One of the main advantages of the Android platform is open source. This makes it much easier to create applications. Anyone can write a program for their smartphone or other device running this operating system.
Android platform
There are two methods you can use to build Android apps using your computer. The first assumes the use of the Android Software Development Kit (SDK). This method makes it easy to describe the source code and gets used to working in the Android programming environment. The second method uses App Inventor, a Google Labs tool that is still in beta.
Installing the required software
After you figured out the programming environment and chose which way applications will be created, you need to download at least one of the versions of the Android operating system. You can do this using the Android SDK and AVD Manager. Then you can run the downloaded version of Android in Eclipse. If everything is done correctly, a boot window will appear on the screen. In case of an error, refer to the user manual.
Select the top menu item "Window". Then go to the "Android SDK" and "AVD Manager" tab to open the programming environment and then select the "Available packages" option and check the address "https://dl-ssl.google.com/android/repository/repository.xml ".
After a quick scan of the repository, you will see the available components. Check the ones you want to install, uncheck all the others. The most important package to install is the latest version of the Android platform. You will need older versions if you plan to release your application to a wide range of users. At this point, you can also clear the Google API and USB drivers base. If you need any of these later, you can always go back and install them.
Click the Install Selected button and wait for the components to download. Check and add new components as needed. They will be added to the existing Android and SDK folders.
Building and emulating your Android app
Now you have all the software and you have created a virtual device in Android SDK and AVD manager. Now you need to create a new project. In the Eclipse IDE, choose File> New> Project. In the New Project Wizard, select the "Android" folder and select the "Android Project" option. Click Next. You now have a new window for your program.
Then comes the creation of the application code. Save your code changes. Now you can try it emulate it on Android. In Eclipse, select Run, then Android Application. It may take a few minutes to get started. After downloading, your application should start automatically and you will see a gray header with the name of the application in it. Below this, your selected text is displayed.
Press the Home button in the emulator to return to the Android home screen. Click the Applications button to see a list of available applications. Among them you will see your program. Click on the title to launch your application.
