Android Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide is an introductory Android book for programmers with Kotlin experience.

Based on Big Nerd Ranch's popular Android Bootcamp, this guide will lead you through the wilderness using hands-on example apps combined with clear explanations of key concepts and APIs. This book focuses on practical techniques for developing apps in Kotlin compatible with Android 7.0 (Nougat) through Android 12 and beyond.

Write and run code every step of the way, using Android Studio to create apps that integrate with other apps, download and display pictures from the web, store data in databases, and more. Learn about the latest patterns and techniques, including Kotlin coroutines and Jetpack Compose, a new way to build Android UIs. Each chapter and app has been designed and tested to provide the knowledge and experience you need to get started in Android development.

Bryan Sills is an Android developer and instructor at Big Nerd Ranch. He enjoys breaking down complex topics into teachable bites. He is an avid Chicago music fan and is often spotted biking around the city.

Brian Gardner is a senior Android developer at CashApp and a former Big Nerd Ranch instructor. Always looking for something to learn, you can find him digging into the newest Android libraries, learning to draw, baking, and traveling.

Kristin Marsicano is the director of engineering at CallRail and a former senior engineering manager at Big Nerd Ranch. She is passionate about learning, app development, and the intersection of the two – as well as running, playing ukulele, and building Lego creations with her kids.

Chris Stewart is an engineering manager at Google and a former VP of engineering at Big Nerd Ranch. He is dedicated to constant improvement and works to perfect his craft as much as possible. When not in front of a computer, Chris enjoys hiking and traveling.

Learning Android

The Necessary Tools

Your First Android Application

Interactive User Interfaces

The Activity Lifecycle

Persisting UI State

Debugging Android Apps

Testing

Your Second Activity

Android SDK Versions and Compatibility

Fragments

Displaying Lists with RecyclerView

Creating User Interfaces with Layouts and Widgets

Databases and the Room Library

Fragment Navigation

Dialogs and UI State

The App Bar

Implicit Intents

Taking Pictures with Intents

Localization

Accessibility

Making Network Requests

Displaying Images

SearchView and DataStore

WorkManager

Browsing the Web and WebView

Introduction to Jetpack Compose

Styling and Theming Composables

Managing State in Compose

Custom Views and Touch Events

Property Animation

Afterword