Introduction
Android Studio is a powerful Integrated Development Environment (IDE) developed by Google for building Android applications. Based on the IntelliJ IDEA platform, it offers a comprehensive set of tools for developing, debugging, and testing Android apps. This guide will walk you through the process of installing Android Studio on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS.
Prerequisites
Before starting the installation process, ensure you have the following:
- Ubuntu 14.04 LTS: This guide is tailored for Ubuntu 14.04 LTS, but steps should apply to other Ubuntu derivatives.
- Java Development Kit (JDK): Android Studio requires a JDK to run. Both OpenJDK and Oracle JDK are suitable.
- Internet Connection: A stable connection is necessary for downloading packages and tools.
Step 1: Add the Android Studio PPA Repository
To install Android Studio on Ubuntu 14.04, add the Android Studio PPA repository.
Open a Terminal
Open a terminal window by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T or searching for "Terminal" in the Dash.
Add the PPA Repository
Use the following command to add the PPA repository:
bash
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:paolorotolo/android-studio
Update the Package Index
After adding the PPA repository, update the package index:
bash
sudo apt-get update
Step 2: Install Java Development Kit (JDK)
Android Studio requires a JDK to run. This guide uses Oracle JDK.
Add the Oracle JDK PPA Repository
Use the following command to add the Oracle JDK PPA repository:
bash
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/java
Update the Package Index
Update the package index to include the newly added repository:
bash
sudo apt-get update
Install Oracle JDK
Use the following command to install Oracle JDK:
bash
sudo apt-get install oracle-java8-installer
Set Oracle JDK as Default JRE
Set Oracle JDK as the default JRE by running:
bash
sudo apt-get install oracle-java8-set-default
Step 3: Install Android Studio
With the necessary repositories added and the JDK installed, proceed with installing Android Studio.
Install Android Studio
Use the following command to install Android Studio:
bash
sudo apt-get install android-studio
Step 4: Launch Android Studio
After installation, launch Android Studio from the terminal or by searching for it in the Dash.
Launch from Terminal
Navigate to the android-studio/bin directory and run the following command:
bash
./studio.sh
Launch from Dash
You can also launch Android Studio by searching for it in the Dash.
Step 5: Configure Android Studio
Once launched, configure Android Studio for development.
Welcome Screen
The first time you launch Android Studio, a welcome screen appears. Follow the prompts to configure project settings.
SDK Tools
Android Studio will prompt you to download and install necessary SDK tools. Follow the instructions to complete this step.
Android SDK Components
Additional Android SDK components may be needed depending on project requirements.
Step 6: Set Up Your Development Environment
Configure the following to set up your development environment:
Java Path
Ensure the Java path is correctly set in system environment variables.
Android SDK Path
Ensure the Android SDK path is correctly set in system environment variables.
Gradle Path
Ensure the Gradle path is correctly set in system environment variables.
Set these paths by editing your .bashrc file or using built-in settings in Android Studio.
Step 7: Install Additional Libraries (Optional)
Depending on project requirements, additional libraries may be needed.
libgles1-mesa-dev
Install this library using the following command:
bash
sudo apt-get install libgles1-mesa-dev libgles2-mesa-dev libgles1-mesa libgles2-mesa libqt4-opengl glmark2 glmark2-es2 libgles1-mesa-dbg libgles2-mesa-dbg freeglut3 libhugs-opengl-bundled
ia32-libs
For 64-bit systems, install ia32-libs using the following command:
bash
sudo apt-get install ia32-libs
Step 8: Configure the Android Emulator
The Android Emulator is crucial for testing applications.
Download System Images
Download necessary system images from the Android SDK Manager. For example, download system images for Android 4.4.2 (API 19) under ARM, ARM EABI, SDK Platform, and x86.
Configure AVD
Configure the AVD (Android Virtual Device) by selecting the system image and setting up emulator settings.
Use Host GPU
To improve performance, use the host GPU by selecting "Use Host GPU" in the AVD settings.
Troubleshooting
If issues arise during installation, consider these common troubleshooting steps:
Check Java Path
Ensure the Java path is correctly set in system environment variables.
Check Android SDK Path
Ensure the Android SDK path is correctly set in system environment variables.
Check Gradle Path
Ensure the Gradle path is correctly set in system environment variables.
Update Package Index
Update the package index using sudo apt-get update to ensure the latest list of available packages.
Reinstall Packages
If necessary, reinstall packages using sudo apt-get install --reinstall package-name.
By following these steps and troubleshooting tips, you can successfully install and configure Android Studio on Ubuntu 14.04 LTS for developing Android applications.
