Back to android I go, and I start to see how deep things really can go.

So I've finished reading the Java book and heading back into Android development.
My spirits were high for all of 5 minutes.  But that is not to say I don't feel worlds better than before my little sabbatical from Android. It is only now that my despair has shifted.  I know feel, not entirely sure this is truth yet, that I understand a lot more of what is going on in the code that I am reading.  To now realizing how much more there is to know about how things work inside of a visual program; things I have taken for granted coming from the Visual Studio environment. Things like button clicks and list selections there were just automated for me there, I have to go in and code the actual receiving of the clicks and selections.

Java Java Java

So I made a commitment to myself that I would work my way through all of Headfirst Java over my spring break.
Currently we stand, 200 pages down today (300 total) and another 300 to go with the second cup of coffee in hand.

Even now though I am already feeling better about the things I had done in the Android Programmers' Guide that I hadn't before and it all has to do with delving into the world of Object-Oriented Programming.
We've only recently started to scrape the surface of it in my University's studies. We are using C++ so there are some similarities the key word being some.

Such things as

Button thisButton = (Button) new Button(blah blah blah)

which had before turned my world upside down are now all starting fall into place and all because of the OO that I'm learning in Java.

My panic about the unexpectedly soon dead line of the Symposium is starting to subside as I get more comfortable with the objects that keeping my mental state company.

Android and Java

So while I've been working away in the Android text book, I've come to a turning point. Where the code has become more complex than I am able to just understand giving my C++ background. Being mildly discouraged, I'm and diving into a Java, head first. It is a book that was lent to me by one of my class mates that they said helped them to learn Java. Hopefully I'll be able to pick up fairly quickly return to Android.  I've only got about a month before I need to be finished. Things are looking bleak, but I plan on diving into it full force over my spring break though I'm not sure where the break part will fit in.

Homebody slacker

So, I've been a slacker and not keeping up with the readings that I should but, today is the day that changes... until it happens again.

As you know I've been reading Mobile Design and Development by Brian Fling. Well this has been focusing on a lot of things, that I do feel will be beneficial but it hasn't quiet had enough, Design and Development for my taste. So we are going to adding a book to the reading, Android A Programmer's Guide by J.F. DiMarzio. This book promises, hopefully, to have a little more Programming in it.

Also looking for good books on designing native apps for Iphone and Windows Mobile, any suggestions?

So I guess I should open a restaurant.

So I've done some reading out of the textbook, Mobile Design and Development by Brian Fling. Mr. Fling as a way with words. His writing style if very readable but some of it isn't exactly, encouraging.

If I were an entrepreneur looking to create mobile services, knowing what I know about mobile, I would run away, fast. I would probably open a restaurant, which would likely  have a higher chance of success.

 eep.

But I have pressed forward and continued reading. There is a lot to be said about the mobile industry and Fling does a good job taking your through the structure of it to better understand the challenges. As well as the different generations of phones and services.

Something that I did find interesting back in the fall I went to a forum on Social Networking. A lot was said about how social networking is the newest media medium and the talked about the history of other mediums (newspapers, radio, tv, etc).  Fling also addresses this topic, but he list the mobile as the newest medium. And  now I am personally seeing more and more social networking that is mobile based so I guess there is some truth to both of them.

I am having issues with one point that Fling keeps arguing. He keeps saying that future of Mobile is web development because it is the only, or closes thing to, universal mobile market. He makes the point that is the most cost affective way, verses having to develop for multi platforms. I'm still reading though, maybe he'll change my opinion but personally I like having device applications and would chose it before a web-version of the same thing.

Lets hope there is a little more encouragement to come from Mr. Fling

Into New Worlds

This blog is part of a project that I am doing for my study of computer science. The idea is that I am exploring new things outside of what is covered in the class-room, including writing this blog to document the process. I am going to be writing on here about my triumphs (hopefully) and the my struggles (hopefully not) on entering the world of Mobile Development.

I will be using several texts as well as online resources. The primary test environment will be Google's Android operating system; though the project will cover other platforms as well.

Here we go.