Update: I’ve just realized that Android already have Android Development Tools (ADT) bundled with Eclipse download package. With this, you and I don’t really have to worry anymore, as everything is already included, like the case I have when I was trying to install the same thing for BlackBerry development. But that also means you have to download the whole 450 MB instead of just 45 MB because you have to download the Eclipse too.
Raw coding:
With a little help:
- AppInventor from appinventor.mit.edu (need Google account)
Almost automatic:
Okay, I admitted it. My interest can be swayed easily. It’s not long after I try to learn to coding in iOS, that I’m still far from capability to do that. Not to mention that I’m still don’t own any Mac yet to be able to learn comprehensively. But yesterday I bought a low cost Android phone that looks good, and then realized that there are tons of great apps on the store. Then I immediately began think to learn developing on Android platform. And here I was just starting to learn in depth about Visual Studio! Which one should I pick.. Hmmm… But anyway, I guess developing on Android platform would be easier for me than the walled garden environment of iOS. I think this is a starting point before I took off to the larger scope. So, wish me luck. 🙂
In a glimpse, here is what you should need before you even get started to developing Android apps in Windows. I’ve copied this article from the techradar.com article above, and edit it into my kind of format.
1. You have to install Java Development Kit (JDK) for Windows.
2. You have to install Eclipse IDE for Java Developer.
Android programming language is based on Java. That’s why all of the ruckuss of JDK and Eclipse. But actually, you’re able to compile and run your application without the need of Eclipse IDE, as the developer.android.com points out. If you follow the tutorial at developer.android.com, you’ll be presented with almost-pure-coding XML programming sensation anyway. So, using Eclipse is only an icing on a cake.
3. With Eclipse IDE up and running, download Android SDK. Note where you put it.
4. You need to add the Android Development Tools into Eclipse.
Android Development Tools is a whole different package from Android SDK. This package is to help Eclipse understand how to work with Android SDK.
To do this, choose ‘Help > Install new software’. Next to ‘Work with’, enter https://dl-ssl.google.com/android/eclipse and click ‘Add’. In the pane below this, check ‘Development tools’ and click ‘Next’. Select ‘Android DDMS’ and ‘Android Development Tools’. Click ‘Next’, accept the terms and restart.
You need to point the ADT plugin to where you extracted the Android SDK. In Eclipse choose ‘Window > Preferences > Android’. Next to ‘SDK location’ click ‘Browse’ and locate the folder with the SDK. Click ‘Apply’ and ‘OK’. If you got no error, then you have point to the correct location.
5. Get at least one Android platform.
You can do this in the Android SDK and AVD Manager, which you can launch in Eclipse if you’ve set your system up correctly.
Choose ‘Window > Android SDK and AVD Manager’ to open it, then select ‘Available packages’ and tick the box next to ‘https://dl-ssl.google.com/android/repository/repository.xml’.
After a brief scan of the repository, you’ll see the available components. Tick those that you want to install and clear the rest. The most important package to install is the latest version of the Android platform. You’ll only need older ones if you plan to release your app and need to test it in a range of different versions. At this stage you can also clear the samples, Google APIs and USB driver. If you need any of these later, you can always go back and install them.
Click ‘Install selected’ and wait for the components to download. Verify and accept the new components if prompted and they will be added to your existing Android SDK folders.
6. Set up Android Virtual Device
Having downloaded a version of Android, you need to set up an Android Virtual Device (AVD) to run the computer. You can do this in the Android SDK and AVD Manager. Choose ‘Window > Android SDK and AVD manager’ and select ‘Virtual devices’. Click ‘New’ and provide a name for your new device. Select the Android platform that you want to use as the target. Click ‘Create AVD’.
If you want to test your application under different versions of Android, you’ll need to create a new virtual device for each version of the platform. You can also specify other parameters here, including the presence and size of an SD card. It’s also possible to select a file to use as a virtual SD card.
You can opt to use the built-in skin (recommended) or specify the resolution that you want to use. Under ‘Hardware’, click ‘New’ and select a device if you want to add more virtual hardware.
For a simple AVD, you’ll generally be fine sticking with the default options. You can now close the Android SDK and AVD Manager.
7. You’re ready to create and emulate your Android App!
For a tutorial on how to create your first simple projects, please refer to techradar.com.
For further tutorial to create increasingly advancing projects, please refer to developer.android.com.
SoW 
Hello Sir. Which is the best software for Android Developer beginners
Android studio or Eclipse?
I would say Android Studio, because recent dispute in Java between Oracle and Java community and Google, and compatibility issues, will make Android Studio becomes a more stable choice in the long run. It has more integrated environment than Eclipse, and newest development will always roll out to Android Studio first. Moreover, I heard than Google plan to support other language to develop Android apps, such as Apple Swift. This kind of update is hard to be pushed into Eclipse. So I suggest you stick to Android Studio. 🙂 hope this helps.