Android Developers

[SouthernComfort]

What is Android?
Android is a software stack for mobile devices that includes an operating system, middleware and key applications. The Android SDK provides the tools and APIs necessary to begin developing applications on the Android platform using the Java programming language.


Android SDK
Android SDK | Android Developers

Here's an overview of the steps you must follow to set up the Android SDK:

Prepare your development computer and ensure it meets the system requirements.
Install the SDK starter package from the table above. (If you're on Windows, download the installer for help with the initial setup.)
Install the ADT Plugin for Eclipse (if you'll be developing in Eclipse).
Add Android platforms and other components to your SDK.
Explore the contents of the Android SDK (optional).

Installing the SDK:
Installing the SDK | Android Developers

Developer's Guide:
The Developer's Guide | Android Developers

Package Index:
Package Index | Android Developers

Developer Resources:
Developer Resources | Android Developers

OEM USB Drivers
OEM USB Drivers | Android Developers

Developing
Introduction | Android Developers

Tools
Tools | Android Developers


Open Source Project:
Welcome to Android | Android Open Source

Initializing a Build Environment
Initializing a Build Environment | Android Open Source

Downloading the Source
Downloading the Source Tree | Android Open Source

Building and Running
Building the System | Android Open Source

System Requirements

The sections below describe the system and software requirements for developing Android applications using the Android SDK.

Supported Operating Systems

Windows XP (32-bit), Vista (32- or 64-bit), or Windows 7 (32- or 64-bit)
Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later (x86 only)
Linux (tested on Ubuntu Linux, Lucid Lynx)
GNU C Library (glibc) 2.7 or later is required.
On Ubuntu Linux, version 8.04 or later is required.
64-bit distributions must be capable of running 32-bit applications.

Supported Development Environments

Eclipse IDE

Eclipse 3.5 (Galileo) or greater
Note: Eclipse 3.4 (Ganymede) is no longer supported with the latest version of ADT.
Eclipse JDT plugin (included in most Eclipse IDE packages)
If you need to install or update Eclipse, you can download it from Eclipse Downloads.
Several types of Eclipse packages are available for each platform. For developing Android applications, we recommend that you install one of these packages:
Eclipse IDE for Java Developers
Eclipse Classic (versions 3.5.1 and higher)
Eclipse IDE for Java EE Developers
JDK 5 or JDK 6 (JRE alone is not sufficient)
Android Development Tools plugin (recommended)
Not compatible with Gnu Compiler for Java (gcj)

Hardware requirements

The Android SDK requires disk storage for all of the components that you choose to install. The table below provides a rough idea of the disk-space requirements to expect, based on the components that you plan to use.

Component type

Approximate size

Comments

SDK Tools

35 MB

Required.

SDK Platform-tools

6MB

Required.

Android platform (each)

150MB

At least one platform is required.

SDK Add-on (each)

100MB

Optional.

USB Driver for Windows

10MB

Optional. For windows only.

Samples (per platform)

10MB

Optional.

Offline documentation

250MB

Optional.

Note that the disk-space requirements above are in addition to those of the Eclipse IDE, JDK, or other prerequisite tools that you may need to install on your development computer.

[RSwire]

Question about this, I'm new to the Android stuff, and wondering what SDK can do for me, what is it for exactly. This fone does more stuff than I will ever need, it is awsome, I've had it for a couple months and it still amamzes me. I like to learn as much as I can.

[SouthernComfort]

Question about this, I'm new to the Android stuff, and wondering what SDK can do for me, what is it for exactly. This fone does more stuff than I will ever need, it is awsome, I've had it for a couple months and it still amamzes me. I like to learn as much as I can.

Android Application Development.

New to it all myself, Android is still in it's infancy compared to it's competitors, due to the open source nature of the project users are encouraged to develop their own applications. These are the tools.

[Canker_Canison]

Just to use a different kind of english to SC's post..

The Android SDK (Software Development Kit) is a set of tools & programs that you can use to develop/create your own apps.

These are used on a PC & have nothing to do with the phone, other than the end result will be used on an Android phone.

It's a little like the software available for creating websites instead of learning to program in HTML.
If you're old enough to remember the Amiga, this is also like AMOS... Although I'm probably making things sound to easy.

[SouthernComfort]

Just to use a different kind of english to SC's post..

The Android SDK (Software Development Kit) is a set of tools & programs that you can use to develop/create your own apps.

These are used on a PC & have nothing to do with the phone, other than the end result will be used on an Android phone.

It's a little like the software available for creating websites instead of learning to program in HTML.
If you're old enough to remember the Amiga, this is also like AMOS... Although I'm probably making things sound to easy.

Small oversight on my part, trying to fit all the information required in a concise manner. You can run most development in a virtualisation environment, the SDK basically allows you to build your own applications and games. The open source project lets users participate in the development of the end source, ie if you want to make something better do it yourself.