Home > Store

Learning MIT App Inventor: A Hands-On Guide to Building Your Own Android Apps

Register your product to gain access to bonus material or receive a coupon.

Learning MIT App Inventor: A Hands-On Guide to Building Your Own Android Apps

eBook (Watermarked)

  • Your Price: $25.75
  • List Price: $32.19
  • Includes EPUB and PDF
  • About eBook Formats
  • This eBook includes the following formats, accessible from your Account page after purchase:

    ePub EPUB The open industry format known for its reflowable content and usability on supported mobile devices.

    Adobe Reader PDF The popular standard, used most often with the free Acrobat® Reader® software.

    This eBook requires no passwords or activation to read. We customize your eBook by discreetly watermarking it with your name, making it uniquely yours.

Description

  • Copyright 2015
  • Dimensions: 7" x 9"
  • Pages: 240
  • Edition: 1st
  • eBook (Watermarked)
  • ISBN-10: 0-13-379929-8
  • ISBN-13: 978-0-13-379929-3

With MIT’s App Inventor 2, anyone can build complete, working Android apps—without writing code! This complete tutorial will help you do just that, even if you have absolutely no programming experience.

Unlike books focused on the obsolete Google version, Learning MIT App Inventor is written from the ground up for MIT’s dramatically updated Version 2.

The authors guide you step-by-step through every task and feature, showing you how to create apps by dragging, dropping, and connecting puzzle pieces—not writing code. As you learn, you’ll also master expert design and development techniques you can build on if you ever do want to write code.

Through hands-on projects, you’ll master features ranging from GPS to animation, build high-quality user interfaces, make everything work, and test it all with App Inventor’s emulator. (You won’t even need an Android device!)

All examples for this book are available at theapplanet.com/appinventor 

Coverage includes:

  • Understanding mobile devices and how mobile apps run on them
  • Planning your app's behavior and appearance with the Designer
  • Using the Blocks Editor to tell your app what to do and how to do it
  • Creating variables and learning how to use them effectively
  • Using procedures to group and reuse pieces of code in larger, more complicated apps
  • Storing data in lists and databases
  • Using App Inventor's gaming, animation, and media features
  • Creating more sophisticated apps by using multiple screens
  • Integrating sensors to make your app location-aware
  • Debugging apps and fixing problems
  • Combining creativity and logical thinking to envision more complex apps

Sample Content

Table of Contents

Preface     xiv


1 An Introduction to Programming     1
  Operating Systems     2
    User Interface     4
  Android Strengths     6
    Extending App Capabilities     8
    Google Services     9
  Applications     10
  Programming Languages     11
  Summary     13
  Exercises     14
2 Building with MIT App Inventor     17
  The MIT App Inventor Site     17
    Signing In     18
    Designer     20
    Blocks Editor     20
    The AI2 Companion App     21
    The Android Emulator     23
    USB Connection to Android Device     23
  Getting Inside an App     25
    Event Handlers     25
    Doing One Thing at a Time     26
  Exercise: Sherlock Is Watching     27
    Adding an Image     29
  What Can You Build?    31
    Speak, Android!    31
    Pollock     31
    Fore     32
    Android Quiz     32
  Uploading to Google Play     32
  Summary     33
  Exercises     34
3 App Inventor Toolkit     35
  Creating a New Project     36
  Designer Essentials     36
    Palette     37
    Viewer     44
    Components     45
    Properties     46
    Media     46
  Exercise: Speak, Android!    47
    Connecting Your Device     48
    See Your App on a Connected Device     50
  Summary     54
  Exercises     54
4 Variables     55
  Component Properties: The Built-in Variables     56
    Clicker-Counter App     56
    Properties: Getters and Setters     57
    Clicker Counter Extensions     58
  Event Parameters: Special Variables    58
  Exercise: Pollock     60
    The Interface     60
    Programming Blocks     62
    Additional Exercises     64
  Scope: Global and Local Variables     64
  Global Variables     66
    Example App: Up/Down Counter     67
  Local Variables     68
    An Example App: Random Guess     69
  What You Can Store in Variables     72
  Summary     72
5 Procedures     75
  What Is a Procedure?    75
  Types of Procedures     76
  Why Use Procedures?    79
  Arguments     79
  Exercise: Flick     81
  Additional Exercises     83
  Summary     84
6 Working with Lists     85
  Modeling Things with Data     85
    The List Block     85
  The Basics     87
    Creating an Empty List     87
    Creating a List with Some Stuff Already In It     88
    Working with Lists     91
    Color as a List     92
  Types of Lists     92
    The One-Dimensional List     92
    Lists as Data Structures     93
    Using Multiple Lists Together (That Expand on Demand)    94
  Abstraction with Lists and Procedures     98
    Lists that Expand on Demand     100
  Common Problems     102
    Running Off the End of the List     102
    Defining a Variable That Depends on Runtime Elements     104
  Exercise: Android Quiz     105
  Additional Exercises     112
  Summary     112
7 Games and Animations     113
  Adding Animations     113
    ImageSprite     114
    Ball     115
    Canvas     116
  Animation Examples     117
    Smoother Animation     118
    Edges and Collisions     119
  Exercise: Fore     119
  Additional Exercises     123
  Summary     123
8 Multiple Screens and Debugging Techniques     125
  Why More Than One Screen?    125
  Building Apps with Multiple Screens     126
    What Screens Are Good At     127
    Issues with Multiple Screens     127
    Switching Screens     128
    Sharing Data Between Screens     129
  Debugging Techniques     130
    Leaving Comments     130
    Test Small and Test Often     131
    Do It     131
    Name Well     132
  Backing up Your Work     133
  Exercise: Pollock Plus One     134
  Additional Exercises     136
  Summary     136
9 Using Media     139
  Audio     140
  Images     141
    The ImagePicker     141
    The Camera     144
  Video 1    45
  Exercise: Camera Action     146
  Additional Exercises     146
  Summary     147
10 Sensors     149
  Building Location-Aware Apps     150
    Using Location     150
    Location Data     152
    Using the Maps App with Intents     153
    Saving Location Data     155
  The Accelerometer     158
    Detecting Tilt (and a Little Background Physics)    159
  The Orientation Sensor     160
  Exercise: Pushpin     161
    Part 1: Designing Current Location Readout     161
    Programming Part 1: The Current Location Readout     165
    Part 2: Pinning a Location to Remember Later     168
    Programming Part 2: Pinning a Location     170
    Extension Activities     172
  Summary     172
11 Databases     173
  TinyDB     174
    Retrieving Data from TinyDB     175
    A Few TinyDB Details     176
  TinyWebDB     176
    Setting Up Your Own Web Database Service     176
    Security and Privacy     177
  FusionTables     177
  Using Web GET and POST     180
    Basic Files     181
    Web APIs     182
  Exercise: WriteMore     182
  Additional Exercises     186
  Summary     187
12 Distributing an App     189
  Live Mode     189
  Security Settings     190
  Creating an APK File     191
    Downloading Directly to a Computer     192
    Downloading with a QR Code     196
  Creating an .aia File     198
  Exercise: App Distribution     200
    Version Codes     200
    Google Play Developer Console     201
  Summary     205


Index     207

Updates

Submit Errata

More Information

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020