-
Android Application Development: Day 1-3: The Development Machine
You may be ready to start creating that game-changing app, but your computer probably isn't.
Before we can start coding, we must first install a few things for your machine.
Yes, I know. It's a hassle. But once you spend the next few minutes getting your computer ready, you will be fully prepared to create your first Android app. Hang in there!
Note: If you have already followed Unit 4 - Day 2 of our Game Development Series (or have already installed the Android SDK with Eclipse), you can skip to the next lesson!
Your Arsenal
We need the following tools setup on your development machine.
1. Java Development Kit
2. Eclipse
3. Android SDK
4. Eclipse ADT Plugin
I. Installing the Java Development Kit (Skip to Step II if you have Eclipse installed and running).
Android is based in Java. Android requires that you use the Java 1.6 compiler (described in detail further).
Java 7 is backward-compatible with Java 6 (1.6) so if you have that, you should be fine -- provided that you follow the next steps.
To install Java Development Kit, follow the following steps:
Note to Mac users: Most likely, Java is pre-installed on your computer. Skip the installation step.
1. Here's the link to the download:
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html
Click the "Download" button below JDK 7.
Before we can start coding, we must first install a few things for your machine.
Yes, I know. It's a hassle. But once you spend the next few minutes getting your computer ready, you will be fully prepared to create your first Android app. Hang in there!
Note: If you have already followed Unit 4 - Day 2 of our Game Development Series (or have already installed the Android SDK with Eclipse), you can skip to the next lesson!
Your Arsenal
We need the following tools setup on your development machine.
1. Java Development Kit
2. Eclipse
3. Android SDK
4. Eclipse ADT Plugin
I. Installing the Java Development Kit (Skip to Step II if you have Eclipse installed and running).
Android is based in Java. Android requires that you use the Java 1.6 compiler (described in detail further).
Java 7 is backward-compatible with Java 6 (1.6) so if you have that, you should be fine -- provided that you follow the next steps.
To install Java Development Kit, follow the following steps:
Note to Mac users: Most likely, Java is pre-installed on your computer. Skip the installation step.
1. Here's the link to the download:
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html
Click the "Download" button below JDK 7.
2. Once you are there, look for YOUR operating system and version and download the corresponding JDK.
On Windows, you can check this information by right clicking on My Computer (or Computer), properties, and you should see your type next to System type.
Note: Windows x86 refers to 32-bit, while Windows x64 refers to 64-bit.
Look at System type for this information
Once you have installed the downloaded file, we will be done with Step 1.
1. Java Development Kit (Done).
2. Eclipse
3. Android SDK
4. Eclipse ADT Plugin
II. Installing the Bundle: Eclipse/Android SDK/Eclipse ADT Plugin
Google has recently made it very easy to download items 2, 3, and 4 at once. If you already have Eclipse installed, you can opt for the "USE AN EXISTING IDE" option, but for ease and organization, I highly recommend that you just download the SDK ADT Bundle provided on the site below.
1. Go to this page (opens new window), click "Download":
http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
2. Read the following conditions, agree to the terms, and select your operating system type.
1. Java Development Kit (Done).
2. Eclipse
3. Android SDK
4. Eclipse ADT Plugin
II. Installing the Bundle: Eclipse/Android SDK/Eclipse ADT Plugin
Google has recently made it very easy to download items 2, 3, and 4 at once. If you already have Eclipse installed, you can opt for the "USE AN EXISTING IDE" option, but for ease and organization, I highly recommend that you just download the SDK ADT Bundle provided on the site below.
1. Go to this page (opens new window), click "Download":
http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
2. Read the following conditions, agree to the terms, and select your operating system type.
Once you press "Download the SDK ADT Bundle" it will begin to download the 399 MB file.
While your computer downloads that .zip file, let's talk about its contents!
While your computer downloads that .zip file, let's talk about its contents!
Contents of the SDK ADT Bundle
The file that you have downloaded includes the following:
1. Eclipse IDE
2. Android SDK
3. ADT Plugin for Eclipse
As we saw in Day 2, Eclipse is your central development tool. Here you will be writing your code, adding resources, debugging your apps, and exporting them when finished.
The Android SDK (software development kit) contains various tools and programs you need to develop on Android. It lets you download full Android versions (like Jelly Bean) that you can create an Emulator (or Virtual Device) with, and also contains various libraries that you can import from as you build on Android.
The ADT plugin acts as a bridge between the SDK and Eclipse. Once you install the ADT plugin to Eclipse, you will be able to access much of the Android SDK directly inside the Eclipse interface.
1. Eclipse IDE
2. Android SDK
3. ADT Plugin for Eclipse
As we saw in Day 2, Eclipse is your central development tool. Here you will be writing your code, adding resources, debugging your apps, and exporting them when finished.
The Android SDK (software development kit) contains various tools and programs you need to develop on Android. It lets you download full Android versions (like Jelly Bean) that you can create an Emulator (or Virtual Device) with, and also contains various libraries that you can import from as you build on Android.
The ADT plugin acts as a bridge between the SDK and Eclipse. Once you install the ADT plugin to Eclipse, you will be able to access much of the Android SDK directly inside the Eclipse interface.
Extracting the Files
Once your Android SDK ADT Bundle is finished, extract it to a directory of your choice. I personally like to place this in my Desktop, but it's up to you.
As I said, this Bundle contains its own Eclipse. It has a cool new icon, splash loading box, and a wealth of good information for developers.
1. Open up the directory you extracted the Bundle to, and go to the eclipse folder, and run eclipse.exe (perhaps create a shortcut on the Desktop/taskbar/dock).
2. Select a workplace of your choice (this is where all of your source code is saved).
3. By now, you should be able to see this welcome screen.
As I said, this Bundle contains its own Eclipse. It has a cool new icon, splash loading box, and a wealth of good information for developers.
1. Open up the directory you extracted the Bundle to, and go to the eclipse folder, and run eclipse.exe (perhaps create a shortcut on the Desktop/taskbar/dock).
2. Select a workplace of your choice (this is where all of your source code is saved).
3. By now, you should be able to see this welcome screen.
That wasn't so bad, was it? Now it's your turn to start coding.
|
|
|
No source code is available for this lesson.
comments powered by Disqus