Introduction to Android Programming:-
Before jumping over to actual programming lets first talk about a brief introduction to Android programming. In this tutorial, I will give a short overview of Android which includes topics like history, features and different versions of Android.
Introduction to Android Programming
What is Android?
Android is a Linux based and an open source operating system for devices such as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, etc. It is the most popular mobile operating system in the world.
Android was developed by Open Handset Alliance(OHA) led by Google. Open Handset Alliance is a consortium of 84 companies such as Google, HTC, Dell, Motorola, Sony, Samsung, etc.
Although some other languages can be used Java is the official language for Android development.
Android is a Linux based and an open source operating system for devices such as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, etc. It is the most popular mobile operating system in the world.
Android was developed by Open Handset Alliance(OHA) led by Google. Open Handset Alliance is a consortium of 84 companies such as Google, HTC, Dell, Motorola, Sony, Samsung, etc.
Although some other languages can be used Java is the official language for Android development.
History of Android
Andy Rubin founded Android, Inc. in Palo Alto, California in October 2003.
In July 2005, Google acquired Android Inc. and key employees including Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Chris White and Nick Sears.
On November 5, 2007, Google revealed about the development of Android OS.
HTC Dream was the first Android smartphone which was launched on October 22, 2008.
Android is the nickname of Andy Rubin which was given by his co-workers because of his love for robots.
Andy Rubin founded Android, Inc. in Palo Alto, California in October 2003.
In July 2005, Google acquired Android Inc. and key employees including Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Chris White and Nick Sears.
On November 5, 2007, Google revealed about the development of Android OS.
HTC Dream was the first Android smartphone which was launched on October 22, 2008.
Android is the nickname of Andy Rubin which was given by his co-workers because of his love for robots.
Features of Android
Android has so many interesting features that make it most popular mobile OS in the world. Few of them are given below.
- User Interface – It provides a very beautiful user interface.
- Connectivity – Android supports various connectivity technologies like GSM/EDGE, WiFi, Bluetooth, CDMA, etc.
- Storage – SQLite is a very lightweight database which is used for storage purpose in android.
- Messaging – It supports SMS and MMS.
- Multitasking – Android supports multitasking feature which lets you run multiple applications simultaneously.
Android has so many interesting features that make it most popular mobile OS in the world. Few of them are given below.
- User Interface – It provides a very beautiful user interface.
- Connectivity – Android supports various connectivity technologies like GSM/EDGE, WiFi, Bluetooth, CDMA, etc.
- Storage – SQLite is a very lightweight database which is used for storage purpose in android.
- Messaging – It supports SMS and MMS.
- Multitasking – Android supports multitasking feature which lets you run multiple applications simultaneously.
Categories of Android Applications
There are various categories of android applications. Below I have listed some top categories.
Entertainment, Personalization, Tools, Communication, Productivity, Media and Video, Music and Audio, Social, Travel and Local etc.
There are various categories of android applications. Below I have listed some top categories.
Entertainment, Personalization, Tools, Communication, Productivity, Media and Video, Music and Audio, Social, Travel and Local etc.
Android Code Name, Version and API Level
In past few years, so many Android versions are launched. Below I have listed android code name, version, and API level from newest to oldest. API level is an integer number assigned to each android version.
CODE NAME VERSION API LEVEL Lollipop 5.1 API level 22 Lollipop 5.0 API level 21 KitKat 4.4 – 4.4.4 API level 19 Jelly Bean 4.3.x API level 18 Jelly Bean 4.2.x API level 17 Jelly Bean 4.1.x API level 16 Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.3 – 4.0.4 API level 15, NDK 8 Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.1 – 4.0.2 API level 14, NDK 7 Honeycomb 3.2.x API level 13 Honeycomb 3.1 API level 12, NDK 6 Honeycomb 3.0 API level 11 Gingerbread 2.3.3 – 2.3.7 API level 10 Gingerbread 2.3 – 2.3.2 API level 9, NDK 5 Froyo 2.2.x API level 8, NDK 4 Eclair 2.1 API level 7, NDK 3 Eclair 2.0.1 API level 6 Eclair 2.0 API level 5 Donut 1.6 API level 4, NDK 2 Cupcake 1.5 API level 3, NDK 1 (no code name) 1.1 API level 2 (no code name) 1.0 API level 1
So this was a brief introduction to Android programming. If you have any doubts regarding above tutorial then feel free to ask by commenting below.
In past few years, so many Android versions are launched. Below I have listed android code name, version, and API level from newest to oldest. API level is an integer number assigned to each android version.
| CODE NAME | VERSION | API LEVEL |
|---|---|---|
| Lollipop | 5.1 | API level 22 |
| Lollipop | 5.0 | API level 21 |
| KitKat | 4.4 – 4.4.4 | API level 19 |
| Jelly Bean | 4.3.x | API level 18 |
| Jelly Bean | 4.2.x | API level 17 |
| Jelly Bean | 4.1.x | API level 16 |
| Ice Cream Sandwich | 4.0.3 – 4.0.4 | API level 15, NDK 8 |
| Ice Cream Sandwich | 4.0.1 – 4.0.2 | API level 14, NDK 7 |
| Honeycomb | 3.2.x | API level 13 |
| Honeycomb | 3.1 | API level 12, NDK 6 |
| Honeycomb | 3.0 | API level 11 |
| Gingerbread | 2.3.3 – 2.3.7 | API level 10 |
| Gingerbread | 2.3 – 2.3.2 | API level 9, NDK 5 |
| Froyo | 2.2.x | API level 8, NDK 4 |
| Eclair | 2.1 | API level 7, NDK 3 |
| Eclair | 2.0.1 | API level 6 |
| Eclair | 2.0 | API level 5 |
| Donut | 1.6 | API level 4, NDK 2 |
| Cupcake | 1.5 | API level 3, NDK 1 |
| (no code name) | 1.1 | API level 2 |
| (no code name) | 1.0 | API level 1 |
So this was a brief introduction to Android programming. If you have any doubts regarding above tutorial then feel free to ask by commenting below.
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