I've been writing a game for Android for a few months now (hey, it's my first Android app ever, so I'm taking it slow), and have been wondering if anybody else has dipped their toes in the water yet.
Mine is called "Dig Site" and it's a "connect three"-type game with varying levels of difficulty.
I've got a project blog up on Tumblr (http://dvh-dev.tumblr.com).
(there are screenshots on there too)
I've been thinking about doing some apps for android. What language does it need to be coded in? How are you finding it so far?
I believe Android apps are written in Java. Don't quote me on that though. :V
What language are you using?
I've been using Java. It's the language I know best as well as being the one recommended for Android development.
(the Eclipse development environment also has plugins to make Android development almost as easy as writing "normal" Java applications)
In theory, it's possible to write an Android application in any language that is based on Java, including Jython (a Java variant of Python), JRuby, ColdFusion, etc.
(though don't quote me on that either, as I've only tried Java so far)
There's also a scripting environment (http://code.google.com/p/android-scripting/) that can run straight Python, Perl, Lua, BeanScript, JavaScript, Tcl, and Bash Shell scripts.
I've done a bit of Android, yeah, both the native Java stuff and PhoneGap. Right now we're working on a PhoneGap app that uses Google's Dart (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dart_(programming_language)) programming language.
The other thing I'm getting into is working on an Android-based wifi remote control for Titanoboa (http://titanoboa.ca/) (which is every bit as cool as it sounds).
Well, I do know some java, I can see it as being a difficult language to program a full game in though compared to some other languages.
Android is a pain in the ass at times.
Example:
String.isEmpty() crashes my simulator on 2.2. Works perfectly on 4.0.
: xeneros March 30, 2012, 08:46:36 -06:00
Well, I do know some java, I can see it as being a difficult language to program a full game in though compared to some other languages.
Java is probably one of the easier languages to program a full game in. It's got lots of built-in features that other languages, like C++, just don't have. The hard part is optimizing it for size and of course ...
: Acco April 01, 2012, 06:21:56 -06:00
Android is a pain in the ass at times.
Example:
String.isEmpty() crashes my simulator on 2.2. Works perfectly on 4.0.
... language nuances like this. The big problem with Java is it's a standard API, but the implementation varies depending on whom implemented it. Also depends on which version of Java you target. Things like that make Java a pain.
So, does the java that androids use have built in functions that are specific to the android platform?
Yes, the Android SDK: http://developer.android.com/index.html (http://developer.android.com/index.html)
Hey Silvermink, what's it like to develop Android applications with PhoneGap?
: Acco April 01, 2012, 06:21:56 -06:00
Android is a pain in the ass at times.
Example:
String.isEmpty() crashes my simulator on 2.2. Works perfectly on 4.0.
Check the documentation for Android's String class (http://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String.html) and you'll find that the String.isEmpty() method is only for Android 2.3 and later.
I'd recommend using String.equals("") or String.size() == 0 if you need that functionality for versions before 2.3.
: Carl Foxmarten April 01, 2012, 10:50:52 -06:00
Hey Silvermink, what's it like to develop Android applications with PhoneGap?
Pretty easy, actually. It's all HTML/JavaScript based, but gives you access to Android APIs as well.
: Zen April 01, 2012, 04:08:48 -06:00
Yes, the Android SDK: http://developer.android.com/index.html (http://developer.android.com/index.html)
Thanks, I will totally check this out. I might develop something this quarter at school because I have a class dedicated to doing portfolio work ^.^
: Carl Foxmarten April 01, 2012, 10:50:52 -06:00
Hey Silvermink, what's it like to develop Android applications with PhoneGap?
Check the documentation for Android's String class (http://developer.android.com/reference/java/lang/String.html) and you'll find that the String.isEmpty() method is only for Android 2.3 and later.
I'd recommend using String.equals("") or String.size() == 0 if you need that functionality for versions before 2.3.
Yup, that was the automatic goto once that was discovered.
All in all, it's been an interesting experience though. Partner and I just finished our android app for a larger software project for software dev class. I'd like to show it, but... as the client hasn't approved it yet, not sure I can.
But... one note from my experience:
actionbarsherlock. Use it. Don't debate it. Is a great compatibility library between 2.1-2.3 and 3.0+ devices, as it adds actionbar support for 2.1+. Makes writing a single app that functions the same much easier.
I'm "stuck" with using Android 1.6 for now, because that's what the tablet my parents got me runs.
Yes it's rather cheap, but it makes a great common-denominator target because it's so old and slow.
If I can make it run smoothly on that, it should run smoothly on anything faster.
I just have to make sure that I handle the differences between versions gracefully.
When I'm finished this project, I'll considering upgrading to another Android tablet, then write stuff for 2.1, but we'll see.
What program are you guys using to write? Are you using Eclipse or is there something better?
: xeneros April 03, 2012, 12:47:39 -06:00
What program are you guys using to write? Are you using Eclipse or is there something better?
Someone mentioned PhoneGap above, but honestly, you're not going to get much better than Ecplise. It's possible one of the most flexible and best Java IDEs out there. Plus, if you mod the crap out of it, it'll be 80% like visual studio and not such as much :D
I have been having some problems installing the android stuff in Eclipse. I think it is working now though... how would you suggest modding it?
Changing all the keyboard settings, adjusting the UI, tweaking the options, etc. Everything is changeable in the UI.
: Zen April 03, 2012, 09:52:23 -06:00
Someone mentioned PhoneGap above, but honestly, you're not going to get much better than Ecplise. It's possible one of the most flexible and best Java IDEs out there. Plus, if you mod the crap out of it, it'll be 80% like visual studio and not such as much :D
PhoneGap's just the technology and doesn't include an IDE. I use Eclipse or SpringSource Tool Suite, which is Eclipse-based and includes a bunch of Spring framework extensions.
I'm honestly not a big Eclipse fan and I think both NetBeans and JDeveloper (probably IDEA too) are better-coded IDEs, but it's what people write plugins for, which means using anything else can be a bit of a pain.
I'm using Eclipse. Mostly because I know it already, and with the Android plugins, it's really easy to handle all the XML files that an Android project uses.
...Looks like I'm more geek than furry... =>.<=
: Carl Foxmarten April 05, 2012, 11:35:08 -06:00
...Looks like I'm more geek than furry... =>.<=
What, you can't be both?
: Carl Foxmarten April 05, 2012, 11:35:08 -06:00
...Looks like I'm more geek than furry... =>.<=
IT is really the classic furry occupation.
: Silvermink April 05, 2012, 11:24:51 -06:00
IT is really the classic furry occupation.
Hmm, I didn't know that.
That makes me feel better. =^.^=
Windows Phone dev. :U
: Carl Foxmarten July 04, 2012, 01:51:16 -06:00
Shun! Shuuuun! =^.~=
Don't you think the poor guy has suffered enough?