Many programmers want to find documentation to develop Android apps. Many books are written on this topic, but not all publications are suitable for everyone.
Owning a good book will help shorten your programming learning time. Besides, reputable study material also helps you quickly improve your level.
The books on this list below may be suitable for beginners or programmers with a good background. You can use my experience to find the material you need.
1. Android Programming with Kotlin for Beginners
Specification
- Publisher: Packt Publishing; 1st edition (April 30, 2019)
- Language: English
- File size: 25930 KB
- Print length: 700 pages
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Reason To Buy
- Contain many good examples
- Solve problems for beginners
- Easy to practice following instructions
- Explain concepts in an easy-to-understand way
Review
Android Programming with Kotlin for Beginners by John Horton is top of my review list. As the name implies, this book is for beginners in Android programming. The work will become a guide for anyone who wants to start programming Android applications.
Many people know Kotlin is the leading language for Android programming software, but they need to understand this connection better.
This book explains the correlation between Kotlin and Android and how they work together. I understood how Android Studio interacts with Kotlin.
I also love the way the author wrote this book. The work has a light literary style without too many complicated Kotlin terms.
Newbies to Android apps and programming won’t feel overwhelmed. The author has also been very successful in explaining the basic concepts.
2. Beginning Android Development With Kotlin
Specification
- Publisher: Independently published (November 21, 2022)
- Language: English
- Paperback: 177 pages
- Item Weight: 14.4 ounces
- Paperback: 177 pages
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Reason To Buy
- Easy to follow
- Well presented examples
- Provide useful solutions
- Have an exciting writing style
- Suitable for beginners
Review
Greg Lim is a seasoned expert in the field. So what he presents in this book is selective. Those are the knowledge that is essential and condensed for beginners in Android programming with Kotlin.
The basic concepts have appeared in this work with the simplest possible explanation. The book contains brief examples according to the content the author wants to discuss. I found it easy to understand what the author wanted to discuss.
The author’s engaging style makes dry concepts so much more enjoyable. I was conversing with a close but expert-minded friend while reading this book.
I felt free of pressure by the amount of knowledge the work brought. Overall, this is one of the most straightforward books that teach programming. It is very suitable for Android beginners to understand and follow.
3. Android App Development For Dummies
Specification
- Publisher: For Dummies; 3rd edition (February 23, 2015)
- Language: English
- File size: 11872 KB
- Print length: 406 pages
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Reason To Buy
- Kindle version available
- License to download free software
- The information given is reliable
- It makes it easy to develop Android apps
- Offers some exciting and valuable projects
Review
Next in our document is a work designed specifically for Android Studio. If you want to develop an Android application, Android App Development For Dummies will significantly help you.
The work focuses on Java programming for Android software. The author showed me how to install and use the Android Studio IDE integrated development environment through this book.
This book is suitable for both beginners and experienced Java programmers thanks to two different programs. An elementary program that even novice programmers can easily understand. The other program contains advanced knowledge for programmers to develop their abilities.
This publication also deals with designing user-friendly application interfaces. I understood the difference between the UI design of mobile apps and tablet apps. I have learned how to create and modify applications to design the most attractive software.
It also pointed out and helped me avoid common pitfalls in creating my apps.
4. Head First Android Development
Specification
- Publisher: O’Reilly Media; 3rd edition
- Language: English
- File size: 82626 KB
- Print length: 1604 pages
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Reason To Buy
- Easy to follow
- Friendly presentation
- Good and accurate compilation
- Provide the correct source code
- Provide basic knowledge of Kotlin
Review
Head First Android Development author Dawn Griffiths gives me helpful knowledge. After reading the book, I could perfectly set up and run a program from scratch. The work also introduced the latest features of Android Jetpack. I have found information about Jetpack Compose in this publication.
The author has made rich, intuitive judgments about Android programming through this book. You will feel your mind change when reading.
By experiencing this publication, I have understood how to think like an experienced Android application developer.
The publication also conveys information based on psychology to bring a multi-sensory learning experience to readers. Therefore, I did not feel bored or sleepy when watching, even though it was very thick and heavy.
5. Android Cookbook: Problems and Solutions for Android
Specification
- Publisher: O’Reilly Media; 2nd edition (May 10, 2017)
- Language: English
- File size: 25380 KB
- Print length: 736 pages
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Reason To Buy
- Contains useful formulas
- Support Android multimedia control
- Suitable for intermediate Java programmers
- Instructions for storing and retrieving data
Review
After the books with the basic knowledge, we come to a book that provides more advanced information. Android Cookbook: Problems and Solutions for Android is a publication for those with a background in programming.
It will be a valuable document if you are a programmer with experience working with Java or the Java SE API.
This book gives you recipes you can apply directly to your software, like how to cook a dish. More than 230 recipes in this piece come with support from top Android developers. I have used these codes in my software to solve problems to save working time.
With this work, I learned how to work with the application from the user interface aspect. The products I create are much more user-friendly and professional than before.
Controlling Android’s multimedia capabilities could no longer give me a hard time. I also learned how to create software that supports location recognition and works with Android sensors.
6. Android Studio 4.1 Development Essentials – Kotlin Edition
Specification
- Publisher: Payload Media (October 19, 2020)
- Language: English
- File size: 18236 KB
- Print length: 824 pages
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Reason To Buy
- Great support service
- Careful and reasonable presentation
- Detailed practical instructions
- Clear and complete data
Review
I have read through many programming teaching materials on the market today.
Many things make me uncomfortable because I don’t understand what the author wants to say. Some books make me look up more information on Google to understand. But Android Studio 4.1 is not like that.
It is the most excellent piece I have read among the publications on Android programming. The author presents much content in an extensive work with more than 800 pages, but I felt confident in the book.
Each topic the book covers is well-structured and easy-to-follow chapters. Each chapter will evolve the previous chapter’s content, with expanded new concepts and final detailed instructions. I have clearly understood each theoretical chapter and mastered how to put it into practice through these tutorials.
I have learned how to develop Android software based on Java programming language in the most organized way. The author has also explained the advanced features of Android Studio very well in this work.
When I got stuck in practice, I emailed ebookfrenzy.com. The staff assisted me within one hour based on my support request. Their friendliness and professionalism helped me complete my work.
7. Android 9 Development Cookbook
Specification
- Publisher: Packt Publishing; 3rd edition (October 19, 2018)
- Language: English
- File size: 17555 KB
- Print length: 466 pages
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Reason To Buy
- Android Pie application development guide
- Timely updates to Android Studio 3 features
- Provide specific and concise formulas
Review
Android 9 Development Cookbook is the subsequent work I want to introduce. This product provides valuable information whether you are an experienced programmer or a beginner. It is a useful reference to help you complete projects.
This book comprises 11 chapters with content related to Android and Android Studio. You will have excellent programming support information through the book chapters.
Each chapter includes formulas so I can easily find the code I need for the project. I can create exciting applications in a short time using these recipes.
The author also gives me tips and tricks to work with Android Pie effectively.
After reading this work, I already know how to deal with multitouch problems, solve web services and device utilities, or recognize location.
8. Android Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide
Specification
- Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional; 5th edition (July 25, 2022)
- Language: English
- Item Weight: 2.69 pounds
- Paperback: 688 pages
- Dimensions: 7 x 1.63 x 10 inches
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Reason To Buy
- Good examples
- Mention important concepts
- Provide challenges in each chapter
- Help readers understand Android app development
Review
I purchased this book as a supplement to my Software Engineering course.
The author helped me understand the development of Android apps. I understand why doing these steps in any case instead of repeating the steps like a machine. It allows me to expand my knowledge to complete my projects.
Explanations for concepts and APIs will be accompanied by specific examples. Thereby, I can quickly grasp what the author wants to say. This version has many new updates. I love the practical techniques that the work presents.
The challenges in each chapter are like mini-tests that allow me to review previous knowledge. Also, these hands-on examples provide me with code that can be available in practice. I have grasped the basics of Android Studio development no longer difficult after reading this work.
9. Android Programming for Beginners
Specification
- Publisher: Packt Publishing; 3rd ed. edition (April 9, 2021)
- Language: English
- Item Weight: 2.76 pounds
- Paperback: 742 pages
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Reason To Buy
- Fascinating start
- Suitable for beginners
- Encourage practice typing the codes
- An excellent introduction to Android
Review
This book is like a gentle guide for beginners to Android programming. Typical examples will accompany the concepts that the author covers in this book.
Many are related to games to bring excitement to the reader. I felt more motivated to retype and understand the examples in the book.
The explanations that author John Horton gave for Android and Java programming didn’t bother me at all. I’ve built myself a solid foundation of Java coding for Android Pie. After reading the work, managing application data is no longer a problem. I also learned how to use the IDE and avoid common mistakes.
The examples the book gives can all work properly. After reading Android Programming for Beginners: Build in-depth, I could install and run Android Studio programs on the Mint 18.3 Linux platform.
The book provides readers with common design patterns many professionals use to create compelling software. After experiencing this publication, I was confident I could build my software projects.
10. Android Smartphones Made Easy
Specification
- Publisher: Packt Publishing; 1st edition (April 30, 2019)
- Language: English
- File size: 25930 KB
- Print length: 700 pages
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Reason To Buy
- Help test and fix issues on your app
- Support controlling Android capabilities
- Instructions for storing and retrieving data
- Provide quick and precise solutions
Review
The last work I want to mention on this list is the Android Smartphones Made Easy. It is a document that every Java programmer and Android developer should have on their bookshelf. The work contributes to programming work that is no longer boring and difficult.
Over 30 top developers have contributed 230 handy programming recipes for you in this book. You can apply these sample codes to create your applications. As a result, your projects will be completed quickly with better results.
My software has become more beautiful and user-friendly since I applied the information in the book. I can confidently build location-aware programs on OpenStreetMap or Google Maps.
Other Android sensors also become extremely simple with the help of compositions. There are still many useful features that this publication brings waiting for you to discover.
After completing my app, I also received assistance on how to put it up for sale on the Google Play Market.
Buying Guide
Level
Before buying a book, you need to clearly define your capacity and the goal you want to achieve. The two fundamentals help you find the right level of the book.
If you are a newbie, reading a book at a high level is confusing. The works for beginners are often more straightforward, making it easier for newbies.
On the contrary, experienced programmers should look to more complex publications to improve their competence.
Content
The two most popular programming languages for Android applications are Java and Kotlin. Each language has its unique characteristics.
Whether you want to learn Java or Kotlin programming, that will be the deciding factor in the content of the book you need to buy. You should read the work description carefully to ensure you only purchase the necessary content.
Author
I recommend choosing books written by experienced authors. They have practical knowledge to provide helpful information.
Furthermore, the information they provide will be accurate and reliable. As you follow these experts, you will also understand how they think to apply to your work more effectively.
FAQs
Which is best for Android development?
The popular programming language for developing Android applications today is Kotlin. But you should also know Java, a programming language that most Android software uses.
Is it worth learning Android development in 2024?
Sure. The Android platform has been trendy in information technology and electronic devices. Learning to develop Android applications will open up career opportunities for you in the future.
What should I learn for Android development?
You should master how to use the two most popular Android programming languages, which are Java programming language and Kotlin programming language. These are the two primary and most applicable areas in Android development.
Which is the best Android development course for beginners?
Many valuable Android development courses are available to those who want to enter the industry: Android Essential Training, Developing Apps with App Inventor, or App Development.
Conclusion
This article has presented the best reference materials for those who want to learn Android programming. You can choose the best book for you based on the detailed reviews of the ten books listed above.
If you need to handle basic Android tasks, Android Programming with Kotlin will be what you need most right now. Meanwhile, Android Cookbook: Problems and Solutions for Android will be beneficial with complex testing programs.
Do you have any questions regarding the content of this article? Are you satisfied with the books that I have provided?
Don’t forget to leave your comments in the comments below!
Thank you for your interest in this article.