Apps NewBie Diary - Droid 101: Zero Experience. I have no idea where to start.

[mamaladeboy]

Hi,

This is my fist post here an androidforums.com
I've never been to anywhere, so I don't know if this is the right place.
This post might be a bit long since I want it to cover everything I want to share. So hang on and please read...

My name's Patrick, mamaladeboy. I'm 19 and have been goofing with computer for a long time. But I've never succeed in programming. It's too complicated for me since there's no school course dedicated to programming and my country does not really suppport teenage hobby.(They want us to just stick to the curriculum and/or being a sport jock.) Anyway, I've tried a couple of java books and have no idea what it was about (Partly because I don't put my all effort to really learn it.) I have C++ for dummies on my shelves, but have gone through chapter 5.

For the past 3 months, I've been to the USA for a summer job. I hot myself a nexus one. I am now quite eager to know that android is java-based and is an open platform. This means anyone can try for programming on it, right?
So I figured I'll give it a try.

I've been reading on the net for about 5 days now. Still haven't got a hands on the 'actual' programming process. Cos I don't know where to start.
I came to this forum because of a link from phandroid. and I have this crazy idea. "There must be some people who's like me! Want to start but don't know where to." So I think I'll start this thread as a post where:

1. I post my diary about what have I done to develop my programming skills.
2. I invite people who has zero knowledge about programming, or have not programmed on android platform to see what have I done that might help you.
3. I invite people who KNOW how to program in general and on android to give tips or help giving links to extends the knowledge of the topic I and people who's reading this thread is looking for.

So what do you think?
If you like the idea please read on the the next post. Where I start my first diary.
Remember,
I am inviting anyone who has no knowledge about programming to join me on this updating post about how to learn programming on android. And if anyone wants to comment, please do so. You can also reach me on email.

,
Patrick

 

[mamaladeboy]

Ok, on the previous post, I tell you that I have no experience. That is true and not true at the same time. I think I do have some experience but not enough to call it programmable. This is what I have in-hand.(I'll post a link on where I 've got hold of it)

1. An '08 Model white macbook, running Snow Leopard
2. Eclipse 5.0 >Download Link<
I got this because devveloper.android.com said it has an plug-in that makes programming easier
3. Android SDK starter >Download here< and I fallowed the instruction to update things they don't include with this package which is
4. ADT, Android platform 1.5 1.6 2.1 and 2.2


Now, this is the book and resources I have:

1. Book: C++ for Dummies
2. Book: Java for beginners (In my language) <Quite confusing
3. Online tutorial: >Link< < This is from Sun, a company who created Java
4. Online tutorial: >Link< <a Link to official android developer guide, a bit out of my league right now.

That's all I have right now.

Now, I'll start my diary. In a consistent format.

Date:
Note: [tell you what I've read, what I've tried]
Remarks:[What to do next]
Accomplished:
Question:[Thing I want to ask, and WHAT YOU WANT TO ASK]
Answer: [answer to the previous post's question, ANSWER FROM PEOPLE WHO CARE TO DO SO AND FROM ME, IF I KNOW THE ANSWER.]

Patrick,

PS: Things might change if see appropriate.

 

[mkeath]

Hey good luck with your project. Just remember that software development is not just about programming. There are a lot of really important principles and concepts such as object oriented design, data structures and more. If there is something you don't understand look it up.

 

[cp1]

Good luck. I just started last week, and have made $2 so far on the market

I'd suggest going through all the tutorials and examples on developer.android.com.

 

[airon23]

good luck with everything. I am also fairly new at this development stuff. I know a descent amount of C++ but Java is fairly new for me. I've gotten through the hello world tutorial so far but that's about it and that was a few weeks ago.
I just purchased the new HTC Evo and want to try to write a small app for it with the hopes of broadening my horizons and maybe make as much as $2 like the previous post, later on in the future.
Good luck and I'll try to go along for the ride if I see more posts.

 

[whytecell]

Same here, i'm new at this whole Java Jive. hopefully I'll be getting my EVO, Hero or N1 next week! I'm trying to make a small widget (if that's what you call it) for a band I like that is releasing songs. so, anywho i'm going on a android binge I guess for now. And try to figure out this stuff! It would be cool to make alittle money off an App LMAO! heck $2.00 I would be impressed! I'll share whatever I learn.