This tutorial provides you a quick way to get started developing your first Android application. Android applications are built-in Java languages. You will learn how to prepare your Android Development Tools, Android SDK and other necessary components that are required before you start coding your Android application. So, lets begin...
If you are building with Windows platform, go directly to http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html and download the Android ADT Bundle for Windows. Android ADT Bundle includes the essential Android SDK components and a version of the Eclipse IDE to let you start developing your Android applications.
To download for other platforms, scroll down and click on "DOWNLOAD FOR OTHER PLATFORMS". You should see a list of platform as shown on the screenshot below. Carefully select the appropriate platform for your computer.
Go to http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html and download the latest Java SE Development Kit (JDK). Hava SE Development Kit (JDK) is a compulsory tool for developing, debugging, and monitoring Java applications.
Download your appropriate operating system platforms as shown on the screenshot below.
Run Eclipse and you will be prompted to select a path for yur workspace. A workspace is a folder that stores all your projects for later use.
Open Android SDK Manager in your Eclipse by clicking on the icon shown on the screenshot below. Android SDK Manager manages tools and platforms and other components into packages that you need in your application development.
To download, tick your preferred Android API as shown on the screenshot below for your application development. Check your Android SDK Manager regularly for updates or visit Android Developer Website for new API releases.
Click Install and Accept all agreements.
The Android Virtual Device Manager in your Eclipse allows you to create and manage Android VIrtual Device (AVD). Android Virtual Device (AVD) is a virtual device that runs on your computer and acts like a physical Android phone. It allows you to run and test you application on different version of Android API. However, there are limitation on Android Virtual Device (AVD) compared to a physical Android device. To understand more regarding the limitations and functionality of an Android Virtual Device (AVD) check out this link.
To create a new Android Virtual Device, click New and select your target Android API that you have downloaded earlier in your Android SDK Manager. Insert 100-500MiB for the SD-CARD size and insert a name fot your Android Virtual Device (AVD). Click on Create AVD to continue.
Select an Android Virtual Device (AVD) on the list and click on Start.
Click on Launch to open your Android Virtual Device (AVD). It may take 2 -5 minutes for the Android Virtual Device (AVD) to load completely. While waiting, you might want to learn how to speed up your Android Virtual Device (AVD). Follow this link to learn how to create an Android Virtual Device (AVD) using Android Intel Atom Image.
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