Android Programming Tutorials by Mark Murphy

Welcome to the Warescription!…………………………………………………xvii
Preface……………………………………………………………………………………..xix
Welcome to the Book!…………………………………………………………………….xix
Prerequisites…………………………………………………………………………………..xix
Using the Tutorials………………………………………………………………………….xx
Warescription……………………………………………………………………………….xxii
What's New…………………………………………………………………………………..xxii
About the "Further Reading" Sections……………………………………………xxiii
Errata and Book Bug Bounty…………………………………………………………xxiii
Source Code License……………………………………………………………………..xxiv
Creative Commons and the Four-to-Free (42F) Guarantee……………..xxiv
Lifecycle of a CommonsWare Book………………………………………………..xxv
Roster of Tutorials………………………………………………………………………..xxvi
Your First Android Project…………………………………………………………….1
Step #1: Create the New Project………………………………………………………….1
Step #1: Eclipse……………………………………………………………………………2
Step #2: Command Line………………………………………………………………5
Step #2: Build, Install, and Run the Application in Your Emulator or
Device………………………………………………………………………………………………6
Step #1: Eclipse……………………………………………………………………………6
Step #2: Command Line………………………………………………………………7
A Simple Form…………………………………………………………………………….11
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………….11
Step #1: Generate the Application Skeleton………………………………….11
Step #2: Modify the Layout…………………………………………………………12
Step #3: Compile and Install the Application……………………………….13
Step #4: Run the Application in the Emulator……………………………..14
Step #5: Create a Model Class……………………………………………………..14
Step #6: Save the Form to the Model…………………………………………..15
Extra Credit……………………………………………………………………………………..16
Further Reading……………………………………………………………………………….17
A Fancier Form……………………………………………………………………………19
Step-By-Step Instructions…………………………………………………………………19
Step #1: Switch to a TableLayout…………………………………………………19
Step #2: Add a RadioGroup…………………………………………………………21
Step #3: Update the Model…………………………………………………………23
Step #4: Save the Type to the Model…………………………………………..24
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………….26
Further Reading………………………………………………………………………………27
Adding a List………………………………………………………………………………29
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………..29
Step #1: Hold a List of Restaurants……………………………………………..29
Step #2: Save Adds to List…………………………………………………………..30
Step #3: Implement toString()…………………………………………………….31
Step #4: Add a ListView Widget………………………………………………….31
Step #5: Build and Attach the Adapter………………………………………..33
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………….35
Further Reading………………………………………………………………………………36
Making Our List Be Fancy……………………………………………………………37
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………..37
Step #1: Create a Stub Custom Adapter……………………………………….38
Step #2: Design Our Row……………………………………………………………38
Step #3: Override getView(): The Simple Way…………………………….40
Step #4: Create a RestaurantHolder…………………………………………….41
Step #5: Recycle Rows via RestaurantHolder………………………………42
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………….45
Further Reading………………………………………………………………………………45
Splitting the Tab…………………………………………………………………………47
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………..47
Step #1: Rework the Layout………………………………………………………..47
Step #2: Wire In the Tabs…………………………………………………………..49
Step #3: Get Control On List Events…………………………………………….51
Step #4: Update Our Restaurant Form On Clicks…………………………51
Step #5: Switch Tabs On Clicks…………………………………………………..52
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………….56
Further Reading………………………………………………………………………………56
Menus and Messages…………………………………………………………………..57
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………..57
Step #1: Add Notes to the Restaurant………………………………………….57
Step #2: Add Notes to the Detail Form……………………………………….58
Step #3: Define the Option Menu……………………………………………….60
Step #4: Show the Notes as a Toast……………………………………………..61
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………….67
Further Reading………………………………………………………………………………67
Sitting in the Background……………………………………………………………69
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………..69
Step #1: Initialize the Progress Bar……………………………………………..69
Step #2: Create the Work Method………………………………………………70
Step #3: Fork the Thread from the Menu…………………………………….71
Step #4: Manage the Progress Bar……………………………………………….73
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………….75
Further Reading………………………………………………………………………………76
Life and Times…………………………………………………………………………….77
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………..77
Step #1: Lengthen the Background Work…………………………………….77
Step #2: Pause in onPause()……………………………………………………….78
Step #3: Resume in onResume()…………………………………………………79
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………….86
Further Reading………………………………………………………………………………86
A Few Good Resources………………………………………………………………..87
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………..87
Step #1: Review our Current Resources……………………………………….87
Step #2: Create a Landscape Layout……………………………………………88
Extra Credit……………………………………………………………………………………..91
Further Reading………………………………………………………………………………92
The Restaurant Store…………………………………………………………………..93
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………..93
Step #1: Create a Stub SQLiteOpenHelper…………………………………..93
Step #2: Manage our Schema……………………………………………………..94
Step #3: Remove Extraneous Code from LunchList……………………..95
Step #4: Get Access to the Helper………………………………………………95
Step #5: Save a Restaurant to the Database…………………………………96
Step #6: Get the List of Restaurants from the Database……………….98
Step #7: Change our Adapter and Wrapper………………………………..99
Step #8: Clean Up Lingering ArrayList References………………………101
Step #9: Refresh Our List………………………………………………………….102
Extra Credit……………………………………………………………………………………107
Further Reading……………………………………………………………………………..107
Getting More Active…………………………………………………………………..109
Step-By-Step Instructions……………………………………………………………….109
Step #1: Create a Stub Activity…………………………………………………..109
Step #2: Launch the Stub Activity on List Click…………………………..110
Step #3: Move the Detail Form UI………………………………………………111
Step #4: Clean Up the Original UI……………………………………………..114
Step #5: Pass the Restaurant _ID………………………………………………..115
Step #6: Load the Restaurant Into the Form……………………………….116
Step #7: Add an "Add" Menu Option………………………………………….118
Step #8: Detail Form Supports Add and Edit………………………………119
Extra Credit……………………………………………………………………………………133
Further Reading……………………………………………………………………………..133
What's Your Preference?…………………………………………………………….135
Step-By-Step Instructions……………………………………………………………….135
Step #1: Define the Preference XML…………………………………………..135
Step #2: Create the Preference Activity………………………………………136
Step #3: Connect the Preference Activity to the Option Menu……137
Step #4: Apply the Sort Order on Startup…………………………………..141
Step #5: Listen for Preference Changes………………………………………142
Step #6: Re-Apply the Sort Order on Changes……………………………143
Extra Credit……………………………………………………………………………………144
Further Reading……………………………………………………………………………..145
Turn, Turn, Turn……………………………………………………………………….147
Step-By-Step Instructions……………………………………………………………….147
Step #1: Add a Stub onSaveInstanceState()………………………………..147
Step #2: Pour the Form Into the Bundle…………………………………….148
Step #3: Repopulate the Form…………………………………………………..148
Step #4: Fix Up the Landscape Detail Form……………………………….149
Extra Credit……………………………………………………………………………………150
Further Reading………………………………………………………………………………151
Raising (Something Like) a Tweet……………………………………………….155
Step-By-Step Instructions……………………………………………………………….155
Step #1: Set Up an Identi.ca Account………………………………………….155
Step #2: Create a Stub Application and Activity…………………………156
Step #3: Create a Layout……………………………………………………………156
Step #4: Listen for Send Actions………………………………………………..158
Step #5: Make the Status Post Request………………………………………159
Extra Credit……………………………………………………………………………………162
Further Reading……………………………………………………………………………..163
Opening a JAR…………………………………………………………………………..165
Step-By-Step Instructions……………………………………………………………….165
Step #1: Obtain the JTwitter JAR……………………………………………….165
Step #2: Switch from HttpClient to JTwitter………………………………166
Step #3: Create Preferences for Account Information…………………167
Step #4: Use Account Information from Preferences………………….170
Extra Credit……………………………………………………………………………………174
Further Reading……………………………………………………………………………..175
Listening To Your Friends…………………………………………………………..177
Step-By-Step Instructions……………………………………………………………….177
Step #1: Create a Service Stub……………………………………………………177
Step #2: Set Up a Background Thread………………………………………..178
Step #3: Poll Your Friends…………………………………………………………179
Step #4: Find New Statuses……………………………………………………….180
Step #5: Set up the Public API……………………………………………………181
Extra Credit……………………………………………………………………………………182
Further Reading……………………………………………………………………………..182
No, Really Listening To Your Friends………………………………………….183
Step-By-Step Instructions……………………………………………………………….183
Step #1: Define the Callback………………………………………………………183
Step #2: Enable Callbacks in the Service……………………………………184
Step #3: Manage the Service and Register the Account………………186
Step #4: Display the Timeline……………………………………………………188
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………..200
Further Reading……………………………………………………………………………..201
Your Friends Seem Remote………………………………………………………..203
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………203
Step #1: Back Up or Branch Your Project…………………………………..203
Step #2: Create a Fresh Project…………………………………………………204
Step #3: Move the Service to the New Project……………………………204
Step #4: Implement and Copy the AIDL……………………………………205
Step #5: Implement the Client Side…………………………………………..206
Step #6: Implement the Service Side…………………………………………208
Step #7: Restore Your Project…………………………………………………….217
Extra Credit……………………………………………………………………………………217
Further Reading……………………………………………………………………………..217
A Subtle Notification………………………………………………………………….219
Step-By-Step Instructions……………………………………………………………….219
Step #1: Pick a Word and Icon…………………………………………………..219
Step #2: Raise the Notification………………………………………………….220
Step #3: Watch for the Keyword………………………………………………..221
Step #4: Clearing the Notification……………………………………………..223
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………..225
Further Reading…………………………………………………………………………….225
Posts On Location……………………………………………………………………..227
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………227
Step #1: Get the LocationManager…………………………………………….227
Step #2: Register for Location Updates……………………………………..228
Step #3: Add "Insert Location" Menu………………………………………..229
Step #4: Insert the Last Known Location…………………………………..230
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………..232
Further Reading…………………………………………………………………………….233
Here a Post, There a Post……………………………………………………………235
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………235
Step #1: Register for a Map API Key…………………………………………..235
Step #2: Create a Basic MapActivity………………………………………….236
Step #3: Launch the Map on Location-Bearing Status Click………..237
Step #4: Show the Location Via a Pin………………………………………..240
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………..243
Further Reading…………………………………………………………………………….243
Media……………………………………………………………………………………….245
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………245
Step #1: Obtain and Install a Video Clip…………………………………….245
Step #2: Create the Stub Helpcast Activity………………………………..246
Step #3: Launch the Helpcast from the Menu……………………………247
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………..249
Further Reading…………………………………………………………………………….250
Browsing Some Posts…………………………………………………………………251
Step-By-Step Instructions……………………………………………………………….251
Step #1: Add Auto-Linking………………………………………………………..251
Step #2: Draft and Package the Help HTML………………………………252
Step #3: Create a Help Activity………………………………………………….252
Step #4: Splice In the Help Activity…………………………………………..253
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………..255
Further Reading…………………………………………………………………………….256
High-Priced Help………………………………………………………………………257
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………257
Step #1: Enable Javascript………………………………………………………….257
Step #2: Create the Java Object to Inject……………………………………258
Step #3: Inject the Java Object………………………………………………….258
Step #4: Leverage the Java Object from Javascript……………………..259
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………..260
Further Reading…………………………………………………………………………….260
Now Your Friends Seem Animated……………………………………………..263
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………263
Step #1: Set Up the Option Menu……………………………………………..263
Step #2: Show and Hide the Status Entry Widgets…………………….266
Step #3: Fading In and Out………………………………………………………268
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………..270
Further Reading…………………………………………………………………………….270
Messages From The Great Beyond………………………………………………271
Step-By-Step Instructions……………………………………………………………….271
Step #1: Broadcast the Intent…………………………………………………….271
Step #2: Catch and Use the Intent…………………………………………….273
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………..274
Further Reading…………………………………………………………………………….274
Contacting Our Friends……………………………………………………………..275
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………275
Step #1: Fake the Contact Data………………………………………………….275
Step #2: Design the Highlight…………………………………………………..280
Step #3: Find and Highlight Matching Contacts…………………………281
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………..282
Further Reading…………………………………………………………………………….283
Android Would Like Your Attention…………………………………………..285
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………285
Step #1: Track the Battery State………………………………………………..285
Step #2: Use the Battery State…………………………………………………..287
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………..288
Further Reading…………………………………………………………………………….288
Now, Your Friends Are Alarmed…………………………………………………289
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………289
Step #1: Import a Reusable Component…………………………………….289
Step #2: Create the Alarm BroadcastReceiver……………………………290
Step #3: Doing the Work…………………………………………………………..291
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………..298
Further Reading…………………………………………………………………………….298
Searching For Food……………………………………………………………………299
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………299
Step #1: Have the List Conduct the Search………………………………..299
Step #2: Integrate the Search in the Application………………………..302
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………..304
Further Reading…………………………………………………………………………….304
Look Inside Yourself………………………………………………………………….305
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………305
Step #1: Create a Stub Project……………………………………………………305
Step #2: Create a Layout…………………………………………………………..306
Step #3: Find the Correct Contact Uri……………………………………….307
Step #4: Attach the Button to the Contacts……………………………….307
Step #5: Populate the List…………………………………………………………308
Extra Credit……………………………………………………………………………………312
Further Reading……………………………………………………………………………..313
A Restaurant In Your Own Home………………………………………………..315
Step-By-Step Instructions……………………………………………………………….315
Step #1: Find An App Widget Background and Icon……………………315
Step #2: Design the App Widget Layout…………………………………….316
Step #3: Add an (Empty) AppWidgetProvider……………………………316
Step #4: Add the Widget Metadata……………………………………………317
Step #5: Update the Manifest…………………………………………………….318
Step #6: Show a Random Restaurant…………………………………………321
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………..324
Further Reading…………………………………………………………………………….324
More Home Cooking………………………………………………………………….325
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………325
Step #1: Find a Button Graphic………………………………………………….325
Step #2: Add the Button to the Layout………………………………………326
Step #3: Migrate Update Logic to an IntentService…………………….327
Step #4: Get Control on Button Clicks………………………………………330
Step #5: Get Control on Name Clicks…………………………………………331
Extra Credit……………………………………………………………………………………333
Further Reading…………………………………………………………………………….333
Take a Monkey to Lunch…………………………………………………………….335
Step-By-Step Instructions……………………………………………………………….335
Step #1: Prep LunchList…………………………………………………………….335
Step #2: Run the Monkey………………………………………………………….335
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………..336
Further Reading…………………………………………………………………………….337
Asking Permission to Place a Call……………………………………………….339
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………339
Step #1: Add a Phone Number to the Database Schema……………..339
Step #2: Intelligently Handle Database Updates………………………..340
Step #3: Add Phone Number Support to the Rest of the Helper…340
Step #4: Collect the Phone Number on the Detail Form…………….342
Step #5: Ask for Permission to Make Calls…………………………………343
Step #6: Dial the Number…………………………………………………………344
Step #7: Make the Call……………………………………………………………..346
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………..347
Further Reading…………………………………………………………………………….347
Photographic Memory………………………………………………………………349
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………349
Step #1: Adjust the Manifest……………………………………………………..349
Step #2: Create the Photographer Layout…………………………………..351
Step #3: Create the Photographer Class…………………………………….352
Step #4: Tie In the Photographer Class……………………………………..354
Extra Credit……………………………………………………………………………………355
Further Reading…………………………………………………………………………….355
Sensing a Disturbance……………………………………………………………….357
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………357
Step #1: Implement a Shaker…………………………………………………….357
Step #2: Hook Into the Shaker………………………………………………….360
Step #3: Make a Random Selection on a Shake…………………………..361
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………..362
Further Reading…………………………………………………………………………….362
Getting the Word Out………………………………………………………………..363
Step-By-Step Instructions………………………………………………………………363
Step #1: Add a "Send SMS" Option Menu………………………………….364
Step #2: Find Contacts' Mobile Numbers…………………………………..365
Step #3: Pick a Person………………………………………………………………366
Step #4: Send the Message……………………………………………………….366
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………..369
Further Reading…………………………………………………………………………….370
Seeking the Proper Level……………………………………………………………371
Step-By-Step Instructions……………………………………………………………….371
Step #1: Define an Interface for Mobile Numbers……………………….371
Step #2: Implement the Interface: the New Way………………………..372
Step #3: Implement the Interface: the Old Way…………………………373
Step #4: Choose and Use the Bridge………………………………………….374
Extra Credit…………………………………………………………………………………..375
Further Reading…………………………………………………………………………….375
Appendix A: How To Get Started…………………………………………………377
Java……………………………………………………………………………………………….377
Step #1: Install the JDK……………………………………………………………..378
Step #2: Learn Java…………………………………………………………………..378
Install the Android SDK…………………………………………………………………379
Step #1: Install the Base Tools…………………………………………………..379
Step #2: Install the SDKs and Add-Ons……………………………………..379
Install the ADT for Eclipse……………………………………………………………..383
Install Apache Ant…………………………………………………………………………385
Set Up the Emulator………………………………………………………………………386
Set Up the Device………………………………………………………………………….393
Step #1: Windows…………………………………………………………………….394
Step #2: OS X and Linux…………………………………………………………..395
Appendix B: Coping with Eclipse………………………………………………..397
How to Import a Non-Eclipse Project……………………………………………..397
How to Get To DDMS……………………………………………………………………402
How to Create an Emulator……………………………………………………………404
How to Run a Project…………………………………………………………………….405
How Not to Run Your Project………………………………………………………..406
How to Get Past Eclipse…………………………………………………………………406