How to setup a development environment to develop Andorid apps with Phonegap on Eclipse

Mon 25 2012

by bernt & torsten

This is a guide on how to get started developing Android application using Phonegap with Eclipse.

Download Android SDK
Download Eclipse Helios or Eclipse Indigo – Indigo Eclipse Classic or Eclipse IDE for Java Developers is recommended
Download ADT plugin
Configure ADT Plugin to define SDK location and set up an AVD
Install the MDS AppLaud for PhoneGap
Install MDS AppLaud 1.2 Phonegap for Android plug-in

From Eclipse ADT, Select Help -> Install New Software
Click Add to enter a new Repository site
The Name field is optional, “MDS AppLaud 1.2” suggested
In Location, enter the download site: http://svn.codespot.com/a/eclipselabs.org/mobile-web-development-with-phonegap/tags/r1.2/download
Select OK
Select the New Site and Check the box to the left of PhoneGap for Android
Click Finish and Follow the prompts
Set the Android SDK Location (Note: Recent version of ADT will do this automatically)

Window -> Preferences -> Android and set path to your SDK
Note that on Mac it is Eclipse -> Preferences -> Android
Window -> Preferences -> AVD Manager to set up an AVD if you want the simulator
More at http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
Note: The Android SDK Location is workspace specific. If you start using a new workspace, repeat this step to re-set the Android SDK Location.
Download the Eclipse Web Page Editor (if necessary)

If your Eclipse installation doesn’t yet include a web page editor for html files
- Will be necessary if you have a brand new Eclipse Classic or Eclipse for Java
- Install New Software -> Work with: Indigo (or Helios) ->Web, XML Java EE, and OSGi Enterprise Development -> Web Page Editor
Optionally adjust the Eclipse JavaScript Validation rules

Eclipse -> Preferences -> JavaScript -> Validator -> Errors Warnings
- If you select Enable JavaScript semantic validation, adjust the settings below as you like
Alternatively or in addition, see the instructions in the tutorial link below for using JSLint.
Create a PhoneGap for Android project
- The first tutorial in the Two Minute Tutorials series, TMT0 Primer Tutorial, provides details on creating, editing, JSLint-ing and running your Android App
- We are always adding to the List of Two Minute Tutorials

You can now start developing your Android apps!

Tech Disillusionment