Building Your First Android App (BYFAA)

Before you start this class, be sure you have your development environment set up. You need to:

• Download the Android SDK.
• Install the ADT plugin for Eclipse (if you’ll use the Eclipse IDE).
• Download the latest SDK tools and platforms using the SDK Manager.

If you haven't already done these tasks, start by downloading the Android Sdk from the link below http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html

Once you've finished the setup, you're ready to begin this class.

This class uses a tutorial format that incrementally builds a small Android app that teaches you some fundamental concepts about Android development, so it's important that you follow each step.

First Step: Creating Android Project

An Android project contains all the files that comprise the source code for your Android app. The Android SDK tools make it easy to start a new Android project with a set of default project directories and files.

Note: You should already have the Android SDK installed, and if you're using Eclipse, you should also have the ADT plugininstalled (version 21.0.0 or higher). If you don't have these, follow the guide to Installing the Android SDK before you start this lesson.

1. Click New in the toolbar.

2. In the window that appears, open the Android folder, select Android Application Project, and click Next.

Figure 1. The New Android App Project wizard in Eclipse.
3. Fill in the form that appears:
       Application Name: Is the app name that appears to users
       Project Name: Is the name of your project directory
       Package Name: Is the package namespace for your app
Leave the rest of detail then Click Next
4. On the next screen to configure the project, leave the default selection and Click Next
5. The next screen can help you create a launcher icon for your app. You can customize an icon in several ways and the tool generates an icon for all screen densities. Click Next
6. Now you can select an activity template from which to begin building you app. For this project, select BlackActivity and Click Next.
7. Leave all the details for the activity in their default state and click Finish.
Your Android project is now set up with some default files and you're ready to begin building the app.


Get ready for the next lesson of BYFAA.