Top online resources that help you dive into Android Development

Android development is no doubt one of the most promising careers for the new generation of developers. App development is a key need of the thriving mobile industry, which is increasingly relying on iOS and Android. The future looks bright for those who have a knack for developing android apps for helping businesses. With an average annual salary of $78,198 per year (according to payscale.com), there is a heavy demand for filling android developer jobs in USA. So, here’s a look at some resources that help you on your path to becoming a full-fledged Android developer.

Getting started as an Android developer

To be able to churn out the finest android apps around, you should first gain a strong foothold on the basics of Java - covering classes, interfaces, variable and types, how objects interact, and so on. Apart from Java, you should also learn all the software relevant to Android app development. Learning the Android part entails brushing up on the basics of XML for app designing and applying the concepts of Android through Java programming. Basically, it is about learning Java and XML and then connecting these two via Android concepts.

It is good to have an idea of the kind of apps you want to develop, even at the early stage of your Android learning process.

Finding free resources for Android developers

There is no dearth of online resources for Android developers, whether you are a beginner or an advanced professional. All the tools and tutorials can be downloaded online these days.

It is worthwhile to check out the Android Developers website and take their "Building Your First App" lesson. Here you can learn how to set up the SDK and install the IDE Eclipse. You can also try out Android Studio in the place of Eclipse if you are looking for some state-of-the-art features. But most beginners use Eclipse to start with, as most of the Android development tutorials that you find online are centered on Eclipse.

Next, you can check out Mark Murphy's The Busy Coder's Guide to Android Development to simplify your learning process.

There is a Coursera course from the University of Maryland which gives you an intro on the design and implementation of Android apps for mobile devices.

For Android development tutorials, you can head to sites like Vogella.com, DevBytes (which posts tutorial videos on YouTube). Have any doubts or questions to ask? You can always head to Stack Overflow like most coders do.

With these online resources and some time and persistence, you should be able to add Android Development to your range of coding skills and eventually publish a cool android app on the Google Play store.