Hi there! Considering a career in Android Development but don’t know exactly what to do next? Well, you’re in luck. This article is going to help you get started with Android Development in 2024. With a vast user base consisting of over 2.4 billion devices and a thriving developer community, there’s plenty of space for you to bring your own innovation and creativity into the world of Android. In this article, I will point you towards essential skills to learn, the best resources to use, and share valuable tips to set you on the right path. Ready? Let’s dive in!
First, it’s important to understand the two main ways to develop Android apps: Native Android Development and Cross-Platform Development. Native Android Development refers to developing apps specifically for the Android platform, while Cross-Platform Development involves creating apps that can run on multiple operating systems (like Android and iOS) using a single code base. While both approaches have their respective advantages and disadvantages, we will focus on Native Android Development in this article. That said, let’s get into the steps you’ll need to follow on your journey to becoming an expert in Android Development.
Learn Kotlin Basics
While it’s possible to write Android apps in programming languages like Java and C++, the officially recommended language for Android Development by Google (the owner of Android) is Kotlin. Kotlin is a relatively new, simple, and beginner-friendly language. You don’t need to become a Kotlin wizard to create Android apps; you just need to understand a few concepts such as variables, data types, conditions, classes & objects, lists, null safety, lambdas, etc. To get started with Kotlin, I recommend Philipp Lackner’s “Kotlin Newbie To Pro” playlist on YouTube and the book Head First Kotlin. You can practice writing Kotlin code at play.kotlinlang.org.
Download and Install Android Studio
Imagine trying to build a house without tools. Impossible, right? Similarly, you’ll need tools to develop Android apps. Android Studio is the recommended Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for Android Development. It contains everything you need to build Android apps, from a code editor to emulators and more. One of these tools is Gradle, which takes the Android code you’ve written and builds it into a format that can be installed and executed on Android devices. Here’s a link to download Android Studio.
Learn Jetpack Compose
Knowledge of a programming language alone isn’t enough to build really cool, usable software. Extra knowledge of some frameworks, libraries, and tools is needed. Jetpack Compose is a Kotlin-based framework that Google developed to help Android Developers write code for user interfaces in a declarative manner. This means that you simply describe what you want your app’s screens to look like when writing code for them. To get started with Jetpack Compose, I recommend Google’s “Android Basics in Compose” course.
Build Basic App Projects
It’s important to apply what you’ve learned by building projects. Newbie devs often hesitate to build projects because they think they need to know more before attempting to build. Newsflash: You don’t. Many pros in software development speak about how they had to learn on the job. Once you’ve grasped the fundamentals of building UI screens with Jetpack Compose, crack open a new project in Android Studio and get to building! Start with a simple app and work your way up to more complex ones. Can’t come up with ideas for an app? Try out these challenges on Kodaschool.
Learn Version Control
You’ll need to store your projects beyond your computer and collaborate with other developers on some projects. This is where version control comes in. Version Control Systems like Git help you store and maintain different versions of your code over time. You can create different copies of your code at a time, track changes in each copy, and merge different copies together. This is essential when multiple developers are working on the same code project. “Version Control with Git” on Udacity is a great resource to get you started.
Build in Public
Take screenshots and record video clips of your working app projects and put them on the Internet; LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, everywhere! Did you get stuck while building? Post your questions on these platforms. You’ll be surprised how many people are genuinely willing to help. Putting yourself out there will benefit you in two ways: firstly, you will build a reputation online as an Android Developer. Reputation and personal branding are very useful when it comes to getting your first role as an Android Developer. Secondly, you will discover and connect with awesome folks in the community who either want to help you learn or learn together with you. So don’t be shy to put yourself out there and build in public.
The most important tip is to be consistent. There will be obstacles on your journey to mastering Android Development, but you’re not the first to face such challenges. Keep learning, keep building, and never give up. For a more detailed roadmap on learning Android Development, check out Roadmap.sh. I can’t wait to see the awesome apps you build! If you’re an experienced Android Dev, feel free to drop your own tips for newbies in the comment section. Lastly, I’d love to connect with you. Follow me on Twitter @o_lee_0133 or connect with me on LinkedIn. Thanks for reading!
Top comments (0)