As I posted earlier, about my endeavors about creating an app for the Android platform, and about how that enabled me to get something out onto the market quickly without too much trouble. However, my first android app, Square Runner, is done and now it’s time for  me to look forward to my next project(s). I generally like to keep multiple projects running so that I can keep working on something, even if I get stuck on something else, but at the moment, I really haven’t decided what exactly I want to continue working on. I cannot deny that working with Android was a great experience for me, and if you’re interested in getting a great idea onto public hands, then it’s a quite effective method.

It enables you to get working on something quickly, and the API is very easy to learn, and making an app is really simple after you get over the initial hurdles of learning exactly how the basics work. Now, personally, I’m a crossroad, I could continue to learn more about the specifics of the Android system, or I continue to expand my knowledge of general Computer Science, Java, and maybe working on a few desktop applications.

What exactly did Android help me learn?

Android, and publishing an application to the “real world” gave me an unique understanding of how the lifecycle of an works. I was able to go through the testing phase in an unique way, by both employing beta testers, watching the way in which they used the app, and receiving their feedback on what could be improved to put it back into the app. Additionally, I was able to do a lot of minor tweaking and bug fixes which improved the completeness of an app on the overall scale. The UI went through many changes that made it from a bare-bones app to a much more complete application. I believe I was able to improve the user experience greatly.

My Bottom Line Opinion of Android Programming and App Creation

Before, I go onto say more about myself, and what I’m planning on doing, here’s my bottom line opinion about Android Programming, based on my experience coding for Android the past few months.

So, as you can see, in my opinion, the very things that make Android a great platform to develop for, also make it a poor choice, if you want to keep learning new things and do more as a programmer. Now, don’t take this to mean that Android developers aren’t as smart, but rather that, you will be severely limiting yourself in the apps you can create if you start creating apps at an early stage.

I’m Unsure if I want to Continue with Android Now

Android, although, a great platform, with great capabilities, is a bit too easy. I think I want to move onto something a bit more challenging. I have had a few ideas for Android Apps that will be more challenging (and interesting!), and I’ll go into a little more detail on those later with another post. Right now, in my Computer Science career, I think I want to learn more about the mechanics of programming and more experience in that direction, rather than using my existing skills to create apps that may not be as efficient and useful as they should be.

What I’m Probably Going to End Up Doing

I’ve been considering is dividing my time between creating more Android Apps and learning more about Computer Science and Java Programming. The way I see it, it’s the most efficient way of continuing with what I want to do. I will primary continue on the two applications that I want to create, and then when I have time left over after that, I will continue expanding my knowledge with core Java/CS concepts and fundamentals.

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