Android Programming Tutorials

(Romina) #1
Your First Android Project

Step #2: Command Line........................................................................


Here is a sample command that creates an Android project from the


command line:


android create project --target "Google Inc.:Google APIs:7" --path Skeleton/Now
--activity Now --package com.commonsware.android.skeleton

This will create an application skeleton for you, complete with everything


you need to build your first Android application: Java source code, build


instructions, etc. However, you are probably going to need to customize


this somewhat. Here are what those command-line switches mean:



  • --target indicates what version of Android you are "targeting" in


terms of your build process. You need to supply the ID of a target
that is installed on your development machine, one you

downloaded via the SDK and AVD Manager. You can find out what
targets are available via the android list targets command.

Typically, your build process will target the newest version of
Android that you have available.


  • --path indicates where you want the project files to be generated.
    Android will create a directory if the one you name does not exist.
    For example, in the command shown above, a Skeleton/Now/


directory will be created (or used if it exists) underneath the current
working directory, and the project files will be stored there.


  • --activity indicates the Java class name of your first activity for this
    project. Do not include a package name, and the name has to meet


Java class naming conventions.



  • --package indicates the Java package in which your first activity will
    be located. This package also uniquely identifies your project on any


device on which you install it, and this package also needs to be
unique on the Android Market if you plan on distributing your

application there. Hence, typically, you construct your package
based on a domain name you own (e.g.,

com.commonsware.android.skeleton), to reduce the odds of an
accidental package name collision with somebody else.

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