We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Android App Components - Intents, Activities, and Broadcast Receivers

Dr. Douglas C. Schmidt, Michael Walker, and Dr. Jules White

This 4 week MOOC builds upon the overview of Java and Android covered in Course 1 by delving deeper into core Android app components, such as intents, activities, and broadcast receivers. You will learn by example how to program these core Android components together with Android concurrency frameworks and basic Java file I/O classes (such as File and InputStream) and Android storage mechanisms (such as Shared Preferences). You'll also learn how to use the Git source code management system. Throughout this MOOC you'll work incrementally on a project involving downloading, storing, and display images from remote websites. Each week you will add additional capabilities to the project, based on material covered in the lecture videos. You'll spend roughly 4 hours per week watching video lectures, taking quizzes, and programming assignments with Java and Android.

Enroll now

Or subscribe to Coursera Plus

And get unlimited access to Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

MOOC Overview

This module provides an introduction to the contents of the MOOC and summarizes effective learning strategies

Introduction to Git

This module provides an overview of the Git version control system.

Android Intents

This module describes the structure, functionality, and use of Android intents that provide an abstract description of an operation to perform or an event that has occurred.. Android uses intents as the "glue" that simplifies the integration of apps that reuse existing components, such as activities, services, and broadcast receivers.

Android Activities

This module describes the structure, functionality, and use of Android activities, which define user-facing operations that are displayed on a device screen. Activities are the most common type of Android component and are at the heart of app Android apps.

Android Broadcast Receivers

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Requires learners to have acquired knowledge in Java and Android from another course first

Studies techniques and tools that are strongly relevant to the Android industry

Examines Git, which is now a standard in software development

Taught by experts in Android development

Introduces a comprehensive range of Android core components

Offers hands-on experience in Android programming

Save this course

Save Android App Components - Intents, Activities, and Broadcast Receivers to your list so you can find it easily later:

Save

Reviews summary

Android app components: intents, activities, broadcast receivers

Learners say this course focuses on the theoretical aspects of Android app development and provides a solid conceptual understanding of Android intents, activities, and broadcast receivers while covering key concepts in detail. However, learners also note that it is challenging to understand, especially for beginners, due to its lack of hands-on practice and outdated content.

Provides a solid conceptual understanding

"I think the course left me with a solid conceptual understanding of how Android intents, activities, and broadcasts receivers work."

Limited hands-on application opportunities

"There were no required programming assignments, therefore the optional assignments were not properly updated, i.e. their testing units failed to compile."

"Most of the time I spent working on them wasn't spent designing, implementing, or reading documentation - it was spent trying to figure out which pieces of documentation I should be looking for to get started."

Outdated content and assignments

"Would've been a good course when it was released, now all the projects are out of date, causing them to be very difficult to get to build let alone complete the assignments."

"Also, there are several items that are incorporated into the class with no explanation."

Challenging for beginners

"this course was very difficult to understand as it focus on theory and there is too much to study."

"If you are a beginner then you will face a lot of issues just like I did."

"This course is unfortunately extremely dull. There are no short quizes in between. There are no excercises where all the information can be applied."

More emphasis on theory than practice

"This course is totally theoretical course."

"Course focuses more on theory, rather than practice or practical."

"This is not a tutorial at all. Sections (a few lines) of code are explained, rather than what each line does, or why are certain methods used..."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Android App Components - Intents, Activities, and Broadcast Receivers with these activities:

Organize notes and assignments

Show steps

Review what has already been covered in the course and improve retention by organizing materials.

Show steps

Gather all notes, assignments, and materials
Sort and group materials by category
Create a filing system or designated workspace for materials
Review materials regularly to refresh your memory

Review Android Programming Tutorials

Show steps

Reinforce course concepts by exploring additional materials on Android programming.

Show steps

Find and read tutorials on Android programming

Explore resources on Git

Show steps

Improve understanding of Git as it will be used throughout the course.

Browse courses on Git

Show steps

Find tutorials on Git
Follow along with the tutorials
Practice using Git on your own projects

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Build sample Android projects

Show steps

Develop programming skills and reinforce concepts by working on practical examples.

Browse courses on Android

Show steps

Find examples or create your own small projects
Follow the steps to build the project
Test and debug the project
Repeat with different projects

Join a study group

Show steps

Deepen understanding and improve retention by interacting with peers.

Show steps

Find or form a study group with other course participants
Meet regularly to discuss and review course materials
Work together on projects or assignments

Help other students in the course

Show steps

Reinforce knowledge by assisting others and broaden understanding by discussing concepts.

Show steps

Identify students who need help
Offer to help them by answering questions or explaining concepts

Record a screencast of an Android app

Show steps

Enhance retention by creating a visual representation of app functionality.

Browse courses on Android

Show steps

Choose an app to demonstrate
Record a screencast of the app in action
Share the screencast with others

Develop a personal Android project

Show steps

Develop creativity and critical thinking skills by creating a practical Android app.

Browse courses on Android

Show steps

Brainstorm and design your app
Code and implement your app
Test and debug your app
Release your app

Career center

Learners who complete Android App Components - Intents, Activities, and Broadcast Receivers will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Android Developer

An Android developer designs, develops, and maintains software for mobile devices running on the Android operating system. This course may be useful to someone intending to become an Android developer, as it helps build a foundation in the core components of Android apps, such as intents, activities, and broadcast receivers. The course also teaches how to use these components together with Android concurrency frameworks and basic Java file I/O classes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Android Developer

Mobile App Developer

A mobile app developer designs, develops, and maintains software for mobile devices. This course may be useful to someone intending to become a mobile app developer, as it helps build a foundation in the core components of Android apps, such as intents, activities, and broadcast receivers. The course also teaches how to use these components together with Android concurrency frameworks and basic Java file I/O classes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile App Developer

Android Programmer

An Android programmer designs, develops, and maintains software for mobile devices running on the Android operating system. This course may be useful to someone intending to become an Android programmer, as it helps build a foundation in the core components of Android apps, such as intents, activities, and broadcast receivers. The course also teaches how to use these components together with Android concurrency frameworks and basic Java file I/O classes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Android Programmer

Software Engineer

A software engineer designs, develops, and maintains software systems. This course may be useful to someone intending to become a software engineer, as it helps build a foundation in the core components of Android apps, such as intents, activities, and broadcast receivers. The course also teaches how to use these components together with Android concurrency frameworks and basic Java file I/O classes. These concepts are applicable to software development in general.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Software Developer

A software developer designs, develops, and maintains software systems. This course may be useful to someone intending to become a software developer, as it helps build a foundation in the core components of Android apps, such as intents, activities, and broadcast receivers. The course also teaches how to use these components together with Android concurrency frameworks and basic Java file I/O classes. These concepts are applicable to software development in general.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

App Developer

An app developer designs, develops, and maintains software applications for mobile devices, desktops, or other platforms. This course may be useful to someone intending to become an app developer, as it helps build a foundation in the core components of Android apps, such as intents, activities, and broadcast receivers. The course also teaches how to use these components together with Android concurrency frameworks and basic Java file I/O classes.

See salaries and explore the career path for App Developer

Java Developer

A Java developer designs, develops, and maintains software using the Java programming language. This course may be useful to someone intending to become a Java developer, as it provides a foundation in the core components of Android apps, which are written in Java. The course also teaches how to use these components together with Android concurrency frameworks and basic Java file I/O classes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Java Developer

Mobile Software Engineer

A mobile software engineer designs, develops, and maintains software for mobile devices. This course may be useful to someone intending to become a mobile software engineer, as it helps build a foundation in the core components of Android apps, such as intents, activities, and broadcast receivers. The course also teaches how to use these components together with Android concurrency frameworks and basic Java file I/O classes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile Software Engineer

Web Developer

A web developer designs, develops, and maintains websites and web applications. This course may be useful to someone intending to become a web developer, as it helps build a foundation in the core components of Android apps, such as intents, activities, and broadcast receivers. The course also teaches how to use these components together with Android concurrency frameworks and basic Java file I/O classes. These concepts are applicable to web development in general.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

IT Specialist

An IT specialist provides technical support and services to users of computer systems and software. This course may be useful to someone intending to become an IT specialist, as it helps build a foundation in the core components of Android apps, such as intents, activities, and broadcast receivers. The course also teaches how to use these components together with Android concurrency frameworks and basic Java file I/O classes. These concepts are applicable to IT support and services in general.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Specialist

Computer Programmer

A computer programmer designs, develops, and maintains software systems. This course may be useful to someone intending to become a computer programmer, as it helps build a foundation in the core components of Android apps, such as intents, activities, and broadcast receivers. The course also teaches how to use these components together with Android concurrency frameworks and basic Java file I/O classes. These concepts are applicable to software development in general.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Business Analyst

A business analyst analyzes business processes and systems to identify areas for improvement. This course may be useful to someone intending to become a business analyst, as it helps build a foundation in the core components of Android apps, such as intents, activities, and broadcast receivers. The course also teaches how to use these components together with Android concurrency frameworks and basic Java file I/O classes. These concepts are applicable to business analysis in general.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

UX Designer

A UX designer designs the user experience of products and services. This course may be useful to someone intending to become a UX designer, as it helps build a foundation in the core components of Android apps, such as intents, activities, and broadcast receivers. The course also teaches how to use these components together with Android concurrency frameworks and basic Java file I/O classes. These concepts are applicable to UX design in general.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Data Scientist

A data scientist collects, analyzes, and interprets data to extract meaningful insights. This course may be useful to someone intending to become a data scientist, as it helps build a foundation in the core components of Android apps, such as intents, activities, and broadcast receivers. The course also teaches how to use these components together with Android concurrency frameworks and basic Java file I/O classes. These concepts are applicable to data science in general.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Project Manager

A project manager plans, organizes, and executes projects. This course may be useful to someone intending to become a project manager, as it helps build a foundation in the core components of Android apps, such as intents, activities, and broadcast receivers. The course also teaches how to use these components together with Android concurrency frameworks and basic Java file I/O classes. These concepts are applicable to project management in general.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Reading list

We've selected nine books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Android App Components - Intents, Activities, and Broadcast Receivers.

Head First Kotlin

Save

A beginner-friendly guide to Android development, covering the basics of Android programming, including intents, activities, and broadcast receivers.

Android App Components - Intents, Activities, and Broadcast Receivers

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Android app components: intents, activities, broadcast receivers

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses