If you are an aspiring app developer thinking on the path how to create Android apps, then you are in the right place. Regardless of whether you are a fresh entry into app building or whether you run a company and now want to hire an Android app developer, there are some fundamentals that you need to know. There is no denying that Android apps’ demand is increasing constantly. Plus, in 2024, 72% of developers targeted Android because of its huge user base.
The process of Android application development may considerably look complicated at the initial stage. However, when we discuss it step by step, the entire process is much simpler. So, here, we explain how to start building your first application. Let’s dive in!
How to Start Android Application Development- Steps to Follow
When getting into Android application development it can be quite daunting but knowing what to do makes it easier. If are planning to hire an Android app developer for a big-picture project, it is also useful to know the basics about the development process. So, let’s break it down!
Step 1: Set Up Development Environment
There are several things that you should do before getting to the actual work and the first one is to prepare your tools. Android development requires a specific setup, and it all begins here:
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Java or Kotlin
Android application development is mainly in Java or Kotlin. Java is the most familiar language however, Kotlin is the language of choice for new Android projects because of its relatively less complex nature and modern features.
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Android Studio
Android Studio has it all with a textual code editor and a graphical layout editor, and it also comes with very many debugging facilities.
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SDK Emulator
Even if you hire an Android app developer, that individual will use the Android SDK. It is necessary to create programs for Android systems and test your app on several scenarios without having a real device to use.
Step 2: Be aware of the Basics of Android Application Development
If you plan to start with coding, you should know the basic ideas of Android development. Knowing these fundamentals will make your journey smoother:
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Intents
These messaging objects can be utilised to elicit a response from other elements present within the application. From starting a new activity, passing data or even communicating with other apps, Intents come in handy.
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Activity and Layout
An activity represents a single screen with the user interface. Each activity is generally accompanied by a layout file defining the look of the user interface to be developed. Knowledge of how to design as well as manage assignments can be quite fundamental to Android development.
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Views and Widgets
The smallest elements of your app are views and widgets, which you can combine to create the app’s interface. A View is as simple as buttons, text fields or images while a widget can be seen as an improved view for a certain function like a calendar, list view, etc.
Step 3: Now the Time for Coding
When the environment is created, and the key points are understood, let’s get to know the actual coding stage. It is an important step even if you hire an Android app developer for your project.
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Write the Code Accordingly
First of all, the user interface has to be developed with the help of XML that has to be included in the layout files. Next, edit the activity files to control the application’s functioning using Java or Kotlin.
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Handle User Interaction
To make the app functional, you have to include some code that allows the application to interact with the user such as a button or entering text. To handle these interactions, one can use the Listeners to offer the users a seamless experience in the app.
Step 4: Testing and Deploying
Coding is however not enough; the app has to be well-tested to check how it performs based on the common scenarios applicable to the various classes of devices.
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Debug Properly
Debugging support in Android Studio allows you to monitor the real-time performance of your application. Getting into some problems with the development is quite natural, however, debugging allows identifying the error and minimise time for the problem solving needed.
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Generate APK
Now, you have to compile your application into an APK file, which is the file format Android applications are generally provided in. This file can be directly tested or redistributed onto any Android device.
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Publish on Google Play Store
After generating the APK, your Android app is ready to submit to the Google Play Store. Have a new Account at Google Play Developer, follow the rules of the Play Store, and submit your application for consideration.
Conclusion
The development of Android applications is a fun task. It allows creating one’s visions into real-life applications. For this, many businesses hire an Android app developer or a team of developers for their projects. Whatever you choose, you have to follow the mentioned steps properly to make a well-functional and user-friendly Android application.
