Mastering Android Studio 3
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/mastering-android-studio-3
Synopsis
About this book
147Pages
2 – 3Hours to read
40kTotal word
https://developer.android.com/about/dashboards/index.html
Platform Versions
This section provides data about the relative number of devices running a given version of the Android platform.
For information about how to target your application to devices based on platform version, read Supporting Different Platform Versions.
| Version | Codename | API | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3.3 – 2.3.7 |
Gingerbread | 10 | 0.6% |
| 4.0.3 – 4.0.4 |
Ice Cream Sandwich | 15 | 0.6% |
| 4.1.x | Jelly Bean | 16 | 2.3% |
| 4.2.x | 17 | 3.3% | |
| 4.3 | 18 | 1.0% | |
| 4.4 | KitKat | 19 | 14.5% |
| 5.0 | Lollipop | 21 | 6.7% |
| 5.1 | 22 | 21.0% | |
| 6.0 | Marshmallow | 23 | 32.0% |
| 7.0 | Nougat | 24 | 15.8% |
| 7.1 | 25 | 2.0% | |
| 8.0 | Oreo | 26 | 0.2% |
Instant Run is a recent innovation, it is unfortunately not available on allInstant Run is a recent innovation, it is unfortunately not available on allversions of Android and, to take full advantage of it, you will need to set theminimum SDK level to API 21 or higher, although elements of it will work withAPI level 15 and higher. In Android Studio, this level is set from the build.gradle(Module: app) file, as follows:android { compileSdkVersion 25 buildToolsVersion “25.0.1” defaultConfig { applicationId “com.mew.kyle.chapterone” minSdkVersion 21 targetSdkVersion 25 versionCode 1 versionName “1.0” testInstrumentationRunner “android.support.test.runner.AndroidJUnitRunner” }
Collapsing app bars
Collapsing app barsAnother well recognized Material design feature is the collapsing toolbar. Thisgenerally contains a relevant image and a title. This type of toolbar will fill alarge proportion of the screen when the user scrolls to the top of the content, ithandily tucks itself out of the way when the user wishes to view more contentand scrolls down. This component serves a useful purpose, as it provides a greatbranding opportunity and a chance for our app to stand out visually, but it doesso without using up valuable screen real estate.
Alternative emulators
www.andyroid.net
www.bluestacks.com/app-player.html
www.droid4x.com
drive.google.com/file/d/0B728YkPxkCL8Wlh5dGdiVXdIS0k/edit
www.bluestacks.com/app-player.html
www.droid4x.com
drive.google.com/file/d/0B728YkPxkCL8Wlh5dGdiVXdIS0k/edit
Launcher icon tools
Launcher icon toolsGenerally speaking, launcher icons are created using an external editor and, aswe shall see, there are Studio plugins to assist us in creating stylish Androidicons. One of the best tools is an online, alternative, and enhanced version ofAsset Studio itself. It was created by the Google designer Roman Nurik and canbe found on GitHub at romannurik.github.io/AndroidAssetStudio .
The design of what Google call product icons is beyond the scope of this book,The design of what Google call product icons is beyond the scope of this book,but Google has some very interesting guidelines on the matter, which can befound at material.io/guidelines/style/icons .
The Android Material Design Icon Generator is a fantastic plugin from JetBrainsand does precisely what its title suggests. It does not need to be downloaded, asThe Android Material Design Icon Generator is a fantastic plugin from JetBrainsand does precisely what its title suggests. It does not need to be downloaded, asit can be found in the plugin repository. If you want to use it with another IDE, itcan be downloaded from the following URL:github.com/konifar/android-material-design-icon-generator-pluginIf you are new to Android Studio plugins, perform the following simple steps:1. Open the settings dialog from File | Settings….2. Open the Plugins dialog and click on Browse repositories….3. Type Material into the search box and select and install the plugin.
Sympli is a sophisticated, but expensive, design tool that works with the graphicsSympli is a sophisticated, but expensive, design tool that works with the graphicseditor of your choice and Android Studio via a Studio plugin. It generates iconsand other assets automatically and is designed to be used among teams. It can befound at sympli.io .Although not a Studio plugin as such, there is a handy Python script on GitHubthat GIMP users can find at github.com/ncornette/gimp-android-xdpi .
Class inspection plugins
Class inspection pluginsThere are many ways to visualize classes and groups of classes, making themeasier to follow or to highlight certain features or properties. A tried and testedvisual programming tool is the Universal Modeling Language (UML). Theseare of particular use if the developer is working with design patterns.There are several UML class diagram plugins available to us, ranging from basicto sophisticated. If you just want a simple UML tool, then the JetBrains plugin,simpleUMLCE, can be downloaded from the following link:plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/4946-simpleumlce
If you are new to plugins, follow the quick steps to install and use the simpleIf you are new to plugins, follow the quick steps to install and use the simpleUML plugin:1. Download the plugin from the previous link.2. Open the Plugins dialog from Android Studio’s File | Settings menu.3. Use the Install plugin from disk… button to locate and install the plugin.
Code Iris does not need to be downloaded, as it can be found by browsing theCode Iris does not need to be downloaded, as it can be found by browsing theplugins repository. Although, you will still need to restart the IDE. Therepository can be accessed from the same Plugins window of the Settings dialogas the previous plugin but by clicking the Browse repositories… button.
ADB Wi-Fi
ADB Wi-FiThis is a JetBrains plugin and so can be found using the Browse Repositories…button of the Plugins screen of the Settings dialog
This plugin simply allows us to debug our apps using a shared Wi-Fi connection.This plugin simply allows us to debug our apps using a shared Wi-Fi connection.Despite its simplicity, this app is more than a cable-saving convenience, as itallows live debugging of many of the device’s sensors that would be greatlyrestricted by being tethered to the host machine. Fitness and augmented realityapps can be tested with far more ease this way.ADB Wi-Fi is very simple to set up and use, especially if your host and devicealready share a Wi-Fi connection and the device has been used for debuggingbefore.Most plugins are far more complex than this one, and many employ some verysophisticated technology, such as AI.