Eclipse or Android Studio? Listen to the Google’s Voice and take control

Google is trying to take everything in to its control when it comes to Android and the related developments. As of now, Google is saying to quit Eclipse and asking the developers to move to Android Studio. What does this mean and what it will do to Android application development? Here is something that gives you a clear idea about the Google’s statement.

What is Eclipse?

Eclipse, an integrated development tool/environment (IDE), is generally a tool used in developing Java or Android applications. It basically has a base workspace and plug-in sections in which one can integrate the necessary plug-in for modifying the development environment. It also supports other languages like Ada, ABAP, Clojure, COBOL, C, C++, Erlang, Fortran, Groovy, Haskell, JavaScript, Lua, Lasso, Natural, PHP, Perl, Python, Prolog, R, Ruby, Scala and Scheme. Eclipse is an open source software that can be used for free.

Something about Eclipse Android Development Kit (ADT):

To build Android applications, Eclipse IDE uses a plug-in called Android Development Tool (ADT). It offers the capabilities to let the developers to move with a sorted freedom so they can setup a new Android project and also to edit and analyze the bugs (basically debugging). Like Eclipse IDE, this ADT is also a open source plug-in which can be downloaded and used for free. For a period of time Eclipse ADT was the official kit for developing Android projects until the launch of the Google’s very own Android Studio.

Release of Android Studio:

At Google I/O 2013, Google announced the launch of its very own ADK “Android Studio 1.0”. Since then the kit has revamped many times and still in the process of improving its features to increase performance. Google announced this machine as the official IDE for Android development. Also, they broadcasted to every developer to migrate their projects from Eclipse to Android Studio in order to gain the benefits of the latest IDE updates.

Android Studio 1.0 – The revolution in Android development:

Based on IntelliJ Community Edition, the Android Studio has the following features which make it the next big thing.

• Android Studio has an optimized simulator and comes with pre-build, easy to use code templates
• IntelliJ IDEA provides all the code editing tools
• Android Studio comes with memory performance monitor

The system allows the developer to generate multiple APKs for release or debug and also for free or paid app

• Android Studio is linked with Google Cloud platform
• Using the dynamic layout preview, the developers can easily drag and drop and also in customizing the view on multiple devices.
• To deal with the usability, performance and other issues, a lint tool is used
• Comes with pre-built ProGaurd and app signing capabilities

Necessaries to do before switching to Android Studio from Eclipse:

After Google’s announcement, many developers have planned to move their Android projects to the Android Studio platform. Here are some things which you have to consider before migrating from Eclipse to Android Studio.

• It’s time to say good bye to Eclipse IDE’s workspace and sub-projects. The Eclipse complies the whole component and libraries in to .jar files that will be included in the final application APKs. The Android Studio has conceptualized forms called as Modules and Library Modules.
• Modules are something that has a discrete function that can be easily run, edit and fix errors individually. Each one will be having its own Gradle build file which in turn will has the appropriate details like the version ranges and other meta data.
• Android Studio also needs to have JAR files. Like Eclipse the .jar file should be linked to the libraries but via modules. Just right click on the .jar file and select Add as Library which will automatically be inserted as Gradle dependencies.
• Android studio will help you create the necessary Gradle entries. The module dependencies are just like that of Eclipse i.e. each module can be associated or linked with other modules.
• The main advantageous feature of Android Studio is the interface design perspective. This interface can be supported with drag and drop features which help the developers to customize the application.

See the future of Android Studio:

Like Chrome, Google has given a path for Android Studio – Stable, Beta, Dev, and Canary. With this, the developer can easily see the future of the Android Studio development updates. Android Studio development kit is available for download on Mac OS X 10.8.5-10.9, Windows 8/7/Vista/2003 32 or 64-bit and Linux.