If you have a close look at the immensely popular Google Play Store, you can note how many of those apps actually have a good download rate and positive review. As an app developer, you have to avoid getting stuck in the awful drought of increasing number of apps.
Android is unquestionably one of the most successful operating systems, in the present day scenario. For a novice to android app development, there are lots of resources to learn the basics. If you are unaware of the fundamentals of Google mobile operating system, you can master them by reading some expert tips.
Noted below are some tips and tricks for beginners that can help them excel as Android app developers from the scratch:
1. Read Android Design Guidelines and Follow
Google has prepared comprehensive guidelines to be followed by app developers. As a novice, this would be your first step towards a bright future as an app developer. Though some developers do not want to follow guidelines, it’s critically important. By following Google’s guidelines, you can help your users understand how apps function and ensure that they enjoy using an app as much as you did while developing it. A key element of Google guidelines is the advanced navigational drawer, usually exhibited in several apps and a very common feature of well designed apps in Android OS.
2. Master the Language
XML and Java are the two key programming languages used for Android app development. The right knowledge and expertise in these two programming languages can safely be called prerequisites for developing Android apps. There are some fundamentals of Java which include packages, inheritance and interfaces, objects and classes, strings and numbers, generics, concurrency, and collections.
If you can master these languages, you can successfully develop a robust and effective Android app.
3. Follow the Latest Trends
Occasionally, Google releases new updates to its existing SDK to provide developers some innovative ways for app development. For instance, with the Android 6.0 Marshmallow release, came along new app design techniques for developers to implement. Most of these design trends and concepts include an innovative translucent navigational and status bars. Keeping apps constantly updated is the only way to be among the first few to implement new features and set standards for an app. Of course, users would appreciate it and it would also increase expectations.
4. Give the Due Importance to User Input
Whether you are building an app or making some changes to the existing app for improvement, always listen to your users. User inputs and reviews are genuine and very important for progress. Users also love the fact that their feedback has been take seriously and applied to the apps. In order to get authentic user input, pay close attention to your app reviews. In addition, you can also create your own Google community for the app. If users get a proper response, they would surely use your app.
5. Create a Prototype of the App before the Final One
If you aspire to become a successful Android app developer, you should start with a prototype first. Irrespective of whether it is a game or an app, working on the prototype can give you hands-on experience and prepare you to implement the app at the advanced stage. A simple yet functional prototype project would be fine for customers to also have an idea of the result. There are several prototyping tools already available for use. You can choose any for your needs. Once customers validate the prototype, you can start developing the real app.
6. Develop an App for Multiple Devices
Android is class apart from all other mobile platforms due to various reasons. It offers the freedom of choice, unlike iOS, and runs on varied devices having different features and screen sizes. As an app developer, it’s almost impossible to test an app on every single device currently available on the market. To maintain consistency throughout several devices, you can bring in density-independent pixels, or dip, instead of normal pixels in the layout. Android can then automatically calculate pixel amount for specific phones, thereby maintaining consistency throughout various devices.
7. Mastering the Application Components
The building blocks of Android app are the application components. Each component is a unique point that allows the system to enter the app. Even though each app has its own identity and specific roles to play, there are certain components interdependent on each other. Moreover, not all of those elements are real entry points.
Typically, there are four types of components specific to apps, each of which serves a distinct purpose with a distinctive lifecycle that defines how it’s created or destroyed.
- Activities: A typical component representing single screen with user interface. Your email app, for instance, would have one activity showing a detailed list of recent emails, whereas there are other activities like composing and reading emails. Activities are elements designed to enhance cohesive user experience in an app, though each element is independent.
- Services: The background components perform different tasks for remote processes. It can play your music in the background when you are using a different app – that’s the key!
- Content: Another important component that manages shared app data set. With content providers, stored data can be queried and modified. This component is especially helpful for reading and writing data.
- Broadcast Receivers: Broadcast announcements are important, and this component responds to those announcements. Even though these announcements may not be displayed on the user interface, they create notification in the status bar to change the user when broadcast event takes place. It’s a gateway to various components.
8. Optimize the App
Finally, you cannot just develop an app without optimizing it properly. Users despise slow performing apps, typically the ones that usually take up too much space. The speed and size of your app can be a literal deal breaker for maximum users. As such, you should make it a point to avoid this key component by optimizing the app. Refrain from any unnecessary memory usage. Beginners often make a mistake by using unnecessary variables or objects, which leads to a lot of space occupancy. Avoid it.
9. Limit Permission Requirement
Because malware rate has increased in the Android platform, users want a more secure platform for the apps they choose. So, when they are flooded with a long list of app download permissions, they tend to feel uncomfortable and unsafe. So, it’s really important to limit the number of app permissions needed for a single app. There are some apps that try to extract extraordinary amount of user data, which is not required. It is an unacceptable practice and some users might potentially turn down your app.
10. Focus on App Design
Apps should be classy, navigable and user-friendly – these are the keys to success. User-friendly apps are the best designs. So, when you begin, you should always take this one crucial factor into consideration and closely work on ideas that can be used easily.
Aspiring app developers should take a methodic and knowledgeable approach, rather than just following the league. There’s a lot of scope for beginners, but an informed and organized approach to learning is essential.
Related Blog : Android App Development-Effective Tips for Beginners
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