SMART DEVICES PROGRAMMING
SEMESTER : III
CODE
: P20CA308
HOURS/WEEK : 4
CREDITS : 3
Core VIII: SMART DEVICES PROGRAMMING
UNIT– I
Getting Started with Android Programming
What is Android?
Android is an open source and Linux-based Operating System for mobile devices
such as smartphones and tablet computers. Android was developed by the Open
Handset Alliance, led by Google, and other companies.
Android offers a unified approach to application development for mobile devices
which means developers need only develop for Android, and their applications
should be able to run on different devices powered by Android.
The first beta version of the Android Software Development Kit (SDK) was released
by Google in 2007 where as the first commercial version, Android 1.0, was released
in September 2008.
On June 27, 2012, at the Google I/O conference, Google announced the next
Android version, 4.1 Jelly Bean. Jelly Bean is an incremental update, with the
primary aim of improving the user interface, both in terms of functionality and
performance.
The source code for Android is available under free and open source software
licenses. Google publishes most of the code under the Apache License version 2.0
and the rest, Linux kernel changes, under the GNU General Public License version
2.
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Why Android ?
History of Android Version
The code names of android ranges from A to N currently, such as Aestro, Blender,
Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwitch,
Jelly Bean, KitKat, Lollipop and Marshmallow. Let's understand the android history
in a sequence.
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The development of the Android operating system was started in 2003 by Android, Inc. Later on,
it was purchased by Google in 2005. The beta version of Android OS was released on November
5, 2007, while the software development kit (SDK) was released on November 12, 2007.
The first Android mobile was publicly released with Android 1.0 of the T-Mobile G1 (aka HTC
Dream) in October 2008.
Google announced in August 2019 that they were ending the confectionery scheme, and they
use numerical ordering for future Android versions.
The first Android version which was released under the numerical order format was Android 10.
What is API level?
API Level is an integer value that uniquely identifies the framework API revision offered by a
version of the Android platform.
Code name
Version numbers
API level
Release date
No codename
1.0
1
September 23, 2008
No codename
1.1
2
February 9, 2009
Cupcake
1.5
3
April 27, 2009
Donut
1.6
4
September 15, 2009
Eclair
2.0 - 2.1
5-7
Froyo
2.2 - 2.2.3
8
Gingerbread
2.3 - 2.3.7
9 - 10
December 6, 2010
Honeycomb
3.0 - 3.2.6
11 - 13
February 22, 2011
Ice Cream Sandwich
4.0 - 4.0.4
14 - 15
October 18, 2011
Jelly Bean
4.1 - 4.3.1
16 - 18
July 9, 2012
KitKat
4.4 - 4.4.4
19 - 20
October 31, 2013
October 26, 2009
May 20, 2010
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Marshmallow
6.0 - 6.0.1
23
October 5, 2015
Nougat
7.0
24
August 22, 2016
Nougat
7.1.0 - 7.1.2
25
October 4, 2016
Oreo
8.0
26
August 21, 2017
Oreo
8.1
27
December 5, 2017
Pie
9.0
28
August 6, 2018
Android 10
10.0
29
September 3, 2019
Android 11
11
30
September 8, 2020
Android Version 1.0 to 1.1: No codename
Android officially publish its Android version 1.0 in September 2008. It is the initial version of
Android operating system. It supports Web browser to show HTML and XHTML web pages,
camera, access web email server (POP3, IMAP4, and SMTP). This version contains Google
Calendar, Google Maps, Google Sync, Google Search, Google Talk, Instant messaging, Media
player, Notifications appear in the status bar, wallpaper, YouTube video player, Alarm Clock,
Calculator, Dialer, Pictures (Gallery), Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support.
Android version 1.5: Cupcake
On April 27, 2009, the Android updated to 1.5 with the codename of the dessert item (Cupcake).
It has Linux kernel 2.6.27. It supports third-party virtual keyboard, Video recording and playback
in MPEG-4, Copy and paste feature, Animated screen translations, auto-rotation option, ability to
upload a video to YouTube, upload photos to Picasa, check phone usage history.
Android version 1.6: Donut
On September 15, 2009, Android 1.6 was released with the name Donut. It contains numerous
new features such as voice and text entry search, bookmark history, contacts, web, "speak" a
string of text, faster camera access, user can select multiple photos for deletion, support text-tospeech engine, WVGA screen resolutions.
Android version 2.0 to 2.1: Eclair
On October 26, 2009, Android 2.0 was released, whose codename was Eclair. It was based on
Linux kernel 2.6.29. It contains the several new features as expanded account sync, Microsoft
Exchange email support, Bluetooth 2.1, ability to tap a Contact photo and select to call, SMS,
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ability to search all saved SMS, MMS messages, delete the oldest message automatically when
the defined limit is reached, Minor API, bug fixes.
Android version 2.2 to 2.2.3: Froyo
On May 20, 2010, Android 2.2 (Froyo) was released based on Linux kernel 2.6.32. It contains
several features as speed, memory, performance optimization. JIT compilation, Integration of
Chrome's V8, JavaScript engine into the Browser application, support Android Cloud to Device
Messaging service, Adobe Flash support, security updates, and performance improvement.
Android version 2.3 to 2.3.7: Gingerbread
On December 6, 2010, the Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) was released based on Linux kernel 2.6.35.
It includes the following changes: support for extra-large screen size and resolutions, updated
user interface design with increased simplicity and speed, enhanced copy/paste functionality,
select a word by press-holding, support Near Field Communication (NFC), headphone
virtualization, new Download Manager.
It has improved bug fixes for Nexus S, voice or video chat using Google Talk, network
performance for Nexus S 4G, Gmail application, battery efficiency, fixed a voice search bug,
Google Wallet support for Nexus S 4G.
Android version 3.0 to 3.2.6: Honeycomb
On February 22, 2011, Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) was launched for the first tablet for Androidbased on Linux kernel 2.6.36. It contains the features like "holographic" user interface for tablet,
added system Bar, simplified multitasking tapping Recent Application in system Bar, redesign the
keyboard making fast typing, quick access to camera exposure, hardware acceleration, support
for multi-core processor, UI refinements, connectivity for USB accessories, support for joysticks
and gamepads, high-performance Wi-Fi lock, improved hardware support, Google Books, fixed
data connectivity issues when coming out of Airplane mode.
Android version 4.0 to 4.0.4: Ice Cream Sandwich
On October 19, 2011, Android 4.0.1 (Ice Cream Sandwich) was launched, which was based on
Linux kernel 3.0.1. It was the last version of officially support Adobe System Flash player. It
introduces the numerous new features: refinements to "Holo" interface with new Roboto font
family, separation of widgets in a new tab, integrated screenshot capture, improved error
correction on the keyboard, improved copy and paste functionality, build-in photo editor, fixed
minor bugs, improvement to graphics, spell-checking, better camera performance.
Android version 4.1 to 4.3.1: Jelly Bean
On June 27, 2012, Google announced Android 4.1(Jelly Bean) in the Google I/O conference. It is
based on Linux kernel 3.0.31. It updates to following features: smoother user interface, enhance
accessibility, expandable notification, fixed bug on Nexus 7, one-finger gestures to
expand/collapse notifications, lock screen improvement, multiple user accounts (tablets only),
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new clock application, Bluetooth low energy support, volume for incoming call, 4K resolution
support, native emoji support, bug fixes for the Nexus 7 LTE.
Android version 4.4 to 4.4.4: KitKat
On September 3, 2013, Google announced Android 4.4 (KitKat). Initially, its code name was "Key
Lime Pie". Google started on Google's Nexus 5 on October 31, 2013. The minimum required
amount of RAM should available to Android is 340 MB. The other devices with less than 512 MB
of RAM must report themselves as "low RAM" devices. It includes several new features as clock
no longer display bold hours, wireless printing capability, WebViews are based on Chromium
engine, sensor batching, built-in screen recording feature, better application compatibility,
camera application loads Google+ Photo instead of Gallery.
Android version 5.0 to 5.1.1: Lollipop
Android 5.0 "Lollipop" was initially named "Android L" on June 25, 2014. It was officially
introduced on November 12, 2014. Lollipop provides several features like redesigned user
interface, support for 64-bit CPUs, support for print previews, material design, Project Volta for
battery life improvement, multiple user accounts, audio input, and output through USB devices,
join Wi-Fi networks, support for multiple SIM cards, device protection, high-definition voice calls,
native Wi-Fi calling support.
Android version 6.0 - 6.0.1: Marshmallow
Android 6.0 "Marshmallow" was disclosed under the codename "Android M" on May 28, 2015, for
Nexus 5 and Nexus 6 phones, Nexus 9 tablet.
On October 5, 2015, Android lunches "Marshmallow" for all android devices. It contains the
various new features as App Standby feature, introduce the Doze mode to save battery life,
native fingerprint reader support, run-time permission requests, USB-C support, Unicode 7.0 &
8.0 emoji support.
Android version 7.0 to 7.1.2: Nougat
Android 7.0 "Nougat" was the major release for the Android operating system. Its initial
codename was "Android N". It was first released as a developer preview on March 9, 2016, with
factory images for the Nexus device.
On August 22, 2016, the final preview built was released with following features: file-based
encryption, zoom in the screen, multi-window support, new Data Saver mode, JIT compiler
makes 75 percent faster app installation, picture-in-picture support, support manager APIs,
circular app icons support, send GIFs directly from the default keyboard, battery usage alerts.
Android version 8.0 to 8.1: Oreo
Android 8.0 "Oreo" was the 8th major release of the Android operating system. It was first
released for developer preview on March 21, 2017. The final developer preview was released on
July 24, 2017.
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On August 21, 2017, its stable version was released with several features: picture-in-picture
support, support for Unicode 10.0 emoji (5.0), restructured settings, adoptive icons, notification
channels, notification dots, 2 times faster boot time, Google Play Protect, Integrated printing
support, Neural network API, shared memory API, Android Oreo Go Edition, autofill framework,
automatic light, and dark themes.
AD
Android version 9.0: Pie
Android 9.0 "Pie" was the ninth major version of the Android operating system. It was first
announced and preview launched by Google on March 7, 2018. It was officially released on
August 6, 2018. It has the following features: the clock has moved to the left of the notification
bar, the "screenshot" button has been added, battery percentage always shown on display.
Android version 10:
Android 10 is the tenth extensive version of the Android operating system. Android 10 has
developed under the codename "Android Q". It was initially announced by Google on March 13,
2019 and its first beta version was released on same day and its second beta was released on
April 3, 2019.
The stable version of Android 10 was released on September 3, 2019. It contains features like
new permissions to access location in the background, floating setting panel, support for an AV1
video codec, support for biometric authentication, support the WPA3 Wi-Fi security.
Android 11
Android 11 operating system is the eleventh big release of Android. It is the 18th version of
Android mobile OS, which was released on 8 September 2020. The alphabetic naming system of
Android, based on deserts, was stopped since Android 10. So therefore, this operating system
has branded with "Android 11".
Features included in Android 11

Conversations: Get all your message in one place.

Accessibility: Perceptive apps help us to control and navigate our phone using voice
command.

Device controls: Android 11 allows us to control all our connected devices (IOT) from a
single point.

Content capture: Android 11 comes with a screen recording feature that captures our
phone's current screen activity.

Predictive tools: By predicting our habits and patterns of working, it suggests
accordingly.

Privacy & security: Android 11 gives more security and privacy fixes to our smartphone
straight from Google Play.
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Media: We can play music from other devices connected to our phones.

Features of Android
Android is a powerful operating system competing with Apple 4GS and supports
great features. Few of them are listed below −
Sr.No.
Feature & Description
1
Beautiful UI
Android OS basic screen provides a beautiful and intuitive user interface.
2
Connectivity
GSM/EDGE, IDEN, CDMA, EV-DO, UMTS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE, NFC and
WiMAX.
3
Storage
SQLite, a lightweight relational database, is used for data storage purposes.
4
Media support
H.263, H.264, MPEG-4 SP, AMR, AMR-WB, AAC, HE-AAC, AAC 5.1, MP3,
MIDI, Ogg Vorbis, WAV, JPEG, PNG, GIF, and BMP.
5
Messaging
SMS and MMS
6
Web browser
Based on the open-source WebKit layout engine, coupled with Chrome's V8
JavaScript engine supporting HTML5 and CSS3.
7
Multi-touch
Android has native support for multi-touch which was initially made available in
handsets such as the HTC Hero.
8
Multi-tasking
User can jump from one task to another and same time various application can
run simultaneously.
9
Resizable widgets
Widgets are resizable, so users can expand them to show more content or
shrink them to save space.
10
Multi-Language
Supports single direction and bi-directional text.
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11
GCM
Google Cloud Messaging (GCM) is a service that lets developers send short
message data to their users on Android devices, without needing a proprietary
sync solution.
12
Wi-Fi Direct
A technology that lets apps discover and pair directly, over a high-bandwidth
peer-to-peer connection.
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Android Beam
A popular NFC-based technology that lets users instantly share, just by
touching two NFC-enabled phones together.
Architecture of Android
Android operating system is a stack of software components which is roughly
divided into five sections and four main layers as shown below in the architecture
diagram.
Linux kernel
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At the bottom of the layers is Linux - Linux 3.6 with approximately 115 patches. This
provides a level of abstraction between the device hardware and it contains all the
essential hardware drivers like camera, keypad, display etc. Also, the kernel
handles all the things that Linux is really good at such as networking and a vast
array of device drivers, which take the pain out of interfacing to peripheral hardware.
Libraries
On top of Linux kernel there is a set of libraries including open-source Web browser
engine WebKit, well known library libc, SQLite database which is a useful repository
for storage and sharing of application data, libraries to play and record audio and
video, SSL libraries responsible for Internet security etc.
Android Libraries
This category encompasses those Java-based libraries that are specific to Android
development. Examples of libraries in this category include the application
framework libraries in addition to those that facilitate user interface building,
graphics drawing and database access. A summary of some key core Android
libraries available to the Android developer is as follows −

android.app − Provides access to the application model and is the
cornerstone of all Android applications.

android.content − Facilitates content access, publishing and messaging
between applications and application components.

android.database − Used to access data published by content providers and
includes SQLite database management classes.

android.opengl − A Java interface to the OpenGL ES 3D graphics rendering
API.

android.os − Provides applications with access to standard operating system
services including messages, system services and inter-process
communication.

android.text − Used to render and manipulate text on a device display.

android.view − The fundamental building blocks of application user
interfaces.
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
android.widget − A rich collection of pre-built user interface components
such as buttons, labels, list views, layout managers, radio buttons etc.

android.webkit − A set of classes intended to allow web-browsing
capabilities to be built into applications.
Having covered the Java-based core libraries in the Android runtime, it is now time
to turn our attention to the C/C++ based libraries contained in this layer of the
Android software stack.
Android Runtime
This is the third section of the architecture and available on the second layer from
the bottom. This section provides a key component called Dalvik Virtual
Machine which is a kind of Java Virtual Machine specially designed and optimized
for Android.
The Dalvik VM makes use of Linux core features like memory management and
multi-threading, which is intrinsic in the Java language. The Dalvik VM enables
every Android application to run in its own process, with its own instance of the
Dalvik virtual machine.
The Android runtime also provides a set of core libraries which enable Android
application developers to write Android applications using standard Java
programming language.
Application Framework
The Application Framework layer provides many higher-level services to
applications in the form of Java classes. Application developers are allowed to
make use of these services in their applications.
The Android framework includes the following key services −

Activity Manager − Controls all aspects of the application lifecycle and
activity stack.

Content Providers − Allows applications to publish and share data with other
applications.

Resource Manager − Provides access to non-code embedded resources
such as strings, color settings and user interface layouts.
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
Notifications Manager − Allows applications to display alerts and
notifications to the user.

View System − An extensible set of views used to create application user
interfaces.
Applications
All the Android applications are at the top layer. The applications are to be installed
on this layer only. Examples of such applications are Contacts Books, Browser,
Games etc.
Android Applications
Android applications are usually developed in the Java language using the Android
Software Development Kit.
Once developed, Android applications can be packaged easily and sold out either
through a store such as Google Play, SlideME, Opera Mobile Store, Mobango, Fdroid and the Amazon Appstore.
Android powers hundreds of millions of mobile devices in more than 190 countries
around the world. It's the largest installed base of any mobile platform and growing
fast. Every day more than 1 million new Android devices are activated worldwide.
This tutorial has been written with an aim to teach you how to develop and package
Android application. We will start from environment setup for Android application
programming and then drill down to look into various aspects of Android
applications.
Android Devices in the Market
Android devices come in all shapes and sizes. As of late November 2010, the
Android OS can be seen powering the following types of devices:

Smartphones

Tablets

E-reader devices

Netbooks

MP4 players

Internet TVs
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Chances are good that you own at least one of the preceding devices. The following
figure shows (clockwise) the Samsung Galaxy S, the HTC Desire HD, and the LG
Optimus One smartphones.Another popular category of devices that manufacturers
are rushing out is the tablet. Tablet sizes typically start at seven inches, measured
diagonally. The Samsung Galaxy Tab and the Dell Streak, which is a fiveinch phone
tablet. Besides smartphones and tablets, Android is also beginning to appear in
dedicated devices, such as e-book readers. The Barnes and Noble’s NOOKcolor,
which is a color e-Book reader running the Android OS. In addition to these popular
mobile devices, Android is also slowly finding its way into the living room.
People of Lava, a Swedish company, has developed an Android-based TV, call the
Scandinavia Android TV.
Google has also ventured into a proprietary smart TV platform based on Android and
co-developed with companies such as Intel, Sony, and Logitech.
Categories of Android applications
There are many android applications in the market. The top categories are −
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Obtaining the required Tools
(Android - Environment Setup)
To start the Android application development on either of the following operating
systems −

Microsoft Windows XP or later version.

Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later version with Intel chip.

Linux including GNU C Library 2.7 or later.
Second point is that all the required tools to develop Android applications are freely
available and can be downloaded from the Web. Following is the list of software's
you will need before you start your Android application programming.

Java JDK5 or later version

Android Studio
Here last two components are optional and if you are working on Windows machine
then these components make your life easy while doing Java based application
development. So let us have a look how to proceed to set required environment.
Set-up Java Development Kit (JDK)
You can download the latest version of Java JDK from Oracle's Java site − Java SE
Downloads. You will find instructions for installing JDK in downloaded files, follow
the given instructions to install and configure the setup. Finally set PATH and
JAVA_HOME environment variables to refer to the directory that
contains java and javac, typically java_install_dir/bin and java_install_dir
respectively.
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If you are running Windows and installed the JDK in C:\jdk1.8.0_102, you would
have to put the following line in your C:\autoexec.bat file.
set PATH=C:\jdk1.8.0_102\bin;%PATH%
set JAVA_HOME=C:\jdk1.8.0_102
Alternatively, you could also right-click on My Computer, select Properties,
then Advanced, then Environment Variables. Then, you would update the PATH
value and press the OK button.
On Linux, if the SDK is installed in /usr/local/jdk1.8.0_102 and you use the C shell,
you would put the following code into your .cshrc file.
setenv PATH /usr/local/jdk1.8.0_102/bin:$PATH
setenv JAVA_HOME /usr/local/jdk1.8.0_102
Alternatively, if you use Android studio, then it will know automatically where you
have installed your Java.
Android IDEs
There are so many sophisticated Technologies are available to develop android
applications, the familiar technologies, which are predominantly using tools as
follows

Android Studio

Eclipse IDE(Deprecated)
Eclipse, Android SDK, Android Development Tools (ADT)
and Creating Android Virtual Devices (AVDs)
Step 1: Obtain the Android SDK




We need to obtain the Android Software Development Kit. To do that we must first
visit the SDK download site below.
http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
Scroll to the bottom of the webpage and select the 'Download the SDK Tools' button.
This will open a file to be saved somewhere.
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Step 2: Install the Android SDK



Open the file we just downloaded.
This will open an executable which will ask you about the installation process.
When you get to the install location screen, make sure you choose a location you
remember (we will need it later).
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Step 3: Open Android SDK Manager
We'll select the most recent version along with the extra SDK tools so you can build
applications for any Android version.



Open the folder that we installed the SDK into.
You'll see a executable called 'SDK Manager'. Open it.
You'll see a window where you can select different versions of Android to develop
for.
Step 4: Install Android Version and Extras for SDK



Select the 'Tools' and 'Android 4.4.2 (API 19)' check boxes.
If you would like to have extra Android tools you can choose them from the 'Extras'
selection.
You will then be prompted to accept the Android conditions and then the SDK will
install. Then installation may take a while depending on your internet connection. The
Android SDK is now completely installed.
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Step 5: Obtain Eclipse IDE
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Eclipse is the tool we'll be using to develop in. It is the most popular Android development
environment and has officially supported tools from Google.




Download Eclipse from the website below.
http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/packages/eclipse-...
Find the link for your operating system and 32/64 bit version.
Save the compressed download file.
Step 6: Run Eclipse for First Time
Eclipse does not require installation. It's a folder with all the necessary files and settings.
You can run it directly from the Eclipse folder. It's recommended you put it in a safe place
with other applications.


Extract the downloaded Eclipse file into a safe place where you can keep the
program.
Open the extracted folder and open the 'eclipse' executable.
You should see a screen similar to the one attached if all went well.
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Step 7: Add ADT Plugin Repository
The ADT (Android Development Tool) Plugin was made specifically for Eclipse to increase
productivity and integration with your Android work environment. To use it, we first add the
Eclipse plugin repository so it knows where to find it along with updates.





In the Eclipse application menu, go to 'Help' and then 'Install New Software'.
Click on the 'Add...' button and you'll see a window appear.
Give the repository a name like 'ADT Repo'.
Give it the location http://dl-ssl.google.com/android/eclipse/.
Click 'OK' button.
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Step 8: Install ADT Plugin
Now that we have the plugin repo setup we need to install the plugin from it.




On the 'Install Software' screen, select the repo you just created from the 'Work with'
selector.
Select the 'Developer Tools' option from the listed below options.
Click 'Next' and accept the agreements.
Click 'Finish' and let it install. It might take a while depending on your internet speed.
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Step 9: Access ADT Plugin Preferences
You'll most likely have to restart Eclipse after you install the ADT Plugin so do that before
you continue.




Mac/Linux: After Eclipse has restarted, click 'Eclipse' in the application menu.
Windows: After Eclipse has restarted, click 'Window' in the application menu.
Then select 'Preferences'.
In the Preferences window, select the Android tab on the left side and it's
corresponding drop down menu.
This is the ADT Preferences screen. It will allow you to change setting, remove the SDK and
make editor preferences for your development.
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Step 10: Setup ADT Plugin






Click 'Browse' on the right side of the screen.
Search for the folder in which you installed the Android SDK into and select it.
Hit the 'Apply' button on the Preferences screen.
You should see the Android version you installed early to show up if all went well.
If not, try reselecting the folder. (Make sure the folder contains the folders 'buildtools','platform','extras' and etc.
Hit the 'OK' button and restart Eclipse.
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Step 11: Access ADT Android Virtual Device Manager
To test your application we need to add an Android Virtual Device if you don't have a
personal device.
In the application menu, select 'Window' and then 'Android Virtual Device Manager'
Here you can create new 'Devices'.
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Step 12: Add ADT Virtual Device





Click the 'New...' button on the right side.
Give your device a name in 'AVD Name'.
You want to check mark 'Use Host GPU'
The other options are up to you and can be played with to figure out what works best.
When done, hit 'OK'.
You have now setup an environment ready to develop Android applications. We installed the
Android SDK, Eclipse, and the ADT Plugin.
Creating Android Applications
You have now setup an environment ready to develop Android applications. Install the
Android SDK, Eclipse, and the ADT Plugin.
STEP 1: Using Eclipse, create a new project by selecting File → Project
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Step 2: Expand the Android folder and select Android Application Project
Step 3: Name the Android project as shown in Figure and then click Finish.
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Step 4: The Eclipse IDE should now look like Figure.
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Step 5: In the Package Explorer (located on the left of the Eclipse IDE), expand the FirstApp
project by clicking on the various arrows displayed to the left of each item in the project. In
the res/layout folder, double-click the activity_first_main.xml file.
Step 6: The activity_first_main.xml file defines the user interface (UI) of your application.
The default view is the Layout view, which lays out the activity graphically. To modify the
UI, click the activity_first_main.xml tab located at the bottom as in the Figure.
Step 7: Add the following code in bold to the activity_first_main.xml file:
<?xml​
version=”1.0”​
<LinearLayout​
encoding=”utf-8”?>
xmlns:android=”http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android”
​ ​
​
​
android:orientation=”vertical”
​ ​
​
​
android:layout_width=”fill_parent”
​ ​
​
​
android:layout_height=”fill_parent” >
<TextView​ ​
​ ​
​
​
android:layout_width=”fill_parent”
​ ​
​
​
android:layout_height=”wrap_content”
​ ​
​
​
android:text=”@string/hello” />
​ ​
​
​
<TextView
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​ ​
​
​
android:layout_width=”fill_parent”
​ ​
​
​
android:layout_height=”wrap_content”
​ ​
​
​
android:text=”This is my first Android Application!” />
<Button
​ ​
​
​
android:layout_width=”fill_parent”
​ ​
​
​
android:layout_height=”wrap_content”
​ ​
​
​
android:text=”And this is a clickable button!” />
​ ​
​
​
</LinearLayout>
Step 8: To save the changes made to your project, press Ctrl+s.
Step 9: You are now ready to test your application on the Android Emulator. Select the
project name in Eclipse. You will be asked to select a way to debug the application. Select
Android Application as shown in Figure and click OK.
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Difference between Android SDK and Studio
Android SDK is a "Software Development Kit" which can integrated with stand alone IDE
(Eg. Eclipse) , for Android Development.
Whereas Android Studio is a dedicated IDE for Android Development. It comes with Android
SDK integrated to it. This (stable version) was only launched end of last year, earlier the
alternative was to use Android SDK with Eclipse.
Android Studio is a software package not unlike many others on your machine. Click an icon,
launch it, mess with the interface, drag things around, make stuff.
The Android SDK is a collection of files that live on your computer and are generally only
messed with by super-nerds. Use the Android SDK (through a command line program call
the adb) all the time. It's nerdy but major powerful.
Example: Today to flash a new third party version of Android on a cheapo tablet. Command
line work for sure. Android Studio would never do this. But, the Android SDK is well suited to
tasks exactly like that.
Android Studio, and Eclipse, and all sorts of other "pretty front ends" are nothing more than
a collection of buttons, screens, controls and tools that make it "easier" to use the
underlying Android SDK that must exist on your machine for them to work.
What is Android Studio and Android SDK tools?
Android Software Development Kit (SDK) is a toolset that enables developers to create apps
for Android OS. It includes the required libraries to build Android apps, a debugger, an
emulator, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and sample projects with source code,
so you can have everything you need to start making your own apps. Important commandline tools for Android app development are grouped into three packages: the already
mentioned SDK tools, Platform tools and the Android Emulator.
Android SDK tools
SDK tools are platform-independent and are required to create any Android app, regardless
the version you are developing for. Some of these include: Build tools, Debugging tools and
Image tools, among others.
Now, some of the most important SDK tools are Android SDK Manager, which provides
you resources, platforms and other useful components needed to build apps and manage
SDK packages.
The Android Virtual Device Manager, that provides a graphical user interface to test your
app on a virtual device. The Dalvik Debug Monitor Server (ddms) to debug your Android
apps. Or the Draw 9-patch, which allows you to create resizable bitmap images for your app.
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Platform tools
Platform tools are customized and used to support new features of Android´s latest version,
but also compatible with prior versions. Some of these tools include: Android Debug Bridge,
Fastboot or Systrace.
For instance, Android Debug Bridge (adb) needs to know how to communicate with the
Android version hosted on your device, for that it needs the platform-tool component; adb
can also be used to install an Android application file on a device.
Besides, additional shell tools can be accessed through adb, like bmgr and logcat. Platform
tools work along with Build tools for encryption, security and file size purposes.
Android Emulator
The Android Emulator lets you develop and test your apps without using any physical device.
This package is frequently updated and needed to use the Android Emulator Graphic User
Interface (GUI) in Android Studio. This enables Android app developers to debug and test
their apps in a run-time environment.
Android Studio
Now, in order to properly run this set of tools you’ll need an Integrated Development
Environment (IDE). For Android, that IDE is called Android Studio as mentioned in a prior
post: 5 Essential Android Development Tools, allowing you to compile and edit your code, or
test your app before releasing it on Google Play.
This way, Android Studio allows you to improve your app performance with instant
visualization, smart code editor, a fast emulator and a unified environment to help you build
apps for all Android devices.
According to Android Studio creators and developers users, this IDE was built to make the
development process as easy as possible, helping to improve the app development work by
making it faster, smarter and more enjoyable.
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