Android Wireless Application Development Volume I: Android Essentials

Content: Machine generated contents note: Who Should Read This Book --
Key Questions Answered in This Volume --
How These Books Are Structured --
An Overview of Changes in This Edition --
Development Environment Used in This Book --
Supplementary Materials Available --
Where to Find More Information --
Conventions Used in This Book --
Contacting the Authors --
I. An Overview of the Android Platform --
1. Introducing Android --
A Brief History of Mobile Software Development --
Way Back When --
\"The Brick\" --
Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) --
Proprietary Mobile Platforms --
The Open Handset Alliance --
Google Goes Wireless --
Forming the Open Handset Alliance --
Manufacturers: Designing Android Devices --
Mobile Operators: Delivering the Android Experience --
Apps Drive Device Sales: Developing Android Applications --
Taking Advantage of All Android Has to Offer --
The Android Marketplace: Where We\'re at Now --
Android Platform Differences --
Android: A Next-Generation Platform. Contents note continued: Free and Open Source --
Familiar and Inexpensive Development Tools --
Reasonable Learning Curve for Developers --
Enabling Development of Powerful Applications --
Rich, Secure Application Integration --
No Costly Obstacles to Publication --
A \"Free Market\" for Applications --
A Growing Platform --
The Android Platform --
Android\'s Underlying Architecture --
Security and Permissions --
Developing Android Applications --
Summary --
References and More Information --
2. Setting Up Your Android Development Environment --
Configuring Your Development Environment --
Configuring Your Operating System for Device Debugging --
Configuring Your Android Hardware for Debugging --
Upgrading the Android SDK --
Problems with the Android Software Development Kit --
Exploring the Android SDK --
Understanding the Android SDK License Agreement --
Reading the Android SDK Documentation --
Exploring the Core Android Application Framework --
Exploring the Core Android Tools. Contents note continued: Exploring the Android Sample Applications --
Summary --
References and More Information --
3. Writing Your First Android Application --
Testing Your Development Environment --
Adding the Snake Project to Your Eclipse Workspace --
Creating an Android Virtual Device (AVD) for Your Snake Project --
Creating a Launch Configuration for Your Snake Project --
Running the Snake Application in the Android Emulator --
Building Your First Android Application --
Creating and Configuring a New Android Project --
Core Files and Directories of the Android Application --
Creating an AVD for Your Project --
Creating a Launch Configuration for Your Project --
Running Your Android Application in the Emulator --
Debugging Your Android Application in the Emulator --
Adding Logging Support to Your Android Application --
Adding Some Media Support to Your Application --
Debugging Your Application on the Hardware --
Summary --
References and More Information. Contents note continued: 4. Mastering the Android Development Tools --
Using the Android Documentation --
Leveraging the Android Emulator --
Viewing Application Log Data with LogCat --
Debugging Applications with DDMS --
Using Android Debug Bridge (ADB) --
Using the Resource Editors and UI Designer --
Using the Android Hierarchy Viewer --
Launching the Hierarchy Viewer --
Working in Layout View Mode --
Optimizing Your User Interface --
Working in Pixel Perfect Mode --
Working with Nine-Patch Stretchable Graphics --
Working with Other Android Tools --
Summary --
References and More Information --
II. Android Application Basics --
5. Understanding the Anatomy of an Android Application --
Mastering Important Android Terminology --
Using the Application Context --
Retrieving the Application Context --
Using the Application Context --
Performing Application Tasks with Activities --
The Lifecycle of an Android Activity --
Organizing Activity Components with Fragments. Contents note continued: Managing Activity Transitions with Intents --
Transitioning Between Activities with Intents --
Organizing Application Navigation with Activities and Intents --
Working with Services --
Receiving and Broadcasting Intents --
Summary --
References and More Information --
6. Defining Your Application Using the Android Manifest File --
Configuring Android Applications Using the Android Manifest File --
Editing the Android Manifest File --
Managing Your Application\'s Identity --
Versioning Your Application --
Setting the Application Name and Icon --
Enforcing Application System Requirements --
Targeting Specific SDK Versions --
Enforcing Application Platform Requirements --
Working with External Libraries --
Other Application Configuration Settings and Filters --
Registering Activities in the Android Manifest --
Designating a Primary Entry Point Activity for Your Application Using an Intent Filter --
Configuring Other Intent Filters. Contents note continued: Registering Other Application Components --
Working with Permissions --
Registering Permissions Your Application Requires --
Registering Permissions Your Application Enforces --
Exploring Other Manifest File Settings --
Summary --
References and More Information --
7. Managing Application Resources --
What Are Resources? --
Storing Application Resources --
Resource Value Types --
Accessing Resources Programmatically --
Setting Simple Resource Values Using Eclipse --
Working with Different Types of Resources --
Working with String Resources --
Using String Resources as Format Strings --
Working with String Arrays --
Working with Boolean Resources --
Working with Integer Resources --
Working with Colors --
Working with Dimensions --
Working with Simple Drawables --
Working with Images --
Working with Animation --
Working with Menus --
Working with XML Files --
Working with Raw Files --
References to Resources --
Working with Layouts. Contents note continued: Referencing System Resources --
Summary --
References and More Information --
III. Android User Interface Design Essentials --
8. Exploring User Interface Screen Elements --
Introducing Android Views and Layouts --
Introducing the Android View --
Introducing the Android Controls --
Introducing the Android Layout --
Displaying Text to Users with TextView --
Configuring Layout and Sizing --
Creating Contextual Links in Text --
Retrieving Data from Users with EditText --
Retrieving Text Input Using EditText Controls --
Constraining User Input with Input Filters --
Helping the User with Autocompletion --
Giving Users Choices Using Spinner Controls --
Allowing Simple User Selections with Buttons, Check Boxes, Switches, and Radio Groups --
Using Basic Buttons --
Using CheckBox and ToggleButton Controls --
Using RadioGroup and RadioButton --
Retrieving Dates and Times from Users --
Using Indicators to Display Data to Users. Contents note continued: Indicating Progress with ProgressBar --
Adjusting Progress with SeekBar --
Displaying Rating Data with RatingBar --
Showing Time Passage with the Chronometer --
Displaying the Time --
Summary --
References and More Information --
9. Designing User Interfaces with Layouts --
Creating User Interfaces in Android --
Creating Layouts Using XML Resources --
Creating Layouts Programmatically --
Organizing Your User Interface --
Using ViewGroup Subclasses for Layout Design --
Using ViewGroup Subclasses as View Containers --
Using Built-in Layout Classes --
Using FrameLayout --
Using LinearLayout --
Using RelativeLayout --
Using TableLayout --
Using GridLayout --
Using Multiple Layouts on a Screen --
Using Container Control Classes --
Using Data-Driven Containers --
Organizing Screens with Tabs --
Adding Scrolling Support --
Exploring Other View Containers --
Summary --
References and More Information --
10. Working with Fragments --
Understanding Fragments. Contents note continued: Understanding the Fragment Lifecycle --
Working with Special Types of Fragments --
Designing Fragment-Based Applications --
Using the Android Support Package --
Adding Fragment Support to Legacy Applications --
Using Fragments in New Applications Targeting Older Platforms --
Linking the Android Support Package to Your Project --
Summary --
References and More Information --
11. Working with Dialogs --
Choosing Your Dialog Implementation --
Exploring the Different Types of Dialogs --
Working with Dialogs: The Legacy Method --
Tracing the Lifecycle of a Dialog --
Working with Custom Dialogs --
Working with Dialogs: The Fragment Method --
Summary --
References and More Information --
IV. Android Application Design Essentials --
12. Using Android Preferences --
Working with Application Preferences --
Determining When Preferences Are Appropriate --
Storing Different Types of Preference Values --
Creating Private Preferences for Use by a Single Activity. Contents note continued: Creating Shared Preferences for Use by Multiple Activities --
Searching and Reading Preferences --
Adding, Updating, and Deleting Preferences --
Reacting to Preference Changes --
Finding Preferences Data on the Android File System --
Creating Manageable User Preferences --
Creating a Preference Resource File --
Using the PreferenceActivity Class --
Summary --
References and More Information --
13. Working with Files and Directories --
Working with Application Data on the Device --
Practicing Good File Management --
Understanding Android File Permissions --
Working with Files and Directories --
Exploring with the Android Application Directories --
Working with Other Directories and Files on the Android File System --
Summary --
References and More Information --
14. Using Content Providers --
Exploring Android\'s Content Providers --
Using the MediaStore Content Provider --
Using the CallLog Content Provider --
Using the Browser Content Provider. Contents note continued: Using the CalendarContract Content Provider --
Using the UserDictionary Content Provider --
Using the VoicemailContract Content Provider --
Using the Settings Content Provider --
Using the Contacts Content Providers --
Modifying Content Providers Data --
Adding Records --
Updating Records --
Deleting Records --
Using Third-Party Content Providers --
Summary --
References and More Information --
15. Designing Compatible Applications --
Maximizing Application Compatibility --
Designing User Interfaces for Compatibility --
Working with Fragments --
Leveraging the Android Support Package --
Supporting Specific Screen Types --
Working with Nine-Patch Stretchable Graphics --
Using the Working Square Principle --
Providing Alternative Application Resources --
Understanding How Resources Are Resolved --
Organizing Alternative Resources with Qualifiers --
Providing Resources for Different Orientations --
Using Alternative Resources Programmatically. Contents note continued: Organizing Application Resources Efficiently --
Targeting Tablets, TVs, and Other New Devices --
Targeting Tablet Devices --
Targeting Google TV Devices --
Summary --
References and More Information --
V. Publishing and Distributing Android Applications --
16. The Android Software Development Process --
An Overview of the Mobile Development Process --
Choosing a Software Methodology --
Understanding the Dangers of Waterfall Approaches --
Understanding the Value of Iteration --
Gathering Application Requirements --
Determining Project Requirements --
Developing Use Cases for Mobile Applications --
Incorporating Third-Party Requirements --
Managing a Device Database --
Assessing Project Risks --
Identifying Target Devices --
Acquiring Target Devices --
Determining the Feasibility of Application Requirements --
Understanding Quality Assurance Risks --
Writing Essential Project Documentation --
Developing Test Plans for Quality Assurance Purposes. Contents note continued: Providing Documentation Required by Third Parties --
Providing Documentation for Maintenance and Porting --
Leveraging Configuration Management Systems --
Choosing a Source Control System --
Implementing an Application Version System That Works --
Designing Mobile Applications --
Understanding Mobile Device Limitations --
Exploring Common Mobile Application Architectures --
Designing for Extensibility and Maintenance --
Designing for Application Interoperability --
Developing Mobile Applications --
Testing Mobile Applications --
Deploying Mobile Applications --
Determining Target Markets --
Supporting and Maintaining Mobile Applications --
Track and Address Crashes Reported by Users --
Testing Firmware Upgrades --
Maintaining Adequate Application Documentation --
Managing Live Server Changes --
Identifying Low-Risk Porting Opportunities --
Summary --
References and More Information --
17. Designing and Developing Bulletproof Android Applications. Contents note continued: Best Practices in Designing Bulletproof Mobile Applications --
Meeting Mobile Users\' Demands --
Designing User Interfaces for Mobile Devices --
Designing Stable and Responsive Mobile Applications --
Designing Secure Mobile Applications --
Designing Mobile Applications for Maximum Profit --
Leveraging Third-Party Quality Standards --
Designing Mobile Applications for Ease of Maintenance and Upgrades --
Leveraging Android Tools for Application Design --
Avoiding Silly Mistakes in Android Application Design --
Best Practices in Developing Bulletproof Mobile Applications --
Designing a Development Process That Works for Mobile Development --
Testing the Feasibility of Your Application Early and Often --
Using Coding Standards, Reviews, and Unit Tests to Improve Code Quality --
Handling Defects Occurring on a Single Device --
Leveraging Android Tools for Development --
Avoiding Silly Mistakes in Android Application Development --
Summary. Contents note continued: References and More Information --
18. Testing Android Applications --
Best Practices in Testing Mobile Applications --
Designing a Mobile Application Defect Tracking System --
Managing the Testing Environment --
Maximizing Testing Coverage --
Leveraging Android Tools for Android Application Testing --
Avoiding Silly Mistakes in Android Application Testing --
Summary --
References and More Information --
19. Publishing Your Android Application --
Choosing the Right Distribution Model --
Protecting Your Intellectual Property --
Billing the User --
Packaging Your Application for Publication --
Preparing Your Code for Packaging --
Packing and Signing Your Application --
Testing the Release Version of Your Application Package --
Distributing Your Application --
Publishing on the Android Market --
Signing Up for a Developer Account on the Android Market --
Uploading Your Application to the Android Market --
Uploading Application Marketing Assets. Contents note continued: Configuring Application Listing Details --
Configuring Application Publishing Options --
Configuring Application Contact and Consent Information --
Publishing Your Application on the Android Market --
Managing Your Application on the Android Market --
Publishing Using Other Alternatives --
Self-Publishing Your Application --
Summary --
References and More Information --
VI. Appendixes --
A. The Android Emulator Quick-Start Guide --
Simulating Reality: The Emulator\'s Purpose --
Working with Android Virtual Devices (AVDs) --
Using the Android Virtual Device Manager --
Creating an AVD --
Launching the Emulator with a Specific AVD --
Maintaining Emulator Performance --
Configuring Emulator Startup Options --
Launching an Emulator to Run an Application --
Launching an Emulator from the Android Virtual Device Manager --
Configuring the GPS Location of the Emulator --
Calling Between Two Emulator Instances --
Messaging between Two Emulator Instances. Contents note continued: Interacting with the Emulator through the Console --
Using the Console to Simulate Incoming Calls --
Using the Console to Simulate SMS Messages --
Using the Console to Send GPS Coordinates --
Using the Console to Monitor Network Status --
Using the Console to Manipulate Power Settings --
Using Other Console Commands --
Enjoying the Emulator --
Understanding Emulator Limitations --
References and More Information --
B. The Android DDMS Quick-Start Guide --
Using DDMS with Eclipse and as a Standalone Application --
Getting Up to Speed Using Key Features of DDMS --
Working with Processes, Threads, and the Heap --
Attaching a Debugger to an Android Application --
Stopping a Process --
Monitoring Thread Activity of an Android Application --
Monitoring Heap Activity --
Prompting Garbage Collection --
Creating and Using an HPROF File --
Using the Allocation Tracker --
Working with the File Explorer --
Browsing the File System of an Emulator or Device. Contents note continued: Copying Files from the Emulator or Device --
Copying Files to the Emulator or Device --
Deleting Files on the Emulator or Device --
Working with the Emulator Control --
Simulating Incoming Voice Calls --
Simulating Incoming SMS Messages --
Sending a Location Fix --
Taking Screen Captures of the Emulator and Device Screens --
Working with Application Logging --
C. Eclipse IDE Tips and Tricks --
Organizing Your Eclipse Workspace --
Integrating with Source Control Services --
Repositioning Tabs within Perspectives --
Maximizing Windows --
Minimizing Windows --
Viewing Windows, Side by Side --
Viewing Two Sections of the Same File --
Closing Unwanted Tabs --
Keeping Windows Under Control --
Creating Custom Log Filters --
Searching Your Project --
Organizing Eclipse Tasks --
Writing Code in Java --
Using Autocomplete --
Creating New Classes and Methods --
Organizing Imports --
Formatting Code --
Renaming Almost Anything --
Refactoring Code. Contents note continued: Reorganizing Code --
Using QuickFix --
Providing Javadoc-Style Documentation --
Resolving Mysterious Build Errors.