Which Android API to use?

Question

I'm planning on developing Android Apps. I downloaded the SDK and AVD manager, and about to download the SDK platforms.

My question is, I want to develop apps for 2.x platform. Do I need to download API 7-10? Which one to target?

Also, if you have tips regarding this, please mention them. Thank you.

Answer 1

It is not necessary to download all the platforms, just download the latest SDK and make your application compatible with other SDK.

For that you just need to define android:minSDKVersion and android:maxSDKVersion, android:targetSDKVersion.

   <uses-sdk android:maxSdkVersion="12"
              android:minSdkVersion="8">
    </uses-sdk>

Here is a detailed article on "Compatibility" in "Best Practices" section at Android Developer site.

Answer 2

In short

For 2.1 you have to download API level 7

For 2.2 you have to download API level 8

For 2.3 you have following choices to download API levels

2.3 - 2.3.2 -- API level 9

2.3.3 - 2.3.7 -- API level 10

For seeing API levels and Android OS versions you must see :API Levels

I recommend you to go through Platform Versions atleast once before you start building any android application.