here is my entry for the 'easiest question of the day' competition... Being new to app developing, I have it in my head that android apps are written in java. Is this correct? I have started to learn java - everyone needs a hobby, right? - but the course I am taking is not specifically for android apps, but just generally about java code ('else if' commands and classes and all that stuff). My reason to learn this is primarily to work on apps, although I am keen to see what else a sold grasp of java can do for me. Assuming my first question gets a 'yes' answer, then my real question is: How relevant is the course that I mentioned, to android app development? Is there any noticeable differences between the code you need for android apps and java generally? Thanks again for all of your help. I am so excited by all of this.... I am such a geek!

Great question! Yes, Android is built on Java. However, it's a special form of Java created specifically for mobile devices. So, learning Java in general will give you a good handle on the basics, but you're probably better off studying Android's Java in particular. The reason is that there are so many resources out there for learning Android programming, that you'll be much more efficient in your learning by going straight to a beginning Android programming book. Hope that helps!

that really does help. Thank you so much for the answer. I am glad I asked. So far I have just covered the real basics, so hopefully that will hold me in good stead. But I will shift gears and look for android specific java courses and content. I am really enjoying the logic of it all. reminds me of when I was a boy. back in 1985 my dad bought me a computer that ran on Basic. There was a huge book that came with it. My dad said it was the user manual and I should read it before I used the computer too much. Half the book was on coding with Basic. Before I left primary school (about 12 years old) I could write cool, but simple, programs. I loved it 'Goto' and 'gosub' haha. Not so much the dreaded SYNTAX ERROR though... anyhoo, I loved learning that and I am loving learning Java. Watch this space - I will be writing Plug ins in no time :)

great! Can't wait to see what you come up with :)

check me out. I cant code anything in Java yet and I am shouting my mouth about making plug ins haha... time will tell, but I have a good feeling about it. If I get to that point, I have decided to make my first plug in totally free. I want to be able to give back to the community here. At the moment I am just taking, and that doesn't sit right with me.

lol - we all gotta start somewhere. Just keep up that enthusiasm and you'll be all set.