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Hey there, thanks for reading.
I decided that I want to learn how to program apps and possibly games for WP7.
Because my holidays are almost starting, now's the time for me to do so.
I already have Visual Studio for Windows Phone up and running, and I encountered the getting started pages on the official silverlight website.
However, it kinda feels like being thrown into the deep and having to do everything in one big leap, instead of being able to start with basics and then move on in smaller steps.
Does any of you have advice for me on what would be good ways to get started? Any advice is appreciated.
I do have vast experience with PHP, but I believe that the syntax is completely different from SL.
Thanks in advance!
My advice would be to learn the basics of c# first. Any previous online tutorials for c# apply to windows phone 7. There are some minor differences but the basics are the same.
Check out http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/windowsphone7series/threads which is the official forums for Windows Phone 7 and there's a lot of good info there.
The code samples at http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff431744(VS.92).aspx are also worth playing around with.
Ideally you want to know C# for a starters. There's plenty of tutorials on MSDN or the web, but I can also recommend buying the book: Pro C# 2010 and the .NET Platform from Apress.
It's learns you the language, and also goes over XAML related technologies, and even though it's mostly WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) the core principles apply for Silverlight as well.
After you learned C#, it's time to learn Sivlerlight in dept, and by this I mean XAML, and the limitations in the .NET subset used for Silverlight.
For tools you wish to get Visual Studio 2010 Express, and Expression Blend 4. You can get the Release Candidate free for now, to try out development.
Make a note of that your computer need to support hardware-visualization to run the emulator without a incredible amount of lag!
If you're used to programming you might quickly learn Visual Studio, but Expression Blend requires a good amount of time to get used to. I'll recommend setting off a weekend where you use 2x8 hours to learn it.
You'll be using both Visual Studio and Expression Blend at the same time, C# for application-logic (ie. C# code) and Blend for design.
Designing in Blend is really simple, see for example expressionblend.png.
One of the articles I want to recommend you to read once you got into this entire XAML thing, is this article explaining how to do paging, as it's one of the core concepts, but also provides a good exercise in using Expression Blend.
Also, to get a handle of the basics, Microsoft has put together a site to encourage people to get involved with WP7 and Silverlight. The website is: http://www.microsoft.com/design/toolbox/
Its a real beginners course to all the programming one will be involved in on the WP7 platform. This won't get you very far in programming, but will teach you the absolute basics. From there you can always get assistance from the great members of XDA (me excluded)
Pretty cool site. Now we just need them to release a free-WP7 version of Expression Blend.
The current process to get started is way to messy, but I guess they already know that
Allright, thanks for these replies
My holidays are (unofficialy) starting in three days, so I'll have plenty of time available.
Luckily my rig runs the emulator buttersmooth (I ran the unlocked WP7 rom with it, to try the OS in it's current state) so that won't be an issue.
These links should get me going in the right direction (H)
Another must-have link is the unofficial Pivot and Panorama controls: http://phone.codeplex.com/
im ready for this!!!
Wow this looks like an interesting journey. Holidays? If you are a student, you can get a waiver on the $99 startup fee to post 5 applications on the windows marketplace. Check out www.dreamspark.com for more student resources.
Thanks for the information provided! I was stepping into WP7 app programming too.
Yea, thanks for telling me but I already knew about dreamspark
I've checked and I can enter by signing up with the e-mail my school provided.
However, since it's valid just one year im not using the key untill I actually own a WP7-device.
enadiz said:
Wow this looks like an interesting journey. Holidays? If you are a student, you can get a waiver on the $99 startup fee to post 5 applications on the windows marketplace. Check out www.dreamspark.com for more student resources.
Thanks for the information provided! I was stepping into WP7 app programming too.
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Sounds quite awesome. I only had MSDNAA access so far, but I believe I should have Dreamspark access when I start on my bachelor of engineering, after the summer holidays.
Btw. I made a compilation of tools and blogs that'll help developers getting started, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=711629
Windcape said:
Sounds quite awesome. I only had MSDNAA access so far, but I believe I should have Dreamspark access when I start on my bachelor of engineering, after the summer holidays.
Btw. I made a compilation of tools and blogs that'll help developers getting started, http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=711629
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Yumm. I'll get down to learning.
The key needs to be renewed every year .. as long as you have your student email, you'll be fine
My first post on xda-developers... +_+!
Yes, as you were told C sharp learning is important so try hard to learn it then go on learning VS 2010 express and expression blend 4. I am new to WP7 dev too and like you ... am dreaming of building a good application indeed - Games are so tough and complex to build and needs teamwork I think-. I just strated leaning C# and have found a lot of good websites trough google search (Windcape compiled most of them in a useful thread you may bookmark)
However, there are a lot of ressources and books about C# and WP7 programming there in torrents world. you can search them by yourself.
Here is a small cd from lynda.com I just uploaded to demonoid.me.
Lynda Windows Phone 7 App Development
I can post links but you can search demonoid website for it.
If anyone needs invitation to demonoid he may PM me here
Also, for a good intorduction to WP7DT just search google for this series : Windows Phone 7 Jump Start
NB: I wish if we can found or make a small teams of biginners wm7 programmers;
hexham said:
NB: I wish if we can found or make a small teams of biginners wm7 programmers;
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I'm currently studying Computer Science and i am very interested in developing to WP7. I don't have vast knowledge of C# but in other languages i'm good. Let me know if there is an opening for me . Besti wishes...
Do think about the Trial Version - my version was to short - so people were complaining about it...
I haven't read through the replies yet so apologies if I'm repeating anything, but I've been a .Net Developer for around five years now so I feel like this is something that I can actually comment on.
I didn't train in anything to do with computers I just fell into this programming lark, I actually trained as an Actor believe it or not. Through needing to design a database in order to record my Acting Accounts I eventually got into V.B.A. and after ending up with a part time job using V.B.A. was finally forced to learn .Net through requirement changes at work.
I only mention this, so as you know that I wasn't born to this sort of thing and had to struggle to get my head round it.
I started with vb.net as that was almost the same as using v.b.a. but last year decided to teach myself C#. I've not used PHP so can't comment on any similarities or otherwise but I do know this.
C# was a huge shock to my system, absolutely huge. I almost gave up after a week of trying to translate my existing code, but managed to persevere and I'd say that after about two months of forcing myself to do C# only, I felt comfortable with it. A year later and I'm completely fluent and happy with C#.
It's a bugger to look at, I don't find it elegant at all, but once you get your head round the syntax then it all starts to make sense.
Get a good C# book, I'm not sure of any good ones, I've not used any, and go with the lessons in there, but don't let that stop you trying to develop your own experimental stuff in the meantime.
Syntax basics
Curly Brackets {} tend to indicate a routine block
E.g. A Function/Method/Void called Test would look like this
public void Test()
{
... Your code goes here
}
This is also the case with an If statement
E.g.
if(A==B)
{
... Your code goes here
}
Scoping/Dimming/Creating an object requires the Object type first followed by it's name
E.g. TextBox _textbox
The object being created is a TextBox and it's name is _textbox
A semi colon ; indicates the end of a block of code. If you have a particularly long line of code then you can use multiple lines but will
only need to insert the ; at the end of that particularly block of code
E.g. A=1; (This is the standard way of doing this)
A=
1; (This is not the way that I would actually do this but is just an example of what is permissable.)
I always found it useful to find C# code on the web and try to read and understand it.
The most important thing is though, don't give up. Visual Studio is widely considered one of the best coding tools in the industry and C# itself, once you get past the first impressions is a really easy language to pick up.
Thanks for the detailed explanation - the use of accolades ('{}'), multiple lines and the semicolon and the syntaxt for statements looks pretty similar to PHP.
That might just be enough motivation for me to finally get started.
yes, even though I asked about advice over halve a year ago, I never got quite to it... Maybe these similarities plus the fact that I have a Microsoft Dreamspark developer account plus the fact that in March I might have a device will be of help. If that's not enough motivation, I don't know what will be :#
Go for it!
You can always ask questions here or on somewhere like StackOverflow.com if you get stuck.
Object Orientation takes some getting used to, but atleast the garbage collector should look after your memory for you
Dave
Interesting, I hope you will get something.
Just adding my two cents here...
I thoroughly recommend that anyone getting into WP7 programming takes a very good look at the MVVM pattern (see here - it's WPF based but the difference is really only in the objects available, most silverlight code can be directly ported to WPF and vice versa). Using this pattern not only enables you to easily swp the UI for your app, it also makes debugging a whole lot easier due to the lack of UI code in the classes that actually do the work (the view models).
Another thing to try and get your head around is asynchronous programming with services, but that is not really something you want to start out with Sorry, forgot we were dealing with silverlight for a minute this is something you're going to have to learn right from the start, along with using background threads for processing data.
For anyone that needs any specific advice feel free to PM me. I'm new to the WP7 thing, but looking at the classes available which aren't available in silverlight it shouldn't be too hard to get into. And the design patterns will be the same.
I am a long-term tech enthusiast. I have extensive experience in IT including networking and have a Cisco certification. I was into IT and web development when I was just 13. I'd like to get into development for Droid and do have some basic Linux experience originating several years back in Apache and other systems administration. I've been doing some reading but would like to hear it from the horses mouth. From a developer, what would you recommend I read and learn for Android development, kernels, hacking, etc. ? I'd like to participate in ROM's development, kernels, apps, tweak, tutorials, etc. I'm new to Android so I'm fairly n00b in my own right.
I have learned a metric ****ton just by searching the archives around here
Doward said:
I have learned a metric ****ton just by searching the archives around here
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classic lol.
I really don't think there is an Android Development manual laying around. I highly doubt many people here took a linux-specific class or anything. Just from searching the forums, different web write-ups, etc.
I would say learn Java...big advantage knowing this for sure.
i agree for apps you will want to start with java. I have nto done much in kernels etc so am not sure what a good starting place is for them but for reading the code and making apps etc start with Java then learn the additional android functions etc.
SysFailure0x5a said:
I am a long-term tech enthusiast. I have extensive experience in IT including networking and have a Cisco certification. I was into IT and web development when I was just 13. I'd like to get into development for Droid and do have some basic Linux experience originating several years back in Apache and other systems administration. I've been doing some reading but would like to hear it from the horses mouth. From a developer, what would you recommend I read and learn for Android development, kernels, hacking, etc. ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just like you sys. Would really like to start getting into development for the android.
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Personally I know nothing of this myself but I would have to trust cyanogen this whole area. Here is what I've been looking at http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=667298 seems to me to be the place to start.
What books or references are "must haves" for me to get started. I have zero programming experience, but I want to contribute to the android dev community instead of just consuming. I know I could probably find what I need for free online somewhere, but I prefer the structure of a textbook or something similar. Suggestions?
Cyanogen would reccomend starting with app deving and then learning basics about android. Then you'll have enough knowledge to make a decent rom
A drop of Chuck Norris's semen was placed on the IPhone. We now have the Htc Evo.
Application development is a good place to start, except that you have no programming experience. Doesn't mean you can't learn though! developer.android.com is a good place to start, but it kind of assumes you know a little something about software development. As for other resources, I'm not sure what kind of books are out there about Android. However, Android development is essentially in the Java language. You could start with a good general Java programming book, of which there are many.
That said though, there are lots of other ways to contribute. Just learning more about it (not necessarily at a developer level) and offering help to people who need help here on XDA counts as contributing! There are also things you can do around ROM development (which doesn't necessarily involve programming), theming, or any number of other things. It's just a question of where your interests and talents lie.
bkrodgers said:
Application development is a good place to start, except that you have no programming experience. Doesn't mean you can't learn though! developer.android.com is a good place to start, but it kind of assumes you know a little something about software development. As for other resources, I'm not sure what kind of books are out there about Android. However, Android development is essentially in the Java language. You could start with a good general Java programming book, of which there are many.
That said though, there are lots of other ways to contribute. Just learning more about it (not necessarily at a developer level) and offering help to people who need help here on XDA counts as contributing! There are also things you can do around ROM development (which doesn't necessarily involve programming), theming, or any number of other things. It's just a question of where your interests and talents lie.
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+1 thanks!
Head First Java, 2nd Edition is supposed to be a good place to start. I picked it up a few months ago when I wanted to read up on it myself, but haven't had time to get into it.
Sent from my blah blah blah blah
Can some some one point me to the right way and what do I need to know in term of computer language.?
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Check out http://create.msdn.com - it has everything you'll need to get started.
As for knowledge, it really depends on the app you're wanting to develop. If you can get away with using data already available on the net, with little to no processing needed, you can really build the UI in Blend without any programming experience what so ever. Sure, you'll need to wire up some events for buttons and what not, but even this is almost automatic.
If you do need to process the data before using it you should have at least a minimum knowledge of programming though. It really doesn't matter what language, but C# is what's used for WP7 (you can also use VB, but I don't think many do).
Just to point out that C# is almost identical to Java.
You can download WP7 SDK and free Visual Studio editions from Microsoft to start making WP7 apps. Normal apps are written using .NET (you can pick C#, VB.NET or Managed C++) as SilverLight app. Games are also written in .NET but on XNA framework. There maybe additional charges for XNA framework.
The SDK should come with a WP7 emulator software. That's where you spend your time debug and play with your app. In order to load the app to your phone, you will need to pay Microsoft $99/year to open a dev account so that you can pushlish the app to market or setup your phone as a dev phone so that you can load your own apps directly to the phone.
Or you can go jailbreak route and sideload apps that way.
Thanks, m a rookie when it comes to this. i just started to take c++. anyways everyone start with no knowledge right.
brummiesteven said:
Just to point out that C# is almost identical to Java.
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I maybe should have elaborated on this, at least I intended to
Anyways, Java is generally a learners language, you'll find it quite easy to learn as there are lots of tutorials etc on the internet. If you were to ever study computer science you'd also do java
So yeah, Java might be a good thing to start learning then when you get good enough C# will be a breese.
brummiesteven said:
So yeah, Java might be a good thing to start learning then when you get good enough C# will be a breese.
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Not sure I agree, as a complete novice you're better off going directly for C# (if that's the end goal) rather than using java as a stepping stone. It may end up confusing the hell out of you if you've done things in java a certain way only to find that C# does them completely different.
That said, I still think the choice of language is secondary - first and foremost you have to get into the right mindset, i.e. you have to learn programming, not a programming language. Of course, for WP7 development (at least for now) it very much depends on the type of app you're doing as a lot (too much?) can be done without ever touching code.
programming has a lot of similarities once you've done enough (same as learning languages in general), however, the beginning learn curve is HUGE. Understanding things from variables to classes to object orientation... and that's just the starters. I wouldn't worry about what language is better/easier, both java and C# are some of the easiest and most powerful around, but it's wrapping your head around the basics in general that is a real challenge.
i asked what language because i started my c++ programming this semester and i wanted to know if this the right path on making apps for the phones. as a right now im doing allot of read and watching allot of videos before i try of making a app, since i never have made one.
to be honest, focus on uni first. learn the principles of programming which you'll definitely cover in C++. get them down pat. once your semester is up and you ace the course, then move to another platform. early on it's not good to jump between many languages. it stuffs up your understanding pretty quickly. if you focus on 1, get it solid, it makes it easier to move to the next, and following.
eventually they'll just feel like 1 language... but focus on 1 to begin with, and that should be your studies, not a phone app.
@emigrating great post. That site has started my journey on App Development for WP7. For any other absolute n00b such as me, check out this series of short videos. It explains everything as clear as day and seems to go at a reasonable pace for a beginner like me. THere are 64 vid's in total, i'm currently on the 5th and am loving it
Thanks , I'm going to check them out right now.
Audio said:
@emigrating great post. That site has started my journey on App Development for WP7. For any other absolute n00b such as me, check out this series of short videos. It explains everything as clear as day and seems to go at a reasonable pace for a beginner like me. THere are 64 vid's in total, i'm currently on the 5th and am loving it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For anyone that can help.
I made I calculator app like many have started with, but I have a problem, it only calculate 2 terms. How can i fix this?. Plus I'm trying to to a tip calculator now, I have don't a simple one in c++ can I use the same code?
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I was wondering what resources are out there to become a DEV and make my own ROM's. I have googled it a little bit and not really found anything worth while so far. I did run across a good book but its not going to be published for another 2 months. Does anyone know of any tutorials? Books? How to guides?
There are plenty of kitchens right here on xda. And remember when you search on google add on xda to whatever you are searching. I had a bunch of bookmarks for this but never backed them up. Sorry buddy.
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I didn't think about using the term kitchen when searching. I will give that a shot. Thanks.
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bdpatch said:
I was wondering what resources are out there to become a DEV and make my own ROM's. I have googled it a little bit and not really found anything worth while so far. I did run across a good book but its not going to be published for another 2 months. Does anyone know of any tutorials? Books? How to guides?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would read google's documentation on Android, learn Linux commands, and also learn java. This is a good start. If you use kitchens, you are not dev'ing. After this, reading the cyanogen wiki will teach you some of the less "official" deving methods.
Edit:
Links
First go here and learn all of it. (weeks of hard work and dedication)
http://linuxcommand.org/index.php
Then go to a local library and pick up a recently published book on java programming and learn it. (weeks of hard work)
Then learn all of this (more weeks of hard work)
http://developer.android.com/guide/index.html
Then learn all of this (more weeks of hardwork)
http://www.freeyourandroid.com/index.php
Finally get involved with Cyanogenmod
Becoming a dev is a huge commitment, it is why professional devs are paid so well.
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kingsway8605 said:
I Becoming a dev is a huge commitment, it is why professional devs are paid so well.
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I'm just curious, how much do devs usually make and who actually pays them?
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Sn1per 117 said:
I'm just curious, how much do devs usually make and who actually pays them?
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I said professional devs. The hobbyist devs on xda usually are doing it because they enjoy doing it and picked up the skills over the years. But it isn't any easier and that is why the behavior on the forums sometimes annoys them. As far as professional devs who work for a company like Samsung, they make between 50,000-100,000 a year.
As far as independent professional devs, Paper camera has sold over 1,000,000 apks at 2 dollars a pop, do the math.
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I say make a couple of apps first and learn how Android works. Then move to themeing, then make kernels, then roms
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kingsway8605 said:
I said professional devs. The hobbyist devs on xda usually are doing it because they enjoy doing it and picked up the skills over the years. But it isn't any easier and that is why the behavior on the forums sometimes annoys them. As far as professional devs who work for a company like Samsung, they make between 50,000-100,000 a year.
As far as independent professional devs, Paper camera has sold over 1,000,000 apks at 2 dollars a pop, do the math.
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Click to collapse
Devs dont get 100% of their sales
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Here's where I learned my skills, this determines on what you're trying to develop. Most roms here, with the exception of source builds don't require much actual programming experience since they are closed source, primarily they have small tweaks like de-odexing, XML mods, etc.
Hands-On | 90% - 90% of my skills have come from hands-on experience and learning as I go along. For example, say I'm writing an app for the very first time. (Don't start with an app unless you've practiced with the platforms language first) As I went along on my first app I learned an incredible amount about android developing by reading developer.android.com and SO as I went along and came across something I wasn't sure about. Ditto kernel development, years ago I started with no knowledge and then bam I'm half a pro . Also, I knew nothing about ASP.NET/MVC/C# about a month ago, now it's kinda fluid to me.
School(Computer Science) | 8% - Yeah, it costs all that money for 8% or less. There can be some unique challenges in a software program, but almost everything you do in school is either so off the wall simple or has no real world application. I also think they spend too much time teaching by the syntax of the language, when really you should group them. Syntax is *mostly* trivial, it's better to group languages. Example: learn the Object Oriented Style (Perl, PHP, C++, Java, C#) which should give you a decent foundation in all those languages. Then learn the Procedure-Oriented Style (C, PHP, Perl, Cobol, BASIC (eww)). Then learn the rising in popularity Functional-Style (F#, SQL (mostly, this ones an exception since you often won't write many SQL scripts save for basic queries), Erlang, Haskell, C#). Notice: I listed some languages in multiple categories as the styles of programming are concepts, and some languages support either concept.
Co-Workers | 2% - Sometimes you learn by asking a co-worker or another developer. It's not how I did it primarily, but I know others who work best and learn best working in a team.
So to recap:
If you're trying to learn software programming itself I suggest starting with common scripting languages which are very easy to learn (HTML, XML (this will help for android), PHP). Then move on to some OOP languages (Java (Android*), C++). Then if you plan on working with kernel source code you should work with C and familiarize yourself with the procedure oriented style. Java is by far the easiest first language to learn OOP because of the wide-range of libraries available (to do almost anything) and the JRE, which gives you a nice garbage collector so you don't have the worry of memory management and freeing objects manually like you do in C/C++, etc.
If you just want to bake a rom with minor adjustments or a closed-source rom, I suggest you learn how to create themes first, as many of those concepts will help in baking a rom. And if you have questions this is a development community last time I checked, although sometimes it doesn't seem like it. So ask questions, ask other developers (I used to get questions ), ask on the board (if you follow the rules), ask on StackOverflow, etc. Don't be a nuisance to other developers though, I had someone that constantly blew up my phone nonstop all hours of the day asking silly silly questions. I don't mind questions, but i'd be spending time with my GF and my phone would explode with 20 questions that I already answered 20 times each
Also, some books may not be bad if you have absolutely no idea about programming whatsoever. But nowadays, you can find anything in a book on the internet. The benefits of a book is they include all their source code (usually) and can motivate you more since they give you projects and challenges. I had one Java book, and it drove me crazy because nothing was standardized. Instead of using the Java HashMap methods, or the Java Stack methods they wrote their own APIs for everything it drove me crazy :O
bbedward said:
Here's where I learned my skills, this determines on what you're trying to develop. Most roms here, with the exception of source builds don't require much actual programming experience since they are closed source, primarily they have small tweaks like de-odexing, XML mods, etc.
Hands-On | 90% - 90% of my skills have come from hands-on experience and learning as I go along. For example, say I'm writing an app for the very first time. (Don't start with an app unless you've practiced with the platforms language first) As I went along on my first app I learned an incredible amount about android developing by reading developer.android.com and SO as I went along and came across something I wasn't sure about. Ditto kernel development, years ago I started with no knowledge and then bam I'm half a pro . Also, I knew nothing about ASP.NET/MVC/C# about a month ago, now it's kinda fluid to me.
School(Computer Science) | 8% - Yeah, it costs all that money for 8% or less. There can be some unique challenges in a software program, but almost everything you do in school is either so off the wall simple or has no real world application. I also think they spend too much time teaching by the syntax of the language, when really you should group them. Syntax is *mostly* trivial, it's better to group languages. Example: learn the Object Oriented Style (Perl, PHP, C++, Java, C#) which should give you a decent foundation in all those languages. Then learn the Procedure-Oriented Style (C, PHP, Perl, Cobol, BASIC (eww)). Then learn the rising in popularity Functional-Style (F#, SQL (mostly, this ones an exception since you often won't write many SQL scripts save for basic queries), Erlang, Haskell, C#). Notice: I listed some languages in multiple categories as the styles of programming are concepts, and some languages support either concept.
Co-Workers | 2% - Sometimes you learn by asking a co-worker or another developer. It's not how I did it primarily, but I know others who work best and learn best working in a team.
So to recap:
If you're trying to learn software programming itself I suggest starting with common scripting languages which are very easy to learn (HTML, XML (this will help for android), PHP). Then move on to some OOP languages (Java (Android*), C++). Then if you plan on working with kernel source code you should work with C and familiarize yourself with the procedure oriented style. Java is by far the easiest first language to learn OOP because of the wide-range of libraries available (to do almost anything) and the JRE, which gives you a nice garbage collector so you don't have the worry of memory management and freeing objects manually like you do in C/C++, etc.
If you just want to bake a rom with minor adjustments or a closed-source rom, I suggest you learn how to create themes first, as many of those concepts will help in baking a rom. And if you have questions this is a development community last time I checked, although sometimes it doesn't seem like it. So ask questions, ask other developers (I used to get questions ), ask on the board (if you follow the rules), ask on StackOverflow, etc. Don't be a nuisance to other developers though, I had someone that constantly blew up my phone nonstop all hours of the day asking silly silly questions. I don't mind questions, but i'd be spending time with my GF and my phone would explode with 20 questions that I already answered 20 times each
Also, some books may not be bad if you have absolutely no idea about programming whatsoever. But nowadays, you can find anything in a book on the internet. The benefits of a book is they include all their source code (usually) and can motivate you more since they give you projects and challenges. I had one Java book, and it drove me crazy because nothing was standardized. Instead of using the Java HashMap methods, or the Java Stack methods they wrote their own APIs for everything it drove me crazy :O
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Click to collapse
My school must have a great compsci program because they focus on good programming styles and not syntax. There is no reason to start with any language besides java if your goal is to develop Android. And while I agree with your learning as you go approach, it would be a mistake and overwhelming imo for someone to jump into Android development without having a basic understanding of Linux, java, and Android. My advice given was for helping op to become an Android dev, not someone who posts roms. They are not always the same thing.
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bbedward said:
Here's where I learned my skills, this determines on what you're trying to develop. Most roms here, with the exception of source builds don't require much actual programming experience since they are closed source, primarily they have small tweaks like de-odexing, XML mods, etc.
Hands-On | 90% - 90% of my skills have come from hands-on experience and learning as I go along. For example, say I'm writing an app for the very first time. (Don't start with an app unless you've practiced with the platforms language first) As I went along on my first app I learned an incredible amount about android developing by reading developer.android.com and SO as I went along and came across something I wasn't sure about. Ditto kernel development, years ago I started with no knowledge and then bam I'm half a pro . Also, I knew nothing about ASP.NET/MVC/C# about a month ago, now it's kinda fluid to me.
School(Computer Science) | 8% - Yeah, it costs all that money for 8% or less. There can be some unique challenges in a software program, but almost everything you do in school is either so off the wall simple or has no real world application. I also think they spend too much time teaching by the syntax of the language, when really you should group them. Syntax is *mostly* trivial, it's better to group languages. Example: learn the Object Oriented Style (Perl, PHP, C++, Java, C#) which should give you a decent foundation in all those languages. Then learn the Procedure-Oriented Style (C, PHP, Perl, Cobol, BASIC (eww)). Then learn the rising in popularity Functional-Style (F#, SQL (mostly, this ones an exception since you often won't write many SQL scripts save for basic queries), Erlang, Haskell, C#). Notice: I listed some languages in multiple categories as the styles of programming are concepts, and some languages support either concept.
Co-Workers | 2% - Sometimes you learn by asking a co-worker or another developer. It's not how I did it primarily, but I know others who work best and learn best working in a team.
So to recap:
If you're trying to learn software programming itself I suggest starting with common scripting languages which are very easy to learn (HTML, XML (this will help for android), PHP). Then move on to some OOP languages (Java (Android*), C++). Then if you plan on working with kernel source code you should work with C and familiarize yourself with the procedure oriented style. Java is by far the easiest first language to learn OOP because of the wide-range of libraries available (to do almost anything) and the JRE, which gives you a nice garbage collector so you don't have the worry of memory management and freeing objects manually like you do in C/C++, etc.
If you just want to bake a rom with minor adjustments or a closed-source rom, I suggest you learn how to create themes first, as many of those concepts will help in baking a rom. And if you have questions this is a development community last time I checked, although sometimes it doesn't seem like it. So ask questions, ask other developers (I used to get questions ), ask on the board (if you follow the rules), ask on StackOverflow, etc. Don't be a nuisance to other developers though, I had someone that constantly blew up my phone nonstop all hours of the day asking silly silly questions. I don't mind questions, but i'd be spending time with my GF and my phone would explode with 20 questions that I already answered 20 times each
Also, some books may not be bad if you have absolutely no idea about programming whatsoever. But nowadays, you can find anything in a book on the internet. The benefits of a book is they include all their source code (usually) and can motivate you more since they give you projects and challenges. I had one Java book, and it drove me crazy because nothing was standardized. Instead of using the Java HashMap methods, or the Java Stack methods they wrote their own APIs for everything it drove me crazy :O
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This is great info thank you. I have linux experience and I have made a couple of hello world apps but nothing extensive. It looks like maybe i should start with a little theming or something like that. I know html and can read through XML. I think i will try and find some Java tutorials or books to get me going there. Know of any guides on theme's?
kingsway8605 said:
My school must have a great compsci program because they focus on good programming styles and not syntax. There is no reason to start with any language besides java if your goal is to develop Android. And while I agree with your learning as you go approach, it would be a mistake and overwhelming imo for someone to jump into Android development without having a basic understanding of Linux, java, and Android. My advice given was for helping op to become an Android dev, not someone who posts roms. They are not always the same thing.
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My schools good too I'm not saying its all syntax but its a lot of write your code readable in the professors style. I've learned more in 3 months on the job than 2 years of school. I've learned way more from self teaching tho.
And for app development Linux knowledge isn't really necessary since you can develop android apps on any platform, but Java and OOP styles is necessary knowledge.
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bdpatch said:
This is great info thank you. I have linux experience and I have made a couple of hello world apps but nothing extensive. It looks like maybe i should start with a little theming or something like that. I know html and can read through XML. I think i will try and find some Java tutorials or books to get me going there. Know of any guides on theme's?
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What you should start with greatly varies with what you want to develop
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bdpatch said:
I was wondering what resources are out there to become a DEV and make my own ROM's. I have googled it a little bit and not really found anything worth while so far. I did run across a good book but its not going to be published for another 2 months. Does anyone know of any tutorials? Books? How to guides?
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Read and follow this information from Cyanogen himself
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=667298
jerdog said:
Read and follow this information from Cyanogen himself
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=667298
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Thank you for the link. I got lots of stuff to start reading through now. I also found this book: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/xda...7854?ean=9781119951384&itm=1&usri=android+rom
It should hopefully be a good one as well when its published.
bdpatch said:
Thank you for the link. I got lots of stuff to start reading through now. I also found this book: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/xda...7854?ean=9781119951384&itm=1&usri=android+rom
It should hopefully be a good one as well when its published.
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It will be - I know the guys who've put it together.