How To Become An Android Developer

A smartphone is one of the most fundamental things that we can’t live without today. But, why is that? It’s the diversity of different types of apps, which enable users around the globe to engage in more interesting and innovative ways than ever imagined.

That’s why, the job of the mobile app developer has become ever more enriching, fulfilling, and necessary to the modern global economy. The smartphone apps that we use every day have changed almost everything from the way we conduct business to the way we communicate and consume entertainment, even also the way we learn things about the world.

Obviously, you wouldn’t be wrong if you thought mobile app development is one of the coolest job industries of the moment. So, how do you become a mobile app developer?

However, you can pick a platform like Android, IOS, or Windows Mobile. But, Android is the leading platform that dominates all others. So, let’s get into a little more detail of the prospect to become an Android developer.

Why Android?

Google’s Android operating system (OS) the indisputable leader in the global smartphone market share that ensures serious job security for Android developers.

Another interesting thing about the Android platform is that it is open source and the entire Android source code is easily browsable, this makes the developer ecosystem dynamic and collectively enriching.

Android developers always share their tips, tricks, and tutorials across the Android community. As well as, Google also helps developers by building basic tools like Google Play Services for common app tasks such as authentication, sign-in, location, and storage. So, Android developers can focus on building their apps’ core functionality.

Overall, it’s still exciting to launch a career in Android development right now. Because there’s a healthy supply of jobs and the demand for Android apps promises to soar into the future.

What to Learn?

First of all, you need to know what you have to learn before starting to develop your first Android app. You can develop an Android application on a Mac, Windows PC, or Linux computer. You also need an Android device, however, you can use an Android emulator like Genymotion or Blustack. But, as a recommendation using a real Android device is the best way.

Here below the shortlist of the things you need to learn:

Java

Java is one of the most popular programming languages used by software developers today and the most basic building block of Android development is built on it. Without learning Java and its concepts like loops, variables, lists, and control structures you can’t become a true Android developer.

This is why learning its ins and outs will help you to establish yourself in good stead for work even beyond the Android platform.

SQL

SQL is also a language which used for expressing queries to retrieve information from databases. In order to organize the databases within Android apps, you need to learn the basic SQL. And, once you can understand and write it, surely there won’t be any questions you can’t ask for your data.

XML

You also need to learn the basics of XML syntax, which will be helpful in your journey to a full-fledged Android developer in doing tasks like designing user interface (UI) layouts and parsing data feeds from the internet. However, much of what you’ll need XML for can be done through Android Studio. But, it’s constructive to be grounded in the basics of the markup language.

Android Studio

One of the most interesting parts of Android development is that the necessary tools are free to use.

Android Studio – the officially integrated development environment (IDE) for Android app development. It’s the main program with which developers write code and assemble their apps from various packages and libraries.

Android Software Development (SDK)

Android SDK is another important tool, also available for free to download. The SDK includes sample code, handy coding tools, software libraries, and much more in order to help you build, test, and debug Android applications.

Android API

You also need to learn and understand the Android API (Android application programming interface). An API is essentially a pre-made source code library that provides pre-built groups of classes or packages that enable developers to easily write in code to their applications for certain features from the onboard camera and the audio recording feature to Wi-Fi access and Bluetooth functionality, and much more.

Basically, these above are the most important things you need to learn to become a successful Android app developer.

Now, let’s talk about the ways to learn …

How to Learn?

So, how you can start learning?

Okay, there are a lot of resources out there where developers share their skills and best practices. Some of the popular industries are Stack Overflow, vogella tutorials, the Android Dev subreddit, Android Weekly, and of course the Google’s official Android Developers site – especially for building your first app module.

You can also read some popular Android books like Head First Java, Android Programming: Pushing the Limits, and Java: A Beginner’s Guide.

Google search engine is another trusted friend for all of us, you can search for anything about Android app development to find your answer.

Of course, sometimes it could be hard to understand, but you need to stick with by trying again and again. There are many people who have learned just by themselves and some of them even built their own Android app development company.

 

Creating an Android Application

After learning most of the basics and becoming at least a little mastered in Java, SQL, XML, API packages, SDK, and Android Studio, you’ll be ready to dip your toe into making your own application on Android Studio.

Perhaps your first application will not be perfect and you’ll become very frustrated with it! But overcoming all the frustrations, once you can demonstrate that you’ve created an Android application (even a basic one). From that moment you can make yourself sure about your potential to get a job. Or you can even create apps and promote them by yourself to establish your own business.

Experiencing and Networking

So, once you have your own developed app that can do something and could be useful anyhow, you can go out there to get experience with your app from the real people.

And, when you’ll do that, it’ll help you to build your own network for discussing all most everything about Android development. This will help you to gain new skills to improve your development quality.

You can showcase your Android work on through different online personal portfolio sites like LinkedIn, Xing, or on sites like Behance and GitHub. However, you can also create your own individual portfolio website to introduce your works and yourself with the people you got on your network and the people who are searching for the works like yours.

Keep Learning

In most of the cases, we can see that many intenders lost their interest after a few days or after a few months. But, getting the most out of anything always depends on a long-term time.

If you take a look at the story of good developers, you can see that they are committed to lifelong learning, it doesn’t matter what’s the platform. So, to make yourself as a great Android developer you must have to be pained and stay focused.

Most of all as a mobile app developer must keep your eyes and ears open to rapidly developing landscape of mobile app technology – with the advent of wearables, TV apps, auto apps, and more. Don’t ever think how advanced you are, don’t stop testing, investigating, searching, exploring, playing around, and asking questions.

Wrap Up

I hope, you would found this article helpful to get a clear concept of becoming a successful Android developer.

Wish, you best of luck, become a great developer. Anyway, got something in mind to share with us? Just type in the comment box and hit publish. Here, we are all together. However, you may also share this article with your friends. As well as, if you have already got any apps that you want to promote you check android app promotion services to make things happen fast. There are many android app install and review services, some of them even offer free trial promotion.