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What is GitHub: Everything a beginner developer needs to know
Learn all about the coding playground where everyone's invited
As a software developer, you've undoubtedly come across GitHub—perhaps you've used it in the past or currently rely on it for your work. If you're new to the development world, chances are you've been advised that GitHub is a vital tool to have in your arsenal - and rightfully so due to all it has to offer. For those who haven't yet explored GitHub, it can seem daunting at first, but fear not! Once you familiarize yourself with its features, using it will be a breeze, making it one of Android's best apps.
The democratizing power of the internet cannot be understated. When paired with the recent strides in affordable computing and internet connectivity, learning something new is a matter of curiosity and initiative. There's been increasing interest in coding over the past few yearss. Lucky for you, the tool you always have by your side—your phone—can help you learn the basics. We've rounded up a list of the best coding apps to get you started.
The Sphero RVR all-terrain tank robot is marked down to $145 at Amazon
A lot cheaper and more educational than buying an actual offroader
If you're bored at home right now, Sphero may just have the answer. The robotics company is responsible for all sorts of fun distractions; from R2-D2 to Lightning McQueen, there's a robo toy for folks of all persuasions. And right now, its all-terrain tank robot vehicle, the Sphero RVR, is on sale at Amazon.This robot may be diminutive in size, but it's still an all-terrain programmable tank-style vehicle that comes complete with color sensor, light sensor, accelerometer, and gyroscope. A powerful motor, all-terrain treads and high torque make it perfect for exploring the backyard, and there's a protective roll cage for when your offroading gets extra offroad. The removable and rechargeable battery delivers plenty of juice to power RVR and any projects added to it.
Code repository service GitHub released its shiny new mobile app earlier this year, but work on the application didn't stop there. The v1.1 update made reviewing pull requests and finding code in a project much easier, and now v1.2 is rolling out.
Android Studio is Google's official development environment for creating Android applications. The past few updates have been relatively minor, mostly focusing on quality-of-life improvements and bug fixes, but Google has also been cooking up a larger upgrade. Android Studio 4.0 leaves beta today, and it's full of changes that should make creating apps a lot easier.
GitHub for Android adds support for mentions, switching branches, and more
Manage your code on the go
The new GitHub app for Android and iOS left beta last month, after a few weeks of beta testing. Alongside the announcement of a new pricing structure for teams, GitHub revealed the first minor update for its mobile app.
GitHub app for Android and iOS leaves beta, now available for all
Browse code, comment on issues, and confirm merges on the go
GitHub used to have an official Android app years ago, but it was pulled from the Play Store in 2015. Since then, you've had to use a third-party app (or the mobile site, if you were desperate) to access the code-hosting service on the go. GitHub released an all-new mobile app in beta last month, and now it's ready for prime time.
Read update
- The new app is now available, see this post for more details.
GitHub is perhaps the largest code hosting service in existence right now, but its mobile presence has been... lacking. The company did release an Android app back in 2012, but it was removed from the Play Store in 2015. GitHub announced a brand new app today, but without a clear launch date for Android.
Way back in February at the 2017 New York Toy Fair, Hasbro introduced a new product in its FurReal line of robotic pet toys. Unlike the others, the Proto Max is part of the Maker sub category, so named because it can be programmed to perform different actions. It's yet another example of a toy maker combining coding with playing in order to tap into the burgeoning STEM market. Why is this of any interest to us? Because the Android companion app has just launched, of course.
LEGO must be one of the most ubiquitous toys in the world. It's hard to imagine growing up without it. Somehow, the company has managed to remain relevant all these years, finding new ways to engage with kids as the world around them changes. One of the most highly anticipated LEGO releases for some time is the Boost Creative Toolbox, which tasks you with building a robot named Vernie, among others, and programming them to perform certain actions using "drag-n'-drop coding." It's due to ship from August 1st, and in preparation, the Android app has just been made available.There are more than 60 activities to keep the kids entertained, as well as videos and digital instructions to help them through the process. Vernie is joined by other programmable models, such as a cat called Frankie and a guitar. The app is necessary to control the robots, which it connects to via Bluetooth. The set is intended for children aged between 7-12, and it's hoped that the rudimentary "coding" experience will pique their interest in robotics and technology going forward.
If you've ever tried to search the meaning of specific operations and characters in programming languages, you know how frustrating it can be. You'll often have to append the name of the language to the search, or try surrounding it in quotes to only show exact matches.
Treehouse is another one of those online education platforms people can use to get some learning done without having to set foot inside of a classroom. This particular company focuses on providing people with the knowledge needed to design their own apps and websites. To aid in its goal to reach a tech-savvy crowd, it has released an Android app into the Play Store that provides access to much of its content.
Running, jumping, shooting—these are the sorts of things you'd expect in a mobile game. Coding? Eh, less so. That's what makes Hacked so interesting. This game, created by Joaquim Verges (Falcon Pro dev) and Fabien Devos, is built around a programming language (H) and a mobile friendly code editor (the Hackpad). You play the game by creating and running simple programs, so a little coding experience is needed to get the most out of it.
Tynker made waves back in March when the developers released the teaching app on the iPad. It introduces children (or anyone, I suppose) to the basic principles of coding and programming. Tynker was available on the web before that, teaching extremely basic programming with a puzzle-style visual interface and pre-made tools. The Android app is only available on tablets, which makes sense given the format, and it costs $4.99 with no in-app purchases.
The Nexus 4 below was created without using any external images. Okay, the one below is actually just a screenshot of a Nexus 4 designed entirely using CSS and JavaScript, but the real deal is hosted over at CodePen. The smartphone is somewhat interactive - you don't have access to the home screen or the Play Store, but you can play around with the dialer. The tabs can be switched, even though they don't lead to anything for the time being. All of the code is visible for anyone who wants to see how the sauce is made.
[Update: Winners!] International Book Giveaway: Win One Of Ten Copies Of 'Android Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide' From Android Police And informIT
Any developer (or writer, musician, athlete, parent, human being...) worth their salt is constantly trying to improve their skills. The best way to do
Any developer (or writer, musician, athlete, parent, human being...) worth their salt is constantly trying to improve their skills. The best way to do that is not only through doing something constantly (read: practice) but also through research, reading, and studying new material. That's why school is a thing that we do.
Going Indie: The Story Of Independent Android Game Development From Concept To Completion
One of the great things about Android's ecosystem is the number of indie developers who are able to enter the market successfully, providing a great product
One of the great things about Android's ecosystem is the number of indie developers who are able to enter the market successfully, providing a great product and inspiring would-be developers to join in. For many though, Android development in general is a mysterious topic. How an app or game goes from an idea to an entry in the Play Store is unknown, but (thankfully) not unknowable.