Head First Android Development: A Brain-Friendly Guide, 2nd Edition

What will you learn from this book?

If you have an idea for a killer Android app, this fully revised and updated edition will help you build your first working application in a jiffy. You’ll learn hands-on how to structure your app, design flexible and interactive interfaces, run services in the background, make your app work on various smartphones and tablets, and much more. It’s like having an experienced Android developer sitting right next to you! All you need to get started is some Java know-how.

Why does this book look so different?

Based on the latest research in cognitive science and learning theory, Head First Android Development uses a visually rich format to engage your mind, rather than a text-heavy approach that puts you to sleep. Why waste your time struggling with new concepts? This multi-sensory learning experience is designed for the way your brain really works.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Getting Started: Diving In
Chapter 2 Building Interactive Apps: Apps That Do Something
Chapter 3 Multiple Activities and Intents: State Your Intent
Chapter 4 The Activity Lifecycle: Being an Activity
Chapter 5 The User Interface: Enjoy the View
Chapter 6 List Views and Adapters: Getting Organized
Chapter 7 Support Libraries and App Bars
Chapter 8 Fragments
Chapter 9 Fragments for Larger Interfaces
Chapter 10 Dynamic Fragments
Chapter 11 Design Support Library
Chapter 12 Card Views and Recycler Views
Chapter 13 Navigation Drawers
Chapter 14 SQLite Databases
Chapter 15 Basic Cursors
Chapter 16 Cursors and Asynctasks
Chapter 17 Started Services
Chapter 18 Bound Services
Appendix A ART: The Android Runtime
Appendix B ADB: The Android Debug Bridge
Appendix C The Android Emulator
Appendix D Leftovers: The Top Ten Things (we didn’t cover)