Pro Android Python with SL4A is for programmers and hobbyists who want to write apps for
Android devices without having to learn Java first. Paul Ferrill leads you from installing the
Scripting Layer for Android (SL4A) to writing small scripts to more complicated and
interesting projects and finally to uploading and packaging your programs to an Android
device. Android runs scripts in many scripting languages but Python Lua and Beanshell are
particularly popular. Most programmers know more than one programming language so that they
have the best tool for whatever task they want to accomplish. Pro Android Python with SL4A
explores the world of Android scripting by introducing you to the most important open-source
programming languages that are available on Android-based hardware. Pro Android Python with
SL4A starts by exploring the Android software development kit and then shows you how to set up
an Eclipse-based Android development environment. You then approach the world of Android
programming by using Beanshell which runs on the Dalvik and learning how to write small
programs to administer an Android device. Next discover how Lua a lightweight language
perfectly suited for scripting on smaller devices can work with Android. Lua can be used for
small but important tasks like SMS encryption and synchronizing photos with flickr. Last but
certainly not least you will discover the world of Python scripting for SL4A and the power
contained within the full range of Python modules that can combine with the Android SDK. You'll
learn to write small location-aware apps to get you started but by the end of this book
you'll find yourself writing fully GUI-fied applications running on the Android desktop! Pro
Android Python with SL4A is rounded out with a chapter on distributing and packaging scripts a
skill that you'll find very useful as you reach out to a wideraudience with your programs.
