A guide to Android SQLite( part 1: what it is) - x-droov

There are two things that make Android development great; Android SQLite and Android file system management. Without Android SQLite you are not a complete Android developer because almost all great user interfacing apps use databases to store information.

You'll find out that when you're studying Android development for a job, you need to learn how things really are.

SQLite has very many up ticks that make it a viable option. You should also know that it's used by Androids greatest foe, Apple Inc. When you get tired of Android development, you can easily switch to IOS and not feel out of place.

A guide to Android SQLite:  contents( course outline)

Part 1: A guide to Android SQLite( part 1: what it is)

The introduction to SQLite and the database working space. A detailed guide of what you can do with it and a wrap-up of what to look out for in an Android SQLite tutorial.

Part 2: A guide to Android SQLite ( part 2: Creating the database)

This is the first thing to learn as you embark on data management. Many will tell you that if you can create a database, you can read an existing database.

That's wrong. In this series, you'll learn both. Or you can navigate to what you want to learn.

Part 3: A guide to Android SQLite ( part 3: Reading and writing into a database)

Now that you can create a database, this article will teach you how to read records from a database and how to write into it.

Part 4: A guide to Android SQLite ( part 4: Displaying content from the database)

Once you have read data, you have to display it. Here you'll learn about using adapters, using other views and creating your own adapters manually.

Part 5: A guide to Android SQLite ( part 5: Reading an existing database)

This is the fun part. We'll drain-out what almost no Android development book will teach you, reading existing SQLite.

I spent long learning this and finally got to what I was looking for. In this part, I will let you know all I learnt and how you can apply it.

Part 6: A guide to Android SQLite ( part 6: how cursors work)

Worried of managing data that you have queried from your database, read this carefully and I will teach you something.

This is the master guide to cursors, cursor loaders and all you need to process your results.

Part 7: A guide to Android SQLite ( part 7: Living with SQLite on your own)

Don't get worried. This is your seal. I'll run you through how to organize SQLite code like a pro and tip you on how you can further deepen your knowledge on SQLite.

Part 8: A guide to Android SQLite ( part 8: SQL - the basics)

The SQL you need to survive. This is the basic guide, but will let you get what you want and leave what you want in a database.

Android SQLite structure

1. The database

The database is on top of the ladder. It is the main division of a content management system (CMS). It doesn't have a parent, but has one child, the table.

2. The table

The table is the main part of the database. Different data groups are stored in different tables for example relatives, cows, dogs, transactions and visitors tables.

3. The column and row

These two siblings are children of the table. The column stores one data type  for a list of different objects.

The row on the other side, stores a bunch of column data. That means that a row stores different data types. It is the object for example; Joshua in the visitors table will store data from name, age, time of visit and time of exit columns.

4. SQL

This is the virtual part of the database. It's the communication strategy employed to be able to command a database to release data according to your need. You need to learn basic SQL to easily learn database programming.

What SQLite can do

1. Organize data

Instead of storing your data in text files, SQLite gives you a great chance to organize your data in easy-to-use tables. 

2. Retrieve and insert data quickly

SQLite works with very large chunks of data. If you are to employ loops or recursions to look for the same data, It would take a bit longer to get what you want and you'd spend more time creating something that even copies SQLite behavior.

3. Store user data easily

You may need to store user data each time a user visits your app. The easiest way to do that is by using SQLite.

4. Make your app very dynamic

Android has gone to the end of trying to make their apps dynamic using separate files for resources and calling those resources when needed. Even when that can work, a database can make it an extra mile better.

5. Store data in a light weight format

To store data in a 4 mb database as hard values in your resources directory is very heavy so, your app will end up being heavy yet you could make it lighter.

This is why some guys store id integer values in a separate Android interface to make access easy.

Where to learn Android SQLite

I know that I may not provide all you need in my course because I can't guess what everyone is looking for, but I can guide you on how to get a liable source to work with.

The main area to learn problem specific SQLite development is stack overflow. Here, you'll find so many questions and answers. It can be very helpful if you get stuck in your project.

Next to overflow are ebooks, mostly pdfs. These are provided freely online and you can also join a programming group on Facebook or Twitter and search for past posts that give links to where you can get pdfs.

Social media is the only area where you can premium tech pdfs for free. Use it well.

The last option is YouTube. I hate YouTube and I always make it the last because you have to watch the video till you get what you want. You also know that YouTubers have got used to putting important tips randomly in their videos making learning difficult.

The best way of learning from YouTube is using the video description. Here the guy will put links to what he is going to talk about in the video so, if you can get them there then you shouldn't watch the  whole video.

That's the intro. Keep watch for the next part:

Part 2: A guide to Android SQLite ( part 2:Creating the database)

Stay safe and be smart. Comment any questions and let me know what you are planning to use Sqlite for. Thanks for reading to the end.

AUTHOR

Emmy Jayson