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In this video we'll introduce the tools used for Android development!
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Please refer to these links for download and installation instructions for Mac and Windows.
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All right,
we're ready to dive into Android.
0:00
The name Android refers
to different things.
0:03
Besides a type of phone, it's specifically
a collection of software components
0:06
that run on phones, tablets,
watches, TVs and other hardware.
0:10
This software provides
the operating environment to do
0:15
everything from displaying text
on a screen, to sending and
0:18
receiving phone calls, to running apps
like the one you are about to write.
0:21
Making apps for
Android requires a few free tools.
0:25
They used to be a pain to set up,
but it's much easier now.
0:28
However, let me say one
thing before we get started.
0:32
Android is a rapidly evolving technology,
and
0:36
that means that our tools
are constantly evolving too.
0:39
So don't worry if your tools look
a little different than mine.
0:42
The stuff we learn in this project is
important foundation stuff that won't ever
0:45
change much, if at all.
0:49
What's important is that you get
comfortable working in a tool like we'll
0:51
use here and with the basic concepts
of creating an Android app.
0:54
One more thing before we begin.
0:58
If any minor changes or
bugs pop up in these videos,
1:00
then we'll add a visual callout like this.
1:03
And then, I'll add some notes or
1:06
screenshots to the teacher's
notes below the video.
1:08
So if you spot a difference,
check the teacher's notes first and
1:11
then let us know in the community.
1:14
It's possible that bigger
changes might occur too.
1:16
And in that case,
we'll still add a callout and notes, but
1:19
we'll also record an updated
video as soon as possible.
1:22
So what exactly are we going to use?
1:26
Let's take a brief tour and
then we'll walk through the setup.
1:28
First, we need a place to write code.
1:32
We're going to use a tool
called Android Studio,
1:34
which is known as an Integrated
Development Environment or IDE for short.
1:37
Android Studio lets you write,
build, and test your Android apps.
1:43
We don't have to use
Android Studio to write our code.
1:47
But it is the recommended tool for
development.
1:50
So that's what we'll be
using in these videos.
1:53
When it comes time to test our apps,
1:55
we're going to run them on
something called an emulator.
1:57
This is a version of Android
that runs on our computers.
2:00
However, the emulator doesn't specify
anything about the device we would
2:03
like to emulate.
2:07
So for specifying things like screen size,
2:08
we'll use an Android Virtual Device or
AVD.
2:11
Luckily, Android Studio includes a default
virtual device and the emulator.
2:14
So we should be ready to
test right from the start.
2:19
But if you want to learn more about
the Android Emulator and virtual devices,
2:22
check out the workshop linked
in the teacher's notes below.
2:26
Being able to use an emulator means that
you don't even need an Android device
2:29
to write and test Android apps.
2:33
It helps, but
you can get through this entire course and
2:36
beyond using just the emulator.
2:39
That's about it for now.
2:42
In a moment, we'll walk through
setting up our tools and
2:43
creating our very first project.
2:46
If you need help installing the tools,
check out the teacher's notes below for
2:48
some installation instructions
to help get you started.
2:52
I highly, highly recommend you
follow along with these videos
2:54
by installing the tools and writing
your own code as I walk you through it.
2:58
You will learn so much more by actually
doing it, than just watching the videos.
3:02
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