How to develop in Python for Android. Complete Python App for Android Python App for Android OS

17 11.2017

The development of software development technologies does not stand still, and every day new languages ​​and libraries appear to help make the development process as fast and efficient as possible. Many developers who choose a new programming language to learn, especially for writing applications for the Android operating system, end up with Python Android. In this article, we'll take a look at Python as an Android programming language, discuss application development, installing applications on Android, and many other topics that will be of interest to many beginner Python developers.

From this article you will learn:

Welcome to the kip-world blog pages! With you, as always, I, Gridin Semyon, and today we will tell you about programming in Python for Android. We will cover topics such as installing Python, developing and running applications.

Python apps for Android OS

At the moment, Python is one of the most favorite development languages ​​for beginner programmers, especially for people interested in developing software for devices running the Android operating system.

Python for android allows you to create simple applications with a minimum of costs. Moreover, having once understood the principle of development in python for android, the developer will no longer need to delve into the details and nuances of writing a program. Moreover, the Android API is well organized and easy to use.

First of all, we need the right development environment. Decide on the current version of Android, given that this operating system supports backwards compatibility.

In other words, applications developed for version 6.0.2 will work on 5.0.1, but often applications developed for older versions of the OS are not supported by newer versions.

Install SL4A, a convenient development environment and start creating in accordance with the guidelines available on the official website dedicated to the operating system.

It is also worth considering that applications can be developed and installed not only on the android operating system, but also on devices running other operating systems: MAC OS, Windows and Linux. This feature expands the horizons of development, allowing you to use the environment that is convenient at the moment.

Installing python on android

The next question is how exactly python for android gets the ability to run our applications on the device. Developing in python for android with the python for android tool simplifies your work because this tool creates a distribution kit on your device - a special encrypted folder that contains all the data necessary for the project.

You can install this tool directly from the official android website, after which you can easily run the necessary applications on your phone.

For convenient development and, in fact, development directly from the device, we need . Quality programming in python for android requires the installation of the correct interpreter.

One of the most popular is QPython, which can be started immediately after installation. Moreover, the interpreter allows you to write and run written applications directly from the developer's interface.

If you want to run the interpreter without using the application, you will have to write a small script that will take no more than 30 minutes to create. With the help of such a script, we can launch the application directly from the terminal, or with the help of an automated script.

Such a script can be written in advance and placed on a convenient source (including a memory card) and run at a convenient time for the user. There are many interpreters, so it will take some time to find your own.

The QPython interpreter allows you to run applications, including python games for android, directly on the selected device. This interpreter also contains a console, a conditional development environment, an SL4A library, which is simply necessary when creating scripts for scripts.

The advantages of QPython are:

1. Support for interfaces such as GPS, mobile network and Bluetooth.
2. The ability to execute the script directly on the device.
3. Support for python packages for android, which are developed in advance and once.
4. Support for many of the most popular libraries that make development as correct, fast and comfortable as possible.
5. Possibility of programming directly on the device.
6. The ability to run the written code on different devices - from mobile to full-fledged success.

The convenience of working with Python lies in the availability of dozens of high-quality official manuals that allow you to create great applications yourself and almost from scratch.

This makes it possible not only to learn independent programming, but also to get a full-fledged program for a mobile device.

As you can see, you don't need to learn a language as complex as Java in order to write decent Android apps.

You can also choose a simpler language that will not only be easier to learn and use, but will also be more “Elastic” and applicable to life as the conditions in which we need to participate change.

We hope that our article was useful and informative for the user. Tell us what programming languages ​​do you use? How often do you update your knowledge or learn new programming languages?

Leave your comments under the post, share the post with your friends and ask questions, which I will be happy to answer.

Sincerely, Gridin Semyon

- as it is not difficult to guess from the name of the application, in it you can get the simplest possible learning of the Python programming language. So if you have long wanted to start learning this language, then you should start with this wonderful program. After all, it is fully translated into Russian and will help you with tips. Usually such applications are not translated into Russian, which causes a number of problems.

In this case, everything is convenient and excellent. A lot of lessons and tests will allow you to get the most efficiency in learning. That is why many users began to respond very positively about the application. Never before has it been so easy and convenient for you to start learning a programming language. The developers have tried to make everything as convenient and clear as possible.

Under this name, you can find three good applications on Google Play (in general, there are more of them, but you should not even waste time installing others). The simplest of these is the Udemy Python 2.x course packaged by the SoloLearn team into an Android app format. It contains lessons that are divided into two levels: basic and advanced. Inside - a brief reference material in text or PDF format. For individual lessons, there are examples of working code. Does not require a network connection.

Learn Python

This application offers users to learn the third version of the language and has much more functionality. The main screen is reserved for displaying the individual stages of the course and personal results. In the menu you can find a section for free creativity in Python, download courses for other programming languages, and also study help information. The application has an interesting feature: everyone who completes the course and solves problems gets points. Their total number can be found on a separate tab. So there is an additional game component that can motivate someone to study more thoroughly. At the end of the course, you can get a certificate of mastering a programming language.

Learn Python Programming

The third application, developed by Phoenix App Labs, has the widest functionality and the most colorful interface. There are not only lessons for beginners and those who have already studied the language, but also the ability to download ready-made Python projects directly from the application, detailed statistics of what has been learned, a separate tab for easy access to your own programs, and an element of social competition in the form of an online coding championship with a leader board . In case of successful completion of the course, each user receives a certificate.

QPython

A complete Python programming environment for Android devices. It includes a Python interpreter, a console, an editor, and an SL4A library that allows you to create and run scripts directly on your gadget (working with smartphones and tablets is supported, since there are libraries for network interfaces, GPS). So in this application you can code and create full-fledged projects. If you have a good Python tutorial and ready-made projects at hand, QPython will be more than justified, despite the lack of built-in learning functions.

Python Documentation

Stylish application with documentation for Python 3.5 in English. Able to work offline. There is a section with examples of ready-made code, although the main purpose of the program is detailed help for those who have already mastered the basic principles of the language. It has a very convenient search and easy navigation.

Quiz&Learn Python

This app is designed to practice your existing Python 2.7 programming skills in the form of short questions covering both the basics of Python programming and very specific and unexpected ways of writing code. Quiz&Learn Python keeps statistics based on the speed of your answers. Depending on the progress, the questions may become more difficult. They can be skipped (this affects progress: the program asks simpler questions). In addition, using the built-in debugger, you can write a question and check the answer in practice.

Python Challenge

Another application for those who have already learned the basics of programming and want to expand their knowledge. The Python Challenge is a question-and-answer game. Each round has 20 questions containing executable code. They are given a certain amount of time to answer. There is a section containing the same questions, grouped by topic, which can be answered without time limits.

Python Exercises

Handy application with text lessons and examples. Python Exercises has a very detailed rubrication, full coverage of basic topics, and a simple interface. Unfortunately, there is no way to write code here, so either another program or a second device is required.

Latest QPython - Python for Android apk Download. QPython is a program engine that runs Python script on your Android devices.
It contains the Python interpreter, editor, QPYPI, QRCode reader and some amazing features for Android.

It's literally the most awesome Python on Android.

Newest version is 2.4.0, it contains the following amazing features.

[[Main Features]]

Offline Python 2.7.15 / 3.6 interpreter all in one: no Internet is required to run Python programs
- An built-in awesome Python IDE
- Pip package manager and a custom repository for prebuilt wheel packages like enhanced scientific libraries
- Powerful QRCode scan can read program / link / notebook link from QRCode
- Built-in Notebook plug-in, which easily allows you to open the jupyter notebook documentation

[[Programming & Packages]]

With the features below, you can easily develop your apps:

Built-in SL4A library, allowing your Android device to easily function (One of QPython’s powerful features)
- Built-in pygame library for android SDL2, allowing you to develop game on android easily
- Built-in bottle web framework, allowing you to develop WebApps quickly

In addition, QPython supports the following libraries:

Django / Flask / Tornado ...
- Numpy/Scipy...
- Lots of libraries installed along with the QPYPI client.

[[Terminal's features]]

When you long click on the dashboard's terminal icon, you can start the system terminal shell or Python terminal
- You can use the quick key at the bottom of the terminal.
- Change terminal's behavior or font size from the editor's setting

[[IDE's features]]

Code auto-indentation & Syntax highlighting
- Extended keyboard bar with all the essential symbols you need to program in Python
- Multiple themes
- Enhanced code navigation with interactive assignment/definition go-tos
- One click share with GIST.

[IMPORTANT NOTE]

To enable programming with some of Android’s features, QPython requires the following permissions: Bluetooth, GPS, and others,etc.
It doesn't require some permissions like access user account, access phone's status, meaning you cannot use some SL4A APIs.
- If you are using an older version with Android<= 5.0 and QPython doesn"t work with your device, maybe you need to enable the python2 compatible core from the QPython setting.

[QPython community]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/qpython

[feedback]

Please give us five stars if you like our app.
thank you!
Contact us if you have any problems.
http://m.facebook.com/QPython
http://twitter.com/QPython

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/qpython

This software uses code of Android Terminal Emulator licensed under the APACHE2 LICENSE.

Parts of the source could be found on https://github.com/qpython-android.

If you can"t install or use the latest version, please install the legacy version from https://github.com/qpython-android/qpython/releases Download and install Play Store APK file or download and install obb from Google Play App Store.

Alexander Taylor, developer of the Kivy project says

Recently, a large number of resources have appeared on Python development for Android. The Kivy framework (and its offshoots) is mentioned more and more often, as it is one of the most time-tested and reliable projects in this area. However, one important detail is undeservedly overlooked - what can we do after Python starts running on the device? Are there any restrictions? Can all libraries be included? Is it possible to do all the same as when writing an application in Java? These issues are of concern to many, and they are considered and resolved within the framework of the Kivy project. In this article I will try to consider the most interesting and important details.

Python-for-android

First of all, let's look at how Python gets to work under Android - a tool called, oddly enough, python-for-android . Its main function is to create a distribution - a project folder containing everything you need to run your application. More specifically, the interpreter itself, Kivy, and the libraries it depends on: Pygame, SDL, and a few others. The distribution also includes a Java loader that renders OpenGL and acts as an intermediary between Kivy and the operating system. Then you add your scripts to it all, settings like icon and name, compile with the Android NDK and voila - the APK of your app is ready!

And this is just a basic procedure, in fact, the generated batch file can (and does) include much more. Along with everything else, most of the standard library is built into the APK, and any third-party module written in Python can be easily added - just like when developing desktop applications. Adding modules with compilable components is also easy, you just need to specify how they need to be built. As a rule, this is not difficult, just a couple of checkboxes are enough before starting the build procedure, although in rare individual cases additional steps may be necessary. Python-for-android already includes instructions for compiling popular modules like: numpy, sqlite3, twisted and even django!

The above principles only in general terms explain how python-for-android works. At any time, you can get more information on this topic by looking at the Kivy documentation. I recommend Buildozer, a python-for-android add-on that provides a user-friendly interface and automatic resolution of some dependencies. We are trying to make sure that the chain of actions written above is used not only in Kivy, but also in other projects. The basic build process will remain the same, but the Java loader will not be needed, as it is only needed to support some of the framework's specific needs.

Calling the Android API with PyJNIus

Interacting with the Android API: getting information from sensors, creating notifications, vibrating, pausing and restarting, whatever, is an important part of your application. Kivy will take care of the basics for you, but you'll want to manage a lot of things yourself. To do this, PyJNIus was created - a tool that automatically wraps Java code into a Python interface.

As a simple example, here is a program that will make the phone vibrate for 10 seconds:

From jnius import autoclass # First we need a reference to the Java Activity # running the application, it is stored in the Kivy loader PythonActivity PythonActivity = autoclass("org.renpy.android.PythonActivity") activity = PythonActivity.mActivity Context = autoclass(" android.content.Context") vibrator = activity.getSystemService(Context.VIBRATOR_SERVICE) vibrator.vibrate(10000) # argument is in milliseconds

If you're familiar with the Android API, you'll easily notice that the code above is very similar to Java - PyJNIus simply allows us to access the same API, but directly from Python. Most of the Android API can be called in this way, allowing you to achieve the same functionality as when developing in Java.

The main disadvantage of PyJNIus is that it requires a good understanding of the Android API structure, and the code is cumbersome, although its Java equivalent looks exactly the same. To solve this problem, Kivy includes Plyer.

Plyer: cross-platform API for platform-specific tasks

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