We’re holding a CycleStreets for Android Hack Day on Saturday 25th February 2012. Come along, because it’ll be fun.
Dive in
So what might you do with the Android app? Well, anything you like, but here are some suggestions – export a CycleStreets route as GPX, integrate a vector mapping library like MapsForge, add speech output, or simply poke around in the code and see what catches your eye. Learn some new things, ask questions, maybe have a beer in the evening.
What you’ll need
- A Laptop. Linux, Windows, or Mac, whatever your preference.
- The CycleStreets for Android source code. The source code lives up on GitHub, so grab a copy by forking it. If you don’t already have a Github account, you will need to create one. You’ll also need need a copy of Git itself. If you’re unfamiliar with Git, don’t worry because we’ll give you a primer. If you’re unfamiliar with source code control in general, you still don’t need to worry, we’ll teach you a valuable life skill.
- The Android SDK. To build the code, you’ll need the Android SDK. Strictly speaking the SDK and a text editor are more or less all you need, but you will probably find this a little easier using it with the Eclipse IDE. The integration with Eclipse is very good, the code completion support will help you work your way through an unfamiliar API, and the debugging support is excellent. See the image below for the components you’ll need.
- An Android device. Actually this is optional, as the Android SDK supports Virtual Devices you can run on your laptop, but it’s quicker and easier to run your code on a real device.
- 3G dongle if you have one – there’ll be internet, but bring a dongle just in case we have problems.
What you won’t need
- Previous Android Experience. Programming for Android is actually pretty straightforward, so you don’t need any specific experience. Familiarity with event-driven user interfaces is helpful, but if you’re keen you should be able to pick it up pretty easily.
- Java Expertise. The language of Android is Java, but you don’t need deep, deep Java expertise. You can get by with a smattering.
When and where?
Saturday 25th February 2012 from 12 noon – 10pm.
Ross Street Community Centre. [Map showing the route from Cambridge station – green route is best.]
It’d be great if you could let us know if you can come so we can order enough fresh pizza!
The bits of the Android SDK that you need, shown ticked (click to enlarge):
