snippets that help solidify how things should be accomplished in a best-practices manner.
Getting Started
For those new to developing Android applications, the minimum requirement is a computer running either OS X, Windows, or Linux. On these systems, you should download Android Studio from http://developer.android.com/sdk/. Android Studio comes with the Android SDK.
Full use of the Android SDK requires downloads of the version and sample code for which you want to develop. Although you can certainly download only a specific version of Android, you should download all versions of Android on which you want your app to work.
You should also use the Android SDK to download system images of emulators or Android Virtual Device (AVD) files. These system images allow you to test your app without actually having an Android device.
It is highly recommended that you acquire at least one Android device for testing, with a preference of having multiple devices in many form-factors so that you can accurately test, monitor, and experience your app as your users will.
Visit the following websites to keep up on Android and see when new features are introduced and how to use them:
StackOverflow: http://www.stackoverflow.com/
Official Android Developer Site: http://developer.android.com/
Android Developers Blog: http://android-developers.blogspot.com/
Google Developers on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/androiddevelopers
Android Source Code (AOSP): http://source.android.com/
Book Structure
This book starts with the basics of Android development, including how to set up an environment. It takes you through the importance of creating a proper development flow and adding testing to your app to make sure your code performs and behaves the way you expect.
It continues step by step through the various pieces and parts that make up the Android framework. This includes how applications are structured, using widgets and components, and learning how to use and create views.
You are then introduced to application design paradigms and learn how to make sure you are creating an app that you can manage and update easily. This includes adding media and network connections that will not end up wasting precious battery power and giving users the most accurate and up-to-date information possible.
Optional hardware components, Android Wear, and Android TV are also covered later in this book to expose you to taking your app to the next level and exploring new opportunities. As Android finds itself being included in more devices, you’ll understand how and why it is in your best interest to provide apps to users who invest in these platforms.
Finally, you learn about some key optimization strategies as well as how to package your app for distribution through enterprise systems, email, and the Google Play Store.
When you are finished with this book, you will have an understanding of how the Android system works and, more importantly, how to craft an app that is optimized, distributed, and enjoyed by what will hopefully be millions of users.
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