Appendix B. Publishing applications
This chapter covers
- Preparing an application for distribution
- Digitally signing an application
- Publishing applications to the Android Market and beyond
Writing and debugging applications can be both exhausting and satisfying, but the day will come when it’s time to move past development and graduate to publishing your Android application for others to use. This appendix presents best practices for preparing an application for publication and then walks step by step through the process of digitally signing an application and uploading it to the Android Market.
In the most basic sense, publishing an application involves digitally signing it and uploading it to the Android Market or other venues for distribution. But for you to properly prepare an Android application, a few steps precede the distribution stage. If you observe these guidelines carefully, the odds of your customers having a positive experience with your application increase significantly. Ignore these best practices and you run the risk of tarnishing your reputation as a mobile developer.
Preparing an Android application for distribution is a somewhat straightforward and methodical task, though one that requires considerable attention to detail. This section presents a list of things to consider prior to releasing your application. It’s not meant to be an exhaustive list but rather a framework for cleaning up your application.