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Easy programming language for Android?

B

Baptismbyfire

Senior member
As a teacher, I'm thinking of creating some programs for my students that they can run on Android devices to review classroom material and solve practice problems that I upload on a regular basis.

Nothing fancy, it doesn't have to have any bells and whistles - it just needs to get the job done.

Seeing how I don't have any programming experience, and don't really see this as an opportunity for a career change into the world of software development, what language would you recommend? I don't have that much spare time on my hands, and hope to be able to create the programs after a few months of studying.


Thanks.
 
I just started really getting into developing for android myself. As far as I know all application development is done in java, and you can download a free complete tool bundle from Google.

http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html

I've heard there is some use of C++ in specialized libraries, and there might very well be perl or python interpreters you can run in android, but I'm not sure whether you'd need a rooted device for that. Perhaps one of the other members knows the situation.
 
Baptismbyfire said:
As a teacher, I'm thinking of creating some programs for my students that they can run on Android devices to review classroom material and solve practice problems that I upload on a regular basis.

Nothing fancy, it doesn't have to have any bells and whistles - it just needs to get the job done.

Seeing how I don't have any programming experience, and don't really see this as an opportunity for a career change into the world of software development, what language would you recommend? I don't have that much spare time on my hands, and hope to be able to create the programs after a few months of studying.


Thanks.
Click to expand...
I hate to say this but I don't think it's possible to achieve what you want to do from reading the bold text.

Maybe if you tell us examples of a program you want to create?
 
Really? Is it that hard to create such a program?

There would be some pages, where just the class material would be explained in standard paragraph format. And some other pages, where kids would solve multiple choice questions or short answer questions, and then check their answers. There could also be a page with a word bank, which randomly selects ten words at a time (word bank is regularly updated) to quiz the students with.

If it's the time estimate that's the problem, how long would it take for me to learn how to program it?
 
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Baptismbyfire said:
Really? Is it that hard to create such a program?
Click to expand...

Creating good, complex software is more difficult than flying to the moon. Creating software is just much, much more complicated than most people think.

if you have 0 prior knowledge expect this to take at least a year especially if you have little free time.

Have you googled for such an app yet? in general you can find a specific application for almost anything.
 
Baptismbyfire said:
I guess making a website using HTML is easier. Isn't HTML one of the easier languages to learn?
Click to expand...

To do what you want to do, HTML won't be enough. You'll soon have to figure out web hosting, webmaster, CSS, and maybe even some PHP.

If you only want to display paragraphs and problems, why not just use WordPress?

There must be WordPress plugins that allow you to create quizzes. Why not look Google "create online quizzes" and start from there?
 
Well there is an idea. Wordpress.com is free and the customization is very easy for anyone. You can post new material when you want and students can post questions on the bottom or each post if they have questions. I think Wordpress is a good suggestion.
 
Baptismbyfire said:
Really? Is it that hard to create such a program?

There would be some pages, where just the class material would be explained in standard paragraph format. And some other pages, where kids would solve multiple choice questions or short answer questions, and then check their answers. There could also be a page with a word bank, which randomly selects ten words at a time (word bank is regularly updated) to quiz the students with.

If it's the time estimate that's the problem, how long would it take for me to learn how to program it?
Click to expand...

No reason to re-invent the wheel, especially when you don't have the skills. These sorts of things already exist, possibly for free.
 
What you want to do is setup and learn moodle. Moodle has a app for android and iphones, and is a web portal designed for classroom settings. You can post tests, review questions, agendas, have discussions, etc.
 
Baptismbyfire said:
I guess making a website using HTML is easier. Isn't HTML one of the easier languages to learn?
Click to expand...

fyi, html isn't a language. for what you want html forms and javascript would be the easiest method to solve the problem.

found this in a google search for you for a starting point to use/edit: http://www.laits.utexas.edu/hebrew/personal/toolbox/forms/quiz13.html

Baptismbyfire said:
Really? Is it that hard to create such a program?
Click to expand...
The app your talking about is really simple. It would only take me a few hours to make it. Similarly, it only took a few hours for my oral surgeon to remove my wisdom teeth.
 
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Net said:
The app your talking about is really simple. It would only take me a few hours to make it. Similarly, it only took a few hours for my oral surgeon to remove my wisdom teeth.
Click to expand...

QFT
 
You can download for free, RFO Basic for the Droid, it allows you to program directly on your tablet, runs fast, has loads of examples with it, a good forum to help you along. Get a keyboard tablet cover combo if you do, makes typing way easier. You can also get a droid emulator for the PC and use RFO Basic there also. Theres also Droid4Basic, havent used it, but hear its good. And if you want to develop on the PC and then send to your Droid device, get AGK, Application Game Kit. Its easy to use, has loads of examples also, cost 56 bucks, but totally worth it and runs on your PC, Mac, Droid, Iphone ect. and even looks like a droid tablet screen when it runs on the PC to give you an Idea of what your program will look like. Or try Corona, its free, easy to use and has a built in Droid emulator also, but only runs on Droid and Iphone when done. Can just use its emulator to play programs made with Corona though.
 
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It's been 9 months, I think the OP has already decided on an approach 🙂


BRAAAAAAAAIIIIIINSSSSSSS! necro thread!


Anyway, for anyone who finds this zombie thread through search: Wordpress or some free online course management / learning management software (CourseSites, Moodle, ...) or web-based self-study app.
 
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yes, I know this article is old, I make posts late sometimes for others to find just incase they are looking for a good language also, the same way I found this article, was looking for new languages for the droid, thanks for noticing anyways! and any late comers like me, check out RFO basic its free!. And best way to program on your droid while away from home. As I have said, get a keyboard if you are going to program your droid, you might need an OTG cable to attach the keyboard as well, using on screen keyboards to program with is a bitch.
 
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