Most of the software for Android is written in the Java programming language (PL). The system developers also offer programmers frameworks for designing applications in C / C ++, Python and Java Script through the jQuery library and PhoneGap.
Java for Android
The main language for developing Android programs is Java. XML is used to create application markup and interface elements. It is possible to write programs for Android in Java in almost any software environment, but the developers of the operating system suggest that programmers use Eclipse. The compiler functionality includes the mode of creating mobile applications through the Android Development Tools (ADT) plugin. A similar plugin is available for popular frameworks such as NetBeans and IntelliJ IDEA. In addition, the Motodev Studio for Android package, built on top of Eclipse, can be used to write Java code, which allows programming directly on the basis of the Google SDK.
C / C ++
C / C ++ libraries can be used to write some programs and code sections, the execution of which requires maximum speed. The use of these programming languages is possible through a special package for Android Native Development Kit developers, focused specifically for creating applications using C ++.
Embarcadero RAD Studio XE5 also lets you write native Android apps. At the same time, one Android device or an emulator installed on the computer is enough to test the program. The developer is also offered the opportunity to write low-level modules in C / C ++ by using some standard Linux libraries and the Bionic library developed for Android.
In addition to C / C ++, programmers can use C #, the tools of which will come in handy when writing native programs for the platform. Working in C # with Android is possible through the Mono or Monotouch interface. Nevertheless, the initial license to use C # will cost a programmer $ 400, which is only relevant when writing large software products.
PhoneGap
PhoneGap enables you to develop applications using languages such as HTML, JavaScript (jQuery), and CSS. At the same time, programs created on this platform are suitable for other operating systems and can be modified for other devices without additional changes to the program code. With PhoneGap, Android developers can use JavaScript to write code and HTML with CSS as a means of generating markup.
The SL4A solution makes it possible to use scripting languages in writing. Using the environment, it is planned to introduce such programming languages as Python, Perl, Lua, BeanShell, JRuby, etc. However, the number of developers who currently use SL4A for their programs is small, and the project is still in alpha testing.
