#AndroidDevJourney highlight – June version

Posted by Luli Perkins, Developer Relations Program Supervisor

The ultimate version of #AndroidDevJourney highlight options three Android builders, every with their very own story to inform. During the last six months we’ve heard from builders everywhere in the globe who’ve shared their experiences in turning into Android Builders, their ideas and favourite shortcuts, in addition to recommendation for brand new builders coming into the sphere.

Learn all different profiles on this sequence:

Listed below are phrases of knowledge that had been often talked about:

• Learn the documentation.
• Look below the hood.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
• Be a part of the neighborhood.

Should you’re searching for documentation, developer.android.com is the place to look. And when you’re looking for a neighborhood the place you’ll be welcome no matter the place on the planet you’re, come discover us on Twitter, YouTube, Reddit, Github, or a GDG meetup close to you.

Vinay Gaba

Inform me about your journey to turning into an Android Developer and the way you bought began.

My journey with Android began again in 2010 in a extremely surprising method. I used to be chargeable for managing an Android workshop taking place throughout our faculty tech competition. We had invited an exterior speaker to conduct the session and some college students had signed up for it. Sadly, since this was taking place on a Saturday, not a single scholar confirmed up for the session.

For the reason that speaker had come all the best way, the speaker determined to do his session anyway and share what he knew about Android with me being his solely viewers. I went residence excited with the very fundamental Android fundamentals that I’d simply learnt and created a scientific calculator app over the weekend. I launched it on the Google Play retailer as a paid app. What’s extra surprising is that the app had generated sufficient income in a pair days to care for my bills for the remainder of the month. This occasion had a profound impression on my life and I am so grateful that I discovered myself on the proper place and the fitting time.

Since then, I’ve labored for a number of the finest engineering groups together with Airbnb, Snapchat, Spotify, and Deloitte. I’ve lived throughout six cities in two international locations, put myself by an Ivy League schooling on a partial scholarship, and made lifelong friendships. There was just one factor that was constant all through all these experiences and that’s Android.

What’s one shortcut, tip, or hack you possibly can’t dwell with out?

One shortcut that I exploit each single day is the command to seek out different instructions on Android Studio utilizing CMD + Shift + A. That is extraordinarily helpful when you’re making an attempt to do an motion on Android Studio however do not know the place it is hidden in our favourite IDE. Utilizing this command opens up the “Discover Motion” dialog and lets you simply sort what you had been searching for to start with. This shortcut saves my day every day!

What is the one piece of recommendation you want somebody would have given you if you began in your journey?

Simply ask. Early on in my profession, I’d typically spend time making an attempt to determine issues out all on my own. Whereas this actually has some benefits, I’d typically be caught on issues longer than I ought to’ve. In a number of circumstances, all I needed to do was simply ask somebody who had extra context and that will’ve allowed me to spend time on issues that mattered. Provided that all of us have restricted time in our day, it is vital that we select our battles properly.

Victoria Gonda

Inform me about your journey to turning into an Android Developer and the way you bought began.

After I began faculty, I used to be majoring in dance. A buddy prompt that I attempt a pc science course as a result of they thought I’d benefit from the kinds of issues you remedy in code, they usually had been proper!

Quick ahead, and I had the chance to participate in a pc science summer time analysis program. Over the summer time, I realized Android and helped construct an app to assist a scholar with cognitive disabilities trip the native bus. It was this venture that confirmed me how I might use software program to make a distinction in individuals’s lives.

Whereas I continued finding out each dance and laptop science, I pursued an internship, and later a profession, that will permit me to proceed to enhance the world utilizing Android improvement.

What’s one shortcut, tip, or hack you possibly can’t dwell with out?

The mix of the developer instrument to maintain the display screen on whereas charging and a tool stand on my desk. I save a lot time not needing to achieve for my testing system, flip the display screen on (and doubtless unlock it) and at last see what I am searching for. As a substitute, it masses proper earlier than my eyes.

What is the one piece of recommendation you want somebody would have given you if you began in your journey?

You needn’t outline your self by the work you do or the corporate you’re employed for. I felt actually conflicted after I selected a software program profession over a dance profession. However I nonetheless dance! I felt conflicted after I moved from one firm to a different, however that firm did not outline who I’m.

Gilbert Leung

Inform me about your journey to turning into an Android Developer and the way you bought began.

In 2010, I purchased my first sensible cellphone within the type of an HTC Nexus One. I used to be nonetheless in faculty again then and jumped into Android improvement as quickly as I acquired the system. Certainly one of my first Android initiatives was a neat little keyboard / enter technique that took concepts from the old-fashioned T9 technique and utilized it onto a contact display screen. Try the video here and the Github repository here. It has been 11 years since; a lot has modified. I am now the CTO at a small startup Shuffle, but I am nonetheless working arduous on Android improvement!

What’s one shortcut, tip, or hack you possibly can’t dwell with out?

For debugging, use breakpoint logging as an alternative of LogCat logging. Go to the road you need to log and add a breakpoint. Then right-click on the crimson dot of the breakpoint and deselect the Droop checkbox. A extra detailed view ought to all of a sudden open and let you choose Log message to console. This avoids recompiling and rerunning the app, and is completely essential in giant initiatives that take a very long time to recompile. The superior breakpoint choices can be invaluable for trickier conditions.

What is the one piece of recommendation you want somebody would have given you if you began in your journey?

I want somebody informed me to browse the Android source code extra typically. I realized a lot wanting beneath the hood and developed an experience far deeper than the typical developer.

The Android Developer neighborhood prides itself in its inclusivity and welcomes builders from all backgrounds and phases of life. Should you’re feeling impressed and need to study extra about how you can turn into part of our neighborhood, listed below are just a few assets to assist get you began.

The Google Developer Teams program provides builders the chance to satisfy native builders with comparable pursuits in know-how. A GDG meetup occasion consists of talks on a variety of technical subjects the place you possibly can study new abilities by hands-on workshops.

Based in 2014, Google’s Ladies Techmakers is devoted to serving to all ladies thrive in tech by neighborhood, visibility and assets. With a member base of over 100,000 ladies builders, we’re working with communities throughout the globe to construct a world the place all ladies can thrive in tech.

The Google Builders Consultants program is a worldwide community of extremely skilled know-how specialists, influencers and thought leaders who actively assist builders, corporations and tech communities by talking at occasions, publishing content material, and constructing modern apps. Consultants actively contribute to and assist the developer and startup ecosystems world wide, serving to them construct and launch extremely modern apps.

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