C# programmer wants to develop for Android: Java from scratch or Xamarin?

Question

Java

I want to start developing for Android, I know more or less C#. Question: where to start?
Learn Java or start with Xamarin? Gamedev is not interesting, I thought to write a simple to-do list first.

Answer 1

If you want to write only for Android - learn Java, it is very similar to C #, a simple native application can be written within a week of learning.
If you want to write cross-platform applications (Android, iOS, Win8, WP8) you can try Xamarin. If you go this route, I can advise the mvvmcross framework - it integrates with Xamarin and greatly facilitates writing cross-platform application applications using the MVVM approach.

Answer 2

Start with Xamarin, if you don't like it, switch to native.

Answer 3

I personally went the way of Xamarin, even purchased a license for $300. I am learning to develop for IOS, so far I have not regretted anything.
And as far as I know, native assemblies can be added to a Xamarin project.

Answer 4

By topic. IMHO: If you write only for Android - IMHO, I would recommend that you "learn Java" way. It's longer, but "more solid".
IMHO, as an "android writer in Java" - you will be more in demand than "an android writer in Xamarin", etc.
In addition: mastering the language itself - at a level sufficient to write a simple tutorial with manuals - will not be a problem. For android, you need to learn not JavaSE / JavaEE, but AndroidSDK - they intersect with JavaSE only with a certain set of basic libraries.
Those. "if you need to learn the new SDK anyway, why learn the Xamarin SDK when you can learn the AndroidSDK right away"?

Answer 5

If you do not set goals to write commercial applications, then in this case you can use dot42 for free . Of the minuses: only for Android.

Answer 6

And if I'm a beginner C# programmer and the level of knowledge of the language at the intermediate level xamarin is suitable for developing for android