Introduction
According to Matt Davies Stockton, smartphone apps are a daily part of everyone’s lives. While iOS dominates the US market, the rest of the world has more Android phones and tablets. That’s why being an Android developer can be a lucrative career. Let’s check out the programming languages you need to learn to become an Android developer.
The Languages
1. Java – Java used to be the official language for Android App Development before being replaced by Kotlin. However, it’s still the most used language with most of the apps in the Play Store written with it. Java also enjoys support from google and a great online community that’s always there to help you out when you run into problems.
However, the language is complicated and has tricky topics like null pointer exceptions, constructors, checked exceptions, and more that aren’t beginner friendly. To add insult to injury, the Android SDK increases the complexity. That’s why it’s best to get familiar with a simpler language and return to Java later on.
2. Kotlin – Google declared Kotlin as the official language for Android App Development back in 2019. It’s a cross-platform language that can also interpolate with Java and runs on the Java Virtual Machine. The distinct difference between the two languages lies in Kotlin’s simplicity and how it removes the use of semicolons to end every line and removes unnecessarily complex features like null pointer exceptions.
3. Python – Python is a general use programming language that can be used for Android App Development even when Android doesn’t support it natively. This can be achieved by tools like Kivy, an open-source Python library that can convert Python apps into Android packages to run on Android devices. Python is one of the simplest and most beginner-friendly languages.
4. C++ and C# – The Android Native Development Kit(NDK) allows you to create Android apps with C++. While the NDK allows the use of C++ libraries for writing the app, an app can’t be created solely with C++. The language also has limited flexibility and is difficult to set up.
On the other hand, C# is similar to Java and implements garbage collection to minimize memory leaks. Its simpler syntax also makes it a better coding option compared to Java. The language can now run on Windows systems with Xamarin and doesn’t require the .NET framework either.
5. JavaScript – If you’re comfortable with JavaScript, you can also use it to create Android apps with the help of the Adobe PhoneGap framework that’s powered by Apache Cordova. The PhoneGap framework allows you to create hybrid apps with development skills. It means that your code would be packaged like an Android app but shown through “WebView”.
Conclusion
Matt Davies Stockton suggests that you increase your proficiency in Java, C++, Python, JavaScript, and the other programming languages mentioned above to become an Android developer. You can try creating your own calculator, music player, or other simple apps to test your knowledge.
