Google App Inventor

[rapha15br]

Since no one puts anything for Android here, there is:

It's a little longer, will help many people.

Since no one puts anything for Android here, there is: (Made by Phantom for Baixaki)

The dream of every smartphone user is an application that does exactly what he wants. The reality is quite different. The user has to settle for third party applications, and often have specific programs in the stores only paid versions of apps from developers.

Users of the Android operating system for smartphones and tablets are one step closer to free themselves from this paradigm. Google is developing for some time to allow a visual interface that anyone can program their own applications, even without knowing how to build lines of code and compiling programs in any way. The solution is called App Inventor, and is available upon request for participation in the Beta phase of the tool.

The set consists of two sections: the App Designer and Inventor Inventor App Blocks Editor, each with a specific function.

O App Inventor Designer



The Designer is the first screen of a project. This is where you draw your application, choosing the location of buttons and images, including photos, droplists, checkboxes and other components available to build a program. It is divided into four columns.

Palette

The first column, called "Palette" (Palette), is where all the components into a usable application. This palette is divided into sections for easy location of components, ranging from basic (buttons, images and text) to an exclusive section with tools to integrate Lego Mindstorms (a division of that game that adds little pieces to assemble sensors, motors and processors the robots built).

To use one of these components simply click on it and drag it up the second column, called "Viewer" (Viewer).

Viewer

In the column "Viewer, the user can arrange each of its objects, building the application as it should be. A window display simulates a screen of a smartphone with Android operating system, with a near final version of the programmer, as he organizes the use of the space program.

All the items added "Palette" to "Viewer" are presented in the third column, called "Components" (Components).



Components

In the column of components, are stored all the added items, whether or not visible on the screen of the program. This makes it much easier to select each object, as they are listed in an orderly and accessible.

Here you can also rename each item. So you can call by name the components that make sense for your project. It is much easier to find everything if you even create a special name for it, like "sound button" instead of "Button1".

You can also insert media files for the third column. Clicking the "Add" button (Add) you import sounds, pictures and videos from your computer to the server App Inventor, and they are available for you to use in the project.

Clicking on any of the items listed in the "Components" allows you to edit your details in the fourth column, called "Properties" (Properties).



Properties

This is the most important column Inventor App Designer, since here you can set the size and content of the texts of buttons and input boxes, image size, background colors and width and height of objects. These and many other settings are instantly applied to the column on the screen "Viewer", allowing you to have always a good idea of ​​where and what is changing in your program.

Once your program is partially assembled, it is time to begin to assign functions to each of the components you selected. For this you need to click the "Open Editor Blocks" (Open Editor Blocks), which leads to a new screen.

The App Inventor Blocks Editor

To use the Block Editor is required to configure and install some software. The first is Java (you can test if you have the required version of Java by accessing the link test link and the developer tests the App Inventor). After running both tests, you must install the application development Inventor App. It is available for Windows, Mac OS X and GNU / Linux with installation instructions (in English).



After setting up your computer, you can begin to make the magic of programming. By using the "Blocks Editor" you can begin to assign actions to each item in your program. Using a simple and intuitive interface, building the application looks a lot like assembling a puzzle.

The menu on the left side provides two commands tabs: "Built-in" (internal) and "My Blocks" (My Block). All objects that you enter commands in your program will start on the "My Blocks", while the execution commands are located on the "Built-In." The combination of one or more command-"My Blocks" and commands "Built-In" form a complete action. And to facilitate the construction of the actions, the commands are structured like pieces of puzzles. Only functions compatible fit.



For example, if you create a button in your program that should play a sound each time it is played, just drag the start command (submenu within the button you want to click) "when NomeDoBotao.Click the" tab "My Blocks "for the field to the right. After that, the same tab, select the sound component and drag the "call.NomeDoSom.Play" into the other component, creating a complete action. When the button is clicked in your program, the sound will play.

View program on a virtual Android

App Inventor allows you to connect your smartphone via USB cable and its application to view it in real time, but the configuration of the drivers and telephone installation are not always easy tasks.

Thinking about it, Google implemented a system based on Java virtual machine that allows the user to create a generic smartphone with Android. So you have a phone screen on your monitor to test your applications.



Like the rest of the tool, changes to the "Designer" and "Blocks Editor" are displayed in real time in virtual Android smartphone. This capability makes the programming of any item can be assessed as soon as made, making it easier to go back at some step.

The virtual machine runs on the Android version 2.2 (Froyo) operating system from Google. You can even log in with a Google account to test some features of the program you're building. In short, an emulator is a complete system Android.

After clicking to create an Android virtual machine, wait for the complete configuration of the application. After that, click the window "Blocks Editor", "Connect to Device" and choose the virtual machine. In some instances your application must be fully functional on your computer screen.

Practical applications of the App Inventor


It's good to be clear: Google App Inventor is not a substitute for programming language applications for Android. Not yet, at least, although the premise that the project is following. It is not a tool for creating games and business applications. The main public App Inventor, at the time, it is within universities so that students and teachers to understand the basics, creating programs for educational purposes and helping to develop a schedule that scenario will not need programming knowledge to operate.

Unfortunately you can not make games like Angry Birds or complex applications like Firefox Mobile, and applications created are far from beautiful. They are, however, functional.

An application made ​​in the App Inventor can serve specific purposes for their personal or professional use. You can fill the gap where third-party applications sinned. It can lead ordinary users to take an interest in getting the program to the platform, thereby raising the quality of the applications that are made and the amount of software available for the platform.

For more information go to:
About - App Inventor for Android (Secure Link - Google)

If your computer is:
Windows: Windows Setup - App Inventor for Android

Mac OS X: Mac Setup - App Inventor for Android

GNU/Linux: Linux Setup - App Inventor for Android

[Fly3r]

So this is something like visual basic with which u can make apps for Androids? thanks a lot for posting this

[rapha15br]

This program does not need code, just if you want to enter more advanced options.

[Fly3r]

ok then. thanks for posting this.

[rapha15br]

Anything, need only ask

[rapha15br]

This section is forgotten, thanks to not kill.

[David Luiz]

App Inventor is a very effective software for developing apps. for iPhone, App Inventor is in progress and will release soon. I found that info in Apple Support USA. but you can still develop your own app using some third party tools on iphone i guess.

[NotSolvi]

Oh thats a good app.