What is Android?

Like other operating system we know " Windows, Linux and Mac" android itself is an operating system. In brief Android is a Linux-based Operating System ( OS ) for mobile platform. Obviously Android is the most popular OS for smartphones and tablet computers. Android OS was developed by the Open Handset Alliance (OHA), led by Google, and other companies and later purchased by Google in 2005.

Some Key Points Before Staring Development:

• Android is Open Source
• Android is based on the well known programming language Java
• Well documented developers portal
• Almost all OS compatible Development Environment
• Compile with Real Device or virtual device(Emulator)
• Program Runs by Dalvik Virtual Machine

System Required To Start Developing:

• OS: Windows XP, Vista , 7 for both 32/64 bit , Ubuntu 8.04 or later, Mac 10.5.8 or later
• Eclipse IDE
• Java Development Kit (JDK) v6
• Android Software Development Kit (SDK)