Unit 1
Android and its Tools
1.1 Introduction to Android
Android is a software package and linux based operating system for mobile devices such as
tablet computers and smartphones. It was first introduced on Nov 5, 2007. It was originally
developed by Android Inc. and subsequently purchased by Google. Basically, Android is
thought of as a mobile operating system. But it is not limited to mobile-only. It is currently
used in various devices such as mobiles, tablets, televisions, etc.
It is developed by Google and later the OHA (Open Handset Alliance). Java language is
mainly used to write the android code even though other languages can be used.
It is free and open-source software. Java language is mainly used to write the android code
even though other languages can be used.
The goal of android project is to create a successful real-world product that improves the
mobile experience for end users.
Android applications are usually developed in the Java language using the Android Software
Development Kit.
Once developed, Android applications can be packaged easily and sold out either through a
store such as Google Play, SlideME, Opera Mobile Store, Mobango, F-droid and
the Amazon Appstore.
What is Open Handset Alliance (OHA)
The Open Handset Alliance (OHA) is a business alliance that was created for the purpose of
developing open mobile device standards. The OHA is a group of more than 80 companies,
including Google, HTC, Dell, Intel, Motorola, Qualcomm. OHA's main product is the
Android platform - the world's most popular smartphone platform. Android is open to
everyone: developers, designers, and device makers. That means more people can
experiment, imagine, and create the world has never seen.
The Open Handset Alliance is an association of 84 companies developing free standards for
mobile devices. Member companies include HTC, Sony, Dell, Intel, Motorola, Qualcomm,
Texas Instruments, Google, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Sprint Corporation,
Nvidia.
OHA members are mainly device operators, device manufacturers, software development
firms, semiconductor companies, and commercialization companies. Members share a
commitment to increase the commercial viability of open platform development.
Categories of Android applications
There are many android applications in the market. The top categories are −
1.2 Need of Android
Why Android?
There are so many reasons you should choose the Android platform for mobile application
development.
1. Zero/negligible development cost
The development tools like Android SDK, JDK, and Eclipse IDE, etc. are free to
download for the android mobile application development. Also, Google
charges a small fee of $25, to distribute your mobile app on the Android Market.
2. Open Source
The Android OS is an open-source platform based on the Linux kernel and
multiple open-source libraries. In this way, developers are free to contribute to
or extend the platform as necessary for building mobile apps which run on
Android devices.
3. Multi-Platform Support
In the market, there is a wide range of hardware devices powered by the
Android OS, including many different phones and tablets. Even the development
of android mobile apps can occur on Windows, Mac OS, or Linux.
4. Multi-Carrier Support
World wide a large number of telecom carriers like Airtel, Vodafone, Idea
Cellular, AT&T Mobility, BSNL, etc. are supporting Android-powered phones.
5. Open Distribution Model
Android Market place (Google Play store) has very few restrictions on the content
or functionality of an android app. So the developer can distribute their app
through the Google Play store and as well other distribution channels like
Amazon’s app store.
Android Ecosystem
Android ecosystem is nothing but the relationship between Users, Developers/Programmers,
and Hardware equipment makers, the Android ecosystem is nothing but the mutual
dependence between Users, Developers, and equipment makers. they are independent of each
other so one cannot exist without the other.
The main block of the android ecosystem is:
1. Android User
2. Developer
3. Equipment Maker
1. Android User (Users buy handsets and software Application):
Android users have more space for customizability for their android devices. Android users
are smarter than other users and they are perceived to have greater levels of support. Android
users are also more likely to prefer saving their cost and love the openness of the platform
also they like to customize their device. Android users are fancier to prefer saving money and
also android user like customizing their android handset/device
2. Developers (sell Application):
Android Developers are the professional software developer in designing applications as well
as developing applications for Android. Some of the following tasks where an android
developer can play his role in the development of android apps:
Design and build advanced applications for the android platform
Collaborate and define with development teams for design and deliver new cool features.
Troubleshoot and fix bugs in new and existing applications for Users.
Evaluate and implement new development tools to work with outside data sources and APIs.
3. Equipment Maker:
Android equipments are available in the market in a huge amount.
Smartwatches: A smartwatch is a handheld, wearable device that closely relates a wristwatch or other
time device. In addition to telling time, many smartwatches are wireless connectivity oriented such as
Bluetooth capable. The traditional watch becomes, in effect, a wireless Bluetooth technology extending the
capabilities of the wearer's smartphone to the watch.
Smart TV: An Android TV box is a small computer that plugs into any TV and gives the
user the ability to stream content, locally and online. Apps can be downloaded from the
Google Play Store, installed, and do most anything a standard computer can do from
streaming videos to writing an email.
Smart Speakers: Smark speakers are booming in the market now, Smark speakers like
Google Home, Alexa, We can control our android device via voice using these smart
speakers.
Features of Android
Android is a powerful operating system competing with Apple 4GS and supports great
features. Few of them are listed below −
Sr.No. Feature & Description
1 Beautiful UI
Android OS basic screen provides a beautiful and intuitive user interface.
2 Connectivity
GSM/EDGE, IDEN, CDMA, EV-DO, UMTS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE, NFC and WiMAX.
3 Storage
SQLite, a lightweight relational database, is used for data storage purposes.
4 Media support
H.263, H.264, MPEG-4 SP, AMR, AMR-WB, AAC, HE-AAC, AAC 5.1, MP3, MIDI, Ogg
Vorbis, WAV, JPEG, PNG, GIF, and BMP.
5 Messaging
SMS and MMS
6 Web browser
Based on the open-source WebKit layout engine, coupled with Chrome's V8 JavaScript
engine supporting HTML5 and CSS3.
7 Multi-touch
Android has native support for multi-touch which was initially made available in handsets
such as the HTC Hero.
8 Multi-tasking
User can jump from one task to another and same time various application can run
simultaneously.
9 Resizable widgets
Widgets are resizable, so users can expand them to show more content or shrink them to save
space.
10 Multi-Language
Supports single direction and bi-directional text.
11 GCM
Google Cloud Messaging (GCM) is a service that lets developers send short message data to
their users on Android devices, without needing a proprietary sync solution.
12 Wi-Fi Direct
A technology that lets apps discover and pair directly, over a high-bandwidth peer-to-peer
connection.
13 Android Beam
A popular NFC-based technology that lets users instantly share, just by touching two
NFC-enabled phones together.
History of Android
The code names of android ranges from A to N currently, such as Aestro, Blender, Cupcake,
Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwitch, Jelly Bean, KitKat,
Lollipop and Marshmallow. Let's understand the android history in a sequence.
What is API level?
API Level is an integer value that uniquely identifies the framework API revision offered by
a version of the Android platform.
Platform Version API VERSION_CODE
Level
Android 6.0 23 MARSHMALLOW
Android 5.1 22 LOLLIPOP_MR1
Android 5.0 21 LOLLIPOP
Android 4.4W 20 KITKAT_WATCH KitKat for Wearables
Only
Android 4.4 19 KITKAT
Android 4.3 18 JELLY_BEAN_MR2
Android 4.2, 4.2.2 17 JELLY_BEAN_MR1
Android 4.1, 4.1.1 16 JELLY_BEAN
Android 4.0.3, 4.0.4 15 ICE_CREAM_SANDWICH_MR
1
Android 4.0, 4.0.1, 14 ICE_CREAM_SANDWICH
4.0.2
Android 3.2 13 HONEYCOMB_MR2
Android 3.1.x 12 HONEYCOMB_MR1
Android 3.0.x 11 HONEYCOMB
10 GINGERBREAD_MR1
Android 2.3.4
Android 2.3.3
9 GINGERBREAD
Android 2.3.2
Android 2.3.1
Android 2.3
Android 2.2.x 8 FROYO
Android 2.1.x 7 ECLAIR_MR1
Android 2.0.1 6 ECLAIR_0_1
Android 2.0 5 ECLAIR
Android 1.6 4 DONUT
Android 1.5 3 CUPCAKE
Android 1.1 2 BASE_1_1
Android 1.0 1 BASE
1.3 Tools and software required for developing an Android Application
you can start your Android application development on either of the following
operating systems −
● Microsoft Windows XP or later version.
● Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later version with Intel chip.
● Linux including GNU C Library 2.7 or later.
Android IDEs
There are so many sophisticated Technologies are available to develop android
applications, the familiar technologies, which are predominantly using tools as
follows
● Android Studio
● Eclipse IDE(Deprecated)
Android Studio is a combination of the following components to allow users to
implement android applications.
1. Eclipse IDE
2. Android SDK
3. Android Virtual Device
4. Eclipse Plugin
all the required tools to develop Android applications are freely available and can be
downloaded from the Web.
1.4 Android Architecture
android architecture or Android software stack is categorized into five parts:
1. linux kernel
2. native libraries (middleware),
3. Android Runtime
4. Application Framework
5. Applications
Let's see the android architecture first.
1) Linux kernel
It is the heart of android architecture that exists at the root of android architecture. Linux
kernel is responsible for device drivers, power management, memory management, device
management and resource access.
2) Native Libraries
On the top of linux kernel, their are Native libraries such as WebKit, OpenGL, FreeType,
SQLite, Media, C runtime library (libc) etc.
The WebKit library is responsible for browser support, SQLite is for database, FreeType for
font support, Media for playing and recording audio and video formats.
3) Android Runtime
In android runtime, there are core libraries and DVM (Dalvik Virtual Machine) which is
responsible to run android application. DVM is like JVM but it is optimized for mobile
devices. It consumes less memory and provides fast performance.
4) Android Framework
On the top of Native libraries and android runtime, there is android framework. Android
framework includes Android API's such as UI (User Interface), telephony, resources,
locations, Content Providers (data) and package managers. It provides a lot of classes and
interfaces for android application development.
5) Applications
On the top of android framework, there are applications. All applications such as home,
contact, settings, games, browsers are using android framework that uses android runtime and
libraries. Android runtime and native libraries are using linux kernal.
