This book is a collection of notes I created while learning Android programming in order to create my first Android app, "EquityYo! Stock and Fund Database". While I am no Android programming genius (that much is certain!), I thought it would be a good idea to gather together all of those tiny little programming tips and tricks I've found along the way and place them in one spot. I do not claim that everything in this book is 100% original and I fully admit to copy-and-pasting a few tidbits from the Android documentation and stackoverflow.com. (The money you are paying for this book is for the grueling six months it took me to learn basic Android programming, code the examples, test them all, research problems and, finally, write it all down in a pleasing and, hopefully, enlightening and edifying format.) With that said, all of the examples shown in the book, as well as the code, I created myself. Since I am an Android novice, whether you can actually learn Android programming by reading this collection of notes remains to be seen. I'm sure there are spots throughout this book in which you will say "What are you talking about?". Please drop me an e-mail if this book has helped you out or you have suggestions to make it better (see my e-mail address below). It is assumed that the reader has some knowledge of programming, but no knowledge of GUI or object-oriented programming is assumed. Also, no knowledge of Java programming is assumed as two chapters are dedicated to introducing Java programming as well as object-oriented programming. If you believe you have found an error or disagree with one of my comments or explanations (very possible!), please feel free to drop me a note at comments@sheepsqueezers.com. Don't forget to stop by www.sheepsqueezers.com to get more documents and presentations on a variety of topics. Also, please see our YouTube channel: sheepsqueezersYT. Below is a five-star review from the Amazon.co.uk site which does not appear on the Amazon.com site: Review Title: Wonderful book on Android! Reviewer: By Dr. Edward Austin Review Date: 22 Sep 2014 I found the author slightly eccentric (in a nice way) and the contents wonderful, together a great synergy. Firstly, the book itself is Huge, and the typeface excellent for highlighting as a workbook. Is this for beginners? Perhaps, but having worked my way through I can say that if you complete this you'll have capabilities in Android equivalent to a substantial number of Android Software Developers working in the Industry, this covers FAR more than your average Beginners guide and in fact touches often on more advanced topics (such as the Binder). Having quite a bit of Android experience I still enjoyed this book enormously (I kinda read it like a large novel) and it filled a few gaps in my knowledge. Recommended then even if you have around six months or so experience as it will serve well as a primer/foundation of all the core aspects to keep you on your toes. The book covers an enormous amount of material in a slightly eclectic fashion and it works... I can't say enough great things about this book, buy it, devour it, and enjoy yourself on the way because it's a wonderful journey. One of the better Android (and even Technical) books out there, and the best in teaching style for sure, as for readability, again with caveats (eclectic styling) the author manages to pull off something pretty darned good. Next edition perhaps Handlers/Messaging/Messengers as well as perhaps a few pages on a crash Runnable/Executor service course? Would only take a few pages but take people even further forward. Another useful feature is the plentiful reference material in the book, very useful for reading (and highlighting) and not generally available elsewhere in printed form. Is Scott a beginner? It's arguable... (this is meant as a compliment). Worth every Penny (or cent I guess if you are in the US) - a good solid Android foundation.
