First Awesome Android IDE; MOTODEV Studio

If your read my last post you will realize that android has pathetic support of developer tools when compared to iPhone and windows tools. Not only that, for a newbie compiling a helloworld application with Google's official ADT (Android Developer Tools) is pain in the ass. Before you think that I am overreacting look at the Google search results for errors like "Project is missing required source folder: 'gen'" . Little bit of explanation about this error. Android projects come with a free class called 'R' (short for Resource). This is an automatically generated class which you use to reference resources in your project. It is created separately from your source folder (typically locates in /src) in it's own folder called /gen. As a result, /gen is always part of your project. If it is missing, your project is incomplete. Now you may think that it can be fixed by just creating the folder "gen", but you are wrong. "gen" folder is already there so what would you do. It is just that Eclipse has created it in read only fashion. and you need to fix that by hand to go about building the application. Look at the following screen shot.

 
Now this is really stupid error and discourages a lot of new developers because it does not work it is supposed to be. Thankfully Eclipse is an open source project and anybody can make modification to make it better. Motorola one such company with one of the iconic Android handset Motorola Droid/Milestone has created an excellent IDE for Android called MOTODEV Studio for Android. For starters it does not have any of the frustration the the ADT has and offers a lot of features that really makes it stand apart. My favorite features are:

1. In built SDK Downloader: This may not sound useful for pros but definitely a plus for new users.

2. Code Snippet Support: Code Snippets provides a very easy to use way of doing common tasks such as Setting Database, getting GPS coordinates etc. Definitely a big plus.

3. Emulator Dock: This may not be a big deal but for me it is nice to see the application running seamlessly without launching it in a separate window really matters.

4. In-built Application Signing and Publication Support: If you are in it for money you will definitely appreciate the streamlined application signing and publication process. It supports both Android and Motorola market place.

5. More Project Type Support: You can create more types of android project when using the MOTODEV Studio.

 6. Now, lets looks at what Motorola's Marketing department has to say.

Complete Development Package: One installer ensures an integrated development environment with Eclipse 3.5 and Android Development Tools (ADT) plus automatic download and configuration of the latest Android SDK. Or use the plug-in version with your existing Galileo Eclipse IDE.

Code Snippets: Add often-used code from templates for more stable and better performing applications.

Application Creation Wizards: Create essential Android classes simply and easily, e.g., Broadcast Receiver, Content Provider, Service, and Activity.

Database Management: Conveniently view and edit SQLite databases on handsets and emulated devices.

Localization Files Editor: Easily create and manage localized strings files.

Handset Emulators: Test applications on an integrated Android emulator within MOTODEV Studio without switching between IDE and target, and make use of Motorola-specific handset emulators as they become available.

Deploy Packages: Load your applications onto a target handset or emulator through an easy interface instead of tedious command lines.

  Application Signing: Create and import certificates to sign applications.

Marketing Integration: Connect to Android application stores from within MOTODEV Studio.

Target Motorola Handsets: Debug and run applications on connected Motorola Android handsets.

Translate Your App: Target new customers by translating your app with MOTODEV Studio.

Screen Capture: Take a screenshot from any device listed in the Device Management view, including both emulated and physically connected handsets.

-------------------

So, if you are about to jump or already jumped to Android bandwagon this is the IDE you should use.