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Amazon Web Services (AWS) is Amazon’s powerful, market-leading solution for cloud computing. The platform offers a suite of products for businesses: security, cloud backup, machine learning, IoT solutions, and more. In this post, we will explore how to use AWS.

What you need to know

Many entrepreneurs and small businesses may assume that AWS is not for them. Perhaps the pricing will be too prohibitive, or it will require too much technical know-how.

While both of these issues certainly do crop up from time-to-time, the truth is that Amazon’s offerings are extremely wide-reaching and include options at many different price points and levels of complexity. That is to say, that while some products might be off-limits, others are not. Some AWS products are completely free and very simple to get to grips with!

See also: AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud – Which certification is best for professionals?

AWS includes over 175 different products, some of which don’t even require an AWS account. Whether you’re looking to host a WordPress website, create an in-house business tool, or develop a complex and far-reaching web app, there are options. What you may find, is that you can use AWS to affordably extend the functionality of your own products and services. Alternatively, IT professionals can benefit from learning these skills in order to enhance their resumes and potentially land higher-paying roles.

With that said, AWS is also notorious for its complex pricing and users have been known to get caught out. Make sure to carefully read the small print, and check our guide to AWS Free Tier.

How to use AWS: Getting started

The first step to getting started with AWS is to sign up for an AWS account. You can do this by going to aws.amazon.com and clicking “Create an AWS Account” in the top right.

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

You’ll then be asked to provide some basic details about yourself, and to pass an impossible CAPTCHA to prove you’re not a robot.

The next page is scary: you’re asked to provide your credit or debit card details before you can even use the program. As mentioned, should you exceed the AWS Free Tier limits, you will be charged automatically.

Once you’re logged in, you can start playing around with the services on offer. Of course, any guide to how to use AWS is going to be limited in scope seeing as there are so many different products available.

That said, it can still be useful to run through any example of how to use AWS products, so that you can get an idea of how it all works. This is how we learn any seemingly overwhelming new topic: by getting stuck in with a project! So, let’s take a look at one of the most useful features AWS has to offer: AWS Lambda.

How to Use AWS Lambda

Lambda is one of the most integral aspects of AWS that professionals should spend time familiarizing themselves with. This is an “event-driven” and “serverless” compute platform. This means it can handle small bits of code and will only run when needed. Instead of paying a monthly fee to host a web app, you can instead write a small Lambda script and only pay each time you need to use it. This is highly scalable too: from a few requests a day to thousands a second.

You can then trigger this code as needed. Your code might run in response to HTTP requests via Amazon API Gateway, or you could invoke it with API calls from AWS SDKs. Alternatively, they might process events from specific “event sources.” These may include Amazon S3 or DynamoDB for example.

The good news is that Lambda uses Python by default. Python is one of the easiest programming languages to get to grips with, as well as one of the most powerful. It also just so happens that we have a number of great Python tutorials on this very site!

See also: Python beginner’s guide – Everything you need to know to get started

If you prefer, you can also write Lambda functions in Java, Node.js, or C#.

A simple example

You can find detailed instructions for each one of the AWS services here. These are helpful but a little out-of-date in many cases.

The below is adapted and updated from one of these examples.

First, open up the AWS Management Console. Find the Lambda console (under Compute). From there, choose “Create a Function” and then “Use a blueprint.”

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

In the Filter Box type:

hello-world-python

Select the blueprint when it appears and hit Configure in the bottom right. Lambda blueprints are examples of code that handle minimal processing. You can use these in order to create quick functions that don’t require a lot of typing on your part.

You’ll now be prompted to configure your function. This can set the amount of compute resources you wish to allocate (e.g. memory), as well as execution timeout, etc.

First enter some basic information about your function: its name and role name. Make sure that “Create a new role from AWS policy templates” is selected.

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

Use the following information:

Name: hello-world-python

Role name: lambda_basic_execution

You can leave “Policy template” empty.

The role is the “IAM role.” IAM stands for “Identity and Access Management,” and is a framework for policies and practices to ensure the smooth management of digital identities. Don’t you just love it when an acronym works out? An IAM role then is an IAM identity with specific permissions, but that isn’t associated with any one individual. Roles can be used to share access to resources or to allow apps and software to access products (without needing to embed AWS keys). In this case, the IAM role will provide the permissions that AWS Lambda needs to run the function for you.

The Lambda function

You can see the Lambda function code at the bottom of the screen. It should look fairly familiar to anyone that has used Python before. Learning Python is a useful step if you wish to learn how to use AWS Lambda.

import json print('Loading function') def lambda_handler(event, context): #print("Received event: " + json.dumps(event, indent=2)) print("value1 = " + event['key1']) print("value2 = " + event['key2']) print("value3 = " + event['key3']) return event['key1'] # Echo back the first key value #raise Exception('Something went wrong')

First, we import the JSON module. JSON is used to send data securely over the web. This works in “value/attribute” pairs and, as you can see here, we’re printing these and returning the first one from our function. “Return” is essentially how we pass data out of our function to other apps.

See also: How to use Python modules

You can learn a bit more about JSON by reading our guide to using Web APIs in Android.

Now hit “Create function.” You’ll see the function code in an editor, as well as your environment with your project and all its files. You should only have one thing here: hello-world-python > lambda_function.py.

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

As you scroll down the page, you can see the memory, timeout, and VPC settings, among other things. You can leave all these things as they are until you learn how to use AWS Lambda for more complex tasks.

See also: How to open CSV files in Python – store and retrieve large data sets

Testing our Lambda function

That’s our function all set up! The question now is how do we get it to run or do anything useful with it.

As you can see, you have the option to “add triggers” in the Designer. Here you can select events that will cause your code to run. Instead, though, we’re going to use a “Test Event” to check that everything is working. So, click the drop-down many and select “Configure test events.”

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

The event template should be prepopulated with “hello-world.” Choose any name you like for the Event name, such as “HelloWorldEvent.” Change the “value1” string to say “Hello World!”

Click “Create”. Back in the console, click “Test.”

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

If everything went well, you’ll see the message: “Execution result: succeeded (logs)” You can expand this by clicking “Details.”

Here, you’ll see the string that was returned from the function: “Hello world!” You can also find more information here, such as the duration and max memory used. The log output shows what we printed along with other information we could use to debug the function.

See also: How to call a function in Python

So, that’s how to use AWS Lambda! While this was just a little tester, there are countless other things we could do with a function like this. That might mean performing complex algorithms and providing the output, transforming data we feed in via JSON, or just updating us about the status of another app or tool.

Of course, there is much more to learning how to use AWS! This is just one of the 175+ different products available.

How to use AWS Amazon Chime

To demonstrate just how varied AWS products are, let’s take a look at Amazon Chime. Rather than a development tool with complex pricing and unlimited uses, Amazon Chime is a simple app that anyone can use for free. It just so happens to fall under the umbrella of AWS.

Amazon Chime is a simple conferencing app that anyone can use for free.

Download the app from the Google Play Store or App Store. You can use Amazon Chime without an AWS account (you’ll need your Amazon login details). It will give you access to basic features like chat, voice calls, and meetings. However, you will need to upgrade if you want access to pay-as-you-go features such as Business Calling.

That’s it: just download an app and you’re already using AWS! I probably wouldn’t put “AWS” on your resume just yet though…

Learning more

Amazon provides a number of useful tutorials for those looking to learn how to use AWS products. For example, the “Full-Stack Developer” learning path walks users through the process of building a web app with both a front-end design built using HTML, CSS, etc. and a back-end that handles algorithms and data to provide an interactive experience.

This process takes 30 minutes, but it’s worth noting that some elements are out of date. The guide also assumes a certain amount of prior knowledge. Nobody can learn HTML, CSS, Python, and server management in 30 minutes!

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

The “Hobbyist Builder” learning path meanwhile shows you how to create and host a WordPress website, letting Amazon handle cloud management. You’ll be using Amazon Lightsail, which is a service that offers Virtual servers, storage, databases, and networking. You can sign up for Amazon Lightsail without worrying about the complex pricing of AWS. This makes it a great alternative to web hosting from the likes of Bluehost. As well as offering built-in features like WordPress and Magento (which is fairly standard for any hosting service these days), you’ll also get access to development stacks such as LAMP, MEAN, and Node.js. This solution is great for those that don’t consider themselves full-stack developers but would like to get started with some basic web app development.

Or you could try something more complex, such as the Data Scientist learning path. This will teach you to develop, train, and deploy ML models through Amazon SageMaker. Again, the key to learning how to use AWS is to know precisely what you want to achieve before you dive in.

AWS certification courses

We recommend that beginners take an online course first in order to provide the necessary background information. This is the easiest place to start and will provide a comprehensive education in your chosen AWS products. Many courses also prepare you for AWS certification, which can significantly enhance your career.

Check out our guide to the best AWS courses for professionals to find a selection of heavily discounted courses. Our top recommendation is the comprehensive 2020 Ultimate AWS Certification Training Bundle. This package contains everything you need to know and is available to Android Authority readers for just $59.99. That’s a $214.01 discount, so act quickly!

This is the fastest and most efficient way to learn how to use AWS. Hopefully, this post will have given you an idea of the basics and just what you can do with this immensely powerful selection of tools. So, what are you waiting for?

Google Cloud certification demonstrates an individual’s proficiency using Google Cloud technologies. It shows that a service provider or prospective employee can maintain and implement Google Cloud services and products into a company’s workflow. These skills are highly sought after and may lead to improved job prospects and salary.

To learn more about Google Cloud certification, keep reading!

What is Google Cloud?

Google Cloud, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP), is a cloud platform or “Infrastructure as a Service” (IaaS). As such, GCP offers a broad range of services and products that businesses can use to improve the products and services they provide to clients and end-users.

See also: What is Google Cloud?

Google Cloud services are hosted on servers that are available 24/7 and that can scale to meet the demands of the customer. These services fall into a number of categories:

Cloud storage and backup

Database management

Developer tools

Internet of Things (IoT)

Machine learning

Analytics

For example, a company might use a Google Cloud server in order to handle voice recognition or to store a user’s credentials to be accessed across multiple devices. Cloud CND is “fast, reliable web and video content delivery with global scale and reach.” Compute Engine is “computing infrastructure in predefined or custom machine sizes.” The list goes on.

Any of these services can help to extend a company’s reach, but implementation can be complex and it requires significant technical understanding. This is why a company may wish to hire a professional with Google Cloud certification.

Is Google Cloud certification right for you?

If you are an IT professional, you may be considering Google Cloud certification. But is it right for you?

While certifications can be a great way to make a resume more attractive to employees and clients, they are less important than experience and qualifications. Remember: a company can always provide Google Cloud training after making a hire! Think of it as the “icing on the cake” that may help you to stand out against the competition.

What’s more, Google Cloud certification will only be useful to those companies that plan on using these technologies (or that can be convinced that they should!). That also means the hiring company must choose Google Cloud over the competing cloud platforms: Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. Google Cloud has less market share than either of these options, so you may want to consider those certifications instead.

See also: AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud – Which certification is best for professionals?

That being said, Google Cloud has specific use-cases where it is clearly the best choice. In particular, Google Cloud comes out on top for machine learning thanks to its powerful Tensor Flow platform. More and more companies are turning to machine learning to solve a wide range of challenges, so this may be a useful move to “futureproof” your career. GCP also has some impressively large clients to its name: Snap, Spotify, Best Buy, Gartner, and Coca-Cola.

The best option is to seek out as many certifications as you can, to appeal to the broadest range of employers, while demonstrating a wide knowledge-base and aptitude for learning.

What you need to know

Strengthening the case for Google Cloud certification is its relatively low price. Certification only costs $125 for an “Associate” certificate and $200 for a “Professional” certificate.

There is only one Associate-level certificate at the time of writing, which is the Associate Cloud Engineer. This basic certification covers the knowledge necessary for the day-to-day maintenance of existing GCP implementations. Professional certificates, meanwhile, cover the skills necessary to design and implement new solutions.

There are a total of 7 certifications:

Associate Cloud Engineer

Professional Cloud Architect

Professional Data Engineer

Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer

Professional Cloud Network Engineer

Professional Cloud Security Engineer

Professional Collaboration Engineer

Exams are not graded, rather examinees will be awarded a simple “pass” or “fail.” Each exam is two hours long and must be taken at a Kryterion testing center. There are over 1,000 testing centers located across 120 different countries. Once complete, certification is valid for two years.

Preparing for Google Cloud certification

Before attempting an exam, it is highly recommended that you spend some time educating yourself with regards to the platform. A great way to do this is with online courses, which make it easy to learn from the comfort of your home. Many of these provide specific exam preparation.

Android Authority has partnered with many leading course providers to offer huge discounts to our readers. You can get the GCP: Complete Google Data Engineer and Cloud Architect Guide for just $9, rather than the usual $199! Or how about the even more comprehensive Google Cloud Mastery Bundle for just $39, down from $1,400!

It’s also recommended that you try the practice exams and exam guides provided by Google. Think you’re ready? Then register for your certification here. Good luck!

Google Cloud Platform (GPC) is, as it’s clear from its name, a cloud platform, or an “Infrastructure as a Service” (Iaas). This means it offers a suite of tools, services, and apps that businesses can use to enhance productivity and workflow. Those include cloud storage and backup, database management, developer tools, IoT, analytics, machine learning, and more.

In this post, we will attempt to fully answer these questions: what is Google Cloud? Is Google Cloud certification a worthwhile investment for professionals? Does the Google Cloud Platform offer the services your business needs? Let’s find out.

An introduction to Google Cloud

Android developers that frequent this site may be familiar with Firebase. It is a mobile application development platform that provides various useful tools developers can use when building their apps.

While the majority of an app’s code will run natively on the user’s device, most will also need to defer to the cloud for a variety of different functions. For example, you may need to let a user log-in using their Google account. You might want to store their user data on the cloud too (so that they can still access it after changing devices), or you might want to use voice recognition/computer vision that would be slow to process on-device. To that end, a developer will outsource these features to an online service like Google’s Firebase.

See also: An introduction to Firebase – the easiest way to build powerful, cloud-enabled Android apps

To see how this might work, check out our post on adding face-recognition via Firebase and ML Kit.

Any Firebase project is also a GCP project, and many of Firebase’s functions are simply delegated to Google Cloud. In fact, mobile developers will often be sent to the Google Cloud console, which has a different, blue and white UI. In this way, Firebase acts as a front-end for Google Cloud that is optimized for mobile developers specifically.

Thus, a Google Cloud Project works in precisely the same way, but with broader applications. Companies can use Google Cloud services in just the same way to power their apps, websites, in-house software, and tools. Google provides hardware (servers) and software in an always-connected manner that businesses can rely on.

A company can leverage GCP when storing user data, integrating machine learning into their services, adding additional security measures, or backing up databases.

Google Cloud vs AWS vs Microsoft Azure

As mentioned, Google Cloud is just one of several competing cloud platforms. The next question then, is what is Google Cloud best at? When should you choose one over the other?

The two biggest competitors are Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure. These platforms similarly offer “infrastructure as a service” (IaaS), but vary in terms of pricing and the specific features offered.

Amazon Web Services is the largest and most widely used cloud platform today with a 33% market share. This is followed by Microsoft Azure, which has a market share of 16%. Google Cloud lags behind with just 8% of the market.

See also: AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud – Which certification is best for professionals??

However, while Google Cloud is not the most widely adopted and has fewer services overall, it is popular for specific tasks. In particular, Google Cloud is known for its machine learning capabilities, powered by the excellent Tensor Flow platform.

As machine learning and AI are major focusses for many businesses in 2020, this is an important advantage.

What is Google Cloud certification?

Google Cloud certification demonstrates that an individual has expertise using Google Cloud services. This means they will be able to help businesses to integrate these cloud services into their workflow: an in-demand skillset for many organizations.

There are a number of different Google Cloud certificates available:

Associate Cloud Engineer

Professional Cloud Architect

Professional Data Engineer

Professional Cloud DevOps Engineer

Professional Cloud Network Engineer

Professional Cloud Security Engineer

Professional Collaboration Engineer

Applicants must pass an exam in order to gain certification. Exams cost between $125-$200.

So, is this a worthwhile investment for IT professionals? The short answer is yes for a great many people. Though AWS and Azure are more widely used, many companies still choose Google Cloud. And with machine learning becoming increasingly integral to many services and products, the demand for Google Cloud Certification is only likely to grow. Many IT professionals would benefit from gaining certification with all three major cloud platforms.

That said, certifications like these should be considered as a way to augment a well-rounded resume. Most employers will still prioritize experience and qualifications over certifications.

Those that are considering Google Cloud certification should educate themselves with an online course that will bring them up to speed with the platform and even prepare them to sit the exams. Android Authority readers can get access to some heavily discounted courses, including the excellent GCP: Complete Google Data Engineer and Cloud Architect Guide for just $9. This course provides over 166 lectures (22 hours of content) and usually costs $199 – so hurry!

Azure, also known as Microsoft Azure, is a cloud platform that provides a number of different services for businesses. These include cloud storage, IoT, security, machine learning, containers, database management, and more.

Microsoft Azure certification demonstrates that an IT professional is familiar with these tools and can help employers and clients integrate them into their own workflow. But is Azure certification worth pursuing? What types of certification are available? Read on, and we’ll explore what you need to know.

Also read: What is Azure? Azure certification for professionals

A bit about Azure

Azure is one of several competing cloud platforms, also referred to as “infrastructure-as-a-service.” It is the second largest of these, with roughly 16% market share. That places Microsoft Azure ahead of Google Cloud (8%) and behind Amazon Web Services (33%).

The question to ask yourself when considering Azure certification then is whether you would be better served by Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Google Cloud certification. AWS is in most demand and Google Cloud is superior for machine learning, but Azure certification has many unique benefits of its own.

It boasts seamless integration with many of the Microsoft products and services that businesses are already familiar with. It also has an excellent, scalable pricing model that ensures users only pay for the services they need. As Microsoft is keen to point out, AWS is up to five times more expensive for many comparable services.

Also read: AWS vs Azure vs Google Cloud – Which certification is best for professionals?

The best option for developers and IT professionals is to gain certification in all three of the major cloud platforms. As cloud computing is amongst the fastest growing technologies, this is a smart move for anyone looking to “future-proof” their CV.

Azure certification is also valuable on its own: for someone with experience looking to specialize, or someone looking to find work with a business that already relies on Azure.

About Azure certification

With Azure certification, a candidate will demonstrate they have the skills to help businesses integrate these cloud services into their products and workflow. This is a highly valuable skill set and may command a higher salary. That said, certification should always be considered as a way to “augment” a resume, with experience and qualifications taking precedent.

Also read: Microsoft Certification: A guide for tech professionals

There are 12 different types of Azure certification with associated exams. These include:

Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist – Associate Exam AZ

Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer – Associate Exam AI-100

Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer – Associate Exam AZ-203

Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator – Associate Exam AZ-203

Microsoft Certified: Solutions Architect – Associate Exam / Expert Exam AZ-300 / AZ-301

Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator – Associate Exam DP-300 (beta)

Microsoft Certified: Security Engineer – Associate Exam AZ-500

Microsoft Certified: Azure – Fundamentals Exam AZ-900

The right Azure certification for any given professional will depend on the nature of the work they are looking for. For example, a developer may benefit from an Azure Developer certification, whereas security specialists would be better served by the Security Engineer certificate. Professionals can also choose between Fundamentals, Associate, or Expert level exams. Fundamentals are often suggested as optional prerequisites for Associate exams.

Also read: The best online certificate programs for enhancing your career

Most Associate exams cost $165, making this a smart investment that should provide significant returns. Exams can be taken at physical testing centers or online. You can find more information and a full list of all Microsoft Certifications and exams here.

Preparing for Azure certification

Those with no prior experience with Azure should educate themselves prior to taking an exam. There are lots of great online courses that will provide a full, comprehensive introduction to Microsoft Azure for beginners and pros alike. Many of these provide specific training and prep for the exams.

Android Authority readers can get some big discounts on a number of Azure Certification courses. The Essential Microsoft Azure Certification Bundle is available for just $29.99 (a 97% discount) and includes all the materials you need to gain a broad knowledge of Azure.

The notion of a smart home is one that has been gradually catching on and gaining momentum. Using home automation, you can create an environment in your home that is more comfortable, more aesthetic, and even more energy-efficient. Nowhere does this make more sense than in a “smart office.”

In business, making small changes to processes and routines can potentially shave a huge amount of wasted time off your days and weeks.

Plus, you get to feel like Tony Stark!

Now more of us are working from home, creating a smart office that automatically adapts to our needs can help us to complete more work more quickly, and be left with more time at the end of the day to spend with our families. Plus, you get to feel like Tony Stark!

Read on then, and we’ll explore how to create the perfect “smart office.”

Smart office gadgets and features

Smart display: Echo Show

Smart displays include the likes of the Echo Show or a Google Home. These give you access to a virtual assistant with the added benefit of a display. Not only will this allow you to control many of the other elements of your smart office with just your voice, but you can also look up facts, perform quick sums, broadcast to other parts of your home (“I need coffee!”), set timers (great for pomodoro), and more.

Also read: 10 Best Google apps to maximize your experience!

Which smart display you go for will ultimately come down to personal preference and the appliances you already have in place. I’m partial to a little bit of Alexa myself.

The link below bundles in an Echo Flex, so you can voice-control your smart office setup from other parts of the house, too.

Buy From Amazon

Smart lighting: Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance

The right lighting is crucial not only for ensuring you can see what you’re doing, but also for setting the right mood and ambience conducive to productivity. Color psychology shows us colors can alter our mood and mental state, so using colored lighting might just be an effective strategy for creating a highly productive environment.

Editor's Pick

The best smart bulbs without a hub you can get

You want to install “smarter” home lighting, but you don’t want to deal with all the different standards like Zigbee, Z-Wave, and other proprietary connections. You don’t want to tie your entire smart home down …

Using these Hue lightbulbs combined with an Alexa Show or Google Home, you’ll be able to create profiles for your room. With a single tap or command, you can define an entire lighting set up. You can use calming colors when you want to be creative and relaxed, or brighter colors when you want to be more switched on and focussed.

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Smart plug: Wemo Mini Smart Plug

A Wemo smart plug will let you add “dumb” features to your smart office setup. By plugging any appliance into a smart plug, you’ll be able to command it to switch on or off with your voice or a timer.

Now you can add a desk light to the setup, or any other appliance. How about some music, a fan, or an air filter?

Buy From Amazon

Echo Flex with Smart Motion Sensor

Want to make your smart office way smarter for just $35? The Echo Flex is a compact and affordable smart speaker that comes with a number of useful accessories (you choose which one when you buy). One of those accessories is the Smart Motion Sensor. With this, you can boot up your computer and turn on your lighting as soon as you enter your office!

Buy From Amazon

Powerline Ethernet adapter: TP-Link AV600

Using a Powerline adapter, you can get a wired WiFi connection from a normal power outlet in your office. The benefit of this is firstly that you can get a faster and more reliable WiFi connection in your office, and secondly that you can now use wake on LAN. Wake on LAN means that when your computer is powered down (on standby), you can send a command from a smartphone or even a smart device like Alexa in order to power it back on! What that means, is that you can wake your computer with a voice command.

Also read: 5 home office accessories under $50 you’ll want to invest in

To learn how to set this up, head over to the post I wrote a few years back. You can even use a similar trick to control your home office remotely from a coffee shop. You know, once you’re allowed out of the house again!

Could you be any more Tony Stark?

Buy from Amazon

Gesture control: Leap Motion

If you were really Tony Stark though, you’d be able to control your PC with gestures. While you won’t be building an Iron Man suit out of holograms just yet, there was a device that would let you do something similar. The Leap Motion was a promising plug-and-play hand-tracking system that let you do all kinds of cool things such as controlling a mouse by pointing, or turning on your laptop with a wave of your hand.

Unfortunately, the Leap Motion has fallen off the map. With no continued support, I can’t wholeheartedly recommend this product anymore. Still though, it’s a neat inclusion if you have the money and want a fun bit of novelty. And you can still find them on Amazon.

Buy From Amazon

Coffee machine: Smarter Coffee

While smart lighting might be a nice feature for your office, that isn’t what really gets things done. No, the real MVP of any office is a coffee machine! Place a coffee machine right there in your office and you’ll never need to leave.

Editor's Pick

These are the 5 best smart coffee makers you can buy

A smart coffee maker can easily become a caffeine lover’s favorite appliance, but finding the best smart coffee makers can be tricky. That's where we  come in. Imagine a smart coffee maker that can brew …

Smarter Coffee takes coffee into the 21st century by adding smart features and voice assistant support. So now you can simply tell Alexa you want an Americano yesterday and she’ll sort that out for you! If you like your coffee white, then you’ll need a mini-fridge too. Admittedly, that’s a slippery slope!

Buy From Amazon

Learning Android app development may seem like a daunting task, but it can open up a huge world of possibilities. You could create the next “hit app” that changes the way we work or interact with each other. Maybe you’ll develop a tool that you can use yourself to improve your workflow. Or perhaps you’ll just gain a new skill that lands you a great job!

Also read: Making an app with no programming experience: What are your options?

Whatever the case, learning Android app development might not be as tough as you think, as long as you understand what all the different moving parts are for, and have a roadmap to guide you through. This post is that road map!

Step 1: Downloading the tools you need for Android app development

First, you need to create your development environment so that your desktop is ready to support your Android development goals. For that, you will need Android Studio and the Android SDK. Thankfully, these both come packaged together in a single download that you can find here.

Android Studio is an IDE. That stands for “integrated development environment,” which is essentially an interface where you can enter your code (primarily Java or Kotlin) and access all the different tools necessary for development. Android Studio allows you to access libraries and APIs from the Android SDK, thereby giving you access to native functions of the operating system. You’ll also be able to build your app into an APK using Gradle, test it via a “virtual device” (emulator), and debug your code while it runs.

With all that said, keep in mind that there are other options available for your Android app development. For example, Unity is a very powerful tool for cross-platform game development that also supports Android. Likewise, Visual Studio with Xamarin is an excellent combination for creating cross-platform apps in C#.

We have handy guides to getting started with each of these options:

How to create non-game apps in Unity

An introduction to Xamarin for cross platform Android development

Android Studio is the best place for most people to start (with Android game development being an exception), particularly as it provides all these additional tools and resources in a single place.

Fortunately, set up is very simple and you only need to follow along with the instructions on the screen.

Get set up with Android Studio by following our handy guides:

Android Studio tutorial for beginners

How to install the Android SDK

Step 2: Start a new project

Once you have Android Studio on your machine, the next step is to start a new project. This is a straightforward process, but you’ll need to make a few decisions that will impact on your Android app development going forward.

Go to File > New > New Project. You will now be asked to select a “Project Template.” This defines the code and UI elements that will be included in your new app when it loads.

The word “Activity” refers to a “screen” in your app. Thus, a project with “No Activity” will be completely empty, apart from the basic file structure. A “Basic Activity” on the other hand will create a starting screen for your app and will add a button in the bottom and a hamburger menu at the top. These are common elements in many Android apps, so this can save you some time.

That said, it can also risk making things more complicated when you’re first getting to grips with development. For that reason, we’re going to choose the “Empty Activity.” This will create an activity and some files for us, but it won’t add a lot of additional code.

Choose a name and “package name” for your new app. The name is what your audience will see when the app is installed on their device. The package name is an internal reference used by Android to differentiate it from other apps. This should be composed using your top level domain (e.g. .com), domain name, and app name.

For example: com.androidauthority.sampleapp.

If you don’t have a domain or a company, just use “com” followed by something that appeals to you!

You’ll also need to decide where you want the files to be saved and what language you’re going to code in: Java or Kotlin.

Java vs Kotlin for Android app development

One of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make as an Android developer is whether you’re going to learn Kotlin or Java. Both languages are officially supported by Google and Android Studio, but they have some distinct differences.

Java has been supported by Google the longest and is what developers have been using to craft Android apps for years. Java is also one of the most in-demand programming languages in the world, which makes it a great choice for those who want to begin a career in development. As the oldest Android programming language, there is also slightly more support for Java vs Kotlin, although it’s not by much.

Kotlin on the other hand has become Google’s preferred choice for Android development. This is the default when starting a new app, and it is likely to become more common going forward. Kotlin is also significantly easier to get to grips with if you’re a complete beginner.

For these reasons, Kotlin is probably the language of choice for Android developers that are learning for fun, or that have no aspirations to develop for other platforms. However, Java makes more sense if you’re interested in becoming a professional developer.

You can learn more about the two options here:

Kotlin vs Java for Android: key differences

Minimum SDK

Finally, you also need to consider your Minimum SDK. This is the lowest version of Android that you want your app to support.

The lower you make this number, the broader your potential audience will be. Keep in mind that there is a relatively low adoption rate for the latest versions of Android, so sticking with the latest update will prevent a lot of users from trying your creation. If we leave the version as the default (Android 10), then we only support 8.2% of devices!

Google: do better.

However, you will only be able to access the latest features of Android if you target a more recent version. If you like the sound of supporting chat bubbles, then you’ll want to stick with the most recent version.

Step 3: Familiarize yourself with the files

I remember the first time I tried Android app development. I loaded up Android Studio and was immediately baffled by what I saw. There are just so many different files, multiple types of code, folders, and more! This was worlds away from the single blank file I was used to working with in Python or even QBasic (anyone remember QBasic??).

This can be rather daunting, but here’s what you need to know.

The file that is open is MainActivity.java or MainActivity.kt. This is the main logic file for the activity that is going to define how your app behaves. Look on the left, and you’ll see that this file is found in: MyApplication > app > src > main > java > com > companyname > myapplication.

The folders used are important for Android app development, as they help Android Studio and Gradle to find everything and build it correctly (more on Gradle in a moment). Suffice to say, you can’t just rename these as you please!

You’ll notice that there is already some code on the main page. This is what we call “boilerplate code,” meaning that it is code that is almost identical across different app projects and that is needed to make basic functions work. Boilerplate code is what you’ll find yourself typing out over and over again! One of the benefits of Kotlin is that it requires less boilerplate, meaning that you’ll have less code on your screen if that is what you chose.

Introducing layout files

The role of this code is to tell Android where the associated layout file is. A layout file is slightly different from a Kotlin/Java file. This defines the way that an activity looks, and lets you add things like buttons, text, and browser windows.

You’ll find this file in: MyApplication > app > src > res > layout.

It will be called activity_main.xml. Note that files stored in the resources folder can’t use capitals; they need to use the underscore symbol to distinguish different words. Double click on this file and it will open in the main window where you edit your code. Notice that you can switch between the open files using tabs along the top.

You can view this file via the “Code” view, the “Design” view, or a split view that shows these windows side-by-side. There are buttons to switch mode in the top right.

In the design view, you can actually drag and drop different widgets onto the screen. The code view shows you a load of XML script. When you add new widgets via the Design view, this script will update. Likewise, you can tweak properties of the widgets (called “views”) in here and see them reflected in real-time via the Code view.

In the vast majority of apps, you’ll need to create a new Java/Kotlin file and a corresponding XML file, each time you want a new activity. And for those that were wondering: yes, that means you have to learn either Kotlin or Java and XML. This is a bit of a headache, but it actually simplifies the process in the long run.

For an introduction to using XML, check out this guide:

An introduction to XML for new Android developers – the powerful markup language

To get to grips with the different views and what they do:

Building your Android UI: Everything you need to know about Views

The other files and folders

There are lots more files and folders here though, so what do they all do?

In truth, you don’t need to know what everything here is. But some things that are useful to know about:

The Android Manifest: This is an XML file in the res folder that defines important features of your app. That includes the orientation of the app, the activities that you want to be included in it, the version, etc.

For more, read:

xml: everything you need to know

Drawable: This folder is found in res. This is where you will put things like images that you want to reference later.

Values: This resource folder is a useful place to store values that will be used globally across your app. For example, this can include color codes (making it easy for you to change the look of your entire app) or strings (words). You’ll define these values in individual XML files, such as colors.xml.

Gradle: Gradle is the tool that takes all your files and bundles them into a workable APK for testing. It is also useful for generating previews etc. You won’t need to worry about the files in here often, but if you want to add a “dependency,” this is where you will do it. Dependencies are external libraries that let you access additional functionality from within your own code.

Learn more about Gradle and how it works here:

Introducing Gradle for new Android developers – The master builder

Step 4: Test your app

The first thing that you are supposed to do when familiarizing yourself with any new programming language, is to create an app that says “Hello World.” Thankfully, this is very easy in this case seeing as that’s what the code that’s already here does! If you look at the XML, it includes a small label that just says: Hello World!

If you look at the controls along the top, you’ll see there’s a little green play arrow. On the left of this is a drop-down menu, with a phone name in it. When you installed Android Studio, this should also have installed an Android system image along with the Virtual Device Manager. In other words, you should already have an Android emulator set up and ready to go! By clicking on this green arrow, you’ll be able to launch that and test your app! Notice that this will also let you use the emulated phone as though it were a real device.

You can change the settings for your virtual device – such as screen size, Android version, space etc. – by going to Tools > AVD Manager. You can also download new system images here. Make sure that your virtual device meets or exceeds the minimum SDK you set at the start.

Alternatively, you can try plugging a physical device into your computer and using this to test your new app. You’ll need to turn on Developer Options though, and enable USB Debugging.

How to enable Developer Options on your Android Device

Step 5: Make a thing!

The best way to learn Android app development is by doing! That means you should have a stab at editing the code in front of you, to see if you can make it do something new.

Changing the message that displays is as simple as going into your XML and changing the line that says “Hello World!” into “Howdy World!”

But what if you want to add some kind of interactive element to your creation? In that case, you might decide to let the user click the button to change the text.

First, you’ll need to place this line inside the TextView tag in your activity_main.xml:

android:id="@+id/helloButton" android:onClick="onHelloButtonClick"

This will give the text label the name “helloButton” and will state that the method “onHelloButtonClick” will reference this view. We’re going to add that to our code in a moment.

Now you can add the following code to your MainActivity. If you see any text appear red as you are typing it, that means you need to “import” that code from the Android SDK. Click on the red text then press Alt + Enter and Android Studio will do this for you automatically. In short, this tells Android that you are referencing a library that is a part of the Android SDK.

(The following example is written in Java.)

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity { TextView helloButton; @Override protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) { super.onCreate(savedInstanceState); setContentView(R.layout.activity_main); helloButton = (TextView) findViewById(R.id.helloButton); } public void onHelloButtonClick (View v) { helloButton.setText("Howdy World!"); } }

In this code example, we first create an “object” in the code called “helloButton.” Inside our “onCreate” method (everything within the curly brackets) we then tell Android that this object represents the button in our layout file. The code you place here is what will run first when you launch an app.

Next, we create the method that runs when someone clicks on the button. Once that happens, we can then change the text on said button. Notice that once again, Kotlin requires significantly fewer lines to achieve the same thing!

Run the app and you should now see that when you click the button, the text changes!

This is a very simple app, but it demonstrates the basics of how Android app development works. Generally, you will be creating new on screen elements in the layout file, then defining how they behave in the associated Java or Kotlin file.

As you get more advanced, you’ll need to start manipulating and storing data. To do this, you’ll use variables which contain numbers and strings (words).

We have Java tutorials that will help you get started:

Java tutorial for beginners: write a simple app with no previous experience

Once you’ve read through that, you’ll have a basic idea of how Java works, and all that is left is to learn how you can apply these skills to Android app development. To that end, a great strategy is to pick a project and then work on that.

And wouldn’t you know it: we have a ton of great projects to try out! Here are just a few:

An easy first project for Android app development noobs: math game

Let’s make a simple Star Wars quiz!

How to write your first Android game in Java

The key is not to try and learn “all of Android app development” but to set your sights on a realistic first project. You’ll keep learning as you add new features and want to do new things, and having a goal will keep your learning fun and structured. Before you know it, you’ll be a pro!

Cloud platforms, also referred to as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), are used by a wide variety of businesses to store data, handle machine-learning, and more. IT professionals looking to enhance their resume should therefore consider certification for these tools. As one of the biggest options on the market, that includes Microsoft Azure.

See also: What is AWS certification?

But just what is Azure? What services are included? In this post, we will explore the platform in detail from the perspective of the IT services provider or developer.

What is Azure?

Microsoft Azure is a cloud platform that offers a number of apps and services for businesses. These include, but are not limited to, services in the following categories:

Containers

Compute

Machine learning

Developer tools

IoT

You can find a full list of services here.

Like other cloud platforms, Microsoft uses a scalable pricing strategy. This means businesses only pay for the infrastructure they use, ensuring seamless scaling to meet the demands of customers.

Understanding how to use Microsoft Azure as a developer means being able to help employers and clients design, launch, and manage these solutions: whether that means storing and securing customer information, or using natural language processing via machine learning.

What is Azure certification?

Microsoft Azure certification demonstrates that a professional has a solid understanding of the Azure cloud platform and the services that comprise it. These are industry-recognized and highly regarded certifications that are in high demand among employers. With cloud computing among the fastest growing technologies, this is a fantastic way to future-proof your resume.

There are actually 12 different Microsoft Azure Certifications, each one specializing in certain areas. These include the likes of Microsoft Certified Azure Data Scientist and Microsoft Certified Azure AI Engineer. Certifications are also divided into Fundamentals, Associate, and Expert levels.

Beginners may wish to start with the Fundamentals Exam (AZ-900), while more experienced users can demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of Microsoft Azure services with the Microsoft Certified Solutions Architect certification.

Is an Azure certification worth it?

For professionals, the question often is which cloud platform to gain certification with. Microsoft Azure currently owns a 14% market share in this sector, but Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the market leader with a 33% share. Google Cloud is another competitor that is particularly well-known for its focus on machine learning via the powerful “Tensor Flow” platform.

The bottom line is that AWS certification will appeal to the widest range of employers and will be the priority for many professionals. However, the more of these certifications you possess, the more companies will be interested in hiring your services. This is particularly true considering the wide use of other Microsoft services such as Office 365 and Teams among countless organizations. Microsoft remains an extremely popular choice due to its integration with many such tools, and because of its brand recognition.

How to get started

Those looking to augment their resume with a Microsoft Azure certification should first consider online training. This will provide the necessary knowledge to pass exams. Android Authority readers can get huge discounts on a number of great Azure courses that act as a complete preparation for certification. Microsoft Azure: Complete Guide to Solution Architect Exam prepares students for one of the most popular Microsoft Azure exams, for just $24 (73% off the usual asking price). For an even more complete option, consider The Essential Microsoft Azure Certification Bundle with a huge 97% discount that puts it at just $29.99.

Let us know what you think of Azure in the comments below. Will you be adding Microsoft Azure certification to your arsenal? Does your organization rely on Microsoft Azure?

AWS courses aim to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to attain AWS certification. This, in turn, provides IT professionals with demonstrable skills that are widely sought after by employers. One survey conducted in 2018, suggested that AWS certification could increase a professional’s average salary by 20% on average.

Also read: What is AWS certification?

AWS stands for “Amazon Web Services.” This is the most widely used cloud platform in the world, with a roughly 33% market share for IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service). Companies use the 175+ services provided by Amazon to handle storage, database management, IoT, security, machine learning, and more.

But with so many AWS courses available, how do you know which one is right for you? Read on, and we will explore the best AWS courses available right now.

Editor’s note: We will update this list periodically as new courses are studied or made available. Some of these are available elsewhere online, but if you snag them from the Android Authority store, you’ll save money and help support our writers!

The 2020 Ultimate AWS Certification Training Bundle

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

The 2020 Ultimate AWS Certification Training Bundle has a lot of excellent features that make it among the best choices if you are looking for AWS courses. Firstly, it is fully up-to-date with “2020” right there in the title! Secondly, it actually contains six separate courses, each one aimed at a different path/certificate. If you are unsure about which certificate you need specifically, or you hope to take more than one exam, this will offer amazing long-term value.

The bundle is usually priced at $274 but is currently available for $59.99 for Android Authority readers – so don’t wait around!

Why you should buy

Up-to-date

6 courses for the price of one

Suitable for multiple different “paths”

Why you should pass

Not all AWS courses will be relevant for those with a specific certification in mind

$59 .99

The 2020 Ultimate AWS Certification Training Bundle

Save $214 .01

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AWS Solution Architect Certification Training Bundle

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

Those looking to offer a range of cloud services for clients and employers will often be best serviced by a Solutions Architect Certification. This AWS Solution Architect Certification Training Bundle is aimed precisely at that audience. Students will learn how to select the best AWS services for an organization, operate the AWS management console, and design and employ scalable solutions.

The course contains 22 hours of study material and is available to Android Authority readers for just $49 – that’s 92% off the usual $649 asking price.

Why you should buy

Perfect for AWS Solutions Architects

Suitable for all experience levels

A large amount of content

Leads directly to certification

Why you should pass

Only focusses on the architect path

$49 .00

AWS Solution Architect Certification Training Bundle

Save $600 .00

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The AWS Certification Training Master Class Bundle

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

The AWS Certification Training Master Class Bundle represents a comprehensive education in AWS services. This is a fantastic choice for beginners that incorporates introductory subjects as well as specific AWS products (such as Amazon S3 for storage). This bundle will take you all the way to preparation for professional certificates, as a Solutions Architect or SysOps Associate. All across 9 different AWS courses.

This bundle enjoys the biggest discount on this list so far, if you act quickly. Android Authority readers can get 95% off the cost of the package, bringing it down from $1,447 to just $59.

Why you should buy

Perfect for beginners

Includes useful training in specific skills

Includes an introduction to Lambda

Trains up to certification

Why you should pass

Courses vary in value and complexity

$59 .00

The AWS Certification Training Master Class Bundle

Save $1388 .00

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Pay What You Want: The Complete Amazon Web Services eBook Bundle

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

When it comes to great value, you can’t do better than $1! As a “Pay What You Want” offer, that’s exactly the amount you’ll need to pay to enjoy not one but six separate eBooks with a combined total value of $215.94.

Compared with AWS courses, eBooks allow you to learn at your own pace and pick and choose the precise information you need. And with such a low asking price, there is really no risk and no reason not to start learning AWS.

Considering what AWS certification can do for your eventual salary, the AWS Certification Training Master Class Bundle has got to be one of the best deals out there in terms of return on investment!

Why you should buy

Pay what you want!

Learn at your own pace

A great selection of books

Why you should pass

Lacks the structure of AWS courses

No specific preparation for certificates

$1 .00

Pay What You Want: The Complete Amazon Web Services eBook Bundle

Save $214 .94

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Pay What You Want: The Complete Amazon Web Services eBook Bundle Buy it Now

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DevOps on AWS

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

While many AWS courses focus on the Architect path, DevOps on AWS is aimed squarely at those looking to gain a dev ops certification (SysOps Administrator or Developer Associate). The course is a steal at just $19 and includes 37 lessons. You’ll learn how to automate the process of testing and deploying applications and to set up the necessary infrastructure on AWS.

Why you should buy

Great for those with an interest in DevOps

Suitable for beginners

Relatively short to complete

Why you should pass

Less content than some others

No certifcate for completion

Only this path is covered

$19 .00

DevOps on AWS

Save $81 .00

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DevOps on AWS Buy it Now

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AWS Cloud Essentials Course

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

If you want to quickly learn the basics of AWS without breaking the bank, then AWS Cloud Essentials is the course for you. This course distills all the basics of AWS into one hour of content, available for just $19.99 (normally $200).

This course is ideal for those that are curious about AWS but don’t want to fully commit to a long course. That said, the amount of content and inherent value is a significant step down from other options on this list.

Why you should buy

Very quickly grasp the basics of AWS

Why you should pass

Only one hour of content

Does not prepare you for an exam

$19 .99

AWS Cloud Essentials Course

Save $180 .01

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IT professionals looking to advance their careers have more options available to them than ever before. With countless online courses and certificate programs, it can be hard deciding what’s worth pursuing and what is not. In this post, we’ll take a look at one of the best-regarded certifications for cloud specialists: AWS certification.

Is AWS certification worth it for you? What does it involve and how do you get started? Let’s take a closer look.

See also: Is your job safe? Jobs that AI will destroy in the next 10-20 years

What is AWS certification?

AWS certification stands for “Amazon Web Services” certification. This is a professional IT qualification showing cloud expertise using these specific tools.

IT pros can attain one of several certifications offered by Amazon by taking the relevant exam. Exams are held at testing centers located around the world.

AWS is the most widely used cloud platform across the net, and one of the most comprehensive. It provides over 175 services to startups, big businesses, and government agencies. These services relate to storage, database management, IoT, security, and more. You can find the full list of services here.

See also: How to become an Associate Android Developer, and is it worth it?

With such a wide range of services offered, and with a huge number of high-profile clients, AWS is an in-demand qualification across several IT roles and one of the best choices for those working in the field.

The details

Should you decide AWS certification is for you, you will need to choose the specific certificate you want to apply for. There are several different certifications, which are organized into four different “paths.” These paths are:

Cloud Practitioner

Architect

Developer

Operations

The “Cloud practitioner path” is aimed at those looking to develop a broad understanding of cloud technologies and the AWS cloud specifically. This is useful for managers and others looking to get a broad perspective. The cloud practitioner certification is foundational and can act as a prerequisite for some other exams.

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

The “Architect path” is aimed at solutions architects and application design engineers. The “Developer path” is, of course, aimed at software developers. The “Operations Path”, on the other hand, is for systems administrators. These exams offer both associate level certificates (one year of experience) and professional level certificates (two years).

See also: The best cyber security courses to learn hacking and land a job

There are also several additional “specialty” certifications that don’t fall into these categories.

Exam format

The exams are a combination of multiple-choice, multiple-response, and sample direction questions. They last between 80-170 minutes.

AWS certification is valid for two years. After this point, it is possible to recertify. Those that have no direct experience with Amazon Web Services can expect to spend 90+ hours studying.

See also: How to become a data analyst and prepare for the algorithm-driven future

Cloud practitioner exams cost $100, associate-level exams cost $150, and specialty exams cost $300. This means that you will pay between $50-$150 per year to remain certified.

Is AWS Certification worth it?

The big question is if AWS certification is worth it for you?

AWS certificates are highly regarded and globally recognized. With a large number of organizations relying on these services (AWS Services own roughly a 3rd of the market share), this is a sought after qualification for many employers.

However, this is also a specialist qualification and one that will appeal specifically to organizations that rely on these services. Even then, it’s unlikely that AWS certification alone is going to seal the deal; it is more likely to be a differentiating factor. If you know that this is something the company you’re interviewing for is looking for, that gives you an extra reason to consider this certification. Otherwise, it can be a useful demonstration of your commitment to the industry and knowledge of the technologies that underpin it.

In short, AWS Certification is a great “add-on” that will make you that extra bit competitive. However, it should be supplemental to your previous experience and qualifications.

But what do you think? Is AWS Certification useful for you? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to check out our guide to the best online certificate programs for enhancing your career.

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

A Web API is an online “application programming interface” that allows developers to interact with external services. These are the commands that the developer of the service has determined will be used to access certain features of their program. It is referred to as an interface because a good API should have commands that make it intuitive to interact with.

An example of this might be if we want to get information about a user from their social media account. That social media platform would likely have a web API for developers to use in order to request that data. Other commonly used APIs handle things like advertising (AdMob), machine learning (ML Kit), and cloud storage.

It’s easy to see how interacting with these types of services could extend the functionality of an app. In fact, the vast majority of successful apps on the Play Store will use at least one web API!

In this post, we’ll explore how to use a web API from within an Android app.

How a Web API works

Most APIs work using either XML or JSON. These languages allow us to send and retrieve large amounts of useful information in the form of objects.

XML is eXtensible Markup Language. If you are an Android developer, then you’re probably already familiar with XML from building your layouts and saving variables.

XML is easy to understand and generally places keys inside triangle brackets, followed by their values. It looks a bit like HTML:

<client> <name>Jeff</name> <age>32</age> </client>

JSON, on the other hand, stands for “Javascript Object Notation.” It is a short-hand for sending data online. Like XML or a CSV file, it can be used to send “value/attribute pairs.”

Here the syntax looks a little different, though:

[{client: {“name”:”Jeff”, “age”: 32}}]

These are “data objects” in that they are conceptual entities (people in this case) that can be described by key/value pairs. We use these in our Android apps by turning them into objects just as we normally would, with the use of classes.

See also: How to use classes in Java

To see this in action, we need to find a Web API that we can use readily. In this example, we will be using JSON Placeholder. This is a free REST API specifically for testing and prototyping, which is perfect for learning a new skill! REST is a particular architectural “style” that has become standard for communicating across networks. REST-compliant systems are referred to as “RESTful” and share certain characteristics. You don’t need to worry about that right now, however.

Setting up our project for Retrofit 2

For this example, we’ll also be using something called Retrofit 2. Retrofit 2 is an extremely useful HTTP client for Android that allows apps to connect to a Web API safely and with a lot less code on our part. This can then be used, for example, to show Tweets from Twitter, or to check the weather. It significantly reduces the amount of work we need to do to get that working.

See also: Consuming APIs: Getting started with Retrofit on Android

First up, we need to add internet permission to our Android Manifest file to make sure our app is allowed to go online. Here is what you need to include:

<uses-permission android:name="aandroid.permission.INTERNET" />

We also need to add a dependency if we are going to get Retrofit 2 to work in our app. So in your module-level build.gradle file add:

implementation 'com.squareup.retrofit2:retrofit:2.4.0'

We also need something called Gson:

implementation 'com.squareup.retrofit2:converter-gson:2.4.0'

Gson is what is going to convert the JSON data into a Java object for us (a process called deserialization). We could do this manually, but using tools like this makes life much easier!

There are actually later versions of Retrofit that make a few changes. If you want to be up-to-the-moment, check out the official website.

Converting JSON to Java object

A “Route” is a URL that represents an endpoint for the API. If we take a look at JSON Placeholder, you’ll see we have options such as “/posts” and “/comments?postId=1”. Chances are you will have seen URLs like this yourself while browsing the web!

Click on /posts and you’ll see a large amount of data in JSON format. This is a dummy text that mimics the way a page full of posts on social media looks. It is the information we want to get from our app and then display on the screen.

[{ "userId": 1, "id": 1, "title": "sunt aut facere repellat provident occaecati excepturi optio reprehenderit", "body": "quia et suscipit\nsuscipit recusandae consequuntur expedita et cum\nreprehenderit molestiae ut ut quas totam\nnostrum rerum est autem sunt rem eveniet architecto" }, { "userId": 1, "id": 2, "title": "qui est esse", "body": "est rerum tempore vitae\nsequi sint nihil reprehenderit dolor beatae ea dolores neque\nfugiat blanditiis voluptate porro vel nihil molestiae ut reiciendis\nqui aperiam non debitis possimus qui neque nisi nulla" }, { "userId": 1, "id": 3, "title": "ea molestias quasi exercitationem repellat qui ipsa sit aut", "body": "et iusto sed quo iure\nvoluptatem occaecati omnis eligendi aut ad\nvoluptatem doloribus vel accusantium quis pariatur\nmolestiae porro eius odio et labore et velit aut" }

To handle this information, we’re going to need a class that can build objects from the deserialized data. To that end, create a new class in your project and call it “PlaceholderPost”. This will need variables that correspond to the data we’re getting from the /posts page (“body”, “ID” etc.). We’ll be getting that information from the web API, so we need a getter for each of them.

The final class should look like this:

public class PlaceholderPost { private int userID; private int id; private String title; private String body; public int getUserId() { return userID; } public int getId() { return id; } public String getTitle() { return title; } public String getBody() { return body; } }

This could just as easily be users on Twitter, messages on Facebook, or information about the weather!

Interface files

Next, we need a new interface file. You create this the same way you create a class: by clicking on your package name in the project window and choosing “New > Class” but here you’re selecting “Interface” underneath where you enter the name. An interface file contains methods that are later implemented by a class. I’ve called mine “PlaceholderAPI”.

This interface needs just a single method to retrieve all the data from “/Post”. If you take a look at that JSON again, you’ll notice that the curly brackets are inside square brackets. This means that we have an array of objects, which is why we want to build a list for them. The objects are instances of our “PlaceholderPost” that we just made, so that’s what we’re putting in here!

For those that are very new to programming, remember that any red lines probably mean you haven’t imported a class. Just click on the highlighted statement and press alt+return to do this automatically.

(I can’t imagine anyone using this as an early programming lesson but you never know!)

This looks like so:

import java.util.List; import retrofit2.Call; import retrofit2.http.GET; public interface PlaceholderAPI { @GET("posts") Call<List> getPosts(); }

Displaying the content

Now, hop back into your main activity. We could build a fancy layout for displaying all this data, but to keep things nice and simple, I’m just going to stick with the layout as it is.

To use Retrofit, we’re going to need to create a new Retrofit object. We do this with the following lines of code:

Retrofit retrofit = new Retrofit.Builder() .baseUrl("https://jsonplaceholder.typicode.com/") .build();

As you can see, we’re passing in the rest of the URL here. We then want to use our interface:

Call<List> call = placeholderAPI.getPosts();

Now we just need to call the method! Because things have been too easy so far, Android does throw a little spanner in the works by preventing you from doing this on the main thread. The reason, of course, is that if the process takes too long, it will end up freezing the app! This is true when using any Web API. It makes sense, but it’s not terribly convenient when we just want to make a tutorial. Fortunately, we don’t need to create a second thread ourselves as Retrofit actually does all that for us.

We’ll now get an onResponse and onFailure callback. onFailure is, of course, where we need to handle any errors.

onResponse does not mean that everything went smoothly, however. It simply means that there was a response; that the website exists. Should we get a 404 message, this would still be considered a “response.” Thus, we need to check again if the process went smoothly with isSuccessful(), which checks to see that the HTTP code is not an error.

To keep things really simple, I’m going to display just one piece of data from one of the objects we’ve received. To achieve this, I renamed the textView in the layout file to give it the id “text”. You can experiment with this yourself.

The full code looks like this:

call.enqueue(new Callback<List>() { @Override public void onResponse(Call<List> call, Response<List> response) { if (response.isSuccessful()) { List posts = response.body(); Log.d("Success", posts.get(3).getBody().toString()); TextView textView = findViewById(R.id.text); textView.setText(posts.get(3).getBody().toString()); } else { Log.d("Yo", "Boo!"); return; } } @Override public void onFailure(Call<List> call, Throwable t) { Log.d("Yo", "Errror!"); } }); Log.d("Yo","Hello!"); } }

Wrapping up

At this point, you should have a good idea of how a web API works and why you want one. You would have also created your first app that uses a web API to do something potentially useful.

Of course, there are countless other web APIs, and each work in their own ways. Some will require additional SDKs to use or different libraries. Likewise, there are many other actions beyond the “GET” request we demonstrated here. For example, you can use “POST” in order to send data to the server, which is useful if you ever want your users to be able to post to social media from your apps.

The possibilities are endless once you combine the power and flexibility of Android with the huge resources available online.

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

While Java is one of the most in-demand and widely used programming languages in the world, it is not without its detractors. Java is not a particularly beginner-friendly language and it is rife with rigid rules and structures that can be tough to wrap your head around. Then there’s the NullPointerException.

Null pointer exception is an “exception” (error) that is particularly common when programming in Java. For a beginner, this is a confusing and daunting message to receive, but it can be just as much of a headache for pros to deal with! In fact, null pointer exceptions are so common and so damning, that they are referred to as “the billion-dollar mistake.” Ouch!

In this post, we’re going to unwrap the phrase to discover exactly what it means and what you should do when you encounter a null pointer exception in your own code!

What does null pointer exception mean?

First, we need to understand precisely what is meant by a pointer and how it can be null!

To do this, it helps to remember that a variable is actually a “pointer” that tells the computer to look at a certain location. That location will then contain a value, which is the value of the given variable.

So, if we say “int x = 3” then the computer will choose a location to call “x” and it will store the value “3” there. Whenever you refer to x further on in your code, the computer will look at that location and see that it is a “3” (unless you changed it). The variable points the computer to the right destination.

See also: Understanding variables in Java

This is why it’s useful to know the potential size of a variable first, as it tells the computer how much space to allocate for that value.

But what happens when you have a pointer that doesn’t point anywhere? That’s where the null pointer exception comes in.

Objects and references

An integer like “x” is what we call a “primitive type.” That means that it is a fundamental value.

An object, on the other hand, is a more complex data structure that can have multiple values and methods. Like primitive types, however, they still need to be stored somewhere and they still need an address and a pointer.

An example is String. This is not a primitive type in Java, but rather a reference type: in this case it “points” to a class that can have multiple values and methods. Once you have initialized an instance of a string, you can do things like:

myString.length();

This will tell you how long said string is by using the method that belongs to that class. But this is also what makes the null pointer exception possible because “length()” is a value that refers to a specific instance of an object. That means it acts on a specific string once it has been created.

Thus, you need to say:

String myString = “Hello”; myString.length();

But were you to say:

String myString = null; myString.length();

You would have created a pointer (myString) but that pointer does not point anywhere – it doesn’t know where to look. Another way to say this? The pointer is null.

The key thing to understand is that it is not that there is no value, but rather that the variable isn’t pointing anywhere for there to be a value.

There are certain coding design patterns that benefit from the ability to assign null values, so it’s a useful feature in those circumstances. As long as you remember that the object is null!

How to prevent null pointer exceptions Java

The reason that null pointer exceptions are so unpopular in Java is that they are runtime exceptions. That means the app will compile just fine and you’ll only hear about them when you reach that point in the code. It is, therefore, possible for a null pointer to slip through the net if you are initializing lots of objects on the fly.

This is why it’s useful to include measures to prevent null pointer exceptions during runtime.

The easiest way to do this?

if (myString == null) { return; }

This will help you to quickly check if an object is null, thereby circumventing code that would throw an exception. There are other tricks you can use, too. For example, when comparing strings, it’s a good move to invoke the method from the string literal, rather than the other way around:

If(“Hello!”.equals(myString)) {

Rather than:

If(myString.equals(“Hello!”)) {

You will avoid throwing an exception this way. OR you could just use Kotlin, which is “null safe” by design!

See also: Kotlin tutorial for Android for beginners: Build a simple quiz

Want to learn more about writing well-designed, flawless Java code? Then check out our guide to the best resources to learn Java. Or why not get started with our free, comprehensive Java tutorial for beginners?

An array in Java is a type of variable that can store multiple values. It stores these values based on a key that can be used to subsequently look up that information.

Arrays can be useful for developers to store, arrange, and retrieve large data sets. Whether you are keeping track of high scores in a computer game, or storing information about clients in a database, an array is often the best choice.

Also read: How to use arrays in Python

So, how do you create an array in Java? That all depends on the type of array you want to use!

How to create an array in Java

The word “array” is defined as a data structure, consisting of a collection of elements. These elements must be identified by at least one “index” or “key.”

There are multiple data objects in Java that we could describe as arrays, therefore. We refer to the first as the “Java array.” Though making matters a little more confusing, this is actually most similar to what we would call a “list” in many other programming languages!

This is the easiest way to think about a Java array: as a list of sequential values. Here, a key is automatically assigned to each value in the sequence based on its relative position. The first index is always “0” and from there, the number will increase incrementally with each new item.

Unlike a list in say Python, however, Java arrays are of a fixed size. There is no way to remove elements or to add to the array at run time. This restriction is great for optimized code but of course does have some limitations.

To create this type of array in Java, simply create a new variable of your chosen data type with square brackets to indicate that it is indeed an array. We then enter each value inside curly brackets, separated by commas. Values are subsequently accessed by using the index based on the order of this list.

String listOfFruit[] = {"apple", "orange", "lemon", "pear", "grape"}; System.out.println(listOfFruit[2]);

While it’s not possible to change the size of a Java array, we can change specific values:

listOfFruit[3] = “melon”;

ArrayLists

If you need to use arrays in Java that can be resized, then you might opt for the ArrayList. An ArrayList is not as fast, but it will give you more flexibility at runtime.

To build an array list, you need to initialize it using our chosen data type, and then we can add each element individually using the add method. We also need to import ArrayList from the Java.util package.

import java.util.ArrayList; class Main { public static void main(String[] args) { ArrayList<String> arrayListOfFruit = new ArrayList<String>(); arrayListOfFruit.add("Apple"); arrayListOfFruit.add("Orange"); arrayListOfFruit.add("Mango"); arrayListOfFruit.add("Banana"); System.out.println(arrayListOfFruit); } }

Now, at any point in our code, we will be able to add and remove elements. But keep in mind that doing so will alter the positions of all the other values and their respective keys. Thus, were I to do this:

System.out.println(arrayListOfFruit.get(3)); arrayListOfFruit.add(2, "Lemon"); System.out.println(arrayListOfFruit.get(3));

I would get a different output each time I printed. Note that we use “get” in order to return values at specific indexes, and that I can add values at different positions by passing my index as the first argument.

How to create an array in Java using maps

Another type of array in Java is the map. A map is an associative array that uses key/value pairs that do not change.

This is a perfect way to store phone numbers, for example. Here, you might use the numbers as the values and the names of the contacts as the index. So “197701289321” could be given the key “Jeff.” This makes it much easier for us to quickly find the data we need, even as we add and remove data from our list!

We do this like so:

import java.util.HashMap; import java.util.Map; Map<String, String> phoneBook = new HashMap<String, String>(); phoneBook.put("Adam", "229901239"); phoneBook.put("Fred", "981231999"); phoneBook.put("Dave", "123879122"); System.out.println("Adam's Number: " + phoneBook.get("Adam"));

As you can see then, a Java Array is always an array, but an array is not always a Java Array!

How to use the multidimensional array in Java

Head not spinning enough yet? Then take a look at the multidimensional array in Java!

This is a type of Java Array that has two “columns.”

Imagine that your typical Java array is an Excel spreadsheet. Were that the case, you’d have created a table with just a single column. We might consider it a “one dimensional” database, in that the data only changes from top to bottom. We have as many rows as we like (1st dimension) but only one column (the hypothetical 2nd dimension).

To add more columns, we simply add a second set of square brackets. We then populate the rows and columns. The resulting data structure can be thought of as an “array of arrays,” wherein each element is an entire array itself!

In this example, we are using integers (whole numbers):

int[][] twoDimensions = { {1, 2, 3, 4}, {5, 6, 7, 8}, {9, 10, 11, 12}, };

But we can actually take this idea even further by creating a three dimensional array! This would be an array of 2D arrays. You would build it like this:

int[][][] threeDimensions = { { {1, 2, 3}, {4, 5, 6} }, { {-1, -2, -3}, {-4, -5. -61}, } };

Although this idea is tricky to conceptualize, try to imagine a database that has three axes, with cells that move in each direction.

So that is how you create an array in Java! While many people reading this will never need to concern themselves with three-dimensional arrays, it just goes to show how powerful and adaptable Java really is.

In fact, the list of things you can accomplish with Java is limitless. As is the Array List. Why not continue your education with one of the best resources to learn Java?

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

Error handling – also called exception handling – is a big part of Java, but it’s also one of the more divisive elements. Exception handling allows a developer to anticipate problems that may arise in their code to prevent them from causing issues for users down the line. The reason this can become a nuisance is that some methods in Java will actually force the user to handle exceptions. This is where “try catch” in Java comes into play.

What is “try catch” Java?

For someone new to programming, it can be hard to understand why you might write code that makes it possible for an error to occur.

See also: NullPointerException in Java – Explaining the Billion Dollar Mistake

A good example would be the FileNotFoundException. This does exactly what it says on the tin: this exception is “thrown” when Java looks for a particular file and can’t find it.

So, what happens if someone is using your app, switches to their file browser, then deletes a save-file that the app was using? In that scenario, your application might understandably throw an exception. We say that this is an exception rather than an error because it’s a problem that we might reasonably anticipate and handle.

So you use a “try catch” block.

Try essentially asks Java to try and do something. If the operation is successful, then the program will continue running as normal. If it is unsuccessful, then you will have the option to reroute your code while also making a note of the exception. This happens in the “catch” block.

Try catch Java example

Here’s an example of using try catch in Java:

try { int[] list = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}; System.out.println(list[10]); } catch (Exception e) { System.out.println("Oops!"); }

Here, we create a list with 6 entries. The highest index is therefore 5 (seeing as “1” is at index 0). We then try to get the value from index 10.

Try running this and you will see the message “Oops!”.

Notice that we passed “Exception e” as an argument. That means we can also say:

System.out.println(e);

We will get the message: “java.lang.ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException: 10”

See also: Java beginner course – A free and comprehensive guide to the basics of Java

Now that we have “handled” our exception, we can refer to it as a “checked exception.”

Forced exception handling

Notice that we could have written this code without handling the exception. This would cause the program to crash, but that’s our prerogative!

In other cases, a method will force the user to handle an exception.

So, let’s say that we create a little method that will check the tenth position of any list we pass in as an argument:

public class MyClass { public static void main(String[ ] args) { int[] list = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11}; System.out.println(checkTen(list)); } public static int checkTen (int[] listToCheck) { int outPut = listToCheck[10]; return outPut; } }

This works just fine and will print “11” to the screen. But if we add the “throws” keyword to our method signature, we can force the user to deal with it.

public static int checkTen (int[] listToCheck) throws ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException {

Now we can write our code like so:

public class MyClass { public static void main(String[ ] args) { int[] list = {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}; try { System.out.println(checkTen(list)); } catch (ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException e) { //System.out.println(e); System.out.println("Oops!"); } } public static int checkTen (int[] listToCheck) throws ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException { int output = listToCheck[10]; return output; } }

This will then force the user to deal with the exception. In fact, many Java editors will automatically populate the code with the necessary block. Note that we need to use the right type of exception!

So, should you force other devs to handle exceptions when writing your own classes? That’s really up to you. Keep in mind that some scenarios really should cause a program to terminate, and forcing a developer to deal with such instances will only create more boilerplate code. In other cases, this can be a useful way to communicate potential issues to other devs and promote more efficient code.

Of course, in the example given here, there are a number of other possibilities for exceptions. What happens if someone passes a list of strings into your method, for example? All I can say to that is, welcome to the wonderful world of Java!

This is your chance to decide what type of developer you want to be! Once you’re ready to find out, check out our guide to the best resources to learn Java!

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

For loops in Java are just one type of loop that can be used to repeat a code block for iterative operations. If you need to open a text file for example, then you might use a loop to go through each line of the document and print it to the screen.

Likewise, games often use a “game loop” which loops around every time the frame is refreshed to check for inputs and update the positions of enemies, physics items, etc.

See also: How to use loops in Java

For loops in Java are extremely powerful and lend themselves to many different coding applications. In this post, we will explain how to use them, and look at more advanced concepts such as labelling.

How to use for loops in Java

What sets a for loop apart from other types of loop in Java, is that it has a fixed number of iterations. The syntax for a for loop in Java is:

for (declare variable; condition; increment) {

Everything inside the curly brackets (code block) will then be executed repeatedly until the condition is met. For example:

for (int n=1; n<=100; n++) { System.out.println(n); }

This will count to 100 and print the numbers to the screen.

Break and continue

Now you understand the basics of for loops in Java. However, there are a number of more advanced concepts that can help you to write smarter code and better loops.

For example: break and continue.

Break is a keyword that will end the loop at any point. This could be useful if you want to let the user hit “esc” to stop the game for instance.

for (int n=1; n<=100; n++) { System.out.println(n); if (n == 30) { break; } }

Continue, meanwhile, will restart the loop at the beginning. This means you can choose to skip a portion of the code block for a particular iteration.

See also: How to write your first Android game in Java

In a game scenario, this might be useful if the player presses “pause.”

Nested for loops

There is nothing to stop you from playing a for loop inside a for loop. This is referred to as a “nested loop” and you can repeat this process as many times as you deem necessary.

for (int n=1; n<=10; n+=10) { System.out.println(n); for (int i=1; i<=100; i++) { System.out.println(i * n); } }

The following will count to 100 but show the number “1” twice.

The only problem when doing this, is that if you use break or continue at any point, you will break out of every level.

Labels are a useful tool that can be used with for loops in Java. Labels allow you to choose precisely which loop you want to break and where you wish to go in your code. You use them simply by choosing a name for your loop and then adding them just before your loop code using a colon.

public static void main(String []args){ outerloop: for (int n=1; n<=10; n+=10) { System.out.println(n); innerloop: for (int i=1; i<=100; i++) { System.out.println(i * n); if (i == 50) { break innerloop; } } } }

Now you’re in the loop!

Now you should have a handle on how to use for loops in Java.

Don’t forget to check out our list of the best resources to learn Java if you want to really develop your coding skills. There, you’ll find courses like the Complete Java Bundle, which Android Authority readers can sign up to for just $39. That’s a huge 96% discount on the $

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

When I first learned to program, it was grasping if statements that helped it all click into place for me. Once you can use if statements, you can build all kinds of useful and interesting tools. Moreover, this is a basic programming structure that you’ll use in nearly every language.

In this post, we’ll explore how to use if statements in Java.

See also: How to use if statements in Python

Understanding if statements in Java

So, just what is an if statement in Java?

Essentially, an “if statement” is what you use for “flow control.” If statements allow for branching code that lets programs react dynamically to inputs.

The great thing about if statements, is that they do exactly what they say on the tin and work as you would expect. In “pseudo code,” you are essentially saying:

“IF (something happens) THEN (do something else)”

“IF (something happens) THEN (don’t do anything)”

Or:

“IF (something happens) AND (something else happens) THEN (do something)”

This might let you control a player’s health in a computer game (IF (enemy bullet hits player) THEN (reduce health by one point)). It’s also how you would end the game once the player runs out of health (IF (health is zero) THEN (show game over screen)).

You might even use if statements to control the character: IF (player presses the right arrow) THEN (move player right).

How to write if statements in Java

So, how does this look in actual Java code?

In Java, we don’t need to write “THEN.” Instead, we use an open curly bracket to say that everything that follows is part of that “code block” and should run under the conditions we specify. We then close the code block with the opposite curly bracket when we want to return to the main flow of the code.

Just like the pseudocode example I showed earlier, we’re still placing the test statement inside brackets. However, this will be written using operations to compare values.

For example:

int health = 2; if (health == 0) { System.out.println("Game Over!"); }

Here, as long as health is equal to zero, we will see the words “Game Over!” on the screen, otherwise we will not. “health” is a variable, which means it can store a value. Check out our recent post to learn more about variables in Java.

Nested if statements in Java

There are many other tricks you can perform once you understand how to use if statements in Java.

For example, you might also want to use “nested if statements.” This means you have an “if within an if” and can thereby create a vast range of conditions that are required for a particular action to take place.

You do this as simply as you might hope; by placing an if statement within the code block of another if statement. You can nest as many if statements as you like, just try not to lose track and remember to close the right number of brackets!

If you find yourself with an unwieldy number of these statements, you might wish to use another method, such as Switch.

And + or

Alternatively, you can set multiple conditions in the original statement using “AND” and “OR.” Again, these work as you expect. When you use and, you can use two separate conditions that must be required for the code to run. When you use or, your code block will run if either condition is met.

In Java, and is represented by two ampersands (&&) and or is represented by two vertical lines (||). These go inside the brackets to separate your test statements, and you can use as many as you like.

For example:

int health = 2; int time = 0; if (health == 0 || time == 0) { System.out.println("Game Over!"); }

Else statements in Java

The last thing we’re going to look at today is how to use “else” statements. Else works in conjunction with if statements in Java by defining what will happen if the condition is not met.

We use the else keyword immediately after the closing bracket and then open up another

For example:

if (health == 0 || time == 0) { System.out.println("Game Over!"); } else { System.out.println("Game On!""); }

We can also use an “else if” which tests a new condition but only if the previous condition is found to be untrue.

For example:

if (health == 0 || time == 0) { System.out.println("Game Over!"); } else if (health == 1) { System.out.println("Low health!""); }

Again, we can use as many of these as we like!

Closing comments

So, there you have it: that’s how to use if statements in Java!

With this understanding, you can now create dynamic, changing, and interactive apps! To see how this fits into the “big picture” be sure to check out our free and comprehensive Java beginners’ guide. Or why not master the language in its entirety by checking out some of the best free and paid resources to learn Java?