book

Learning Java by Building Android Games - Second Edition

by John Horton

August 2018

Beginner to intermediate

774 pages

16h 19m

English

Packt Publishing

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About the author
About the book

Download the example code filesDownload the color imagesConventions used
Reviews
What's new in the second edition?
Java: The first stumbling block
Sub' HunterPongBullet HellSnake CloneScrolling ShooterOpen-World Platformer
Final step
Extra step 1Extra step 2
The Project panelThe Editor window
Running the game on an Android emulatorRunning the game on a real device
Planning the Sub' Hunter gameActions flowchart/diagramCode commentsMapping out our code using comments
Overriding methods
Classes and ObjectsThe important thing about OOP, Classes, and ObjectsClasses, objects, and instancesFinal word on OOP, Classes, and Objects – for now
Adding classes by importing packages
Handling syntax and jargon
Different types of variablesPrimitive typesReference variablesString referencesArray referencesObject/class references
Declaring variablesInitializing variables
Most used operators in this bookCastingConcatenation
Planning the variablesDeclaring the variablesHandling different screen sizes and resolutionsHandling different screen resolutions part 1: Initialising the variables
Printing Debugging Information
MethodsMethods revisited and explained furtherThe method signatureModifierReturn typeA closer look at method namesParametersDoing things in the method bodyMethod Overloading by ExampleCreating a new projectCoding the method overloading mini-appRunning the method overloading mini-appHow it works
Revisiting the code and methods we have used already
The Random class and the nextInt methodAdding Random based code to newGame
Understanding the Canvas classGetting started drawing with Bitmap, Canvas, and ImageViewCanvas and BitmapPaintImageView and ActivityCanvas, Bitmap, Paint and ImageView quick summary
Preparing the objects of classesInitializing the objectsSetting the Activity content
Creating a new projectCoding the Canvas demo appExploring the Bitmap initializationDrawing on the screenExplaining Color.argb
Plotting and drawing
Preparing to drawInitializing a Canvas, Paint, ImageView, and BitmapDrawing some grid linesDrawing the HUDUpgrading the printDebuggingText method
Decisions, decisions
While loopsBreaking out of a loopDo while loopsFor loopsNested loops
If they come over the bridge shoot themElse do this insteadSwitching to make decisionsSwitch example
Continue...
Coding the onTouchEvent method
Coding the takeShot methodExplaining the takeShot methodCoding the boom methodDrawing the shot on the grid
Basic Object-Oriented ProgrammingHumans learn by doingIntroducing OOPEncapsulationInheritancePolymorphismWhy we do it like this?Class recap
Class implementationDeclaring, initializing and using an object of the class
Creating your first classMore things we can do with our first class
Controlling class use with access modifiersClass access in a nutshellControlling variable use with access modifiersVariable access summaryMethods have access modifiers tooMethod access summaryAccessing private variables with getters and settersSetting up our objects with constructorsUsing "this"Static methods
Abstract classesInterfaces
Planning the Pong gameSetting up the Pong project
Coding the PongActivity class
Adding the member variablesCoding the PongGame constructorCoding the startNewGame methodCoding the draw methodAdding the printDebuggingText methodUnderstanding the draw method and the SurfaceView class
Problems with threadsJava try, catch exception handling
Implementing Runnable and providing the run methodCoding the threadStarting and stopping the threadActivity lifecycleA simplified explanation of the Android lifecycleLifecycle phases: What we need to knowLifecycle phases: What we need to doUsing the Activity lifecycle to start and stop the threadCoding the run method
The Ball ClassCommunicating with the game engineRepresenting rectangles and squares with RectFCoding the variablesCoding the Ball constructorCoding the RectF getter methodCoding the Ball update methodCoding the Ball helper methodsCoding a realistic-ish bounceUsing the Ball class
Coding the Bat variablesCoding the Bat constructorCoding the Bat helper methodsCoding the Bat's update methodUsing the Bat Class
Handling collisionsCollision detection optionsRectangle intersectionRadius overlappingCrossing number algorithmOptimizationsMultiple hitboxesNeighbour checkingBest options for PongThe RectF intersects method
Detecting the current Android version
Initializing SoundPool the new wayJava Method chaining explainedBack to initializing SoundPool (the new way)Initializing SoundPool the old wayLoading sound files into memoryPlaying a soundStopping a sound
Adding the sound variablesInitializing the SoundPool
The bat and the ballThe four walls
Planning the project
Change the AndroidManifest.xml to lock in landscape and full-screenCreating the classes
Coding the BulletHellActivityCoding the BulletHellGame classCoding the member variablesCoding the BulletHellGame constructorCoding the BulletHellGame methodsCoding draw and onTouchEventCoding pause, resume, and printDebuggingTextTesting the Bullet Hell engine
Spawning a bullet
Arrays are objects
Dynamic array example
Multidimensional Array mini appArray out of bounds exceptions
Running the game
The Bob (player's) classAdding the Bob graphic to the projectCoding the Bob classUsing the Bob classAdding Bob to the collision detectionDrawing Bob to the screenAdding the sound effectsActivating Bob's teleportCoding the printDebuggingText methodCoding the spawnBullet method (again)Coding the startGame method
Managing and understanding memoryVariables revisitedThe stack and the heapA quick break to throw out the trashStack and Heap quick summary
Looking ahead to the Snake game
Make full screen and landscapeAdding some empty classesCoding SnakeActivityAdding the sound effects
Coding the membersCoding the constructorCoding the newGame methodCoding the run methodCoding the updateRequired methodCoding the update methodCoding the draw methodCoding onTouchEventCoding pause and resume
Making the snake game Spanish, English and GermanAdding Spanish supportAdding German supportAdd the string resourcesAmending the code
Adding the graphics
The Apple constructor
Running the game
ArrayListsThe enhanced for loop
Rotating BitmapsWhat is a Bitmap exactlyThe Matrix classInverting the head to face leftRotating the head to face up and down
Coding the constructorCoding the reset methodCoding the move methodCoding the detectDeath methodCoding the checkDinner methodCoding the draw methodCoding the switchHeading methodUsing the snake class and finishing the game
Introducing the Scrolling Shooter project
Editing the manifestCode the GameActivity classGetting started on the GameEngine class
Passing GameState from GameEngine to other classesCommunicating from GameState to GameEngine
Interface refresherWhat we will do to implement the interface solution1. Coding the new interface2. Implementing the interface3. Passing a reference to the interface into the class that needs itCoding the GameState classSaving and loading the high score- forever4. Pressing the "special button" - Calling the method of the interfaceFinishing off the GameState classUsing the GameState class
Adding the sound files to the projectCoding the SoundEngine classUsing the SoundEngine class
Coding the prepareControls methodCoding the draw method of the HUD classCoding drawControls and getControls
The Observer patternThe Observer pattern in the Scrolling Shooter project
Coding the Broadcaster interfaceCoding the InputObserver interfaceMaking GameEngine a Broadcaster
Coding the required handleInput methodUsing the UIController
Coding the Particle classCoding the ParticleSystem classAdding a particle system to the game engine and drawing it with the Renderer
Meet the game objectsReminder of how all these objects will behave
Why lots of diverse object types are hard to manageThe first coding nightmareUsing a generic GameObject for better code structureComposition over inheritance
At last some good news
Coding the ObjectSpec parent classCoding all the specific object specificationsAlienChaseSpecAlienDiverSpecAlienLaserSpecAlienPatrolSpecBackgroundSpecPlayerLaserSpecPlayerSpec
GraphicsComponentInputComponentMovementComponentSpawnComponent
StdGraphicsComponentPlayerMovementComponentPlayerSpawnComponentPlayerInputComponent and the PlayerLaserSpawner interfaceLaserMovementComponentLaserSpawnComponentBackgroundGraphicsComponentBackgroundMovementComponentBackgroundSpawnComponent
The player's componentsCompleting the StdGraphicsComponentCompleting the PlayerMovementComponentCompleting the PlayerSpawnComponentCompleting the PlayerInputComponentCompleting the LaserMovementComponentCompleting the LaserSpawnComponentCoding a scrolling backgroundCompleting the BackgroundGraphicsComponentCompleting the BackgroundMovementComponentCompleting the BackgroundSpawnComponentGameObject/Component reality check
Updating GameEngineUpdating PhysicsEngineUpdating Renderer
Adding the alien's componentsAlienChaseMovementComponentCode AlienLaserSpawnerImplement the Interface in GameEngineAlienDiverMovementComponentAlienHorizontalSpawnComponentAlienPatrolMovementComponentAlienVerticalSpawnComponent
Updating GameEngineUpdating LevelUpdating GameObjectFactory
Platform Game: Bob Was in A Hurry
Level design files exampleThe graphicsCameras and the real worldThe slightly modified ObjectSpecNew improved transform hierarchyProject patternsBitmapStoreLevels and LevelManager
Creating the project and adding the assets
GameObjectSpecBackgroundCitySpecBackgroundMountainSpecBackgroundUndergroundSpecBrickTileSpecCartTileSpecCoalTileSpecCollectibleObjectSpecConcreteTileSpecDeadTreeTileSpecFireTileSpecGrassTileSpecLamppostTileSpecMoveablePlatformSpecObjectiveTileSpecPlayerSpecScorchedTileSpecSnowTileSpecSnowyTreeTileSpecStalactiteTileSpecStalagmiteTileSpecStonePileTileSpecSummary of component classes
GraphicsComponentUpdateComponent
EngineControllerGameEngineBroadcasterInputObserver
The Singleton patternThe Singleton code
Coding the BitmapStore class
DecorativeBlockUpdateComponentInanmiateBlockGraphicsComponentInanimateBlockUpdateComponent
LevelLevelCityLevelMountainsLevelUnderground
Testing the formulas with hypothetical coordinates
Animating sprite-sheets
PlayerTransformAnimatedGraphicsComponentPlayerInputComponentPlayerUpdateComponent
Coding the BackgroundTransformCoding the BackgroundGraphicsComponentCoding the BackgroundUpdateComponent
Coding the moving platform component classMoveableBlockUpdateComponent
Explaining part 1
Explaining part 2
Publishing

Overview

Embark on a journey to create six exciting Android games while learning Java programming from scratch. This book guides you through concepts ranging from Java basics to advanced object-oriented programming and game development techniques. By the end, you'll have built impressive games like Snake and a 2D platformer while gaining a solid understanding of Java and Android development.

What this Book will help me do

Understand and apply core Java programming concepts, including loops, variables, and methods, to create interactive features.
Develop hands-on skills in building Android games using Android Studio and the Android API.
Gain insight into game design and concepts such as sprites, collision mechanics, and simple AI.
Explore advanced programming patterns like Singleton and Entity-Component for professional-grade games.
Conclude by designing and building robust games that provide practical learning experiences for graduates.

Author(s)

John Horton is an experienced software developer and educator who specializes in game development and mobile application programming. He has authored numerous books on Android and Java programming, making complex programming concepts accessible through practical, project-oriented approaches. John's engaging teaching style has helped countless learners build their skills and confidence in game development.

Who is it for?

This book is for beginner programmers who have little to no experience with Java or Android and want an engaging way to learn while building games. It is also suitable for intermediate developers who want to explore game development concepts using Java and Android. If you're looking to challenge yourself by creating games as you learn, this book is right for you. Java enthusiasts and budding game developers will find it invaluable.

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Learning Java by Building Android Games - Third Edition

Publisher Resources

ISBN: 9781788839150Supplemental Content

Learning Java by Building Android Games - Second Edition

by John Horton

Overview

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
and much more.

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