What is Client-Side Handheld Programming

Mobile application stores (or app stores) sell or provide mobile applications/services for handheld devices such as smartphones or tablet computers. A wide variety of mobile applications is available on the app stores. Popular applications include location-based services, mobile games, mobile offices, and music. The highly popular apps create great opportunities for IT companies and workers. However, traditional desktop programmers have problems switching to handheld programming because it requires a different approach from desktop programming. Unlike desktop application development, there are no widely accepted tools or software for mobile app development. At the same time, mobile app development is complicated and platform-specific compared to desktop application development. This chapter introduces mobile app development using Android. Mobile developers can get a sense of mobile app development by reading this chapter and apply it to other platforms or further explore the Android app development.