Android 101 - Part 1

In this post, we will learn how to start working on Android Apps. Its not difficult,Google has made it super easy now to begin the development.


Step 1:
You need to download the ADT kit which comes with eclipse.
http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
I run  mac,  it automatically downloaded the whole kit and I had following folders downloaded as shown in the screenshot above.. If you are running it on Windows, it will give you the windows compatible files to download.

Now just open on Eclipse - the green button, it will ask you to create a workspace. You can choose some folder on your machine to be your workspace. For beginners I will suggest that don't move your downloaded folder as well as the workspace to any other place after this step till you get a hang of android development. Wait for some days, you don't want to mess up your set up which you just created.

Congratulations ! You have successfully finished step 1 of this tutorial !.

Step 2:

Lets create a virtual device(Simulator) which we will need to run our app. Under Window > Android Virtual Device Manager.

Lets create a new virtual device. Click on New Button. Note: I already have a virtual device named ReetuAndroidSim" in my list. But since you are just starting so you will no virtual devices in your list.

Clicking on New Button will open a new window as shown in the screenshot below.
You give the name, select the device of your preference- Note: Dimensions of every device is described so for now lets just select one. For example I  have given a sample details filled out for you. Then just click OK.

This will add your virtual device in your list. You will be able to see it in the list as shown in the screenshot below.

Congratulations ! You have finished step 2 as well. Now you are ready to start coding for Android.

Lets go to next Tutorial to start a project.