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Old Android Programming book - any good?

U

ultrarunner2018

Newbie
Hi;
I have decided I want to learn Android (and Java). I have dabbled with both before, but never got to the point of coding a real app. So I have an old book "Android Programming 2nd ed" by O'Reilly.
The first thing that made me doubt I want to use this book is its reference to Eclipse as an Android IDE.
I read that Eclipse dropped support for Android back in 2016. It appears that most developers are using the Android Studio.
I have the latest version of AS and the latest JDK installed on my Windows 7 box.
So I'm trying to decide whether I should just start with the O'Reilly book published in 2012 but use the Android Studio as my IDE instead of Eclipse, or is it time for me to upgrade to a newer text?

Thanks for your advice
Ultrarunner
 
I wouldn't use that book. Problem with technical books is that they go out of date very quickly. I've got a whole bookshelf full of outdated tech books.
I'd splash out on a brand new book, although there are a lot of resources on the web.
I got started with the "Hello Android" book by Ed Burnette. It covers the basics pretty well.
 
Any recommendations? I am currently reading the Android Studio Tutorial, but need something that will provide a step by step instruction for Android. I do have a text on Java "Java the complete reference eighth edition" by Herbert Schildt. I suppose that even though this book is also dated, Java is still pretty much Java and I can use the book.
 
To study Java you can start from these 3 exellent books in exact the same order:
https://www.journaldev.com/6162/5-best-core-java-books-for-beginners
Sierra & Bates, Shildt, Horstmann.

To study Android, I recommend go to Udaсity and buy next programs.
Beginner https://www.udacity.com/course/android-basics-nanodegree-by-google--nd803
Developer https://www.udacity.com/course/android-developer-nanodegree-by-google--nd801
Very hard, but extremely useful.
All courses that included in Nanodegree program are free.
If you don't have money. just look at the syllabus of these programs and enroll on courses which these programs consist of.
 
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ultrarunner2018 said:
Any recommendations? I am currently reading the Android Studio Tutorial, but need something that will provide a step by step instruction for Android. I do have a text on Java "Java the complete reference eighth edition" by Herbert Schildt. I suppose that even though this book is also dated, Java is still pretty much Java and I can use the book.
Click to expand...

Well as I mentioned above, I can recommend the Hello Android book

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hello-Andr...&qid=1525538042&sr=8-1&keywords=hello+android
 
v777779 said:
To study Java you can start from these 3 exellent books in exact the same order:
https://www.journaldev.com/6162/5-best-core-java-books-for-beginners
Sierra & Bates, Shildt, Horstmann.

To study Android, I recommend go to Udaсity and buy next programs.
Beginner https://www.udacity.com/course/android-basics-nanodegree-by-google--nd803
Developer https://www.udacity.com/course/android-developer-nanodegree-by-google--nd801
Very hard, but extremely useful.
All courses that included in Nanodegree program are free.
If you don't have money. just look at the syllabus of these programs and enroll on courses which these programs consist of.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, but I don't get it. How can courses included in Nanodegree program be free, if they're asking for $199/mo for the course? In any case, it's far too much money for me at this point.
 
I think I'm going to buy the Oracle book "Java - A Beginner's Guide 6th ed.". It covers up to Java 8, and from the sample I have been reading on Kindle, it looks to be what I am looking for.
I already own the Head First Java 2nd ed, but it only covers to Java 5 or 6. Those guys really need to write a new edition...

Edit: I just purchased Oracle's "Java - A Beginner's Guide 7th edition" on Kindle.
I wasn't even aware that there was a 7th edition until just now... good thing I hadn't already purchased the 6th ed.
 
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ultrarunner2018 said:
I'm sorry, but I don't get it. How can courses included in Nanodegree program be free, if they're asking for $199/mo for the course? In any case, it's far too much money for me at this point.
Click to expand...
Android Developer Nanodegree
https://www.udacity.com/and/faq
"...This program consists of 4 core courses, comprising over 30 total lessons of learning content:
..."
The same is true for Android Basics Nanodegree Basics https://www.udacity.com/course/android-basics-nanodegree-by-google--nd803
Check program and find free courses included in this program
All free courses here https://www.udacity.com/courses/android
 
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