Hello! In this lecture, we will take a closer look at the necessary environment setup, ‘Installing Android Studio’, before starting Android app development using Java. Android Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) officially provided by Google, and it is the most commonly used tool for developing Android applications.
What is Android Studio?
Android Studio is a powerful tool for developing Android apps. This IDE provides various features such as templates, code assistants, performance analysis tools, and profilers to help developers work efficiently. Android Studio supports multiple languages, such as Java and Kotlin, and is chosen by numerous developers due to its user-friendly UI and rich functionality.
System Requirements
Before installing Android Studio, you need to ensure that your computer meets the following system requirements.
- Operating System: Windows 10/8/7 (64-bit), macOS 10.14 or later, Linux
- RAM: Minimum 8GB (recommended 16GB or more)
- Disk Space: Minimum 4GB (SSD recommended)
- Monitor Resolution: 1280×800 or higher
Installing Android Studio
Now, let’s learn how to download and install Android Studio. Please follow the steps below.
1. Download Android Studio
To download Android Studio, you need to go to Google’s official website. Click the link below to go to the download page.
2. Run the Installer
Run the downloaded installer file to start the installation. The following installation steps are required.
- When the installation wizard starts, click the ‘Next’ button.
- Read the license agreement and select ‘I Agree’, then click ‘Next’ again.
3. Choose Installation Type
A screen appears where you can select the components to install. You can choose between the two options below:
- Standard: Installs only the basic features.
- Custom: Selects additional features to install.
It is recommended for beginners to choose ‘Standard’. After making your selection, click ‘Next’.
4. SDK Setup
You will be prompted to install the Android SDK (Software Development Kit). In this setup, check the following:
- Confirm SDK path (you can leave it as default)
- Select the required Android API level for SDK components (latest stable version recommended)
Once you’ve completed the setup, click ‘Next’.
5. Finish Installation
When the installation is complete, click the ‘Finish’ button to close the installation wizard. If you check ‘Start Android Studio’, it will automatically launch Android Studio.
First Launch of Android Studio
Now that the installation is complete, let’s launch Android Studio for the first time. When the program runs, a welcome screen will appear as follows:
1. Configuration Settings
In the welcome screen, you can set the following:
- Select UI Theme: Options include Light, Darcula, etc.
- Import Settings: If you have existing settings, you can import them.
If you are starting fresh, you can proceed with the defaults.
2. Starting a Project
In the welcome screen, you can start a new project by clicking ‘Start a new Android Studio project’. Choose a template, and set the project name, package name, and storage path.
Creating a Simple Hello World App
Once the Android Studio installation is complete, let’s create a simple Hello World app. Follow the steps below.
1. Create a New Project
Click the ‘New Project’ option and select the ‘Empty Activity’ template. Enter the project name, select Java as the language, and then click ‘Finish’.
2. Modify the Layout File
Open the ‘res/layout/activity_main.xml’ file in Android Studio and modify it as follows:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<RelativeLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="match_parent">
<TextView
android:id="@+id/hello_world"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:text="Hello World!"
android:layout_centerInParent="true"/>
</RelativeLayout>3. Modify the Java File
Open the ‘MainActivity.java’ file and add the following content:
package com.example.helloworld;
import android.os.Bundle;
import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity;
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
}
}4. Run the App
Once all settings are complete, click the ‘Run’ button to execute the app. You can choose to test the app on an emulator or a physical device. If it runs successfully, the phrase ‘Hello World!’ will be displayed in the center of the screen.
Conclusion
In this lecture, we explained the installation process of Android Studio and how to create a simple Hello World app. We have taken an important step in beginning Android development, and now you have learned the basics of Android app development using Java. In the next lecture, we will cover how to create more complex apps and utilize Java’s features.
Additional Resources
Additional resources for Android app development are as follows:
Wishing you success in your Android app development journey!