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Introduction to Android Application Development: Android Essentials

Published by Addison-Wesley (December 18, 2015) © 2016

Joseph Annuzzi | Lauren Darcey | Shane Conder
    VitalSource eTextbook ( Lifetime access )
    €20,99
    ISBN-13: 9780134389646

    Introduction to Android Application Development: Android Essentials ,5th edition

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    Language: English

    Product Information

    What Every Android App Developer Should Know Today: Android 6 Tools, App/UI Design, Testing, Publishing, and More

     

    Introduction to AndroidApplication Development, Fifth Edition, is the most useful real-world guide to building robust, commercial-grade Android apps with the new Android 6 SDK, Android Studio, and latest development best practices. Bigger, better, and more comprehensive than ever, this book covers everything you need to start developing professional apps for modern Android devices. If you’re serious about Android development, this guide will prepare you to build virtually any app you can imagine!

     

    Three well-respected experts guide you through setting up your development environment, designing user interfaces, developing for diverse devices, and optimizing your entire app-development process. Up-to-date code listings support in-depth explanations of key API features, and many chapters contain multiple sample apps.

     

    This fifth edition adds brand-new chapters on material design, styling applications, design patterns, and querying with SQLite. You’ll find a treasure trove of Android Studio tips, plus a brand-new appendix on the Gradle build system. This edition also offers

    • Updated coverage of the latest Android 5.1 and 6 APIs, tools, utilities, and best practices
    • New coverage of the Android 6.0 permission model
    • Powerful techniques for integrating material design into your apps
    • An all-new chapter on using styles and reusing common UI components
    • Extensive new coverage of app design, architecture, and backward compatibility
    • A full chapter on using SQLite with persistent database-backed app data
    • Revised quiz questions and exercises to test your knowledge 

    Download this book’s source code at informit.com/title/9780134389455 or introductiontoandroid.blogspot.com.

    Acknowledgments xxxi

    About the Authors xxxiii

     

    Introduction 1

     

    Part I: Platform Overview

     

    Chapter 1: Presenting Android 11

    The Android Open Source Project (AOSP) 11

    The Open Handset Alliance 12

    Android Platform Uniqueness 16

    The Android Platform 21

    Android beyond the OHA and GMS 26

    Summary 28

    Quiz Questions 28

    Exercises 28

    References and More Information 29

     

    Chapter 2: Setting Up for Development 31

    Configuring Your Development Environment 31

    Exploring the Android SDK 38

    Summary 48

    Quiz Questions 48

    Exercises 48

    References and More Information 48

     

    Chapter 3: Creating Your First Application 51

    Testing Your Development Environment 51

    Building Your First Android Application 57

    Summary 73

    Quiz Questions 74

    Exercises 74

    References and More Information 74

     

    Part II: Application Basics

     

    Chapter 4: Understanding Application Components 77

    Mastering Important Android Terminology 77

    The Application Context 78

    Performing Application Tasks with Activities 80

    Organizing Activity Components with Fragments 85

    Managing Activity Transitions with Intents 87

    Working with Services 90

    Receiving and Broadcasting Intents 91

    Summary 92

    Quiz Questions 92

    Exercises 93

    References and More Information 93

     

    Chapter 5: Defining the Manifest 95

    Configuring Android Applications Using the Android Manifest File 95

    Managing Your Application’s Identity 99

    Enforcing Application System Requirements 100

    Registering Activities in the Android Manifest 103

    Working with Permissions 105

    Exploring Other Manifest File Settings 109

    Summary 109

    Quiz Questions 109

    Exercises 110

    References and More Information 110

     

    Chapter 6: Managing Application Resources 111

    What Are Resources? 111

    Adding Simple Resource Values in Android Studio 116

    Working with Different Types of Resources 120

    Working with Layouts 140

    Referencing System Resources 144

    Summary 145

    Quiz Questions 146

    Exercises 146

    References and More Information 146

     

    Chapter 7: Exploring Building Blocks 147

    Introducing Android Views and Layouts 147

    Displaying Text to Users with TextView 148

    Retrieving Data from Users with Text Fields 152

    Giving Users Choices Using Spinner Controls 157

    Allowing Simple User Selections with Buttons and Switches 159

    Retrieving Dates, Times, and Numbers from Users with Pickers 166

    Using Indicators to Display Progress and Activity to Users 168

    Adjusting Progress with Seek Bars 171

    Other Valuable User Interface Controls 173

    Summary 177

    Quiz Questions 177

    Exercises 177

    References and More Information 178

     

    Chapter 8: Positioning with Layouts 179

    Creating User Interfaces in Android 179

    Organizing Your User Interface 184

    Using Built-in Layout Classes 185

    Using Container Control Classes 203

    Summary 210

    Quiz Questions 210

    Exercises 211

    References and More Information 211

     

    Chapter 9: Partitioning with Fragments 213

    Understanding Fragments 213

    Using the Android Support Library Package 228

    Additional Ways to Use Fragments 231

    Summary 232

    Quiz Questions 232

    Exercises 233

    References and More Information 233

     

    Part III: Application Design Essentials

     

    Chapter 10: Architecting with Patterns 237

    Architecting Your Application’s Navigation 237

    Encouraging Action 251

    Summary 267

    Quiz Questions 267

    Exercises 267

    References and More Information 268

     

    Chapter 11: Appealing with Style 269

    Styling with Support 269

    Themes and Styles 269

    Colors 272

    Layout 273

    Application Branding 278

    The Results Applied 280

    Typography 280

    Summary 282

    Quiz Questions 282

    Exercises 283

    References and More Information 283

     

    Chapter 12: Embracing Material Design 285

    Understanding Material 285

    The Default Material Theme 286

    The SampleMaterial Application 286

    Implementing the SampleMaterial Application 286

    Summary 317

    Quiz Questions 317

    Exercises 317

    References and More Information 318

     

    Chapter 13: Designing Compatible Applications 319

    Maximizing Application Compatibility 319

    Designing User Interfaces for Compatibility 321

    Providing Alternative Application Resources 324

    Targeting Tablets and TVs 336

    Extending Your Application to Watches and Cars 338

    Ensuring Compatibility with SafetyNet 339

    Summary 340

    Quiz Questions 340

    Exercises 341

    References and More Information 341

     

    Part IV: Application Development Essentials

     

    Chapter 14: Using Android Preferences 345

    Working with Application Preferences 345

    Finding Preferences Data on the File System 349

    Creating Manageable User Preferences 350

    Auto Backup for Android Applications 359

    Summary 361

    Quiz Questions 361

    Exercises 361

    References and More Information 362

     

    Chapter 15: Accessing Files and Directories 363

    Working with Application Data on a Device 363

    Practicing Good File Management 364

    Understanding Android File Permissions 365

    Working with Files and Directories 366

    Summary 375

    Quiz Questions 375

    Exercises 375

    References and More Information 376

     

    Chapter 16: Saving with SQLite 377

    SampleMaterial Upgraded with SQLite 377

    Working with Databases 377

    Summary 390

    Quiz Questions 390

    Exercises 391

    References and More Information 391

     

    Chapter 17: Leveraging Content Providers 393

    Exploring Android’s Content Providers 393

    Modifying Content Provider Data 402

    Using Third-Party Content Providers 406

    Summary 406

    Quiz Questions 406

    Exercises 407

    References and More Information 407

     

    Part V: Application Delivery Essentials

     

    Chapter 18: Learning the Development Workflow 411

    An Overview of the Android Development Process 411

    Choosing a Software Methodology 412

    Gathering Application Requirements 413

    Assessing Project Risks 421

    Writing Essential Project Documentation 425

    Leveraging Configuration Management Systems 426

    Designing Android Applications 427

    Developing Android Applications 430

    Testing Android Applications 431

    Deploying Android Applications 432

    Supporting and Maintaining Android Applications 433

    Summary 434

    Quiz Questions 435

    Exercises 435

    References and More Information 435

     

    Chapter 19: Planning the Experience 437

    Thinking about Objectives 437

    Techniques for Focusing Your Product Efforts 439

    Communicating Your Application’s Identity 442

    Designing Screen Layouts 443

    Reacting Properly with Visual Feedback 444

    Observing Target Users for Usability 445

    Summary 446

    Quiz Questions 446

    Exercises 447

    References and More Information 447

     

    Chapter 20: Delivering Quality Applications 449

    Best Practices in Delivering Quality Applications 449

    Avoiding Silly Mistakes in Android Application Design 459

    Best Practices in Delivering Quality Android Applications 459

    Summary 464

    Quiz Questions 465

    Exercises 465

    References and More Information 465

     

    Chapter 21: Testing Your Applications 467

    Best Practices in Testing Mobile Applications 467

    Android Application Testing Essentials 479

    More Android Automated Testing Programs and APIs 496

    Summary 497

    Quiz Questions 497

    Exercises 498

    References and More Information 498

     

    Chapter 22: Distributing Your Applications 499

    Choosing the Right Distribution Model 499

    Packaging Your Application for Publication 502

    Publishing to Google Play 509

    Google Play Staged Rollouts 518

    Publishing to the Google Play Private Channel 518

    Translating Your Application 519

    Publishing Using Other Alternatives 520

    Self-Publishing Your Application 520

    Summary 522

    Quiz Questions 522

    Exercises 522

    References and More Information 523

     

    Part VI: Appendixes

     

    Appendix A: Tips and Tricks: Android Studio 527

    Organizing Your Android Studio Workspace 527

    Writing Code in Java 533

    Resolving Mysterious Build Errors 537

    Summary 537

    Quiz Questions 538

    Exercises 538

    References and More Information 538

     

    Appendix B: Quick-Start: Android Emulator 539

    Simulating Reality: The Emulator’s Purpose 539

    Working with Android Virtual Devices 541

    Launching the Emulator with a Specific AVD 548

    Configuring the GPS Location of the Emulator 555

    Calling between Two Emulator Instances 557

    Messaging between Two Emulator Instances 558

    Interacting with the Emulator through the Console 559

    Personalizing the Emulator 563

    Understanding Emulator Limitations 563

    Summary 565

    Quiz Questions 565

    Exercises 565

    References and More Information 565

     

    Appendix C: Quick-Start: Android Device Monitor 567

    Using Device Monitor with Android Studio and as a Stand-Alone Application 567

    Getting Up to Speed Using Key Features of Device Monitor 568

    Working with Processes, Threads, and the Heap 569

    Using the Allocation Tracker 573

    Viewing Network Statistics 574

    Working with the File Explorer 575

    Working with the Emulator Control 578

    Working with the System Information Pane 580

    Taking Screen Captures of the Emulator and Device Screens 580

    Working with Application Logging 581

    Summary 582

    Quiz Questions 583

    Exercises 583

    References and More Information 583

     

    Appendix D: Mastery: Android SDK Tools 585

    Using the Android Documentation 585

    Leveraging the Android Emulator 588

    Viewing Application Log Data with logcat 589

    Debugging Applications with Device Monitor 590

    Using Android Debug Bridge (ADB) 591

    Using the Layout Editor 591

    Using the Android Hierarchy Viewer 592

    Working with Nine-Patch Stretchable Graphics 596

    Working with Other Android Tools 597

    Summary 600

    Quiz Questions 600

    Exercises 600

    References and More Information 601

     

    Appendix E: Quick-Start: Gradle Build System 603

    Gradle Build Files 603

    Using Android Studio to Configure Your Builds 609

    Summary 620

    Quiz Questions 620

    Exercises 621

    References and More Information 621

     

    Appendix F: Answers to Quiz Questions 623

     

    Index 631

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