'''Android software development''' is the process by which new applications are created for the [[Android (operating system)|Android operating system]]. Applications are usually developed in the [[Java (programming language)|Java]] programming language using the Android [[Software Development Kit]], but other development tools are available. As of April 2011 more than 200,000 applications have been developed for Android, with over 3 billion downloads.<ref name="200,000">{{cite web |title=Android App Stats|url=http://www.androlib.com/appstats.aspx|accessdate=31 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://techcrunch.com/2011/04/14/google-3-billion-android-apps-installed-up-50-percent-from-last-quarter/ |title=Google: 3 Billion Android Apps Installed; Downloads Up 50 Percent From Last Quarter |author=Leena Rao|work=Techcrunch|date=14 April 2011|accessdate=13 May 2011}}</ref>. The Android platform has also grown to become a favorite among mobile developers. A June 2011 research indicated that over 67% of developers used the platform, at the time of publication. <ref>{{cite web |url =http://www.visionmobile.com/blog/2011/06/developer-economics-2011-winners-and-losers-in-the-platform-race/ |title= Developer Economics 2011}}</ref>▼
▲'''Android softwareware development''' is the process by which new applications are created for the [[Android (operating system)|Android operating system]]. Applications are usually developed in the [[Java (programming language)|Java]] programming language using the Android [[Software Development Kit]], but other development tools are available. As of April 2011 more than 200,000 applications have been developed for Android, with over 3 billion downloads.<ref name="200,000">{{cite web |title=Android App Stats|url=http://www.androlib.com/appstats.aspx|accessdate=31 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://techcrunch.com/2011/04/14/google-3-billion-android-apps-installed-up-50-percent-from-last-quarter/ |title=Google: 3 Billion Android Apps Installed; Downloads Up 50 Percent From Last Quarter |author=Leena Rao|work=Techcrunch|date=14Aprilenvironment]] 2011(IDE) is [[Eclipse (software)|accessdate=13Eclipse]] May(currently 2011}}</ref>3.5 Theor 3.6) using the Android platformDevelopment Tools (ADT) Plugin, though developers may use hasany alsotext growneditor to becomeedit aJava favoriteand amongXML mobilefiles developers.then Ause June[[command 2011line]] researchtools indicated([[Java thatDevelopment overKit]] 67%and of[[Apache developersAnt]] usedare therequired) to platformcreate, atbuild theand timedebug ofAndroid publicationapplications as well as control attached Android devices (e.g., triggering a reboot, installing software package(s) remotely).<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.visionmobilejonwestfall.com/blog2009/201108/06/developerbackup-economicsrestore-2011android-winnersapps-and-losers-inusing-the-platform-raceadb/ |title = DeveloperBackup Economics& 2011Restore Android Apps Using ADB |first = Jon |last = Westfall |date = 25 August 2009 |work = JonWestfall.com |accessdate =2009-12-07}}</ref>
==Software development tools==
===Android SDK===
The Android [[software development kit]] (SDK) includes a comprehensive set of development tools.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://developer.android.com/guide/developing/tools/index.html |title = Tools Overview |work = Android Developers |date = 21 July 2009}}</ref> These include a [[debugger]], [[Software library|libraries]], a handset [[emulator]] (based on [[QEMU]]), documentation, sample code, and tutorials. Currently supported development platforms include computers running [[Linux kernel|Linux]] (any modern desktop [[List of GNU/Linux distributions|Linux distribution]]), [[Mac OS X]] 10.4.9 or later, [[Windows XP]] or later. The officially supported [[integrated development environment]] (IDE) is [[Eclipse (software)|Eclipse]] (currently 3.5 or 3.6) using the Android Development Tools (ADT) Plugin, though developers may use any text editor to edit Java and XML files then use [[command line]] tools ([[Java Development Kit]] and [[Apache Ant]] are required) to create, build and debug Android applications as well as control attached Android devices (e.g., triggering a reboot, installing software package(s) remotely).<ref>{{cite web |url = http://jonwestfall.com/2009/08/backup-restore-android-apps-using-adb/ |title = Backup & Restore Android Apps Using ADB |first = Jon |last = Westfall |date = 25 August 2009 |work = JonWestfall.com |accessdate =2009-12-07}}</ref>
Enhancements to Android's SDK go hand in hand with the overall Android platform development. The SDK also supports older versions of the Android platform in case developers wish to target their applications at older devices. Development tools are downloadable components, so after one has downloaded the latest version and platform, older platforms and tools can also be downloaded for compatibility testing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://developer.android.com/sdk/tools-notes.html |title=SDK Tools}}</ref>
