Android is Google's own programming platform is used to develop applications and design mobile software. It is utilized in over 24,000 distinct products and is loved by programmers everywhere for its high-level computing ability and it's incredible amount of customization.
Android is open source and is lauded for its transparency. It also dominates a large portion of the mobile market with an 85% share and is projected for further growth. It is little wonder then that so many employers ask for programmers that are proficient in the language.
Android is a very versatile language and a very powerful one. Due to the ever-changing nature of the program it is imperative that developers hone their skills to the very best of their ability. There are a few books that can assist Android developers in becoming stronger programmers and more knowledgeable Android users.
1. Java: A Beginner's Guide by Herbert Schildt
The Android platform uses Java as its main programming language. There is no better book on Java than A Beginner's Guide by Herbert Schildt. In the book, he details everything there is to know about Java including its history and philosophy.
His step by step instructions and tutorials are widely considered to be some of the best in print. Without a concrete understanding of how Java works, development in Android would be near impossible.This book is a must-have for anyone considering development for Android as it not only covers the fundamentals but, also the theories of programming in Java.
2. Thinking in Java by Bruce Eckel
This book, as the title implies, is concerned with teaching programmers how to sync in the code of Java. The hope is that Java becomes second nature to the reader and that hopefully Java will become logical to him or her.
Bruce Eckel’s book has won awards for it’s in-depth analysis of Java and it’s break down of the theory used in Java programming. Many developers site this book with granting them a deeper insight into the possibilities of the Java language. Mastering this book will make Android seem like a breeze.
3. Head First Android Development by Dawn & David Griffiths
The head first series is a great introductory read for those just getting into Android. It uses visual aids and memory tricks to establish a strong link between the concepts of the Android platform and your own brain.
It’s rife with examples and provides plenty of guides. This book is more focused on how your brain sees and interprets Java inside of the Android platform. Beginning with this book ensures that you can visualize your projects and can, at least, begin to think in terms of the Android environment.
4. Professional Android by Reto Meier
This book is great for the experienced Android programmer who wants to learn about all of the new features in the new version of the platform. It is recommended that you have a working knowledge of Android software structures before reading this book.
In it, Meier covers how to create new and robust Android applications for mobile devices. Professional Android is a book concerned with the best practices and structures for your Android applications. That’s why it is recommended for advanced developers. Keeping up-to-date and properly utilizing new software innovations can be difficult so, this book aims to ease the burden of progress.
Conclusion
These books will help Android developers at all levels increase their skill and hone their craft so that they can create the perfect application for them. Whether you are creating an app for the first time or are coming back to the platform, there is a book for you.
Brushing up on Java and the fundamentals of the Android platform can greatly reduce the frustration of developing. It is important to stay abreast of all technologies when you are a developer and there is no platform more revolutionary or evolutionary quite like Android.