The question was about a variable in the file java > MainActivity. This time it took more time to find a solution and without any knowledge about programming I would have gave up. The second attempt aroused another error: error: cannot find symbol variable toolbar After a quick google search I found out that I had intentionally removed this line from res > values > strings.xml file: Settings The first error! Error: No resource found that matches the given name (at 'title' with value error message didn’t help a beginner at all. Very useful! I created the button that the tutorial insisted but the test run failed. I noticed that whenever I modify the xml file I can see the results in right pane preview in real time. Setting up the user interfaceĮven though I’m a newbie with Android technologies the xml markup didn’t shake this digi warrior marinated in many html sauces. To get this fat it took only around 15 minutes – I was surprised how easy it had been so far. The app can be debugged aslo in a virtual phone in the Android studio but a real Android device would be easier option.Īfter a little delay the test app popped up in my phone. I plugged my Samsung Galaxy S4 mobile phone to my PC by a USB cable according to instructions. The developer studio created a project automatically and it was the testing time. Even though later some of the instructions were quite ambiguous like: Select Android view from the menu on top. The first part of the guide was to make a new blank project with default setttings. I started to paddle through the official Android tutorial.
Android studio has huge amount of functionalities An example app for Android One button that sends me an email would be enough. At this point I took a timeout and a deep breath. As my goal was only a small test app I didn’t want to quit here. I didn’t remember how insane amount of different windows, menus and buttons there was. I opened the Android developer studio and almost wiped out. I had zero experience about mobile apps, Java and xml markup so there was no guarantee to make the app work. I googled for Android tutorials and ended up to the official tutorial for Android in here here.
I recall that that one hazzle with the developing studio was to install the correct version of Java.
I had Android Studio already in my Windows 10 PC because of my previous initiatives to start developing. The technical part – Developing the first Android app The starting point From zero to the first clumsy feature it took me around three hours. To get started the best learning method is to copy scripts of others and then customize it to your own needs – in my opinionĪs the conclusion I can say that developing with Android is intensive effort – I’m not sure whether I’ll continue the “hobby”. We have to keep in mind that it takes months and years of practise to master something like Android.
The folder structure and code organizing are mage as logical as possible for a complex software environment.Īndroid Studio really has lots and lots of features so my advice is to just focus the important and forget about 95% of the functionalities. If you really want to learn be prepared to get some error messages and remember to use Google. In a new environment even small adversities can make you to give up. My personal coding background helped me to solve error messages and to understand the underlying logic of Android projects. Previous knowledge about information technology or programming is a definite plus.
How long it finally took? Summary – How long it took to develop an Android app and was it difficult?Ĭreating your first Android app is not overwhelmingly difficult and you can mange to get it done in an hour or a day depending on your skill level. It was Halloween.Ĭreating and Android app has been in my task list a good while but now I decided to take the pivotal step.