Android Mobile Software Aplication Support

Unlike other mobile development platforms, there is no distinction between native applications and developer-created applications on the Android platform. Provided the application is granted the appropriate permissions, all applications have the same access to core libraries and the underlying hardware interfaces. Android handsets ship with a set of native applications such as a Web browser and contact manager.Third-party applications might integrate with these core applications and even extend them to provide a rich user experience.

With Android, mobile developers no longer have to reinvent the wheel. Instead, developers use familiar class libraries exposed through Android’s Java packages to perform common tasks such as graphics, database access, network access, secure communications, and utilities (such as XML parsing).

The Android packages include support for

a. Common user interface widgets (Buttons, Spin Controls,Text Input)

b. User interface layout

c. Secure networking and Web browsing features (SSL,WebKit)

d. Structured storage and relational databases (SQLite)

f. Powerful 2D and 3D graphics (SGL and OpenGL ES 1.0)

g. Audio and visual media formats (MPEG4, MP3, Still Images)

h. Access to optional hardware such as Location-Based Services (LBS),WiFi, and Bluetooth

Android Application FrameworkThe Android application framework provides everything necessary to implement your average application.The Android application lifecycle involves the following key components:

1. Activities are functions the application performs.

2. Groups of views define the application’s layout.

3. Intents inform the system about an application’s plans.

4. Services allow for background processing without user interaction.

5. Notifications alert the user when something interesting happens.
 

Android Applications can interact with the operating system and underlying hardware using a collection of managers. Each manager is responsible for keeping the state of some underlying system service. For example, there is a LocationManager that facilitates interaction with the location-based services available on the handset.The ViewManager and WindowManager manage user interface fundamentals.

Applications can interact with one another by using or acting as a ContentProvider. Built-in applications such as the Contact manager are content providers, allowing third-party applications to access contact data and use it in an infinite number of ways.The sky is the limit.

Mobile software development has evolved over time.Android has emerged as a new mobile development platform, building on past successes and avoiding past failures of other platforms.Android was designed to empower the developer to write innovative applications.The platform is open source, with no up-front fees, and developers enjoy many benefits over other competing platforms. Now it’s time to dive deeper and start writing Android code, so you can evaluate what Android can do for you. In the next chapter, we configure the Android development environment and take a brief walk through the Android SDK.