Sl4a scripting layer for android, originally named ase android scripting environment. Python android scripting layer sl4a tutorial python. These scripts have access to many of the apis available to fullfledged android applications, but with a greatly simplified interface that makes it easy to get things done. If youre just looking to access some native features of your phone, then you can do this with a library called sl4a or python android scripting. An introduction to python on android android authority. So while hunting around for what i might be able to use for developing a bluetooth app, i ran across sl4a scripting language for android, and its corresponding python module. It also can help developers develop android applications. Termux is a linux distribution for android that ships python as well as a local build environment.
The sl4a project makes scripting on android possible, it supports many programming languages including python, perl, lua, beanshell, javascript, jruby and shell. Once py4a is installed, start the app and press install. Pro android python with sl4a is for programmers and hobbyists who want to write apps for android devices without having to learn java first. In most cases, script can get your jobs done as good as the native application. This project provides an api very similar to the one on android, but it is. Sl4a is an open project, which supports script languages including python, lua, etc. Qpython 3l python for android free android app appbrain. Support for building with both python 2 and python 3. The scripting layer for android sl4a is a library that helps write scripts targeting the android platform. These are the intellectual property of apress and are excerpt from the books practical android projects and pro android python with sl4a. While java can be used for android development, it is a good. Sl4a tutorial the scripting layer for android sl4a is a library that helps. For example, beanshell, which is a very high level language that compiles to java, has the ability to sidestep the scripting layer api and access the android java api directly. Nearly all the actual nonpython specific documentation can be found at androidscripting for python specific issues and enhancements only, please use the issues tab.
Android python scripting python tutorial pythonspot. You can create your own python distribution including the modules and dependencies you want, and bundle it in an apk along with your own code. Python android scripting layer sl4a tutorial python central. Feb 28, 2012 java is major language to develop applications on android platform. They can be used to display things like spinners and progress bars, and can be used to prompt the user for some kind of input, like a date or string. This file includes python modules for android development. To run a python script on your physical android device, install sl4a together with python for android on your handset, then transfer your script. Qpython is a script engine that runs python on android devices. After downloading, installing and adding the android 2.
In the terminal commandline shell, navigate to the location where the apk file is stored and type the following on the command line. You can buy practical android projects on amazon or directly. Pro android python with sl4a build android apps with python book is available in pdf formate. This article, the first in the series, shows what you need to do to get everything installed and running. The scripting layer for android by pieter greyling and packaging and distributing by paul ferrill. Getting started with pythons scripting layer for android sl4a. A number of tools are provided with the android sdk. Python scripts can be run on android using the scripting layer for android sl4a in combination with a python interpreter for android. Paul ferrill leads you from installing the scripting layer for android sl4a to writing small scripts, to more complicated and interesting projects, and finally to uploading and packaging your programs to an android device. This matches the python version that sl4a python uses on the phone. Writing android native apps using python, lua, and beanshell kindle edition by ferrill, paul. Apress have also published beginning android tablet programming, by the sl4a projects lead developer, robbie matthews. The scripting layer for android, sl4a, is an open source application that allows programs written in a range of interpreted languages to run on android.
The scripting layer sl4a the scripting layer for android, sl4a, is an open source application that allows programs written in a range of interpreted languages to run on android. It contains the python interpreter, console, editor, and the sl4a library for android. For different usage scenarios, qpython has two branches, namely. First enable installation of programs from unknown sources. It contains some amazing features such as python interpreter, runtime environment, editor, qpyi and sl4a library. The process is not that easy but easier than writing the whole thing in java so the following explains how it was done on my pc running windows vista. Python on android press on a program such as speak. Pro android python with sl4a build android apps with. Writing android native apps using python, lua, and beanshell at.
Qpython is an ondevice script engine and development environment. The sl4a android api can only be run on an actual android device, which can make development cumbersome. This series focuses on python, and python is the most popular and well supported language on sl4a, but the other languages have features which can be really useful. Having completed my first python script using sl4a on my htc desire i decided the next step was to create an apk android package to make it easier to download and run. However, a fork of the library is distributed with qpython. Sl4a brings scripting languages to android by allowing you to edit and.
Sl4a supports a number of scripting languages like perl, python, jruby, php etc. It is made to be used together with sl4a scripting layer for android. Qpython is a script engine which runs python programs on android devices. Api commandline wrappes only by calling termuxs command line wrappers. Android applications using python and sl4a, part 1. Sl4a brings scripting languages to android by allowing you to edit and execute scripts and interactive interpreters directly on the android device. The apress book pro android scripting with sl4a, by paul ferrill, really is an awesome resource for learning to use the scripting layer properly, and uses python as the example language. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Qpython already has millions of users worldwide and it is also an open source project. But, in some cases, programmers want to call python code from java to perform some functions. Sl4a scripting layer for android, originally named ase android scripting environment, is a set of facades which expose a greatlysimplified subset of the android api.
To install sl4a on your physical android device, enable the unknown sources option in your devices application settings. A tutorial series on python development on python using androids scripting layer sl4a. Scripting layer for android is the main android application you need to be able to run your python applications on android, so first you need to install sl4a on either your android emulator or on the real android device in case if you are going to do the development directly on your device. Pro android python with sl4a build android apps with python. While java can be used for android development, it is a good thing when all you need to do is write a simple test case or turn on or off settings on your device. It lets your android device run python scripts and projects. In python you do not have to install big android studio and spent many hours on setting development environment. Pro android python with sl4a writing android native apps. By now, there is no direct method to write programs with python. Its quite an underrated environment for something that can do so much, there is less buzz around it than i expected.
You can now run python scripts on your android device. Different app backends including kivy, pysdl2, and a webview with python webserver. Remotecontrol controls the android phoneemulator while running python scripts on your computer. Calling python from java for android using cle and sl4a.
200 1162 896 158 1455 1421 737 1614 333 418 1155 84 1399 1538 74 586 1108 894 980 471 1393 752 296 1280 115 1080 172 135 1004 282 733 1425 1223 1185 866 890