What is included in this course
Course Description
This hands-on course conveys the fundamental skills necessary to deploy Android Apps on mobile devices such as phones and tablets. Attendees will design and build a variety of Android Apps throughout the course. Previous Java programming knowledge is not essential, but basic programming experience is required. Java code used in the exercises is fully explained.
The course emphasizes proper layout of the user interface (UI), including how to add buttons, labels, textboxes, checkboxes, images and other widgets to the UI. Students will learn how to utilize Android's XML-based layout system, which builds the UI with containers and widgets, as well as how to set wallpapers and add menus to the UI. Students practice with dialog techniques including the display of popup messages.
Students also learn how to handle screen rotation, and how to define UIs so they can adjust for different screen sizes. The course teaches students how to accept user input from keyboards (either externally attached or from the built-in keyboard), how to use the date/time picker, and how to present users with choices using Selection Lists. Students will learn how to add tabs to the UI, as well as how to display HTML content using the built-in WebKit browser.
Students will learn how to program control of state changes in the Activity Lifecycle: active, paused, stopped or dead. For instance, since Apps often run on phones, taking a call may send an App from the active state to the paused state. Or, if battery life is low the App may be forced into the dead state. Student will learn how to manage Activities moving between these states so that Apps can, for example, save inputted data before transitioning into the dead or paused state. Also related to this is the ability for an Activity to launch Sub-Activities, which allows Apps to run processes in the background (such as downloading files).
Coverage of data storage includes best practices for storing images and files. Student will also learn how to embed SQLite databases in Apps, and then use these databases to store and retrieve any kind of data.
The course emphasizes Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), and students learn how to connect Apps to web services such as Google Maps and UPS's package tracking API. In addition to using outside web services, the course also demonstrates how to use many of a phone or tablet's built-in features such as the camera, location service (which determines where the device is physically located), and the Accelerometer (which determines if the device is being tilted and how fast it's being tilted). Additional topics include how to play audio and video, and standard techniques for storage and retrieval.
Students employ Android Studio to perform comprehensive hands on exercises throughout the course to reinforce learning and develop real competency. Various alternative App development environments are compared to Android Studio, including Flex, Air, PhoneGap and Eclipse.
Students may bring in their own Android device and USB cable, if they prefer to test on physical Android hardware. Students who do not provide their own Android devices will use Android emulators during class lab work.
You will learn:
- Creating Android apps for mobile devices
- Setting up the IDE to develop and test Android apps for smartphones and tablets
- Using XML-based layouts to place buttons, checkboxes, images and other widgets on the screen
- Managing different screen sizes and phone/tablet rotation
- Accepting keyboard input, as well as responding to screen touches, touch-and-holds and swipes
- Displaying pop-up messages and notifications
- Managing the lifecycle of an app, including when it's interrupted by a phone call
- Embedding SQLite databases in apps for persistent storage
- Connecting Android apps to web services and Java libraries
- Using MapView, location services, the camera and other built-in features
- Using the Accelerometer to respond to tilts and shakes
- Packaging and deploying apps to phones and tablets
Course Prerequisites
Prior experience with a scripting or programming language like Object Oriented Programming with UML is required. Java skills are helpful but not required.
Self-paced training
This course is available in a self-paced video format starting at $60. Click here to learn more and register. For complete self-paced web design training, visit our Web design and development bundle page.
Corporate and Enterprise Training
Our live courses are also offered via our enterprise training program which comes with:
- In-person training at your location
- Access to recorded sessions of live classes
- Flexible training schedules that match your employees’ availability
- Course curriculum customization based on your training requirements and business goals
- Special rates for small or large groups
Feel free to contact us by email or phone to discuss your training needs and get a quote.
Overall Info About our Live Classes
Highlights
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30 hours of hands-on training led by experienced instructors
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Digital courseware and online course tracking
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Final course project delivery
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Certificate of Completion for each course
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Session-based assignment
Enrollment Fee
In-person in DC or live online for $2990 per course
Course Session Dates
Our courses are offered all year around. Upon registration we enroll you to the earliest available class but you can reschedule it free of charge.
Locations
- Virtual live instructor classes via Zoom
- In-person classes in Washington DC and Virginia:
Below are our DC classroom locations:
- Dupont Circle
- 1666 Connecticut Ave NW Washington D.C. 20009
- Logan Circle
- 1624 14th St NW Washington D.C. 20009
- Chinatown
- 601 I St NW Washington D.C. 20001
- Columbia Heights
- 3343 14th St NW Washington D.C. 20010
Below are our Virginia classroom locations:
- Falls Church
- Comining soon...
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Private custom training on site or at your location
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Project based training cn site or at your location
Time
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Online Monday-Friday: 11 am-5:30 pm EST
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DC Monday-Friday: 9 am-3:30 pm EST
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DC/Online Saturdays: 11 am-5:30 pm EST
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DC/Online Sundays: 1 pm-7:30 pm EST
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Private custom & project based training: your preference
Software Versions
Our classes are taught on the most current version of software whenever possible. To request a specific version, please Contact Us or call us at 240-200-6131
Course Outline
Topics Covered in this Course
1- Getting Started with Android App Development
- Fundamental Components of Android Phones and Tablets
- Installing and Configuring Eclipse to Create Apps
- Testing Apps Using the Simulator
- Understanding Service Oriented Architecture (SOA)
2- Creating the User Interface (UI)
- Core Components of Android User Interfaces (UIs)
- Using Android’s XML-Based Layout System to Define UIs
- Common Widgets
- Buttons
- Labels
- Checkboxes
- UI Layout Best Practices
3- Mastering User Interface Layouts
- Pros And Cons of Different Layout Models
- Using Containers to Control the Location of Widgets
- Defining a Widget's Position Relative to Other Widgets
- Overlapping Widgets
- Using Table-Based Layouts
- Enabling Scrolling
4- Accepting User Input
- The Android Input Method Framework
- Getting Input from Attached and/or Internal Keyboards
- Processing Choices with Selection Lists
- Adding Icons to Selection Lists
- Using Sliders and Checkboxes
- Using Date and Time Pickers
- Responding to Taps And Swipes
5- Menus, ActionBars and Popups
- Adding Traditional Application Menus to Apps
- Displaying Context Menus When Users Tap and Hold
- Using Actionbars (Toolbars For Android Apps)
- Displaying Popup Messages
6- Advanced User Interfaces and the WebKit Browser
- Embedding HTML Content in Apps with WebKit
- Displaying Analog and Digital Clocks
- Using Tabs to Display Multiple UIs
- Applying Standard Styles and Fonts
- Creating Reusable UI Components with Fragments
7- Working with App Activities and Intent Filters
- The Application Activity Lifecycle
- Saving Data when Apps are Paused Or Killed
- Using Threads to Run Background Services
- Launching Sub-Activities
- Handling Phone Calls
- Optimizing Device Resources
8- Data Management
- Embedding SQLite Databases in Apps
- Permanently Storing Data in Local Databases
- Retrieving Database Data when Apps Start
- Best Practices for Data Management
9- Saving Files and Images
- Storing Images, Strings and Arrays
- Playing Audio and Video Files
- Best Practices for Saving Files
- Creating and Storing Wallpapers
10- Using Java Libraries and Web Services
- Using Pre-Compiled Java Libraries
- Connecting to Web Services (such as Google Maps)
- Downloading Internet Content
The following topics may be included at the discretion of your instructor.
11- Handling Rotation and Different Screen Sizes
- Different Strategies for Handing Screen Rotations
- Controlling UI Changes when Screens Rotate
- Issues Related to Tablets and Larger Screens
- Creating UIs that are Compatible with All Screen Sizes (Right-Sizing)
12- Working with Built-in Android Features
- Accessing and Using MapView
- Getting the Location of the Phone Or Tablet
- Working with the Camera
- Working with Permissions and the Security Framework
13- Deploying to Android Devices
- Checking for and Requiring Phone or Tablet Features
- Deploying to the Android Store
- Deploying Directly to Devices
14- Alternative Development Options and Other Resources
- Building Apps with PhoneGap
- Using Flex, Air and Other Development Options
- Locating Resources and Help
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