Android Tutorial – Learn Android Development with Ease

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In this Android tutorial, we will discuss in brief about the Android operating system, its features, applications, and frameworks used for developing Android applications. Also, we will study its history and the latest versions. This Android tutorial is designed for beginners to clear their basic concepts.

So, as we know the demand for Android phones is growing exponentially, the number of Android phone users has grown in abundance over the last decade. We see Android in most of the cell phones, it is one of the most leading operating systems. Most of the population uses mobile phones based on the Android operating system.

So, let’s start the Android tutorial for beginners.

Android Tutorial – What is Android?

Android is a mobile operating system. It is an open-source framework and is based on Linux. The Android framework helps us to develop advanced and user-friendly applications. The applications can be built using Java and Kotlin. The Android operating system has then gone through numerous releases by fixing bugs as well as adding additional features which make our life more comfortable and easy.

Android Logo - android tutorial

History of Android Technology

After the introduction to Android, we will discuss it’s history part. It is an operating system developed by Android Inc. and then overtaken by Google. Android Inc. was developed in Palo Alto California, in October 2003 by Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears, and Chris White.

In 2005, Google acquired Android Inc, in 2007. The first version was released by Google and the commercial version was released in 2008 known as Android 1.0.

Besides, numeric names, Google has assigned code names to all Android versions. The following picture depicts all the versions and their code names.

Versions of Android - android tutorial

  •  The first version of Android 1.0, released on 23 September 2003.
  • The second version, released on 9 Feb 2009.
  • Then version 1.5 known as Cupcake, released on 27 April 2009.
  • Version 1.6 known as Donut, released on 15 Sept 2009.
  • Then on 26 Oct 2009 version 2.0-2.1 was released.
  • Froyo version 2.2-2.2.3, released on 20 May 2010.
  • On 6 Dec 2010 gingerbread version 2.3-2.3.7 was released.
  • Honeycomb version 3.0-3.2.6, released on 22 Feb 2011.
  • Ice cream version 4.0-4.0.4, released on 18 Oct 2011.
  • Jelly bean version 4.1-4.3.1, released on 9 July 2012.
  • Kit-kat version 4.4-4.4.4, released on 31 Oct 2013.
  • Lollipop version 5.0-5.1..1, released on 12 Nov 2014.
  • Marshmallow 5 version 6.0-6.0.1, released on Oct 2015.
  • Nougat version 7.0-7.1.2, released on 22 Aug 2016.
  • Oreo version 8.0-8.1, released on 21 Aug 2017.
  • Version 9 also known as Pie, released on 6 Aug 2018.
  • Version 10 also known as Android 10, released on 3 September 2019.

Why Learn Android Technology?

Android technology is not constrained to only cell phones, nowadays there are many devices in the market that use it as their operating system. Devices like television sets, tablets, Android auto cars, ebook-reader, and wristwatches use Android as the operating system. It is leading the global market. Most of the population uses Android devices. The applications we use every day has brought plenty of jobs available for Android developers in the market. As Android is open-source anyone can learn and build Android applications. Also, Android applications are compatible with a variety of devices. No doubt Android development is one of the enthusiastic and interesting jobs in this period of technology.

Prerequisites to Learn Android Technology

Before we move further in the Android tutorial, let’s discuss Android prerequisites. The most important and basic requirement for Android development is Java. Java is considered as a native language to learn Android. To build Android applications it is necessary to keep all OOP clear. Also, we will need some basics of database concepts.

Android Features

As we know the Android has changed our lives, let’s discuss some of the Android features.

1. Voice-search

This feature lets the user search by recording the voice message instead of typing it. Example- If we want to call XYZ person, we just have to speak and the call will be directed to the XYZ person, performing multi-tasking. With this feature, we can watch a video and also play games simultaneously.

2. Screen-capture

We can capture the screen using this feature.

3. Multiple Language Support

English is the default language but now we can use any local language. Also, Android supports multiple languages.

4. Gestures

With the help of gestures, we can use the phone without even touching it.

5. Tethering

With this feature, we can share internet connections through the wired./wireless hotspot.

6. Media Support

Android supports the following media H.263, H.264, MPEG-4, AMR, AMR-WB, AAC, HE-AAC, MP3, JPG, PNG, etc.

7. Storage

SQLite is an open-source relational database that is inbuilt in Android.

8. Auto-correct

This feature suggests words and corrects grammatical mistakes.

9. Sensors

Almost, every mobile phone has inbuilt sensors that sense the motion of the phone. Some of the inbuilt sensors are an accelerometer, heart rate, magnetic field sensor, gyroscope.

There are many such features provided by Android and with updates, we get new features every year.

There are many more features of Android, read about them in detail.  

Android Architecture

When we talk about Android we know that it is an operating system and we use applications that are built on it. Now we need to understand exactly what is Android and what enables it to work the way it does. For that, we need to have an exact vision of its components and functionalities.

Here comes the need and use of Android Architecture. Android Architecture is a software stack of components that are required to build an Android Application. Android Architecture contains 5 major layers that an Architecture works in. Android Architecture explains the complete working of Android through these five layers only.

These five layers are:

  1. System Applications
  2. Java API Framework
  3. Native Libraries
  4. Android Runtime
  5. Linux Kernel

Frameworks for Android Development

Let’s discuss the tools required for application development. There are many tools available for Android development. Some of the best Android development tools are listed below:

Frameworks For Android-Development

1. Corona SDK

This tool helps us to build 2-D applications. Moreover, it uses the Lua language, which is simple than C/C++. Game developers mostly use this framework.

2. Android Studio

Android Studio is the official IDE for Android application development. Also, it helps to build high-quality applications. Android beginners are recommended this application.

Learn to Install Android Studio with easy steps

3. Phone – Gap

Adobe and Apache sponsor this framework. Moreover, it allows the users to keep watch on changes made while working and running programs.

4. Geny – Motion

Geny Motion helps us to develop and test applications in a faster and safer environment and it uses OpenGL which helps applications to run efficiently.

5. App Builder

Using this framework, users with no coding skills can build applications and web apps and also, it uses a drag and drop interface to create applications.

Android Applications

In this Android tutorial, we have discussed various types of applications that can be created using Android development which helps to save time and energy. Various types of applications are Music, Lifestyle, Social Media, Navigation, Finance, Weather, Travel etc.

Android Applications - android tutorial

Some of the Android mobile applications are explained below:

1. Image-Recognition Application

Now we can identify any image using image recognition app. And, users have to click a picture of a physical object and the application uses visual search technology to recognize the image.

2. Reachability Cursor Application

The screen size of smartphones is increasing day by day as a result, it is becoming difficult to access it with one hand, reachability cursor application makes it easy to operate the phone with one hand. Due to this, we don’t need to stretch our fingers to reach the notification panel.

3. Messengers

These applications help us to save our time. We can easily connect with anyone in the world in just 5 secs. And, messaging applications help us to stay connected even when we are far away from each other.

Future of Android Development

As we know, Android is the leading framework in the market, it is running on many devices, not only smartphones but also on tablets television sets, books, readers, etc. By 2020, each business website will have its own chatbot, to reach their users quickly and easily. Each business will have its application to represent their business. Individuals who have a keen interest in software and app development can choose Android development as a career path.

Android Tutorial – Summary

In this Android tutorial, we have discussed the definition, features, framework, and applications of Android OS. Lastly, Android development is a great career option for software and app developers as the demand for Android technology is growing at a fast pace.

Know about the working of Android with Android Architecture Tutorial

We hope you are clear with the basics of Android technology, still, if you have any query related to Android technology, you can ask us in the comments section, below.

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5 Responses

  1. Susanta says:

    Hi data flair team.
    Can you guys create a full Android studio tutorial from basic to advanced?

    • DataFlair Team says:

      Hello, Susanta
      We are glad our readers are trying to interact with us through this Android Tutorial. Soon, we will publish an Android studio tutorial. Please visit regular DataFlair for fresh content.

  2. Bibekananda Das says:

    All these tutorials are so helpful for students like me who are really aspiring of getting knowledge. I came up to this page accidentally and now I started loving this. Thank you guys.

  3. Manjunath says:

    can u provide topics list in order, because above topics are not in order to understand from basics.

  4. James Gideon says:

    Hi dataFlair team
    please can you guys help us (the readers) with toturial videos on this android toturial pls ?

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