Helpful guide to becoming an Android Developer in 2022

7 min read

Google created the open-source Android operating system with mobile devices in mind. Over the years, it has grown significantly in popularity, which has led to a tremendous demand for Android developers. According to Statista, a statistics portal, Android has a market share of 87%; this is greater than the market share of iOS and Windows combined. In fact, 73% of smartphones have an Android operating system, making Android development a key development field.

It isn’t a surprise that most people have smartphones. Every company is looking to expand its customer base, and mobile applications are one of the easiest ways for businesses to reach them. It is a cost-effective solution with a better reach, providing Android developers with a range of opportunities. The process of creating an application for this straightforward yet flexible operating system on Android Studio with the aid of the Android software development kit (SDK) is known as “Android development.” It is one of the most sought-after professions of choice. Although it uses fewer resources and incurs less expense during the development process, it gives a high success ratio. Android development is not just limited to mobile phones. It is being integrated into cars, television, and anything else that you can imagine. The opportunities are limitless.

So, if you are looking to become an Android developer in 2022, you are in the right place! In this blog, you will find a lot of helpful information, from the programming languages and frameworks to the important resources. You will be guided step by step, and by the end of this article, you will know all the vital details to becoming an Android developer.

The Skills and Programming Languages You Will Need

Learning a programming language is the first step to becoming an Android developer. In the case of Android, Java and Kotlin are two of the most popular ones. Apart from this, you should also know about software development kit (SDK), Android Development Studio, SQL and databases, and tools to build and deploy mobile applications.

Kotlin and Java

Kotlin is a modern programming language developed by Google that shares a lot of similarities with Java. Kotlin is the recommended language and Google’s language of choice for creating Android apps because it gives the platform all the advantages of a modern language without adding any new limitations. Since Kotlin and Java are completely interoperable, you can use Android libraries you build in Java along with Kotlin applications. Kotlin offers several features to ease up the coding process with minimal chances of crashes and errors. As Java is older than Kotlin, you will find a wide range of tools and supporting platforms for Java. Understanding the structure and individual benefits that both languages offer is critical. After all, you do not want to use Java where Kotlin could offer better support, and vice versa. In 2022, having a basic understanding of Java should be enough. The focus should be more on Kotlin, as many employers are preferring it due to the features it offers. The main aspects to focus on are syntax, structures, object-oriented concepts, data structures, writing standalone functions and classes, type systems, and programming fundamentals. Learning Kotlin sets up the foundation for subsequent steps to become an Android developer.

Software Development Kit (SDK)

Another skill you should cultivate in your journey of becoming an Android developer is the Android software development kit. SDK is basically a collection of software development tools that you can install in one package. These tools facilitate a developer in the application development and debugging process. Debugging is the process of detecting and removing any existing and potential errors. Android SDK includes tools such as necessary libraries, a debugger, an emulator, and relevant documentation. The developer must have a firm grasp of these concepts along with being well-versed in documentation and communication.

Android Development Studio

Android Studio is a graphical integrated development environment (IDE) for the development of Android apps. In other words, this is where you would actually be writing all the code. It includes everything a developer needs to build an Android application. As a developer, you should know how to set up, use, install, and update Android Studio and its components, create an app from scratch, and understand and use a debugger, packaging tools, and emulators for testing. The ability to use IDE tools to troubleshoot problems is an essential skill that an Android developer should know.

SQL and Databases

SQL is the database language used by Android to store user and application data. Therefore, an Android developer must be familiar with the SQL database engine. Developers need to be familiar with the triggers, indexes, numerous tables, and views in a single disc file if they want to become well-rounded Android developers. Android apps communicate with a database located outside of the smartphone since they handle enormous volumes of data. Firebase is a helpful tool for beginners to easily integrate with their applications to add cloud support and make it accessible for cross-platform use. The ability to operate with an SQLite database is also a requirement for developers if their consumers need to utilize the program offline.

Firebase

Firebase is a set of hosting services for any type of application. It provides detailed documentation and cross-platform software development kits to assist in building and shipping applications on Android. Knowing Firebase is beneficial for an Android developer in the long run.

Deployment Process

The process of uploading and configuring a particular application to a specific URL or a server is known as “application deployment.” In the case of Android, think of it as uploading an application to the Google Play Store. Once the deployment of the application is complete, the URL or application becomes publicly accessible. Users can download the application to their phones and use it. To become a well-rounded Android developer, it is necessary to become familiar with the Google Play Store and understand how the release process works.

Apart from these languages and tools, some skills should be practiced by every developer if they want to succeed in their careers. The following are a few of these necessary skills:

Architecture Patterns

When building complex apps, you must follow certain principles to create code that is easily testable, maintainable, extendable, and reusable. This is where the architectural pattern helps. They facilitate a developer in designing clean code with a modular design for developing a more stable application. Some design patterns that you should become familiar with are: MVC (model view controller), MVP (model view presenter), and MVVM (model view viewmodel).

Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)

SDLC is a set of steps that are followed to create software applications. It includes the process of planning, gathering requirements for your application, designing, the actual development (i.e., coding), testing, and deployment. As a developer, you should be aware of the logic behind the development process. You should know why you are developing a specific feature of an application, how the user will interact with it, why it was required in the first place, and how it fits with the rest of the application. It gives you more clarity regarding the essential features and components and helps in delivering an application that can pass all the tests and meet the client’s expectations.

Application Programming Interface (API)

You will need to communicate with many additional services as an Android app developer. For instance, you might want to enable location or calendar access for your users from a third-party source. An Android app development business will typically give APIs and explain in detail how to query them for data securely and consistently. You are free to communicate with any existing API, but Google also makes it incredibly simple for your Android app to connect to its APIs. For instance, it’s simple to use Google APIs to track your customers’ locations, allow them to look for nearby places to visit, and make use of maps inside your app.

Command Line

Instead of using a graphical user interface (GUI), developers send text commands to the operating system using a command-line interface (CLI). This is due to the command-line interface’s vastly superior capability and flexibility compared to the graphical user interface. Therefore, you should have knowledge of basic Linux commands.

Git

Git is a free and open-source distributed version control system designed to handle small as well as large projects with speed and efficiency. You can confidently experiment with new application features and development approaches. While the original working copy of your project is kept safe and secure, you can work on new ideas by creating separate branches or repositories. You can easily restore your prior version and change course the instant you realize your project is going on the incorrect path. Git is an essential tool a developer must know since the majority of companies use and prefer it. Git can be used in the web interface as well as the command line. Knowledge of both is important to become an expert developer.

Communication Skills

When hiring Android developers, companies are not just looking for coding skills. They need developers who possess the ability to listen, understand, and respond to their colleagues’ and clients’ questions. They need to be able to communicate with non-technical clients as well as their technical team. The clarity in understanding and conveying requirements is a vital part of building an app, which can only be achieved with strong communication skills.

Learning Resources

To learn the skills and languages shared above, you can find resources online, such as tutorials, YouTube channels, articles, blogs, and podcasts, or you can attend a coding bootcamp. Below are some of the resources that can help you get started:

Getting Hired

Once you have a deeper understanding of coding and Android development, you’ll need to start preparing for interviews. One way to do this is by developing a portfolio. You will want to stand out from the rest of the candidates, and the best way to do this is by showing recruiters your skills and knowledge. You should develop apps and deploy them using a variety of tools and languages. This will show recruiters that you can handle the complete development lifecycle, which is an essential skill as discussed before. Use GitHub and contribute to open source as well. Contributing to open-source projects shows that you can not only develop applications but are also capable of understanding others’ code and contributing to that. Stack Overflow is a leading platform where you can learn, share, and build with others. You can always use this platform to get help with debugging your errors and learn from other developers. Maybe one day you can even start guiding other developers and helping them out. Networking can be a great way to learn more about the industry as well as find opportunities. Reach out to the people working in a similar domain, market your skills, share your applications, and keep learning.

Helpful guide to becoming an Android Developer in 2022

The Skills and Programming Languages You Will Need

Learning Resources

Getting Hired

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