Android Wireless Application Development Volume 1: Android Essentials 3rd Edition

Description

The start-to-finish guide to the essentials of Android development: Updated for Android 4.0+

Android Wireless Application Development has earned a reputation as the most useful real-world guide to building robust, commercial-grade Android apps. Now, the authors have systematically revised and updated this guide for the latest Android 4.0 SDK. To accommodate their extensive new coverage, they've split the book into two volumes. Volume I focuses on Android essentials, including setting up your development environment, understanding the application lifecycle, designing effective user interfaces, developing for diverse devices, and optimizing your mobile app development process--from design through publication.

Drawing on decades of in-the-trenches experience as professional mobile developers, Lauren Darcey and Shane Conder provide valuable tips and best practices--including powerful techniques for constructing more portable apps. Every chapter of this edition has been thoroughly updated for the newest APIs, tools, utilities, and hardware. This new edition contains

* Updates to all existing chapters, including many new topics

* Full chapters on Android manifest files, content providers, effective app design, and testing

* New coverage of working with fragments and other recent user interface enhancements

* An all-new chapter on tackling compatibility issues

* Expert coverage of today's most valuable Android tools and utilities

* Coverage of little-known SDK features that offer surprising power

* Even more sample code projects

This book, and its companion, Volume II, are indispensable resources for Android development team members: software developers with all levels of mobile experience, team leaders and project managers, testers and QA specialists, software architects, and even marketers.

Available this summer: Android Wireless Application Development Volume II: Advanced Topics (ISBN: 9780321813848)

CONTENTS:

Introduction 1

Who Should Read This Book 1

Key Questions Answered in This Volume 2

How These Books Are Structured 2

An Overview of Changes in This Edition 4

Development Environment Used in This Book 5

Supplementary Materials Available 6

Where to Find More Information 6

Conventions Used in This Book 7

Contacting the Authors 8

PART I: AN OVERVIEW OF THE ANDROID PLATFORM

Chapter 1 Introducing Android 11

A Brief History of Mobile Software Development 11

    Way Back When 11

    The Brick 13

    Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) 15

    Proprietary Mobile Platforms 17

The Open Handset Alliance 19

    Google Goes Wireless 19

    Forming the Open Handset Alliance 19

    Manufacturers: Designing Android Devices 20

    Mobile Operators: Delivering the Android Experience 21

    Apps Drive Device Sales: Developing Android Applications 22

    Taking Advantage of All Android Has to Offer 22

    The Android Marketplace: Where We're at Now 22

Android Platform Differences 23

    Android: A Next-Generation Platform 24

    Free and Open Source 25

    Familiar and Inexpensive Development Tools 25

    Reasonable Learning Curve for Developers 26

    Enabling Development of Powerful Applications 26

    Rich, Secure Application Integration 26

    No Costly Obstacles to Publication 27

    A Free Market for Applications 27

    A Growing Platform 28

The Android Platform 29

    Android's Underlying Architecture 29

    Security and Permissions 31

    Developing Android Applications 32

Summary 35

    References and More Information 35

Chapter 2 Setting Up Your Android Development Environment 37

Configuring Your Development Environment 37

    Configuring Your Operating System for Device Debugging 39

    Configuring Your Android Hardware for Debugging 39

    Upgrading the Android SDK 41

    Problems with the Android Software Development Kit 41

Exploring the Android SDK 42

    Understanding the Android SDK License Agreement 42

    Reading the Android SDK Documentation 43

    Exploring the Core Android Application Framework 43

    Exploring the Core Android Tools 46

    Exploring the Android Sample Applications 50

Summary 52

    References and More Information 52

Chapter 3 Writing Your First Android Application 53

Testing Your Development Environment 53

    Adding the Snake Project to Your Eclipse Workspace 54

    Creating an Android Virtual Device (AVD) for Your Snake Project 56

    Creating a Launch Configuration for Your Snake Project 58

    Running the Snake Application in the Android Emulator 59

Building Your First Android Application 62

    Creating and Configuring a New Android Project 62

    Core Files and Directories of the Android Application 65

    Creating an AVD for Your Project 65

    Creating a Launch Configuration for Your Project 66

    Running Your Android Application in the Emulator 67

    Debugging Your Android Application in the Emulator 69

    Adding Logging Support to Your Android Application 73

    Adding Some Media Support to Your Application 74

    Debugging Your Application on the Hardware 78

Summary 80

    References and More Information 81

Chapter 4 Mastering the Android Development Tools 83

Using the Android Documentation 83

Leveraging the Android Emulator 85

Viewing Application Log Data with LogCat 86

Debugging Applications with DDMS 87

Using Android Debug Bridge (ADB) 87

Using the Resource Editors and UI Designer 88

Using the Android Hierarchy Viewer 91

    Launching the Hierarchy Viewer 92

    Working in Layout View Mode 92

    Optimizing Your User Interface 94

    Working in Pixel Perfect Mode 94

Working with Nine-Patch Stretchable Graphics 95

Working with Other Android Tools 98

Summary 99

    References and More Information 100

PART II: ANDROID APPLICATION BASICS

Chapter 5 Understanding the Anatomy of an Android Application 103

Mastering Important Android Terminology 103

Using the Application Context 104

    Retrieving the Application Context 104

    Using the Application Context 104

Performing Application Tasks with Activities 106

    The Lifecycle of an Android Activity 106

Organizing Activity Components with Fragments 111

Managing Activity Transitions with Intents 113

    Transitioning Between Activities with Intents 113

    Organizing Application Navigation with Activities and Intents 115

Working with Services 116

Receiving and Broadcasting Intents 117

Summary 117

    References and More Information 118

Chapter 6 Defining Your Application Using the Android Manifest File 119

Configuring Android Applications Using the Android Manifest File 119

    Editing the Android Manifest File 120

Managing Your Application's Identity 124

    Versioning Your Application 125

    Setting the Application Name and Icon 125

Enforcing Application System Requirements 125

    Targeting Specific SDK Versions 126

    Enforcing Application Platform Requirements 129

    Working with External Libraries 130

    Other Application Configuration Settings and Filters 131

Registering Activities in the Android Manifest 131

    Designating a Primary Entry Point Activity for Your Application Using an Intent Filter 132

    Configuring Other Intent Filters 132

    Registering Other Application Components 133

Working with Permissions 133

    Registering Permissions Your Application Requires 133

    Registering Permissions Your Application Enforces 134

Exploring Other Manifest File Settings 135

Summary 136

    References and More Information 136

Chapter 7 Managing Application Resources 137

What Are Resources? 137

    Storing Application Resources 137

    Resource Value Types 138

    Accessing Resources Programmatically 142

Setting Simple Resource Values Using Eclipse 143

    Working with Different Types of Resources 146

    Working with String Resources 146

    Using String Resources as Format Strings 147

    Working with String Arrays 149

    Working with Boolean Resources 149

    Working with Integer Resources 150

    Working with Colors 151

    Working with Dimensions 152

    Working with Simple Drawables 153

    Working with Images 154

    Working with Animation 156

    Working with Menus 158

    Working with XML Files 159

    Working with Raw Files 160

    References to Resources 161

Working with Layouts 162

Referencing System Resources 167

Summary 168

    References and More Information 168

PART III: ANDROID USER INTERFACE DESIGN ESSENTIALS

Chapter 8 Exploring User Interface Screen Elements 171

Introducing Android Views and Layouts 171

    Introducing the Android View 171

    Introducing the Android Controls 171

    Introducing the Android Layout 172

Displaying Text to Users with TextView 173

    Configuring Layout and Sizing 173

    Creating Contextual Links in Text 174

Retrieving Data from Users with EditText 176

    Retrieving Text Input Using EditText Controls 176

    Constraining User Input with Input Filters 178

Helping the User with Autocompletion 179

Giving Users Choices Using Spinner Controls 181

Allowing Simple User Selections with Buttons, Check Boxes, Switches, and Radio Groups 183

    Using Basic Buttons 184

    Using CheckBox and ToggleButton Controls 186

    Using RadioGroup and RadioButton 187

Retrieving Dates and Times from Users 190

Using Indicators to Display Data to Users 191

    Indicating Progress with ProgressBar 192

    Adjusting Progress with SeekBar 194

    Displaying Rating Data with RatingBar 194

    Showing Time Passage with the Chronometer 195

    Displaying the Time 196

Summary 197

    References and More Information 198

Chapter 9 Designing User Interfaces with Layouts 199

Creating User Interfaces in Android 199

    Creating Layouts Using XML Resources 199

    Creating Layouts Programmatically 201

Organizing Your User Interface 203

    Using ViewGroup Subclasses for Layout Design 204

    Using ViewGroup Subclasses as View Containers 204

Using Built-in Layout Classes 205

    Using FrameLayout 207

    Using LinearLayout 209

    Using RelativeLayout 211

    Using TableLayout 214

    Using GridLayout 216

    Using Multiple Layouts on a Screen 220

Using Container Control Classes 220

    Using Data-Driven Containers 221

    Organizing Screens with Tabs 226

    Adding Scrolling Support 229

    Exploring Other View Containers 230

Summary 231

    References and More Information 231

Chapter 10 Working with Fragments 233

Understanding Fragments 233

    Understanding the Fragment Lifecycle 234

    Working with Special Types of Fragments 237

    Designing Fragment-Based Applications 238

Using the Android Support Package 247

    Adding Fragment Support to Legacy Applications 247

    Using Fragments in New Applications Targeting Older Platforms 248

    Linking the Android Support Package to Your Project 248

Summary 249

    References and More Information 250

Chapter 11 Working with Dialogs 251

Choosing Your Dialog Implementation 251

Exploring the Different Types of Dialogs 252

Working with Dialogs: The Legacy Method 253

    Tracing the Lifecycle of a Dialog 254

    Working with Custom Dialogs 256

Working with Dialogs: The Fragment Method 257

Summary 260

    References and More Information 260

PART IV: ANDROID APPLICATION DESIGN ESSENTIALS

Chapter 12 Using Android Preferences 263

Working with Application Preferences 263

    Determining When Preferences Are Appropriate 263

    Storing Different Types of Preference Values 264

    Creating Private Preferences for Use by a Single Activity 264

    Creating Shared Preferences for Use by Multiple Activities 265

    Searching and Reading Preferences 265

    Adding, Updating, and Deleting Preferences 266

    Reacting to Preference Changes 267

    Finding Preferences Data on the Android File System 267

Creating Manageable User Preferences 268

    Creating a Preference Resource File 269

    Using the PreferenceActivity Class 270

Summary 273

    References and More Information 273

Chapter 13 Working with Files and Directories 275

Working with Application Data on the Device 275

Practicing Good File Management 276

Understanding Android File Permissions 277

Working with Files and Directories 277

    Exploring with the Android Application Directories 278

    Working with Other Directories and Files on the Android File System 282

Summary 284

    References and More Information 284

Chapter 14 Using Content Providers 285

Exploring Android's Content Providers 285

    Using the MediaStore Content Provider 286

    Using the CallLog Content Provider 288

    Using the Browser Content Provider 289

    Using the CalendarContract Content Provider 291

    Using the UserDictionary Content Provider 291

    Using the VoicemailContract Content Provider 291

    Using the Settings Content Provider 292

    Using the Contacts Content Providers 292

Modifying Content Providers Data 297

    Adding Records 297

    Updating Records 298

    Deleting Records 298

Using Third-Party Content Providers 299

Summary 300

    References and More Information 300

Chapter 15 Designing Compatible Applications 301

Maximizing Application Compatibility 301

Designing User Interfaces for Compatibility 303

    Working with Fragments 305

    Leveraging the Android Support Package 305

    Supporting Specific Screen Types 305

    Working with Nine-Patch Stretchable Graphics 306

    Using the Working Square Principle 306

Providing Alternative Application Resources 308

    Understanding How Resources Are Resolved 308

    Organizing Alternative Resources with Qualifiers 309

    Providing Resources for Different Orientations 316

    Using Alternative Resources Programmatically 316

    Organizing Application Resources Efficiently 316

Targeting Tablets, TVs, and Other New Devices 318

    Targeting Tablet Devices 318

    Targeting Google TV Devices 319

Summary 321

    References and More Information 321

PART V: PUBLISHING AND DISTRIBUTING ANDROID APPLICATIONS

Chapter 16 The Android Software Development Process 325

An Overview of the Mobile Development Process 325

Choosing a Software Methodology 326

    Understanding the Dangers of Waterfall Approaches 326

    Understanding the Value of Iteration 327

Gathering Application Requirements 327

    Determining Project Requirements 327

    Developing Use Cases for Mobile Applications 329

    Incorporating Third-Party Requirements 330

    Managing a Device Database 330

Assessing Project Risks 333

    Identifying Target Devices 333

    Acquiring Target Devices 335

    Determining the Feasibility of Application Requirements 336

    Understanding Quality Assurance Risks 336

Writing Essential Project Documentation 337

    Developing Test Plans for Quality Assurance Purposes 338

    Providing Documentation Required by Third Parties 338

    Providing Documentation for Maintenance and Porting 338

Leveraging Configuration Management Systems 339

    Choosing a Source Control System 339

    Implementing an Application Version System That Works 339

Designing Mobile Applications 340

    Understanding Mobile Device Limitations 340

    Exploring Common Mobile Application Architectures 340

    Designing for Extensibility and Maintenance 341

    Designing for Application Interoperability 342

Developing Mobile Applications 342

Testing Mobile Applications 343

Deploying Mobile Applications 343

    Determining Target Markets 344

Supporting and Maintaining Mobile Applications 344

    Track and Address Crashes Reported by Users 345

    Testing Firmware Upgrades 345

    Maintaining Adequate Application Documentation 345

    Managing Live Server Changes 345

    Identifying Low-Risk Porting Opportunities 345

Summary 346

    References and More Information 346

Chapter 17 Designing and Developing Bulletproof Android Applications 347

Best Practices in Designing Bulletproof Mobile Applications 347

    Meeting Mobile Users' Demands 348

    Designing User Interfaces for Mobile Devices 348

    Designing Stable and Responsive Mobile Applications 349

    Designing Secure Mobile Applications 351

    Designing Mobile Applications for Maximum Profit 351

    Leveraging Third-Party Quality Standards 352

    Designing Mobile Applications for Ease of Maintenance and Upgrades 353

    Leveraging Android Tools for Application Design 354

Avoiding Silly Mistakes in Android Application Design 355

Best Practices in Developing Bulletproof Mobile Applications 355

    Designing a Development Process That Works for Mobile Development 356

    Testing the Feasibility of Your Application Early and Often 356

    Using Coding Standards, Reviews, and Unit Tests to Improve Code Quality 357

    Handling Defects Occurring on a Single Device 359

    Leveraging Android Tools for Development 360

    Avoiding Silly Mistakes in Android Application Development 360

Summary 361

    References and More Information 361

Chapter 18 Testing Android Applications 363

Best Practices in Testing Mobile Applications 363

    Designing a Mobile Application Defect Tracking System 363

    Managing the Testing Environment 365

    Maximizing Testing Coverage 367

    Leveraging Android Tools for Android Application Testing 374

    Avoiding Silly Mistakes in Android Application Testing 375

Summary 376

    References and More Information 376

Chapter 19 Publishing Your Android Application 377

Choosing the Right Distribution Model 377

    Protecting Your Intellectual Property 378

    Billing the User 379

Packaging Your Application for Publication 380

    Preparing Your Code for Packaging 380

    Packing and Signing Your Application 382

    Testing the Release Version of Your Application Package 384

    Distributing Your Application 385

Publishing on the Android Market 385

    Signing Up for a Developer Account on the Android Market 385

    Uploading Your Application to the Android Market 387

    Uploading Application Marketing Assets 388

    Configuring Application Listing Details 388

    Configuring Application Publishing Options 390

    Configuring Application Contact and Consent Information 390

    Publishing Your Application on the Android Market 392

    Managing Your Application on the Android Market 392

Publishing Using Other Alternatives 393

Self-Publishing Your Application 394

Summary 395

    References and More Information 395

PART VI: APPENDIXES

Appendix A The Android Emulator Quick-Start Guide 399

Simulating Reality: The Emulator's Purpose 399

Working with Android Virtual Devices (AVDs) 401

    Using the Android Virtual Device Manager 402

    Creating an AVD 403

Launching the Emulator with a Specific AVD 407

    Maintaining Emulator Performance 407

    Configuring Emulator Startup Options 408

    Launching an Emulator to Run an Application 408

    Launching an Emulator from the Android Virtual Device Manager 410

Configuring the GPS Location of the Emulator 411

Calling Between Two Emulator Instances 413

Messaging between Two Emulator Instances 415

Interacting with the Emulator through the Console 416

    Using the Console to Simulate Incoming Calls 416

    Using the Console to Simulate SMS Messages 416

    Using the Console to Send GPS Coordinates 418

    Using the Console to Monitor Network Status 418

    Using the Console to Manipulate Power Settings 418

    Using Other Console Commands 419

Enjoying the Emulator 419

Understanding Emulator Limitations 420

    References and More Information 421

Appendix B The Android DDMS Quick-Start Guide 423

Using DDMS with Eclipse and as a Standalone Application 423

Getting Up to Speed Using Key Features of DDMS 424

Working with Processes, Threads, and the Heap 425

    Attaching a Debugger to an Android Application 425

    Stopping a Process 426

    Monitoring Thread Activity of an Android Application 426

    Monitoring Heap Activity 427

    Prompting Garbage Collection 428

    Creating and Using an HPROF File 429

Using the Allocation Tracker 430

Working with the File Explorer 430

    Browsing the File System of an Emulator or Device 432

    Copying Files from the Emulator or Device 432

    Copying Files to the Emulator or Device 433

    Deleting Files on the Emulator or Device 433

Working with the Emulator Control 434

    Simulating Incoming Voice Calls 434

    Simulating Incoming SMS Messages 434

    Sending a Location Fix 435

Taking Screen Captures of the Emulator and Device Screens 435

Working with Application Logging 436

Appendix C Eclipse IDE Tips and Tricks 439

Organizing Your Eclipse Workspace 439

    Integrating with Source Control Services 439

    Repositioning Tabs within Perspectives 440

    Maximizing Windows 440

    Minimizing Windows 440

    Viewing Windows, Side by Side 440

    Viewing Two Sections of the Same File 441

    Closing Unwanted Tabs 441

    Keeping Windows Under Control 441

    Creating Custom Log Filters 441

    Searching Your Project 442

    Organizing Eclipse Tasks 442

Writing Code in Java 443

    Using Autocomplete 443

    Creating New Classes and Methods 443

    Organizing Imports 443

Formatting Code 444

Renaming Almost Anything 444

Refactoring Code 444

Reorganizing Code 446

Using QuickFix 446

Providing Javadoc-Style Documentation 446

Resolving Mysterious Build Errors 447

Index 449