Mastering Android Studio 3: Build Dynamic and Robust Android applications

by Kyle Mew

Key FeaturesUse Android Studio not just as an IDE but as a complete testing and build solutionProduce customized APKs with Gradle to suit various versions of an app, such as test versions and free versions of an otherwise paid app.Explore all aspects of UI development and testing using working XML and Java examples.Learn seamless migration from Eclipse and other development platforms to Android Studio.Book DescriptionAndroid Studio is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) designed for developing Android apps. As with most development processes, Android keeps resources and logic nicely separated, and so this book covers the management of imagery and other resources, and the development and testing tools provided by the IDE.

After introducing the software, the book moves straight into UI development using the sophisticated, WYSIWYG layout editor and XML code to design and test complex interfaces for a wide variety of screen configurations.

With activity design covered, the book continues to guide the reader through application logic development, exploring the latest APIs provided by the SDK. Each topic will be demonstrated by working code samples that can be run on a device or emulator.

One of Android Studio's greatest features is the large number of third-party plugins available for it, and throughout the book we will be exploring the most useful of these, along with samples and libraries that can be found on GitHub.

The final module of the book deals with the final stages of building and distribution. The book concludes by taking the reader through the registration and publication processes required by Google. By the time you have finished the book, you will be able to build faster, smoother, and error-free Android applications, in less time and with fewer complications than you ever thought possible.

What you will learnCreate styles, themes, and material designsSet up, configure, and run virtual devices using the AVD managerImprove the design of your application using support librariesLearn about GitHub librariesUse emulators to design layouts for a wide variety of devices, including wearables.Improve application performance in terms of memory, speed, and power usageAbout the AuthorKyle Mew has been programming since the early '80s and has written for several technology websites. Also, he has written three radio plays and four other books on Android development.

Table of ContentsWorkspace StructureUI DesignUI DevelopmentDevice DevelopmentAssets and resourcesTemplates and Plugins Language SupportTesting and ProfilingPackaging and Distribution

375 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2017

Reviews

[Eduardo Xavier · Rating 3 out of 5]

First and foremost, Kyle Mew explores Android development using Android Studio by introducing basic and broad tooling concepts better than you may find elsewhere. I wish I could find such work 2 years ago. The reason I'm giving 3 stars is that, I see his work as concise but narrowed. Meaning that you may find everything you may need to know in order to be ok using Android Studio but we’ll feel the need to keep going elsewhere. You’re not mastering anything. This book is about a tool, in order to be a rich asset, more arguments could be used.

The command-line tool was joke. He introduced the argument to setup external storages but wouldn’t explain how I could run the command. Also, the project dependences could have more details about the scope dependence and dependency types. This is classic error from books like this but I don’t blame the author. Packtpub team has a nice platform to read because its html style, illustration and somehow the interactivity, but the team didn’t make a proper revision of the book itself.

[Alexey · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's slightly outdated already.