C++ or Java for android?

Question

I am thinking about picking up android development in my free time. I see that development is possible in Java and C++ but the latter is limited.

I am much more comfortable with C++.

So my question is what limitations exist with C++ on Android? Will I be able to develop full apps with it, or will I eventually have to learn Java?

Solution 1

Pick the right tool for the job. The right tool for android is java, and occasionally c++ if it's really needed. Android runs on several different CPUs, and you'd be required to deal with fun stuff like compiling for platforms that you can't really test on - at least if you want to make apps for anyone but yourself.

Solution 2

It's all dependent on what you want to do, but the general rule of thumb:

C++ is for speed (for example games).

Java is for UI and general Android programming.

Solution 3

You cannot code an entire Android application using only C++, the android SDK is written in Java and that is what you will have to use.

This said you can still use C++ for heavy stuff.

Comments

[Leif Andersen]

This is not entirely true. With android 2.3+, and the ndk r5, you can build an entirely native android app. developer.android.com/sdk/ndk/index.html

[Jakub M.]

Maybe a stupid question, but... as both Java and C will be run on the same virtual machine, will C have significant speed boost over Java here?

[mcsilvio]

I thought the C++ code was run directly (not through the JVM).