Today, Android continues to dominate on a global scale. Nearly 75% of the world population prefers using Android as against the 15% of iOS. It is an operating system that has a huge market for apps. The Google Play Store is home to a staggering 2.87 million apps with each app unique and intuitive in its way. Hence, it’s not just the idea but an overall skill set of a developer that plays a humongous role in determining whether an app would be a success on the Google Play Store or not. So, if you’re one of the aspiring developers pondering about the necessary skills required to develop eye-catching Android apps, we have compiled a detailed list of some of the essential skills required to develop Android applications today.some essential skills are required to be You Need to be an Android Developer, in this article we will describe Essential Skills You Need to be an Android Developer
Here’s our take on the top skills required by developers to develop Android apps.
1. An Unprecedented Knowledge of Java and Kotlin
Native Android application development involves the usage of Android Studio/Eclipse and Java within an integrated development environment. Thus, an ideal Android application developer should be well-versed with the nitty-gritties of Java programming language and possess the requisite knowledge pertaining to complex Java syntaxes and other related programming syntaxes.
In fact, in the case of Kotlin, Google has announced this statically typed programming language as the first choice for Android development.
The proficiencies that developers need to have of Java include the following.
A) Familiarity with Its Latest Version:Today, Java 8 is put widely in use (by up to 54.6%) as against Java 7 (40.8%) and Java 6 (4.6%) versions. Hence, developers need to have a strong understanding of Java 8.
B) Knowledge of Syntax:Having a sound knowledge of Syntax is as important as the proficiency with the latest version. Syntax refers to the set of rules that define how a Java program is written and interpreted. Hence, developers need to gain a thorough understanding of Syntax.
C) Proficiency With the Latest Programming Structures of Java:Gaining a vital understanding of the program structures can help developers develop Android apps in much less time and with minimal mistakes.
2. Comprehensive Technical Expertise
An Android application developer should be experienced in APIs, Android SDK, Android Studio and other tools that feature in the Android application development process. It’s important to note that application development and deployment is no more restricted to just one platform. Today, an app developer needs to be versatile and should possess the skills required to create any type of app for any given device, irrespective of its platform.
3. Sound Understanding of Design Details
One important aspect that defines the success of any application is its design. And, it is a distinctive design which makes an app user-friendly. A proficient Android app developer/company needs to have a sound understanding of the intricate design requirements of an application. After all, a business application can only garner user satisfaction and loyalty, only if it is well-designed and easy to use.
4. Knowledge of Developing Cross-Platform Solutions
With the mobile market expanding by leaps and bounds, soon the mobile user base will become even more fragmented in terms of Operating Systems. In fact, major players in the industry like Apple and Google have already taken note of this trend and started to bridge gaps between smartphones and other platforms to further deploy cross-platform solutions across channels. Android app developers of today, need to have the knowledge of developing cross-platform solutions which can be easily ported to mobile apps to sync different operating systems.
5. The Significance of Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is a crucial aspect of app development, and Android developers are not away from it. For any developer longing to develop an Android app today, having a critical mindset is the key. It allows developers to maneuver every move and test all possible points with as much clarity. This is always beneficial as it reduces any potential chance of mistakes in coding an app.
Android application developers should also be open to acquiring new skills and taking up added responsibilities. Moreover, they should also be open to constructive criticism, comments, and other uncomfortable situations. Staying adaptable to circumstances will help a developer thrive in the highly dynamic app development environment where change is the only constant.