Android Development for Beginners from Udacity

This course is part of the Android Basics Nanodegree by Google.

Learn the basics of Android and Java programming, and take the first step on your journey to becoming an Android developer!

This course is designed for students who are new to programming, and want to learn how to build Android apps. You don’t need any programming experience to take this course. If you’ve been using a smartphone to surf the web and chat with friends, then you’re our perfect target student!

Learning anything new can be tough. We will walk you through the process of making Android apps, but to get the most out of this course, you must bring your enthusiasm for learning, and budget time on your calendar to learn with us.

By the end of the course, you’ll build two simple (but powerful) apps that you can share with your friends. We also hope that you will learn enough through this course to decide how best to continue your journey as an Android app developer, if you're interested in pursuing such a path.

If you’re curious about the road even farther ahead, these are the free courses that make up the Android Basics Nanodegree, in order:

This course
Android Basics: User Input
Android Basics: Multiple App Screens
Android Basics: Networking
Android Basics: Data Storage

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Designed for those with little or no programming experience to build Android apps

Taught through Udacity's multi-modal platform featuring videos, readings, and interactive materials

Emphasizes hands-on learning with app development exercises

Provides a comprehensive introduction to Android app development, preparing learners for further study or employment

Part of the Android Basics Nanodegree program, offering a structured learning path for Android development

Reviews summary

Good learning experience with android basics

Android Development for Beginners is a highly-rated course by Udacity that covers the basics of Android development. Students with no prior programming experience found this course to be a good introduction to Android and Java programming, and appreciated the clear and easy-to-understand instructions from the instructors. However, some students with previous programming experience found the course to be too slow-paced.

Straightforward, easy to follow lessons.

"Instructors are clear, easy to understand, and make the course fun."

Novice-friendly course for Android dev.

"This course is designed for students who are new to programming, and want to learn how to build Android apps."

May be too slow for experienced coders.

"If you have previous programming experience the course will be a breeze."

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 Development for Beginners with these activities:

Read "Android Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide"

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of Android programming, covering essential concepts and best practices that will complement your learning in this course.

View Android Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide... on Amazon

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Read through the chapters and follow along with the code examples.
Take notes and highlight important concepts.
Complete the practice exercises at the end of each chapter.
Refer back to the book when you need to refresh your knowledge.

Review Java Basics

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A solid understanding of Java fundamentals will make learning Android programming much easier.

Browse courses on Java

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Go over your notes or textbooks from a previous Java course.
Solve simple Java coding problems online.
Review Java tutorials and documentation.

Attend Android Meetup Groups

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Connecting with other Android developers can provide valuable insights, networking opportunities, and support.

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Find local Android Meetup groups online.
Attend meetings and introduce yourself to other members.
Participate in discussions and share your knowledge.
Stay connected with the group members online.

Five other activities

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Practice Writing Java Code

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Writing code regularly helps solidify your understanding of Java syntax and best practices, which will be crucial for building Android apps.

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Set aside dedicated time for coding practice.
Find coding exercises or challenges online.
Break down complex exercises into smaller, manageable chunks.
Write code to solve the exercises.
Review your solutions and identify areas for improvement.

Follow Android Development Tutorials

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Following step-by-step tutorials will provide you with practical experience in building Android apps and reinforce the concepts you learn in the course.

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Search for Android development tutorials on reputable platforms.
Choose tutorials that align with your current skill level and learning goals.
Follow the instructions carefully and implement the code in your own Android Studio project.
Troubleshoot any errors you encounter.
Extend the functionality of the tutorial projects to explore additional features.

Participate in Android Workshops

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Workshops provide intensive, hands-on learning experiences that can accelerate your Android development skills.

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Search for Android workshops in your area or online.
Register for a workshop that aligns with your learning goals.
Attend the workshop and actively participate in the activities.
Apply what you learn in the workshop to your own Android projects.

Build a Personal Project

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Developing your own Android app will challenge you to apply your skills and knowledge in a comprehensive way, enhancing your practical understanding.

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Identify a problem or need that you can address with an Android app.
Design the user interface and functionality of your app.
Implement the code for your app in Android Studio.
Test your app thoroughly and fix any bugs.
Publish your app on the Google Play Store (optional).

Contribute to Open Source Android Projects

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Contributing to open source projects allows you to collaborate with others, learn from experienced developers, and make a valuable contribution to the Android community.

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Find open source Android projects on platforms like GitHub.
Identify areas where you can contribute based on your skills.
Fork the project and make your changes.
Submit a pull request with your contributions.
Collaborate with other contributors to improve the project.

Career center

Learners who complete Android Development for Beginners will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Mobile Application Developer

Mobile Application Developers design and develop applications for mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. This course provides a comprehensive overview of Android development, including the fundamentals of Java programming, Android Studio, and the Android SDK. With this knowledge, you can build a strong foundation for a career as a Mobile Application Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile Application Developer

Android Developer

Android Developers are responsible for designing and developing mobile applications for the Android operating system. This course provides a solid foundation in Android development, covering the basics of Java programming, Android Studio, and the Android SDK. By completing this course, you will gain the skills necessary to create your own Android apps and pursue a career as an Android Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Android Developer

Software Developer

Software Developers design, develop, and maintain computer software. This course introduces the basics of Android development, providing a solid foundation in Java programming, Android Studio, and the Android SDK. While this course focuses on Android development specifically, the skills you learn can be applied to other areas of software development, making it a valuable asset for aspiring Software Developers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers write and maintain the code that powers computer applications. This course provides an introduction to Android development, covering the basics of Java programming, Android Studio, and the Android SDK. By completing this course, you will gain valuable programming skills that can be applied to various roles, including Computer Programmer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites and web applications. While this course focuses specifically on Android development, the fundamentals of Java programming and software development that you will learn are also applicable to web development. This course may be a valuable starting point for aspiring Web Developers who are interested in expanding their skills into mobile development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts protect computer systems and networks from unauthorized access and attacks. This course provides an introduction to Android development and the mobile application development process. This knowledge can be valuable for Information Security Analysts who are responsible for securing mobile applications and data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and management of products. This course provides an introduction to Android development and the mobile application development process. This knowledge can be valuable for Product Managers who are responsible for developing and managing mobile products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and maintain technical documentation, such as user manuals, white papers, and training materials. This course provides an introduction to Android development and the mobile application development process. This knowledge can be valuable for Technical Writers who are responsible for documenting mobile applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

UX Designer

UX Designers focus on the user experience of products and services. This course provides an introduction to Android development and the mobile application development process. This knowledge can be valuable for UX Designers who are responsible for designing and evaluating the user experience of mobile applications.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan and manage projects. This course provides an introduction to Android development and the mobile application development process. This knowledge can be valuable for Project Managers who are responsible for managing mobile application development projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts test and evaluate software products to ensure they meet quality standards. This course provides an introduction to Android development and the mobile application development process. This knowledge can be valuable for Quality Assurance Analysts who are responsible for testing and evaluating mobile applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Analyst

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve business problems and gain insights. While this course focuses on Android development, the problem-solving and analytical skills you will develop can be valuable for Data Scientists. By understanding the fundamentals of programming and software development, you can better understand and work with the tools and technologies used in data science.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Business Analyst

Business Analysts identify and analyze business needs and develop solutions to meet those needs. This course provides an introduction to Android development and the mobile application development process. This knowledge can be valuable for Business Analysts who are responsible for analyzing and developing mobile application solutions.

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Database Administrator

Database Administrators manage and maintain databases. This course provides an introduction to Android development and the mobile application development process. This knowledge can be valuable for Database Administrators who are responsible for managing and maintaining mobile databases.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Network Administrator

Network Administrators manage and maintain computer networks. This course provides an introduction to Android development and the mobile application development process. This knowledge can be valuable for Network Administrators who are responsible for managing and maintaining mobile networks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator