Introduction to the Android Platform

Android is one of the most popular mobile platform.
-- Basically it is a Platform with Linux Operating System.
-- It is backed by Google Inc. and OHA (Open Handset Alliance)
-- It uses SQLite Database
--Recent Android version (6.0) is Marshmallow

Before heading to the Android Development, one has to know the various platforms available for the Mobile.
1. Manufacturer Platform ( E.g. Apple, BlackBerry)
2. Third Party Platform (E.g. Windows)
3. Open Source Platform (E.g. Android, Symbian)

Now let's us explore the Android Platform which is a open source  platform. This platform can be deployed or installed over various mobile devices with different screen size, resolution, form factors and aspect ratio. In order to develop an application for the Android platform one must have the respective environment. For Android Applications, Eclipse + ADT or Android Studio and SDK is required.

 

Applications can also be of various types like either it can be Communication App, Entertainment App, Utility App, Productivity App, Travel App, Enterprise App, Social Networking App or an Web based App.

WhatsApp, Skype are the example of Communication App.

 

To download the Android Environment, follow the mentioned link

http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html