The mobile development industry is developing rapidly. Smartphones occupy a leading position in the market of technological devices worldwide, accounting for 44% of the total volume of household appliances and electronics. According to data from the analytical company Gartner, 1.56 billion smartphones were sold in 2018.
At the same time, the Android operating system remains on the pedestal of popularity. In 2018, more than 80% of all global smartphones were based on Android. Considering also the widespread use of other devices such as watches, tablets, televisions, terminals and even refrigerators, the share of Android is even more impressive.
With the growing popularity of the operating system, user requests are also changing. A modern person needs an app for every task - from paying for services at the bank to ordering food or chatting with friends. Such applications are continuously appearing on the Play Store.
That is why the profession of Android mobile application developer has great potential. You can work for leading companies and create applications that are used by thousands of people. According to Superjob, the average salary of an Android developer is 100,000 rubles, and Headhunter publishes more than 500 vacancies every month. This is an area in which specialists will not be needed.
In this article, we will look at how to start learning mobile development if you decide to become an Android developer. Which programming languages should you learn first? How can I break down the training into stages? And, of course, whether a modern specialist needs to master several programming languages at the same time.
Why should I start in Java?
Most projects and applications, including large Enterprise applications such as online banking, are developed in Java. This language is classic and strongly typed, which makes it an excellent choice for beginners.
Advantages of using Java:
1. Clarity and clarity of the code. Even if the Java code is more verbose and lengthy, this is a plus, as it reduces the likelihood of errors and unexpected behavior.
2. Unambiguity of language constructions. There are few language constructs in Java, and their interpretation is usually unambiguous.
3. Backward compatibility. New versions of the language do not break the old code, which makes it a stable choice for development.
4. Support and a large community. Java has a huge community, which makes it easier to learn and find help. Many articles, videos and books on current topics are available for beginners.
Java is a great language to start learning programming and developing in mobile applications. Creating the first Java application is a good step for further development and learning other languages.
Can I move on to Kotlin next?
Kotlin is a programming language that is maximally compatible with Java, which makes the process of learning it fast and simple.
Although Kotlin has been around since 2011, Google's recognition of it as a priority language for the Android platform in May 2019 was a key moment in its history. This has led to a rapid increase in Kotlin's popularity among developers, as Google plays an important role in the development of Android. Many employers have also begun to demand knowledge of Kotlin, following these trends.
In addition to Google's support, Kotlin's popularity in mobile development is due to its ease of use. Kotlin is fully compatible with Java, which allows you to develop projects in both languages and easily switch between them without losing access to existing code, libraries and the Android SDK.
Kotlin code is shorter and more expressive than Java, which allows developers to be more specific and less verbose. New Kotlin features and capabilities appear more often and do not require additional effort to use.
Kotlin was developed by JetBrains, the creator of Intellij Idea - the IDE that underpins Android Studio. Thanks to this, Kotlin has excellent support in the development environment: smart hints, code refactoring, file navigation and much more.
To write a full-fledged application, you need to train: first, perform simple tasks, then gradually move on to more complex ones, constantly learning something new. You will not be able to "assemble" the application from the components. You need to write code, link modules to each other programmatically and, possibly, draw a design. It will take more time to create such an application, but this way you can gain new experience and practice.
How are mobile applications developed?
Introduction to creating software for portable devices The field of creating mobile applications covers a wide range of processes, from coding to launching a finished product. Any product can generate revenue in the future, but at first the number and complexity of the implemented functions will affect the cost of creating a mobile application.
To understand what mobile app development is, let's start by defining mobile devices. In this context, we mean portable electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, e-books and portable gaming systems. We call applications not only the firmware, but also the operating systems, platforms and languages that these devices support. As you will see, there are many approaches to creating mobile applications, and a number of important decisions need to be made.
The process of creating turnkey mobile applications
Custom mobile application development is a complex and multifaceted process that includes several stages. Each requires the participation of various specialists, such as business analysts, marketers, designers and developers. In this article, we will look at the main stages of mobile application development:
1. Strategy
The first step in creating a mobile app is to define a strategy. It is important to define the goals and objectives of the application, as well as analyze the market and competitors. This will help developers better understand what an application should be and how it will differ from others.
2. Planning
The main functional requirements for the application are defined. A detailed work plan is being developed, including the allocation of resources, deadlines and budget. It is also important to identify the target audience and create scenarios.
3. Design
Design is the stage at which the design of an application is created. The interface (UI) and user experience (UX) are being developed. The main task of designing is to make the application user—friendly and intuitive for users.
4. Development
With this, the developers begin to create the code and functionality of the application. They use various programming languages and development tools to create a working prototype of the application.
5. Testing
Testing is an important stage at which the performance and quality of the application are checked. Developers conduct various tests to make sure that the application is working correctly and does not contain errors or failures.
6. Release
The last one is the release of the application to the market. The application is being prepared for publication in mobile stores such as the App Store and Google Play. The developers are also engaged in marketing and promotion of the application.
Each of these steps is important and requires the attention and participation of specialists. Only with proper organization and completion of each stage can you create a high-quality and successful mobile application.
How long does it take to create a mobile app?
Organizations spend from three to nine months (and, if necessary, longer) developing mobile applications. The scope and capabilities of the application affect the timing of the mobile application development process.
Mobile Application Design and Development Strategy
The process of creating a mobile application begins with defining its goals and benefits. The strategic stage includes an analysis of the market and competitors, as well as an understanding of user needs. The company also determines which platforms are most suitable for development. At this stage, the marketing strategy related to the release of the application is considered.
1. Defining goals
The company determines which solution or feature the mobile app offers. The goals and criteria for the success of the application are the basis of the development strategy.
2. Market and competitor analysis
The company studies the market and competitors to understand which applications already exist and how to create a unique solution. This helps to identify the potential audience and usage scenarios of the application.
3. Exploring user needs
The company analyzes the needs of its customers and determines which users and usage scenarios the application will serve. This allows you to create functionality and interface that best meet user expectations.
4. Choosing a platform
The company determines which mobile application development platforms are best suited for its purposes. It can be iOS, Android, or both platforms.
5. Development of a marketing strategy
The company is starting to consider marketing activities related to the release of the application. Creating a promotion strategy, identifying the target audience and developing measures to attract users.
Each of these steps is important for successful mobile app development. Defining a strategy helps the company create a unique and useful application that will be appreciated by users and attract attention in the market.
Planning the development of a mobile application
The planning organization defines the key details of the mobile app creation process. They determine the type of application, the development team, and select the platform or platforms. An important stage is the development of a product roadmap, the definition of functions, their sequence and deadlines. The organization draws up a project plan to release the application on time. Knowledge of resources and experience, as well as an understanding of the chosen technology, play a key role in achieving the set goals.
Designing a mobile application
The design forms the appearance, capabilities and functionality of the mobile application. Development teams create an interaction diagram, user interfaces, and application states. They can start with low-precision mockups to test the concept or collect feedback from customers. Developers and engineers help to create prototypes and advise on UX and UI solutions, taking into account the requirements and technical characteristics of the selected platforms. In this way, organizations create an application that is actually possible to implement.
Turnkey mobile application development
The development of a mobile application includes the full lifecycle of software creation and release. At this stage, the teams create the technical architecture and technology stack, define the main stages of development and write the application code. This stage is the key to creating a mobile application.
Testing a mobile application
Testing is an important part of the mobile app development process. It allows organizations to verify security, compliance with user needs, and application performance. The teams conduct testing, evaluating the usability, performance, stability and security of the application on various devices. They also check the possibilities of scaling the application architecture in case of a sudden increase in demand.
Mobile App Release
The release is the final stage of the mobile application development. After the application is deployed, the organization provides customer support, monitoring and maintenance to ensure the availability and proper operation of the application. Marketing campaigns and offers to encourage the adoption of the application usually accompany this stage. If an organization decides to make significant changes beyond the development lifecycle, it may be necessary to start the development process anew.
Software development for mobile applications
At the stage of mobile application development, the first step is to create a technical architecture. The technical architecture defines the rules and templates for the development of a mobile application, the front-end, back-end and API. This is an important stage that helps to organize the process of developing a mobile application.
Technical architecture of mobile applications
The technical architecture of a mobile application usually has three levels:
Data presentation level: This is what the user sees and interacts with. The user interface and elements that allow you to interact with the application.
Business Level: Here is the logic that controls workflows, data exchange, and operations. Provides security, caching, logging, and exception handling.
Data layer: Data is processed here, utilities are provided to work with them, and data and transactions are verified and maintained.
Technology stack:
External interface: The choice of programming tools and languages for interface development depends on the devices on which the application will run. Different devices require different programming languages.
The server part:databases and other objects that reside on the server and support the functionality of the application. The choice of server technologies depends on the requirements and may include ready-made solutions.
API: Allows the application to interact with the server and external parts, as well as integrate with other applications and services.
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