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Build a Simple Android App with Java

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A Brief Introduction to Android Tools

3:07 with Ben Deitch

In this video we'll introduce the tools used for Android development!

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