Wherefore art thou Andrio[d]

My latest jaunt back into the world of Java sees me trying to take two birds with one stone. In so keeping, I've decided to simultaneously learn, or relearn Java, and delve into Android to boot. Considering both will be done through Eclipse and Java is the language de jour, it's actually a no brainer not to.

I'll start off with the Android environment as by now setting up Eclipse with the required JDK is near effortless. Eclipse with Android is an almost completely different beast. The last time I'd setup either one was two years ago 1   and 2

I'd had set up Eclipse with Android more than two years ago and it was arduous and prone to lapses between the description of how to set it up and actual eventualities. Most of this was due to the ever changing nature of updates and software packages, but I did eventually manage to get it set up properly after much prodding and online help.

Fast forward

At the moment the entire Android SDK and installation has changed noticeably. I'm between resources utilizing info from the Android developer portal
http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html and

Initially I was halted in my progress of setting up the environment because I didn't realise that Android works with JDK 6, not 7. After that, it turned out that 32 bit versions of Android SDK, JDK and Eclipse builds are required. The development environment bundle that is available to download from Android is supposed to be 64 bit but for the moment I'll be happiest with a regular Eclipse build with Andriod added on. Note: The Android bundle includes the IDE, SDK and JDK required.

Here's a brief outline of what I had to do to resolve issues:

February 27th 2013
- Eclipse Juno 32 bit (installed successful)
- Android ADT (installed successfully on second attempt)
- Android SDK zipped file (problem installing in Eclipse)
- Android SDK installer file (problem still persists)

Signed out at 22:52 hrs

February 28th; Signed in at 19:55 hrs
- Attempts to sort out Android SDK manager launch issue (manager will not deploy either directly or through Eclipse IDE)

Starting with a clean slate at 20:57 hrs
 - Eclipse Juno reinstalled
 - JDK 6 install (install successful: in 'D:\Progra~1(x86)\')
 - SDK launch issue sorted via Android.bat patch :
     http://stackoverflow.com/questions/5199811/android-sdk-manager-wont-open)

 - Android SDK manager updates (successfully loaded all prescribed updates after 3 tries)


Bar a few details, eventually I managed to setup an Android SDK, ADT with the latest version of Eclipse. I've installed JDK 7 as well, for beginning development in Java separate from Android.
Hopefully everything will work well together.

Related articles

• Android App Development For Beginners - Setting Up Your SDK
• Eclipse can't find the JDK or JRE
• Setting Up Android Development Tools on Linux
• Using your chromebook as your full-time, no compromises, Android dev machine.

Free Java Ebook

They say there is no such thing as a free lunch. Why they say that I do not know, maybe the virtue of hard work and all that jazz. But maybe they have yet to realize that the monetary system is just a human facade, but I digress.

To counter a proverb, it is often suited to use another proverb - The best things life are free. Nobody likes to get bogged down in validated debates, what are we scientists? Before you answer that, I'll just showcase the book and be on my merry way.

This free ebook offers a window on object oriented programming and showcases paradigms relevant to almost any programming language. Although, in this edition, JAVA is used as an example language. The book is meant for people with an idea of JAVA programming, to reinforce key topics inherent in most object oriented languages to programming development methodologies
Go on, enjoy your free lunch before I get jolly and expressive. 'Object Oriented Programming using JAVA' by Simon Kendal.

Developping Andriod Apps using eclipse

                                       Image via Wikipedia

It's been a year since I've used any IDE, just recently, I came across a great article on smashing magazine about developing android apps using eclipse. Eclipse is an open source, free IDE for Java programmers.

The article explains how to get both Eclipse, the Android SDK (Software Development Kit) and installing them. The only hitch was that I had when using the instructions was right before the heading, 

'Targeting Android Platforms'

The image beforehand indicates the SDK packages for the different types of Android devices. You won't see that until you complete the steps after the heading in question. I've only managed to get uptil this point as my computer was wrought with malcontent and i had to reinstall everything.

The article pointed here is very detailed and will guide most readers through the first baby steps in developing an Android app. Happy developing.

Eclipse IDE for Java

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Eclipse is an open source, and freely available I might add, Java IDE. It is very reassuring to realize that most developers tend to use something that's free and readily available rather than overpriced commercial offerings. This translates to a springboard for people eager to learn programming languages. Starting out and gaining fluency in any programming language is challenging enough without artificial barriers.

Eclipse IDE's also feature other languages such as PHP and C++. For a list of available IDE's go [ here ]

Related articles

• Is it hard to become an Android developer...? (kreci.net)
• Eclipse Cheat Sheets Rock (architexa.com)
• java and C top programming language rank (jacobian.web.id)
• Google Open Sources Two Projects, Contributes to Eclipse Foundation (nytimes.com)
• Google Gives $5M Worth of Java GUI Tools to Eclipse (mashable.com)
• A New Kind of Java Tutorial is Almost Ready (java.sys-con.com)