Android Basics

2. CONTENTS
 Introduction
 History
 Basic Terminologies
 API levels , NDK & sandbox
 Alpha
 Beta
 Cupcake
 Donut
 Eclair
 Froyo

3. CONTENTS
 Gingerbread
 Honeycomb
 Ice Cream Sandwich
 Jelly Bean
 KitKat
 Specifications
 Android Activity Lifecycle
 Android OS Architecture
 Android Programming Framework

4. CONTENTS
 Eclipse installation procedure
 Basic steps for creating a program
 Basic steps for running a program
 Basic programs

5. INTRODUCTION
 Android is an operating system based on the Linux kernel
and designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices
such as smartphones and tablet computers.
 Google acquired Android Inc. on August 17, 2005
 The first commercially available phone to run Android was
the HTC Dream, released on October 22, 2008.

6. HISTORY
 Android, Inc. was founded in Palo Alto, California in
October 2003 by Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears and
Chris White to develop smarter mobile devices that are
more aware of its owner's location and preferences
 Android is open source and Google releases the code under
the Apache License.

7. BASIC TERMINOLOGIES
 apk file:-Android application package file.
 .dex file :- Compiled Android application code file.
 Action :-A description of something that an Intent sender wants done.
An action is a string value assigned to an Intent.
 Activity :- A single screen in an application, with supporting Java
code, derived from the Activity class. Most commonly, an activity is
visibly represented by a full screen window that can receive and handle
UI events and perform complex tasks, because of the Window it uses to
render its window. Though an Activity is typically full screen, it can also
be floating or transparent.
 adb :- Android Debug Bridge

8. BASIC TERMINOLOGIES(continue...)
 Application:-An Android application consists of one or more
activities, services, listeners, and intent receivers.
 Canvas :-A drawing surface that handles compositing of the actual bits
against a Bitmap or Surface object.
 Content Provider :-A data-abstraction layer that you can use to safely
expose your application's data to other applications.
 Dalvik :-The Android platform's virtual machine. The Dalvik VM is an
interpreter-only virtual machine that executes files in the Dalvik
Executable (.dex) format
 DDMS :- Dalvik Debug Monitor Service
 Dialog :- A floating window that acts as a lightweight form

9. BASIC TERMINOLOGIES(continue...)
 Drawable :- A compiled visual resource that can be used as a
background, title, or other part of the screen
 Intent :-An message object that you can use to launch or communicate
with other applications/activities asynchronously.
 Intent Filter :- A filter object that an application declares in its manifest
file, to tell the system what types of Intents each of its components is
willing to accept and with what criteria.
 Broadcast Receiver :- An application class that listens for Intents that are
broadcast, rather than being sent to a single target application/activity.
 Layout Resource :- An XML file that describes the layout of an Activity
screen.

10. BASIC TERMINOLOGIES(continue...)
 Manifest File :- An XML file that each application must define, to describe the
application's package name, version, components (activities, intent filters,
services), imported libraries and describes the various activities and so on.
 OpenGL ES:-Android provides OpenGL ES libraries that you can use for fast,
complex 3D images.
 Resources :- Nonprogrammatic application components that are external to
the compiled application code, but which can be loaded from application code
using a well-known reference format.
 Service :-An object of class Service that runs in the background (without any
UI presence) to perform various persistent actions, such as playing music or
monitoring network activity.

11. BASIC TERMINOLOGIES(continue...)
 Surface :- A Surface holds a Canvas object for drawing, and provides
various helper methods to draw layers and resize the surface.
 SurfaceView:-A View object that wraps a Surface for drawing, and
exposes methods to specify its size and format dynamically.
 Theme:-A set of properties (text size, background color, and so on)
bundled together to define various default display settings.
 URIs in Android:-Android uses URI strings as the basis for requesting
data in a content provider (such as to retrieve a list of contacts) and for
requesting actions in an Intent (such as opening a Web page in a
browser).

12. BASIC TERMINOLOGIES(continue...)
 View :-A View is a base class for most layout components of an Activity
or Dialog screen (text boxes, windows, and so on).
 Viewgroup:- A container object that groups a set of child Views.
 Widget :-View subclasses that render form elements and other UI
components, such as a text box or popup menu.

13. API LEVELS
 API Level is an integer value that uniquely identifies the
framework API revision offered by a version of the Android
platform.
NDK
 NDK stands for Native Development Kit.
 The NDK is a toolset that allows you to implement parts of your
app using native-code languages such as C and C++.
SANDBOX
 A sandbox is an isolated area of the system that does not have
access to the rest of the system's resources, unless access
permissions are explicitly granted by the user when the
application is installed.

14. ALPHA
 Android version-1.0 , API Level-1
BETA
 Android version:-1.1 , API Level-2
 The first two android versions were not assigned any
codename, API level or NDK.

15. CUPCAKE
 Android version-1.5 , API Level-3 , NDK :- 1
KEY FEATURES
o
o
o
o
o
Smart virtual keyboard
Home Screen with widgets
Live folders for quick viewing of data
Video recording and sharing
Picasa image uploading

16. CUPCAKE(continue...)
o Faster standards compliant browsers.
o Voice search.
o Stereo Bluetooth and hands free calls.

17. DONUT
 Android version-1.6 , API Level-4 , NDK:-2
KEY FEATURES
 Quick Search Box for Android:-Android 1.6 includes a
redesigned search framework that provides a
quick, effective, and consistent way for users to search
across multiple sources—such as browser bookmarks &
history, contacts, and the web—directly from the home
screen.
 Camera, Camcorder, and Gallery:-An updated user
interface provides an integrated camera, camcorder, and
gallery experience. Users can quickly toggle between still
and video capture modes. Additionally, the gallery enables
users to select multiple photos for deletion.

18. DONUT(continue...)
 Battery usage indicator:-A new battery usage screen lets
users see which apps and services are consuming battery
power. If the user determines that a particular service or
application is using too much power, they can take action
to save the battery by adjusting settings, stopping the
application, or uninstalling the application.
 Accessibility:-Users will be able to download new
accessibility services built on the new accessibility
framework and enable them in Settings.
 Telephony support for CDMA:- Android 1.6 includes
support for CDMA in the telephony stack.

19. DONUT(continue...)
 Accessibility:- With this framework, developers can
create accessibility plugins that respond to user
input, such as making a sound when a new window is
shown, vibrating when navigating to the top of a
list, and providing spoken feedback.
 Expanded support for screen densities and
resolutions:- Android 1.6 adds screen support that
enables applications to be rendered properly on
different display resolutions and densities. Developers
can also specify the types of screens supported by their
application.

20. DONUT(continue...)
 Gestures:-A new gestures framework provides
application developers with a framework for
creating, storing, loading and recognizing gestures and
associating them with specific actions.
 Text-to-speech engine
 Expanded Search Framework.

21. ECLAIR
 Android version:- 2.0,2.0.1, 2.1 , API Level
:- 5,6,7 , NDK:- 3
KEY FEATURES
o Media Framework:- Revamped graphics
architecture for improved performance that
enables better hardware acceleration.
o Bluetooth:-Bluetooth 2.1. New BT profiles:
Object Push Profile (OPP) and Phone Book
Access Profile (PBAP)
o New Framework APIs:-Android 2.0 includes
several new developer APIs.

22. ECLAIR(continue...)
o Contacts and accounts:- Multiple accounts can
o
o
o
o
o
o
be added to a device for email and contact
synchronization, including Exchange accounts.
Camera:- Built-in flash support , Digital zoom
, Scene mode , White balance , Colour effect
, Macro focus.
Android Virtual Keyboard
Browser
Calendar
Email
Messaging

23. FROYO
 Android version:- 2.2.x , API Level:- 8 , NDK version:-
4
KEY FEATURES
o The phone and browser apps have dedicated shortcuts
that flank the app launcher. You can access them from
any of the Home screens.
o Froyo has Exchange support. Auto-discovery makes it
easy to set up and sync an Exchange email account, and
the Calendar app now supports Exchange as well.
Plus, there are improved security features for users and
admins.
o Camera controls are no longer hidden under a pull-
down menu. Buttons for zoom, flash, white
balance, geo-tagging, focus and exposure are right onscreen

24. FROYO(continue...)
o Facility to share contacts with other phones over
Bluetooth.
o For those so addicted to apps that internal storage isn’t
enough, Android developer APIs now allow apps to give
users the choice of where to install them: phone memory
or an SD card.
o Another developer API makes it possible for apps to
“participate in data backup and restore” so users who
want to switch Android phones or restore after a hard
reset can keep their data and apps.
o Broken or misbehaving apps will improve faster as now
developers can get app error reports from users whenever
they log in to their publisher account.

25. GINGERBREAD
 Android version:-2.3 - 2.3.2 , API level:- 9 , NDK :-5
 Android version:- 2.3.3 - 2.3.7 , API level:- 10
KEY FEATURES
 New on-screen keyboard :- The standard keyboard
has been greatly improved in Android 2.3, with faster
input and more intuitive typing. Even cut-and-paste
got a makeover.
 Streamlined user interface :- New colour schemes
and various UI changes and polish make Android
more consistent and simpler to use.
 Application and power management :- Android 2.3
provides better insight into what is running in the
background, how much memory and CPU time it is
using, and even lets you kill misbehaving apps

26. GINGERBREAD(continue...)
 SIP Internet calling :- Voice over IP is integrated directly
into Android 2.3.
 Download management :- All your downloads from your
browser, email, and other apps, can be viewed and
controlled from one place.
 Native development :- You can receive input and sensor
events, produce sound, manipulate 3D graphics
contexts, access assets and storage, and more all from
native code . An added Native Activity class that lets you
write your lifecycle callbacks in native code.
 JVM speed :- For Java developers, 2.3 adds a number of
speedups, most notably a concurrent garbage collector.
According to Google garbage collection pauses will be
under 3ms, which is small enough not to be noticed in a
30fps or even 60fps game. New JIT optimizations make
Dalvik code run even faster than before.

27. GINGERBREAD
 Faster event distribution:- In previous versions of
Android, just holding your finger down on the screen
would cause whatever program was running to slow
down, sometimes dramatically. This is all fixed in Android
2.3.
 Multimedia:- Rich audio effects like reverb and
headphone virtualization can be applied to local tracks or
globally across multiple tracks. The platform adds built-in
support for VP8/WebM video, plus AAC and AMR
wideband encoding. Also, there are now official APIs for
accessing the front and rear cameras. There is some
limited support for extra large displays.
 Near Field Communications (NFC):-With the right
hardware and software you could use your phone as a
replacement for your credit card to make point of sale
purchases. Using the NFC API apps can respond to NFC
tags embedded in stockers, posters and even other
devices.

28. HONEYCOMB
 Android version:- 3.0 , API level:- 11
 Android version:- 3.1 , API level:- 12 , NDK :-
6
 Android version:- 3.2 , API level:- 13
KEY FEATURES
 Flash :- Flash 10.3 takes advantage of
hardware acceleration on the Xoom.
 Movie Store:-Honeycomb has a movie rental
store that gives you access to thousands of
movies.

29. HONEYCOMB(continue...)
 Resizable Homescreen Widgets:- If you like
widgets, but want more out of them, you can
resize them to make 'em bigger. To do that, hold
your finger down over the widget until a blue
frame appears over it. then drag the diamonds to
resize said widget as you see fit.
 Pointer Device Support:- For the first
time, Android supports pointer devices, which
includes mice, trackpads and trackballs.
 USB Host:-Android 3.1 now accepts USB devices
as a host, meaning
thumbdrives, cameras, keyboards and USB
peripherals—like gamepads—are
accessible/functional on the Xoom.

30. HONEYCOMB(continue...)
 Updated Core Apps:- Browser has an updated Quick
Controls UI that now lets you quickly view open
tabs, and access settings, supports embedded HTML5
video and enables hardware acceleration.
 Better Multitasking

31. ICE CREAM SANDWICH
 Android version:- 4.0.1 - 4.0.2 , API level:- 14 , NDK :- 7
 Android version:- 4.0.3 - 4.0.4 , API level:- 15 , NDK :- 8
KEY FEATURES
 Home screen folders and favourites tray:-New home screen
folders offer a new way for users to group their apps and shortcuts
logically, just by dragging one onto another. Also, in All Apps
launcher, users can now simply drag an app to get information
about it or immediately uninstall it, or disable a pre-installed app.
 Resizable widgets:- Home screens in Android 4.0 are designed
to be content-rich and customizable. Users can do much more
than add shortcuts — they can embed live application content
directly through interactive

32. ICE CREAM SANDWICH(continue...)
 Widgets:- Widgets let users check email, flip through a
calendar, play music, check social streams, and more — right
from the home screen, without having to launch apps.
Widgets are resizable, so users can expand them to show
more content or shrink them to save space.
 New lock screen actions:-The lock screens now let users do
more without unlocking. From the slide lock screen, users
can jump directly to the camera for a picture or pull down the
notifications window to check for messages. When listening
to music, users can even manage music tracks and see album
art.
 Quick responses for incoming calls:- When an incoming
call arrives, users can now quickly respond by text
message, without needing to pick up the call or unlock the
device. On the incoming call screen, users simply slide a
control to see a list of text responses and then tap to send
and end the call. Users can add their own responses and
manage the list from the Settings app

33. ICE CREAM SANDWICH(continue...)
 Improved text input and spell-checking:-
Error correction and word suggestion are
improved through a new set of default
dictionaries and more accurate heuristics for
handling cases such as double-typed
characters, skipped letters, and omitted spaces.
 Powerful voice input engine:- Android 4.0
introduces a powerful new voice input engine
that offers a continuous "open microphone"
experience and streaming voice recognition.

34. JELLY BEAN
 Android version:- 4.1.x, API level:- 16
 Android version:- 4.2.x, API level:- 17
 Android version:- 4.3.x, API level:- 18
KEY FEATURES
 Graphics :- OpenGL ES 3.0 - Android now supports the latest
version of the industry standard for high performance
graphics. Wireless Display for Nexus 7 (2013 edition) and
Nexus 10 - project from your tablet to a TV.
 Internationalization and localization :- Additional
language support - Android is now translated in
Africaans, Amharic , Hindi, Swahili and Zulu.
Hebrew, Arabic, and other RTL (right-to-left) - now supported
in the home screen, settings, and Phone, People, and Keep
apps.

35. JELLY BEAN(continue...)
 Keyboard & input :- Easier text input - an improved
algorithm for tap-typing recognition makes text input
easier. Lower latency input for gamepad buttons and
joysticks.
 Location :- Location detection through Wi-Fi - use Wi-
Fi to detect location without turning on Wi-Fi all the
time.
 Networking:- Bluetooth Smart support - devices like
Nexus 4 and Nexus 7 are now Bluetooth Smart Ready .
Bluetooth AVRCP 1.3 support - display song names on a
car stereo.

36. JELLY BEAN(continue...)
 Settings:- Disabled apps tab - check which apps are
disabled in Settings > Apps.
 System :- Restricted profiles - put your tablet into a
mode with limited access to apps and content.
Setup wizard simplification - getting started on
Android is easier due to the ability to correct
previous input and because of streamlined user
agreements. Faster user switching - switching users
from the lock screen is now faster. Enhanced photo
daydream - navigate through interesting albums.

37. KITKAT
 Android version:- 4.4 - 4.4.2 , API Level:- 19
KEY FEATURES
 Better Memory Management:- KitKat is designed to run
on devices with as little as 512MB of RAM.
 Built-In Sensors:- Android 4.4 adds operating system
support for two new composite sensors: step counter and
step detector. This support will allow fitness app developers
to access pedometer data without writing complex code and
algorithms.
 Smarter Caller ID:- identify any unknown numbers by
cross-checking the number with nearby businesses. In
addition to the new integration with Google Maps, the new
phone app also prioritizes your contacts based on the
people you talk to most.

38. KITKAT(continue...)
 Immersive Mode:- Android 4.4 comes with a new
immersive mode that hides everything except the app
you’re using.
 Integration With Cloud Storage:- Android 4.4 comes
support for cloud storage solutions such as Google Drive
built into the operating system. This means that you can
save and open directly from the cloud, without having to
save into your device’s storage first.
 Printing On The Go:- Google is making it much easier to
print documents or photos on your phone by building
support for Google Cloud Print directly into Android 4.4.
 Lock Screen Art:- The Android 4.4 lock screen can now
show more than just widgets

39. KITKAT(continue...)
 System-Wide Closed Captioning
 Low-power location monitoring
 Built-in infrared blaster support
 Easy home screen switching
 Improved Google Now
 Redesigned downloads app
 Hangouts App Upgraded

40. SPECS
 Company/ developer:- Google
Open Handset Alliance
Android Open Source Project (AOSP)
 Programmed in:-C (core), C++, Java (UI).
 OS family:-Unix-like.
 Working state:-current.
 Source model:-Open source with proprietary components
 Initial release:-September 23, 2008.

41. SPECS(continue...)
 Latest stable release:- 4.4 KitKat.
 Available language(s):-46
 Supported platforms:- 32-bit ARM, MIPS, x86.
 Kernel type:- Monolithic
 Userland:- Bionic libc, shell from NetBSD ,native core
utilities with a few from NetBSD

42. SPECS(continue...)
 Default user interface:- Graphical(multi-touch)
 License:- Apache License 2.0
Linux kernel patches under GNU GPL v2
 Official website:- www.android.com

43. ANDROID ACTIVITY LIFECYCLE

44. ANDROID OS ARCHITECTURE

45. ANDROID PROGRAMMING
FRAMEWORK

46. ECLIPSE INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
 Android programs are developed in Eclipse
 Eclipse can be downloaded from the following
website:
http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/

47. ECLIPSE INSTALLATION PROCEDURE(continue...)
 Click to start downloading. Depending on your browser




settings, you may be asked to confirm that you want to save
the file on your computer or choose where to save it.
Make sure you know where the file is being downloaded.
Once you have obtained the Eclipse .zip file, open it and
choose Extract All to begin the extraction process.
It is recommend that you move the extracted eclipse folder to
C:Program Files.
The extracted folder should then be
C:Program Fileseclipse.

48. ECLIPSE INSTALLATION PROCEDURE(continue...)
 Once you have extracted and moved the eclipse folder to its
destination, you can create a shortcut to Eclipse.
 There are several ways to create shortcut.
In Windows XP:
 navigate to: C:Program Fileseclipse, right click on eclipse.exe and
select Create Shortcut. You may then drag this shortcut to your
Desktop or Start Menu.
In Windows Vista or Windows 7:
 navigate to: C:ProgramFileseclipse, right click on eclipse.exe and
select Pin to Start Menu.

49. ECLIPSE INSTALLATION PROCEDURE(continue...)
 Each time you run Eclipse, you will be prompted to select a
workspace, which is where the programs you write are stored.
 Click Use this as the default and do not ask again to avoid having to
type in the workspace path every time you start.
 If you are shown a Welcome to Eclipse screen, click the Workbench
button to reach the main Eclipse environment, where you will develop
your programs.

50. ECLIPSE INSTALLATION PROCEDURE(continue...)
Setting the compiler compliance
 Choose Window -> Preferences from the Eclipse toolbar. - In the
Preferences window, expand the Java option in the navigation tree and
click the Compiler option. - In the Compiler panel, set the Compiler
compliance level to 1.6. - Click OK to save your changes.

51. ECLIPSE INSTALLATION PROCEDURE(continue...)
Setting the folders
 Choose Window -> Preferences from the Eclipse toolbar. - In the
Preferences window, in the navigation tree, expand the Java option and
click the Build Path option. - In the Build Path panel, select the Project
radio button. - Click OK to save your changes.

52. ECLIPSE INSTALLATION PROCEDURE(continue...)
Connecting the Java documentation to Eclipse
 Choose Window -> Preferences from the Eclipse toolbar. - In the
Preferences window, in the navigation tree, expand the Java option and
click the Installed JREs option. - In the Installed JREs panel, make sure
the most current version of Java is checked .Select it and click Edit.

53. ECLIPSE INSTALLATION PROCEDURE(continue...)
 An Edit JRE window will open. This window shows a list of "JRE
system libraries", and you need to link each library to the Java
documentation.
STEPS
 Select a system library.
 Click the Javadoc Location button, which opens a Javadoc.
In the new window: - Select Javadoc in archive and External file. Set the Archive Path to the .zip file containing the java
documentation, which you downloaded when installing Java. This
path should be: C:Program FilesJavajdk1.7.0_02jdk-7u2apidocs.zip
 In the Path within archive field, enter docs/api.
 Click OK to get back to the Edit JRE window and start again with
the next library in the list When done with all the libraries, click
Finish and then OK.

54. ECLIPSE INSTALLATION PROCEDURE(continue...)

55. ECLIPSE INSTALLATION PROCEDURE(continue...)
 Following the above steps will install eclipse successfully and you can
now develop your projects

56. BASIC STEPS FOR CREATING AN
APPLICATION
 Go to File -> new -> android application project.
 Design your graphical layout in activity_main.xml
 Res->layout -> activity_main.xml
 Add String variables in string.xml
 Res-> values ->strings.xml
 Declare variables for textview, button, checkbox, etc in
MainActivity.xml
 Src -> com.exampleapp_name -> MainActivity.xml

57. BASIC STEPS FOR RUNNING AN
APPLICATION
 Create an AVD using the Android Virtual Device Manager
 AVD manager-> New -> Give name ->Device Type -
>Target API ->size -> ok
 Right click on app_name select Run As -> Android
Application

58. PROGRAM TO PRINT HELLO WORLD

Create a text view

Assign the text in the text view a name in Strings.xml

59. PROGRAM TO PRINT HELLO WORLD(continue...)

Now run the application in the AVD and you will see
the String Hello World printed on the screen.

60. PROGRAM TO ACCEPT INPUT FROM USER

Create a TextView and an EditText in activity_main.xml

61. PROGRAM TO ACCEPT INPUT FROM USER(continue...)
 After writing the code in activity_main.xml , you can
check out the layout in the Graphical Layout
window. In this case it will appear like this:

62. PROGRAM TO ACCEPT INPUT FROM USER(continue...)

Assign the text in the text view a name in Strings.xml

63. PROGRAM TO ACCEPT INPUT FROM USER(continue...)
 Create a variable of type EditText in MainActivity.java

64. PROGRAM TO ACCEPT INPUT FROM USER(continue...)
 Now run the application in the AVD and you will see
the String user and a text area printed on the screen.

65. PROGRAM TO ADD TWO NUMBERS
 Create a textview for first number and accept its value
from user.

66. PROGRAM TO ADD TWO NUMBERS(continue...)
 Create a textview for second number and accept
its value from user.

67. PROGRAM TO ADD TWO NUMBERS(continue...)
 Create a button on whose on click event the sum will
be displayed.

68. PROGRAM TO ADD TWO NUMBERS(continue...)
 strings.xml

69. PROGRAM TO ADD TWO NUMBERS(continue...)
 MainActivity.java

70. PROGRAM TO OBTAIN POSITION OF
SELECTED ITEM IN LISTVIEW
 Note: Never use listview inside RelativeLayout .

Activity_main.xml

71. PROGRAM TO OBTAIN POSITION OF
SELECTED ITEM IN LISTVIEW(continue...)
 MainActivity.java