Anybody else writing Android apps?

Carl Foxmarten · March 17, 2012, 02:51:02 PM

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.
(there are screenshots on there too)

xeneros · March 29, 2012, 09:39:48 PM

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?

Alloud · March 29, 2012, 10:43:35 PM

I believe Android apps are written in Java. Don't quote me on that though. :V

xeneros · March 29, 2012, 11:02:02 PM

What language are you using?

Carl Foxmarten · March 30, 2012, 01:57:06 AM

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 that can run straight Python, Perl, Lua, BeanScript, JavaScript, Tcl, and Bash Shell scripts.

Silvermink · March 30, 2012, 07:30:32 PM

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 programming language.

The other thing I'm getting into is working on an Android-based wifi remote control for Titanoboa (which is every bit as cool as it sounds).

xeneros · March 30, 2012, 08:46:36 PM

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.

Acco · April 01, 2012, 06:21:56 AM

Android is a pain in the ass at times.

Example:

String.isEmpty() crashes my simulator on 2.2. Works perfectly on 4.0.

Zen · April 01, 2012, 10:27:26 AM

Quote from: xeneros on March 30, 2012, 08:46:36 PM
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 ...

Quote from: Acco on April 01, 2012, 06:21:56 AM
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.

xeneros · April 01, 2012, 03:54:54 PM

So, does the java that androids use have built in functions that are specific to the android platform?

Zen · April 01, 2012, 04:08:48 PM

Yes, the Android SDK: http://developer.android.com/index.html

Carl Foxmarten · April 01, 2012, 10:50:52 PM

Hey Silvermink, what's it like to develop Android applications with PhoneGap?

Quote from: Acco on April 01, 2012, 06:21:56 AM
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 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.

Silvermink · April 01, 2012, 11:35:44 PM

Quote from: Carl Foxmarten on April 01, 2012, 10:50:52 PM
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.

xeneros · April 02, 2012, 03:30:12 PM

Quote from: Zen on April 01, 2012, 04:08:48 PM
Yes, the Android SDK: 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 ^.^

Acco · April 03, 2012, 05:47:51 AM

Quote from: Carl Foxmarten on April 01, 2012, 10:50:52 PM
Hey Silvermink, what's it like to develop Android applications with PhoneGap?
Check the documentation for Android's String class 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.