[Android Tutorial] 2. Getting stuff started

A story about Mike

I want to introduce you to Mike. Mike is a 40 years old, married man. He's working as a software developer in a company called WhyYouNoWork Inc. (WYNW). His daily work includes java development but Mike isn't comfortable in his company. A short time ago Mike got an idea of an android app to earn a lot of money. To ensure you get to know him take a look at this picture of him:

The problem is Mike does not have any idea what how android is working and how he could getting started with coding. Mike asks, like every developer, google.

History of Android

1.0 - SDK Release 12. November 2007
1.5 - Input without hardware keyboard
1.6 - Supports multiple resolutions
2.0 - Better account management
2.2 - Backup functions
2.3 - Voice over IP
3.0 - Actionbar
4.0 - Optimizations for smartphones and tablets
4.1 - Performance optimization
4.2 - Miracast support

Mike got that but he's bored and wants to know something more useful. He keeps on searching and finds the following graphic about the architecture of android.

Architecture of Android

Mike wonders what the application framework is used for. He finds the following facts to get a short overview:

The application framework:

• Simplifies the access to the device hardware
• e.g. camera, network, sensors
• Views
• views are the basics of android UIs (We are going to look at this later this tutorial)
• Content Provider
• rights management of applications
• Resource Manager
• access to graphics and layoutfiles
• Notification Manager
• access to the statusbar
• Activity Manager
• controls the lifecycle of applications

What we are going to do next

Finally Mike got that and writes it, like every good programmer, down for later studying. But now he wants to start coding. First of all he will set up his system.