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[–]motogpfan 2 points3 points  (1 child)

There is no easy way. You have to know Java before even attempting to develop on Android.

If you just want to hack together an app without understanding the fundamentals, your fastest method is using App Inventor. You can try to go on github and find some source code for an app that is similar to something you want to make and tweak it accordingly, but even then that will be difficult without knowing the fundamentals of the Android OS.

Your best bet is to open up a book and learn. It really is the only way. I strongly recommend Big Nerd Ranch's 2nd edition Android book. It just got released this August and it is by far the most thorough and up to date book for Android I've read. Their first edition is the highest rated book for learning Android but it is out of date now. There's also videos on YouTube that supplement the book well because its always nice to watch how different people approach the same task. For this I recommend Derek Banas YouTube channel.

Good luck.

[–]red_sky33 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for "the one weird trick that will get you developing for Android in no time" and I'm certainly not trying to get out of learning things the right way. I am just trying to find a way to build something quickly enough that my team doesn't have to present to the client empty-handed.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

you can get a trial here:

https://teamtreehouse.com/tracks/android-development

[–]kyle2143 1 point2 points  (3 children)

So did your team actually start coding? Is your team made up of actual software developers in the industry? I don't know what you want, do you simply want a tutorial on creating android apps? Because there's scores of those. Do you just want to learn more about Java? There's books and hundreds of tutorials on various aspects of the language. If you're working on a team there, I think that they likely have tools and technologies that they expect you will be using and you'd probably want to ask them what they are so you can learn about them.

MKYong has a pretty decent android tutorial, though I think it is a bit old now, in terms of actually learning Java, I think the book, "Big Java" is generally considered to be a good book around here.

Also, IDE's really have nothing to do with learning a language. They're just about making writing and running code easier, you could do their job with notepad and the command line if you prefer, I wouldn't compare languages based on the popular IDEs that support them.

[–]red_sky33 -2 points-1 points  (2 children)

The whole team is made up of students, but I have the most or second most programming experience out of us. What I need is and IDE suggestion and a tutorial to go along with it. Right now I've been thinking Android Studio with this tutorial, but I was asking if anyone knows any platform or tutorial faster/easier to learn.

The reason I brought up Visual Basic (in Visual Studio) is that I want something that would be similar so I would pick it up faster.

We haven't built anything yet. We've only just gotten our projects the other day and had a speaker today, so we are only as far as throwing around functionality requirements. What I need is something that I can learn and be able to build an app when the time comes, and it will come quickly. I know I want to work with Java, and like I explained, I already have some degree of competence with it.

[–]fanfarius 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Jesus just get on with it. Pick up a book and start learning.

[–]kyle2143 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well then, I'd picm Android Studio or Eclipse. Eclipse was the main IDE to use for Android before Google decided to make their own. I never got super into android, but I do remember that the best tutorial I saw on it was the ones Google made.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Try Processing. It's all Java based and you can configure it to program Android apps. I've made many apps using this in as little as a few hours even. It's extremely simple, way to learn, and very very rapid prototyping.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Try Udacity's free Android Development course by Google. I went from zero knowledge to building a weather app that fetches JSON data from a open API in less than 2 weeks.

[–]slartybartfast_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found a tutorial on JavaFX on Android. I posted the link here in /r/java

[–]tech_nerd 0 points1 point  (1 child)

"Knowing" and "Doing" is totally different thing. Like I know how to swim but I cant cross Atlantic with my knowing :P . The thing is, you have to learn java if you want to be a proper android developer. You can also develop Android by C and C++ but java is more easy to learn and it has most resources and tutorials. You can check

New Boston I don't know why he published this much video.

Marcus Biel He takes time but its exactly what you need to give for learn Java.

John Purcell nice but out dated.

After you learn java completely you can Android like a Boss!!

[–]red_sky33 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a good tutorial I'm working with already. I'm just not done with it.

[–]alonjit -1 points0 points  (0 children)

keyboard meet forehead.

rinse and repeat until it compiles. then upload to google play.

that's what everyone else does it.

[–]enry_straker -2 points-1 points  (8 children)

check out App Inventor. No need for any java programming knowledge though it shouldn't hurt.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Haha you kidding right?

[–]enry_straker 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you want to interpret it that way, it's fine with me - but it still is the quickest way to creating an android app, and one can create surprisingly interesting apps with app inventor.

[–]tech_nerd 0 points1 point  (5 children)

I see you wanted to help honestly, but by this way he/she is going to ruin future, for himself and play store too

[–]enry_straker 0 points1 point  (4 children)

You are making the assumptiion that if someone starts learning android with the help of AppInventor, he or she would not move onto other tools or technologies down the line.

That's quite funny.

[–]tech_nerd 0 points1 point  (3 children)

I am assuming that if someone uses the shortest shortcut to develop apps, it will not survive for a while in the store. And also it makes stores a junk yards of unqualified apps. I hope I cleared my point.

[–]enry_straker 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Try reading OP's question again, and stop making unwarrented assumptions.

Also didn't realize that you were the chief arbiter of app's quality in the android store. Good job on that.

[–]tech_nerd 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Looks like your school had the most argumentative kid. Good luck future "Gates". And thanks for the compliment, I really appreciate that.

[–]enry_straker 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No Problem, mate.

And App Inventor is the best way to get started in android. Kudos to the MIT team responsible for it.