I'm including some simple tutorials for anyone to get started, as well as links to some of my favorite sites.
Also, please look at the official Java tutorials on Oracle's website. I find them very complete albeit very verbose. My tutorials are more akin to a Quick Start than the detail they provide.
This tutorial will go through the steps of setting up your environment in order for you to start programming in Java.
This involves installing a JDK and an editor.
The JDK is the Java SDK. The JDK provides the compiler and other tools, and the runtime environment to run your Java program.
The editor is a personal choice. You can use any text editor, or use an IDE such as Netbeans, Eclipse, Idea, or others. The IDE's provide many features, and definitely recommended for the new user.
This is a collection of tutorials on how to build a Java application or components for an app.
In this tutorial, we'll go over creating a Java project and building the popular Hello application.
This is a collection of tutorials on how to build a Java web application and web services.
In this tutorial, we'll setup a simple web application.
Most of this information is available on Google's website at http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html, but I've compiled it into one big easy-to-follow page.
Step 1 - Download and install the latest JDK.
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html
As for Sept 2011, I haven't tried Java 7 yet, so you might want to stay with 6. Make sure you download the JDK.
Step 2 - Download and install the latest version of Eclipse
Eclipse seems to be the IDE of choice for Android development.
You can download the Eclipse IDE here at http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/packages/eclipse-ide-java-developers/indigosr1.
Step 3 - Downloading and install the Android SDK.
Download the appropriate installer or zip at http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html, then run or extract as appropriate. Remember the SDK folder as we'll need to know this later.
Step 4 - Download and install the ADT plugin for Eclipse
The ADT ( Android Development Tools ) plugin adds several tools to Eclipse to allow you to build and publish your applications. Technically, this plugin is optional, but I'd highly recommend installing it.
In Eclipse,
Click on Help -> Install New Software.
Click on the Add button in the top-right corner
Choose a name (ie, ADT Plugin) and use the URL https://dl-ssl.google.com/android/eclipse/ for the Location.
Press OK
Wait for a few seconds for the text Developer Tools to appear, tick the checkbox beside it, and hit Next.
Click Next on the following page.
Agree to the terms, then click Finish.
Wait for the install to finish, then restart Eclipse. You may need to press OK for a security warning.
Now, click on Window -> Preferences...
Select the new Android option on the left side.
Specify the SDK location from Step 3.
Click OK.
Step 5 - Download the applicable platforms (assuming using the ADT Plugin).
In Eclipse,
Click on Window -> Android SDK and AVD Manager
Cllick on Available packages
Drill down the Android Repository and choose the versions that you wish to code for.
Similarly, choose any 3rd party packages that you wish to use.
Click on Install Selected.
Accept the licenses and press OK.
Step 6 - Enjoy