Android development

[marlar]

Hi Menion,

I am just started with Android programming. I would like to ask you a few questions on how you got started with Locus :-)

- Do you use the classic Eclipse/ADT setup?
- Which resources (web sites, books) did you use to get started?
- Have you tried some alternative tools such as Phonegap and Titanium?

Martin

[Menion]

Hi,
  good to hear that other android developer is here

- so .. yes, I use basic eclipse wit android plugin
- resources ... I was programming few years before with Java ME/SE so it help me a lot. With android - I suggest some tutorials on main android developers page. By me, best is to start creating something useful. I started with one software called LocA (similar to Locus) and I had idea what I want, so I was searching only for things that I needed to work. I just think that creating something specific is better then sacrifice 14 days on some tutorials ...
- and no, I don't know any of them - hmm PhoneGap looks very very nice ...

[marlar]

Hi,

It has been something of a learning curve since I have never programmed in Java, but I getting the grasp of it :-)

You are right that it is good to work on something specific, that also helps the motivation.

[Menion]

Yes, that's what I mean also Motivation is very important!

If you have any specific troubles, you should try to write here, any maybe I can help ... good luck young developer

[marlar]

Thanks --- although I am not so young anymore, neither in age (44) or in software developement: 20+ year :-)

But I am new with Android, so I can surely learn from you  :mrgreen:

I have a few questions regarding stuff you do in Locus:

1. How do you format the Basic Info and News page with different fonts and styles? Is it html-formatted?
2. How do you make the prefences display the current settings?
3. How do you make the toolsbars? What kind of widget is it?

[Menion]

you want to know my top secrets? just kidding, these aren't top secrets ...

1. yes basic info is raw HTML file stored in assets directory and displayed in WebView object (which is placed into AlertDialog)
2. hmm little worst .. I'm creating all preferences programatically, not thanks to XML file. So I'm settings description with
  preference.setSummary( ... text ... );
3. what you mean by tools bars? You mean panels with buttons? It's basic LinearLayout with ImageButton object. On all objects is applied custom style to look ... as they look.

hope this helps you

[marlar]

Re. 3: Yes, I mean the panels.

Thanks for info. I will surely have more questions later on ;-)