Skills Required for Android Developers in the US
Android development is an important field in the tech industry, and becoming a skilled developer requires a specific set of skills. Here are the top 12 skills required for Android developers:
- Foundations of Android
- Interactive Android Development
- Android User Interface (UI)
- Navigation Implementation
- Android Testing Techniques
- Database Management
- Notifications Implementation
- Firebase integration on Android
- Android Security Implementation
- API Usage on Android
- Git Version Control System
- App Deployment Best Practices
By mastering these skills, you’ll be well-equipped to take on the responsibilities of an Android developer, which include:
- Working with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and maintain Android applications
- Ensuring the quality and performance of applications through testing and debugging
- Collaborating with designers and product managers to implement new features and functionalities
- Keeping up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in Android development
Overall, Android development is a challenging and rewarding career path that offers exciting opportunities for growth and innovation.
If you’re interested in learning more about Android development or want to enhance your skills, check out our additional resources below.
Android Development Overview
Android is a widely-used open-source operating system that was developed by Google for mobile devices. It is popular because it is based on the Linux operating system and provides an excellent computing platform. Android development is the process of creating an application that can be supported by any operating system using the Android development kit or software development kit(SDK) on Android studio.
Applications in Android are written in the Java programming language, although new programming language Kotlin, provided by Google can also be used. Using the Android software development kit (SDK), applications can be written in Kotlin, Java and C++ languages, and sometimes other languages too.
Several Android versions have been discovered over time due to new inventions or modifications. The versions include; Android versions 1.0, 1.1, 1.5, 1.6, 2.0 to 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.0 to 3.2, 4.0, 4.1 to 4.3, 4.4, 5.0 and 5.1, 6.0, 7.0 and 7.1, 8.0 and 8.1, 9, 10, 11 and 12(latest version).
Overall, Android is a great platform for creating innovative apps to increase brand popularity and reach new audiences.
Android Developer
An Android Developer designs applications for Android operating systems, providing development services globally, including India. Typically, a bachelor’s degree in software development or a related field is required, but experience isn’t. With the surge in the development of Android applications, the demand for Android Developers is high. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for software developers, including Android developers, will increase by 17% by 2024.Responsibilities of an Android Developer
An Android Developer is responsible for designing and building advanced applications for Android devices and should keep the app user-friendly. They work with cross-functional teams to define, design and ship new features. In addition, Android Developers troubleshoot and fix bugs, work with databases, and APIs, and continuously research and implement new development tools. They can use Github to collaborate with other developers and upload new versions of software.
10 Essential Skills for Android Developers
Developing Android applications can be a rewarding career path, as it allows you to create innovative and engaging apps that connect people across the world. To be a successful Android developer, there are several skills you must possess and know how to apply to provide a seamless user experience. Here are the 10 skills every Android developer should have:
Android App Development Basics
Android app development requires a programming language, with Java being the backbone of all Android development. Kotlin is another official Android language that’s similar to Java. To design layouts, we use eXtensible Markup Language (XML) that’s linked to Kotlin/Java files where the coding takes place. Android Studio is a handy integrated environment that uses Gradle, an advanced build toolkit for automation, and managing the build process. To use Gradle, the Android plugin for Gradle must be installed to manage external dependencies. Android Studio and Gradle can run independently, and the command line can be used for build processes or continuous integration servers.
Android Interactivity
When developing Android apps, providing a seamless user experience by prioritizing user interaction is crucial. This includes responding to events with callbacks, utilizing appropriate gestures like drag and drop, providing appropriate keyboard options for input, and implementing pan and zoom features in the correct places. All of these small additions have a significant impact on user satisfaction.
An Activity in Android is a single, focused task that a user can perform. It’s a crucial component of an app, as almost all interactions occur in Activities. The Activity class creates a window for the app’s user interface.
Given the variety of screen configurations in Android devices, such as screen orientation being either portrait or landscape, each Activity can exist in either mode. When the screen is rotated, the current Activity is destroyed and recreated with the new orientation. Keeping an Activity stable during these transitions is vital for a good user experience.
It’s the android developer’s responsibility to ensure that these aspects of interactivity are well-handled.
Android UI
A good user interface (UI) is essential for a complete Android application. The UI is made up of layouts and widgets. To ensure success, it is important to follow basic rules such as using RecyclerView for lists and grids, incorporating animations for a better user experience, following Material design guidelines, and using vector drawable rather than raster graphics.
It is also important to consider multiple screen types and adjust layouts accordingly. For instance, on a tablet, a dual-pane layout fits better with a widescreen. On the other hand, a single-pane layout is ideal for a smartphone. The use of Fragments enables this behavior. To meet specific needs, customized components can be designed for Views.
Implementing Navigation in Android Apps
Navigation is essential for allowing users to move around your app effectively. Different UI elements can be used to implement this feature, such as the app bar, popup menu, navigation drawer, BottomNavigationView, and ViewPager. However, the user’s intention is the most crucial aspect to consider when designing navigation in your app. You can achieve this using Intents, Explicit Intent for a known target Activity, and Implicit Intent if the target is unknown. Lastly, Android JetPack’s Navigation component simplifies the implementation of different navigation patterns, including app bars and navigation drawers.
Android App Testing
During the iterative development of your app, it’s crucial to test different user interactions, such as submitting forms or downloading data on their device. Consistently running tests allows you to ensure your app functions accurately, operates correctly, and is user-friendly before its public release. The widely used testing libraries are JUnit, Espresso, Mockito, UI Automator, and Robolectric.
//example code
@Test
public void testAddition() {
assertEquals(4, 2 + 2);
}
Tips for Handling Databases
Data is crucial for app development and must not be overlooked. You can fetch data from the server, query data from the local database, save user preferences, and handle files. For storing data locally, use Android Jetpack’s Room database, an architecture component. For saving small amounts of data such as key-value pairs or typed objects, use Kotlin coroutines and Flow with Jetpack’s DataStore. For managing a large amount of data, Cloud services like Firebase or Parse provide straightforward APIs to store information in the cloud and share it across devices.
Notification Features for Increased User Engagement
Notifications are a great way to engage users. They are messages that appear outside of your app’s UI and provide reminders, communication from others, or timely information. Users can tap notifications to open your app or take direct action. You can customize notifications by creating and grouping them using Notification channels and adding actions to them.
Firebase on Android
Firebase is a versatile mobile platform that enables you to conveniently build top-notch applications, boost your user numbers, and enhance your revenue. As an Android developer, Firebase offers several useful functions, including some utility features, alternate ways for backend coding, and cloud functions for running backend code automatically in response to Firebase events or HTTPS requests. Firebase Invites, Firebase Performance Monitoring, Firebase Remote Config, Remote Config, and A/B Testing are some additional Firebase features worth exploring.
Android Security
Android includes security features to minimize application security issues. Permissions protect user privacy while signature-based permissions secure data sharing. Be careful when using internal storage, external storage, and ContentProviders to handle data security. WebView’s capabilities are limited to minimize web security issues, like JavaScript injection. Also, minimize user credential prompts by using authorization tokens, refreshed at regular intervals.
Using APIs in Android App Development
As an Android app developer, you’ll need to interact with various services like accessing a calendar from a third-party service or checking the stock market. APIs provide a consistent and secure way to query data from these services. Android app development companies typically offer APIs with clear instructions on how to use them. Google also offers APIs that can be easily connected to your Android app.
GIT: VERSION CONTROL SYSTEM
Git is an essential skill for Android developers regardless of the company’s needs. It allows you to confidently experiment with new coding techniques and application features. Git makes it easy to restore previous versions and course correct when you realize you’re evolving your project in the wrong direction. Android Studio has a built-in Git client that can be enabled to start using. However, Git must first be installed on the local system as a prerequisite.
Deployment of an Android Application
Deploying an Android app can be done through various ways. The widely used method is releasing it on Google Play. However, you can also release the app via your website or directly to a user. Google Play offers a robust publishing platform that enables you to publicize, sell and distribute your app globally. The process of releasing an app on Google Play is simple and involves three basic steps:
1. Preparing promotional materials – Create promotional materials such as screenshots, videos, graphics, and promotional text to leverage the marketing and publicity capabilities of Google Play.
2. Configuring options and uploading Assets – Configure various settings for your app, such as target countries, listing languages, price, application type, category, and content rating. Upload the promotional materials and app as a draft application.
3. Publishing the release version of your App – Once you have verified the publishing settings and ensured the app is ready to be released, click the publish button in the Play Console, and your app will be live for download globally within minutes.
The Benefits of Choosing a Career as an Android Developer
As the world continues to shift towards a mobile landscape, the demand for skilled Android app developers is growing rapidly. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider a career in Android development:
– Android development offers a platform to showcase your creativity and design skills.
– Experienced developers can work as freelancers, offering flexibility and variety in their work.
– There are a variety of development tools available online that make it easy to create Android applications.
– Developers have easy access to the open-source platform and the resources necessary to stay up-to-date with the latest techniques and information.
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Additional Resource
Check out these helpful resources for coding practice and Android development:
- IQCode Blog
- Coding Practice
- Android MCQ
- Top Android Interview Questions
- Android Project Ideas
- Android Developer Salary in India
Use these resources to improve your coding skills and prepare for your next android development job interview.
