Some tips to start programming applications for Android Platform

1: Learn Java

If you don’t know the basics of programming, now is the time to start learning Java.  There are myriad books, classes and online tutorials teaching Java.

2: Install Eclipse and the Android add-ons.

If you know the basics of programming, this is for you.  Android programming is done almost exclusively in Java using the Eclipse IDE.  Your first step is to install Eclipse, along with the ADT plugin and the Android SDK (Software Development Kit).

3: Get a basic program up and running

You can compile one of the template apps, and either run it on a real mobile phone using a wired or wireless connection from your PC to the phone, or if you don’t have access to an Android phone, there is a virtual Android phone provided with the SDK.

4: Fiddle around with the WYSIWIG tools in the Eclipse editor

Most of the widgets and thingimajigs in an Android app can be dragged and dropped into place using the Eclipse editor.  This is a lot easier than typing in the code manually, and generally works just as well.

5: Understand how the various view styles work

ListView and so on work in similar ways to one another.  Learn what the gravity does – hint:  It tells you where the objects in the view appear.

6: Use the official tutorial until you are already fairly advanced

The tutorial provided by Android’s own website is very good. You can freely use that tutorials until you are become familiar with Android. If you're a new Android app developer, you should complete each of that tutorials in order.

7: You should know the differences between different versions of Android

You might be a bit confused of terms such as “Ice Cream Sandwich”, “Gingerbread” and “Jelly Bean”.  These are terms for Android versions 4.0, 2.3 and 4.1 respectively, with 4.1 being the most recent.  If your app uses all of the features of a higher-numbered version of Android, it might not work on older versions.  If in doubt, use 2.3 – this caters for most older phones, but has most of the important features.  You can check which version your own phone has in your phone’s Settings/About Phone menu option.