The Android app market is in turmoil and anyone can create the next successful app. All it takes is a good idea and some tools to develop the app that you can find for free online. Installing these tools is pretty simple, it will only take you a few minutes and then you can start working on your project. Read one below to get started.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Install Eclipse
Step 1. Install Java
Eclipse and ADT are based on Java so first you need to have the latest version of the Java Development Kit on your computer (Java Development Kit - JDK). You can download the necessary files for free from the Oracle website. Make sure you download the correct version for your operating system.
If you don't have Java Runtime Environment (JRE), Eclipse won't start
Step 2. Download Eclipse
Before you can install the development tools on Android you will need to download the Eclipse IDE, the structure needed to make the Android development tools work. Eclipse can be downloaded for free from the Eclipse Foundation website.
For most Android developers the tools already included in Eclipse will be more than enough
Step 3. Unzip the Eclipse sip file into a folder of your choice, for example C:
. The ZIP file contains a subfolder called "eclipse" so if you extract the file to C: / you will get "C: / eclipse".
Many users have problems when they use the programs included with Windows to unpack files. When dealing with ZIP or RAR files it would be advisable to use alternative programs such as 7-zip or Winzip
Step 4. Create a shortcut for Eclipse
Since Eclipse is not installed in the traditional sense of the term, you might want to create a shortcut to be able to quickly access the program from your desktop. This operation will also help you later, when specifying some settings related, for example to the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
Right click on eclipse.exe a and select Send To. Select "Desktop" to create a shortcut on your desktop
Step 5. Specify where the Java Virtual Machine is located
If you have more than one JVM on your computer you can tell Eclipse to use a particular one. By setting this setting you will also avoid possible errors due to the change of JVM.
- To specify where the JDK is, add this instruction to the Eclipse shortcut by replacing this generic indication of the location of javaw.exe with the one specific to yours:
-vm C: / path / to / javaw.exe
Part 2 of 2: Install ADT
Step 1. Download and install the Android Development Kit (SDK)
You can find it for free on the Android site. Select “Use an Existing IDE” to download the SDK only. You could also download an ADT Bundle that includes Eclipse and is already preconfigured but by following this method you will ensure that you have the latest version of Eclipse.
After installing the SDK, the SDK manager should start automatically. Leave it open to continue
Step 2. Add the packages to your SKD
Before you start using the SDK for app development you will need to add the packages you want to use. In the manager you should see a list of packages that you can download. For building simple apps make sure you download at least these packages:
- The latest packages of Tools.
- The latest version of Android (it is the first folder in the list).
- The help library located in the Extras folder.
- Click Install when done. The files will be downloaded and installed automatically.
Step 3. Open Eclipse
You will install the ADT from Eclipse. If Eclipse does not start make sure you have specified where the JVM is (and possibly go back to the previous step and repeat it to make sure everything is correct).
Step 4. Install the ADT
The ADT plugin will be downloaded within Eclipse directly from the Android developer repository. You can add the repository address to Eclipse quickly and easily.
Click on Help and select Install New Software Install New Software. A window will open with the software you can download from the selected repositary
Step 5. Click on “Add” to the right of the “Work with” field
Clicking on this button will open the “Add Repository” dialog box where you can enter the information for downloading the ADT plugin.
- In the "Name" field enter "ADT Plugin"
- In "Location" write "https://dl-ssl.google.com/android/eclipse/"
- Click OK.
- Select "Developer Tools". Click on Next to view the list of tools and software that will be downloaded. Click Next again to read the terms and conditions, read them and then click Finish.
- You may see a warning message regarding the validity of the software. Don't worry and ignore this message.
Step 6. Restart Eclipse
After all downloads and installations, restart Eclipse to complete the installation process. After restarting the program you will see the welcome window in the new Android development environment.
Step 7. Indicate where the Android SDK is located
In the welcome window click on “Use existing SDKs” and then browse through your folders to the SDK folder you installed at the beginning of this procedure. After clicking OK your installation can be considered completed.
