What you need to begin developing for Android

How do you begin developing for Android? What software do you use? What programming language to use?

These are probably some of the basic questions anyone thinking of writing an app for android might have. I will try to summarize some of the basics of developing for android in this post.

Do you need to know programming to develop an Android App?

Absolutely. Fundamentals of programming are absolutely necessary to write a functional android app that actually does something useful. You can start by learning the basics online or you can take a basic programming course at your local community college. That should be enough to teach you the fundamentals and you can learn the rest as you begin writing your basic app.

What programming language is used to develop for Android?

Java is the language of android. Some XML is also needed for layouts. It’s possible to develop in other languages using third party IDEs and so on and I might go over those too but Java is a must for android development especially if you plan on developing in Google’s IDE for Android.

What software/IDE do I need?

Android Studio is the official IDE or software you use to develop for Android. You can also use Xamarin or Visual Studio to develop using C#. There are many other frameworks and IDEs that can be used but they are usually for advanced and experienced programmers.

How much time does it take?

It depends. If you have never programmed before then it might take a year or more but if you have some programming background then 2-3 months are usually enough to start developing some functional apps.

How much does it cost?

It’s free. All you need is a computer and an internet connection and you are good to go.

If you have any other questions, please let me know in the comment section below.

Resources:

Android Studio: https://developer.android.com/studio/index.html