Learning Java by Building Android Games

Book Preface

If you are completely new to any one of Java, Android, or game programming, and are aiming at publishing Android games for fun or for a business purpose, but you have no clue as to where to start, then this book is for you. This book also acts as a refresher for those who already have experience in Java on other platforms.

Android is the fastest growing operating system, and Android devices can empower, entertain, and educate the planet. Android uses one of the most popular programming languages—Java, which is a high-performance, secure, and object oriented language.

In each chapter, we will build on what you learned from the previous chapter, steadily gaining an understanding of more advanced Java concepts and putting them to work by building Android games.

What you need for this book

You will need a modest version of Windows (XP, Vista, 7, or 8), and a Mac, Linux PC, or laptop. Both 32-bit and 64-bit systems are compatible. All of the software needed in excess of this is free and acquiring it is fully explained in the book.

Who this book is for

This book is for you if you are completely new to any one of Java, Android, or game programming. As the book assumes no previous knowledge, it is also for you if you are new to all three (Java, Android, and game programming). If you want to publish Android games for fun or for business and are not sure where to start, then this book will show you what to do, step by step from the start.

If you have experience in Java on another platform (perhaps PC or Mac), then this
book will be a good Java refresher, and will also show you how to apply your
existing skills in an Android context.

If you have previously programmed in another language but want to learn Java for any platform from the start, then you will be able to learn from this book and move through the practical examples more quickly.

The book does assume that you are fairly confident in using your operating system of choice. The step-by-step tutorials are in Windows, but if you have a decent understanding of Mac or Linux, you can probably follow along quite easily with them too.