This article was originally published at: https://www.blog.duomly.com/how-to-learn-android-development/
Android development can be a fun and rewarding experience, but getting started can also be daunting. This post will provide you with some tips on learning android development and getting started making your own Android apps.
There are two main ways of learning android development: Kotlin or Javascript with React Native, and we'll cover both of them.
First way: Javascript and React Native
Javascript and React Native, while often used together, are two different things. Javascript is a programming language, meaning it's the code written to build your app. React Native is a framework for building cross-platform apps using Javascript—it basically allows you to write only one set of code and run it on both Android and iPhone devices.
The pros of React Native are that it makes android development more accessible to people who don't have a lot of experience coding since you can use JavaScript. It also has a good community and support. It allows you to build high-quality apps that look and feel native on both Android and iPhone devices.
The easiest way to learn android development with Javascript/React Native is to visit Duomly. It offers structured courses taught by expert instructors, where you know directly from coding within your browser with immediate feedback. The courses start from beginner-friendly topics such as "Intro To Programming" to in-depth topics.
Another great learning resource for Javascript/React Native is freeCodeCamp. It has a massive list of lessons to learn from and complete and five different projects you know android development to learn how to make by the end of it.
Another good resource for learning JavaScript is Frontend Masters, an online video course marketplace with high-quality courses taught by experts in the industry.
Second way: Kotlin
Kotlin is a newer programming language for building Android apps. According to a Jetbrains survey of over 70k developers, it's one of the most loved programming languages. Suppose you have previous experience with Java or other object-oriented languages such as C# or Javascript. In that case, you'll find Kotlin easy to learn since it has an easy learning curve and works well.
Kotlin has many pros compared to other programming languages. It's concise, meaning you can write less code and get more done. It has null-safety features, making your app less likely to crash due to null pointer exceptions. Kotlin also integrates well with android development, making it a great choice to learn android development.
However, there are some drawbacks to using Kotlin. It can be challenging for beginners to learn, and specific libraries or frameworks may not be available in Kotlin.
You can learn Kotlin using the official documentation or learn it for free with Youtube.
Once you learn the basics of android development, there's an easy way for the next steps if you don't know what project to do next. A great way to practice android development is by following and studying open-source code.
By doing this, you'll see real-world examples of how other people organize their code and projects and learn new ways of writing your own. Another great thing about open source learning is that anyone can contribute, so you might even be able to help improve someone's code.
There are many ways to learn android development, even if you learn best through self-paced courses or specific project examples. The important thing is that you take the first step and start learning now!
Kotlin vs. React Native
Kotlin and React Native are two different programming languages/frameworks used for android development. Kotlin is newer than React Native, but it has many benefits that make it an excellent choice for android development (using Kotlin's cross-platform is possible to develop iOS as well). It's concise, meaning you can write less code and get more done. It also integrates well with android development, making it a great choice to learn android development.
React Native, on the other hand, is a framework that allows you to write code once and have it run on both Android and iPhone devices. It's popular among developers because it makes android development more accessible to people who don't have a lot of experience coding.
Check learning materials from the Android website.
The official android website provides excellent learning materials to help you get started with android development. The website has a section on learning android development, which offers a range of tutorials and resources to help you get started. The tutorials are divided into different levels, from beginner to advanced, so you can easily find the most relevant ones.
The android website also has a section on android development documentation, which provides in-depth information on all aspects of android development. The documentation is searchable, so you can easily find the information you need.
The android website also provides various resources for android developers, such as sample code, tools and libraries, and guidelines. These resources provide everything you need to start developing android apps immediately.
Download Android Studio IDE
You need an official Android Studio available for free download to learn android development. Start by downloading the latest version of Android Studio from the official website here:
Android Studio is the official IDE (Integrated Development Environment) for Android app development, and it's where you'll do all your coding. Follow the instructions on the site to complete your download and installation.
Build the first project with android studio
Once the android studio is installed, you can start learning android development with your first app. First, select the option to create a new project:
Then enter the name android development project and choose a unique package name for your app.
Android Studio will now download some files for your new Android development project. Once it finishes downloading, Android Studio will open with an empty screen ready for you to code in android studio.
The next step is to practice your android development skills by building android apps!
Publish your project and ask for a review once it's done
Finally, to demonstrate android development skills, you can publish the android app you've created above to Github. Once published, you can ask more experienced users to review apps you made using android studio. You might get some constructive feedback that will help you improve with the next projects.
That's very important for your future android development!
Keep learning
Android development is a process that takes time and patience to learn. Even though many resources are available online, it's important to remember that not everything can be learned in a day or two.
Android development is skill students need to master to enter the workforce as an android developer.
There are many different ways to learn android development. Still, the most important thing is to get started, keep practicing, and stay motivated.
Summary
Doing android development in Kotlin is nice because it's very similar to Javascript for React Native. It can feel a bit restricting at times, but it has some significant benefits over developing android apps with Javascript. Most notably, the performance should be much better because of Google's use of Artifactory.
Artifactory pre-compiles android classes, which are then cached on your phone. This means that you should not have any performance issues when working on android devices.
You can also do android development using Javascript and React Native. This will allow you to develop android apps faster than if you were using Kotlin. It's also important to note that developing android apps using React Native can be a bit slower.
Both options are perfectly fine ways of starting android development. Still, if performance is important to you, I suggest using Kotlin. On the other hand, if you want to start android development quickly or are already familiar with Javascript, React Native might be for you.
If you need an android or mobile development, don't hesitate to contact us. We have a team of experienced developers who can help you create the perfect app for your business or project.
Thank you for reading, Radek from Duomly