BCA Mobile Application Development Comprehensive Syllabus and Study Guide

Program Name: Bachelor of Computer Applications (GEN)
Subject Code: TBC601 / TBD603
Course Title: Introduction to Mobile Application Development
Total Contact Hours: $45$ * Lecture (L): $2$ * Tutorial (T): N/A * Practical (P): $2$
Examination Duration: * Theory: $3\,\text{hours}$ * Practical: $3\,\text{hours}$
Relative Weightage Components: * CWE * MTE * ETE
Credits: $3$
Semester: $6$
Pre-requisites: Knowledge of XHTML, CSS, Java, and Database Management Systems (DBMS).
Subject Area: Web and Mobile Technologies

Primary Objective: To impart the necessary skills and knowledge to create a strong foundation in Android application development using the Android Studio integrated development environment (IDE).
Course Outcomes (CO): Upon successful completion of the course requirements, a student will be able to: * CO 1: Describe different types of platforms, associated costs, common myths, and the benefits of mobile application development. [Level $2$ ] * CO 2: Explain the specific features, benefits, and the underlying architecture of the Android operating system. [Level $2$ ] * CO 3: Describe Android Activities, the Activity Life Cycle, and Intents; demonstrate their practical application in developing mobile software. [Level $3$ ] * CO 4: Differentiate between various types of Layouts and select the appropriate layout for specific mobile application development needs. [Level $4$ ] * CO 5: Develop a basic Android project and explain the directory structure and the specific files utilized within an Android Application. [Level $5$ ] * CO 6: Design and develop functional, simple Android applications using an interactive Graphical User Interface (GUI). [Level $5$ ]

Contact Hours: $7$
Introduction to Mobile Application Development: * Comprehensive introduction to Mobile applications. * Analysis of Mobile application development platforms. * Analysis of the Cost of Mobile App Development. * Debunking Myths of Mobile App Development. * Examination of the Benefits of Mobile Apps for Business.
Mobile User Interface (UI) Design: * Strategies for the effective use of screen real estate. * Understanding the psychology and behavior of Mobile Application users. * Ensuring Accessibility for differently-abled users. * Understanding Mobile information design principles.

Contact Hours: $8$
Introduction to Android: * The Android Operating System overview. * History and Evolution of Android. * Chronology of Android Versions. * Key Features of Android. * Detailed Overview of Android Architecture. * Overview of the four main Android App Components: * Activity * Service * Broadcast Receiver * Content Provider
Configuring the Android Development Environment: * Procedures for downloading and installing the Java Development Kit (JDK) and Android Studio. * Creating the First Android App: Steps for creating a new Android Project. * Creating and configuring an Android Virtual Device (AVD). * Working with the Android Emulator.

Contact Hours: $10$
Directory Structure: * Comprehensive overview of the directory structure within Android Applications. * Roles and functions of essential files: * AndroidManifest.xml (The manifest file for application metadata). * MainActivity.java (The primary Java class for the initial activity). * activity_main.xml (The layout definition file). * strings.xml (The resource file for string constants). * values.xml (The resource file for various values).
Overview of Activities and Intents: * Activity: Detailed study of Activity States and the complete Lifecycle. * Intents: Overview of Intents and their role in linking activities within an application. * Toast: Utilization of Toast for displaying transient user messages.

Contact Hours: $10$
Layouts: Comprehensive study of container types and positioning, including: * Linear Layout * Relative Layout * Absolute Layout * Table Layout * Frame Layout * Scroll view
Views: Standard interactive and display elements, including: * Basic Views: Text View and Edit Text. * Selection Components: Radio Button, Radio Group, and Check Box. * Action Components: Button and Image Button. * Media Components: Image View.

Contact Hours: $10$
Event Handling: * Understanding Events. * The role and implementation of the Event Handler. * Mechanisms for Event Handling and Listeners. * Displaying messages and error alerts using Toast notifications.
Overview of Storage of Data: * Shared Preferences (For storing primitive data in key-value pairs). * Internal Storage Files. * External Storage Files. * SQLite Database (For structured local data storage).

Textbooks: * 1. McWherter, J., & Gowell, S. ( $2012$ ). Professional Mobile Application Development. Wrox Publication. $1^{st}$ Edition. * 2. Lee, W-M. ( $2017$ ). Beginning Android 4 Application Development. Wiley.
Reference Books: * 1. Kothari, P. ( $2015$ ). Android Application Development Black Book. Dreamtech Press. * 2. Meier, R. ( $2012$ ). Professional Android 4 Application Development. Wiley. * 3. Griffiths, D., & Griffiths, D. ( $2017$ ). Head First Android Development. O’Reilly.