Android is one of the best operating systems in the world. Around 78% of mobile devices use this OS. These Android systems have a good market presence. Which enables developers to start doing business on top of it. So It is important to create apps for such systems like this. Android systems have a good market presence. Which enables developers to start doing business on top of it.
It is a mandatory skill of every developer to create, build, and publish Android apps on various platforms like Play Store, App Store, and many more.
Introduction
Android is the most popular and widely used open-source operating system developed on the Linux Kernel which is used in a variety of mobile devices worldwide. There are hundreds of millions of Android-powered devices present.
Before diving into an Android learning roadmap, it’s important to have a clear goal in mind. You might ask some questions like
- Why do you want to learn Android development?
- Is it for a college project?
- To build a long term career?
Your goal will guide how much and what you need to learn. For example, if it’s just for a college project, learning the basics might be enough. But if you’re aiming for a professional career, you’ll need to dive deeper and master advanced concepts. So, take a moment to think about your purpose your decision will shape your learning journey.
Prerequisites and Skills Required
I am listing down some mandatory skills required before starting Android development. You may or may not follow this. It will eventually save you time as soon as you start gaining deep knowledge.
- Programming Concepts
- Java, Kotlin, React Native
- Networking
These are the most basic things you should know.
Programming Languages For Android
Generally, developers prefer Java. But nowadays react native is in trend. It enables developers to build native apps using JavaScript. So, one can take a look at it. Otherwise, Java is still in the industry for a long time. Google officially created Kotline to build Android apps. Apps built from Kotlin are highly optimized and mobile-friendly.
If you’re just starting out, think about your goals before choosing a language. Java is a solid choice for learning the basics of Android development and understanding how everything works. Kotlin, on the other hand, is perfect if you want to dive into modern, efficient app development with cleaner and more concise code.
If your focus is on building apps for both Android and iOS using a single codebase, React Native could be a great option. Each of these has its own advantages, so pick the one that best fits your goals and what you want to achieve in the future.
Build Apps
Now it’s time to build apps. Beginners generally start by creating small-sized projects like calculators and tic-tac-toe games.
Famous IDE Android Studio is used to build Android apps in Java/Kotlin. For React Native developers use Visual Studio Code. It’s your choice to go forward with your favorite IDE. Because at the end of the day your app matters.
I’m giving a list of beginner-friendly projects that you can put in your resume to showcase.
- Calculator
- Color blinker
- Stopwatch
- Note app
- QR Code Scanner
- Contacts App
- Weather App
- Currency Exchange
- Expense Tracker
The list could be endless. It’s up to you to choose. If you are smart enough you can find real-life problems and solve them by creating any app for it.
Publish Apps on Google PlayStore
Once your app development is completed. It’s time to make it available for the public to use and start making money out of it. Make sure your app is following the guidelines specified by the Play Store developer content policy.
Below are the steps to follow to publish the app on the Play Store:
- Create a Google Play Developer Account
- Build Your App
- Create a New Application in the Google Play Console
- Store Listing
- Upload APK file on PlayStore
- Review and Publish
Hurrey! Your app is live now and ready to be used by millions.
Career Opportunities
It is easy to find jobs and opportunities in android domain. You could be the mobile app developer, full-stack mobile app developer, UI/UX developer, Game developer, Freelance Android Engineer, etc.
Your skills matter the most. How you solve the problems and how efficiently you manage the android resources. A single opportunity can change your life if you love what you are doing.
Also read, Best Code Editors for Software Developers
