Preview
Video Player
00:00
00:00
A Brief Introduction to Android Tools
3:07In 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
a few different things.
0:02
Besides a type of phone, it's specifically
a collection of software components
0:06
that run on phones, tablets,
watches, tv's, and other hardware.
0:10
This software provides
the operating environment to do
0:15
everything from display text on a screen,
to sending and
0:18
receiving phone calls, to running apps
like the one you're about to create.
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.
0:29
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 from mine,
0:42
the stuff that we learn in this project
is important foundational stuff
0:45
that won' ever change much, if at all.
0:48
What's important is that you get
comfortable working at a tool
0:51
like we'll use here, and with
the concepts of creating an Android app.
0:54
One more thing before we begin.
0:58
If any minor changes or
1:00
bugs pop up in the videos, then we'll
add a visual call out like this.
1:02
And I'll add some notes or screen shots
to the teacher's notes below the video.
1:06
So if you spot the 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 call out 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.
1:31
We're going to use a tool
called Android Studio,
1:34
which is known as an Integrated
Development Environment, or IDE for short.
1:36
Android Studio let's you write,
build, and test your Android apps.
1:41
We don't have to use Android Studio
to write our code but
1:46
it is the recommended tool for
development.
1:49
So that's what we'll be
using in these videos.
1:51
When it comes time to run our apps,
1:54
we're going to run them on
something called an Emulator.
1:56
This is a version of Android
that runs on our computers.
1:59
However, the Emulator doesn't specify
2:02
anything about the device
we would like to emulate.
2:05
So for specifying things like screen size,
2:08
we'll use an Android Virtual Device or
AVD.
2:10
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
2:22
virtual devices, check out the workshop
linked in the teacher's notes below.
2:25
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.
2:43
In a moment, we'll walk through
setting up our tools and
2:44
creating our very first project.
2:47
If you need help installing the tools,
check out the teacher's notes below for
2:49
some installation instructions
to help get you started.
2:53
I highly, highly recommend you follow
along with these videos by installing
2:55
the tools, and writing your own
code as I walk you through it.
2:59
You will learn so much more by actually
doing it than just watching the videos.
3:03