The beginners can use any only search engine to gather detailed information about a wide range of Android app development courses. Some of these courses enables developers to learn Android app development in a conventional classroom environment, while others allow beginners to learn various aspects of app development for Google’s mobile operating system online and at their own pace and convenience. However, no beginner should pick a course simply based on the information posted on the provider’s website. He must keep in mind some simple points to select and join the best Android application development course.

How to Select the Best Android App Development Course for Beginners?

Know the Prerequisites
Java is the official programming language for developing Android apps. But the developers also have option to write apps for Google’s mobile platform in C or C++ using Android Native Development Kit (NDK). Google recommends developers to write Android apps in Java. So a beginner must be familiar with Java programming language to learn the mobile app application development within a shorter span of time. Some providers even require learners to have prior experience in writing Java programs.

Understand the Requirements
In addition to knowing Java programming, the developers also need to understand the operating systems, tools and frameworks required for Android application development. A developer has option to build Android apps on a number of operating systems including Windows, Linux and OS X. But he needs to download certain tools from the web including Android SDK, Android Studio, and the latest versions of Java Runtime environment and Java JDK. Also, the programmer has to additionally download Eclipse IDE for Java Developers and Android Development Tools (ADT) Eclipse Plug-in, if he plans to develop Android apps on Windows.

Focus on Key Core Android Libraries
The developers have to use a variety of Java-based libraries for Android while developing apps for the platform. They also need to use major application framework libraries for accomplishing common tasks like user interface (UI) designing, graphic drawing and database access. So the beginners must check if the course helps them to understand the commonly used core Android libraries like android.app, android.content, android.os, android.view, android.text, android.database, android.widget and android.webkit.

Focus on Major Higher-Level Services
While building Android apps, the developers need to use many higher-level services provided by the Application Framework layer. Normally, the Application Framework layer provides these services to the application as Java classes. So the Android app developers can manipulate these Java classes to make a variety of services available to the application. The beginners must check if the course enables to learn key services like activity manager, resource manager, notification manager, content providers, and view systems.

Detailed Android Application Development Process
Before starting Android application development, the developer needs to ensure that the Android development environment is setup properly. Likewise, he also needs to understand the steps in Android application development process. It is also important for the beginners to learn the common files and directories used in an Android project like src, gen, bin, res/layout, res/values and res/drawable-hdpi. At the same time, the course must prepare students to build Android apps rapidly by taking advantage of integrated development environments (IDEs) like Android Studio.

Join the Free Crash Course Provided by Google
In July 2014, Google partnered with UDACITY to provide an online training course for beginners called Android Fundamentals. The online course helps novice developers to learn the theory and practice of developing Android apps. Also, the training program aims to make developers familiar with some of the commonly used tools, patterns and principles pertaining to Android application development. Also, it helps students to understand the major challenges associated with mobile app development, and the process of developing apps that deliver awesome user experience. However, the course requires beginners to have at least one year of programming experience in an object-oriented programming language like Java, C++, Python or Objective-C.

Consider Learning Mobile App Testing
Nowadays, mobile app development and testing have becomes inseparable. Most companies deploy a separate team to test the mobile apps thoroughly and repeatedly. But the developers have to coordinate with the testers throughout the project. Also, the developers have to perform unit tests and code reviews to assess the quality and consistency of the source code of the application. So it becomes essential for beginners to understand basics of Android application testing. They must be familiar with some of the commonly used Android application testing tools. The additional knowledge will further make it easier for programmers to deliver quality Android apps without relying on other professionals. Here is a quick checklist for testing mobile apps.

Unlike other mobile operating systems, Android is open source. So a beginner has option to learn Android app development by referring to the large repository of blogs, articles, tutorials and videos available on the web. However, it is also important for the beginners to stay connected with other developers through various online forums to avail instant assistance and resolve development issues quickly.