Free Android App Development for Beginners 

Rohan Mathew

If you would like to learn or practice mobile app development, then an android app is very popular now and sellable. 

Mobile apps are written in a programming language, and android apps are based on Java language while iOS are developed in Objective-C and Swift. 

To develop android mobile apps, it is required you have knowledge of coding in the Java language. To turn your idea into a functional application, you can use a construction kit for your app development. 

App development using Construction Kit 

There are now many providers of app construction kits for beginner app developers, and you can find some of these kits online for free or for few dollars. 

The advantage of app construction kits is that you can easily develop your apps without having to learn to program beforehand, therefore, you don’t have to be a Java expert to develop your own Android app. 

Everything you need for the android app development can be found on the interface, you just need to drag and drop the elements (features) onto a virtual interface and arrange it as you like. 

You can choose your desired theme from the catalog, insert text elements, add images and videos and other elements and arrange them as it’s befitting to you. 

Examples of App Construction Kits 

The corresponding Java codes are already built into the individual elements and are put together in the background according to your settings. Examples of construction kits are AppYourself, GoodBarber, Appy Pie, and AppTitan. 

App construction Kits are in two categories – Progressive Web Apps and Native Apps. 

Progressive Web Apps (PWA) 

A progressive web app is a mobile-friendly website that is equipped with various elements of a classic app. PWAs cannot be downloaded from the app stores, they are only opened in the browser. 

Native Apps 

Native apps are the classic applications that are available in the Google and Apple app stores. They can be downloaded and some can even be used offline. 

App development using Android Studio 

Do you want to familiarize yourself with the subject of app programming without paying a lot of money or being a specialist in coding in java? Then Google’s open-source program – Android Studio is the perfect tool. 

The free software is ideal for creating an Android application for beginners without a budget, and it is intuitive to use. For Android Studio to run on your PC, you need this two software

Android Software Development Kit (will be installed during setup) 

Java Development Kit (the current version) 

Since Android Studio was developed by Android host – Google, it has a lot of advantages in Android app development. Android Studio has many functions that are tailored to the specific requirements of the Android app development architecture. 

After you’ve downloaded Android Studio, installation is quick and easy. It is important that you first install the current version of the Java Development Kit (JDK). Otherwise, the program will notify you of this during installation. Without JDK, Android Studio cannot be fully installed. 

Once you have installed all the software components, you can get started right away. 

Open the program and create a new development project via “Start a new Android Studio project”. Choose a name for the app you want to develop, determine which devices it should work with, which Android version it will be available from, etc, click Next and select a new project. 

On your project interface, in the left menu bar, you can see many files one below the other. As a whole, they form a project and the app is exported from them at the end. 

A central file is the XML – this must be saved in the directory of each project, as important information is stored there. 

In the middle, next to the virtual representation of a smartphone interface, you will find your toolbox. You can use it as you like when you “program” your app. 

Using the layout editor, you can drag and drop the user interface and format individual elements. User interface data is stored in the activity_main.xml file. 

If you already have some knowledge of Java, you can also access the code directly and program your Android app in this way. 

Android Studio offers you numerous possibilities to turn your ideas into apps. It is best to try the tool for yourself and discover what it can do. You can use the real-time display to check how your apps are displayed on different devices.