Facebook Lite Clone – Part 1: Project Setup, App Naming, and Package Structure (Java + XML)

Welcome to Part 1 of this exciting tutorial series where we build a complete Facebook Lite Clone App using Java and XML. Whether you're using AIDE on your phone or Android Studio on your PC, this series will guide you step-by-step to build a fully functional social media app.

💻 Which IDE Should You Use?

If you're on a mobile phone:

AIDE (Android IDE) – Download from Play Store. Great for coding directly on Android.

If you're on a PC or laptop:

Android Studio – The full-featured official IDE by Google. Ideal for serious app development.

✅ Both options are fully supported in this tutorial. The code and explanations work on both!

⚙️ Step 1: Project Setup

A. In Android Studio

Open Android Studio and click "New Project".
Select Empty Activity as your template.
App Name: Facebook Lite Clone
Package Name: com.codevertex.facebookliteclone
Language: Java
Minimum SDK: API 21 – Android 5.0 (Lollipop)

B. In AIDE

Open AIDE and tap "Create New Project".
Select "Android App (Java/XML)".
App Name: Facebook Lite Clone
Package Name: com.codevertex.facebookliteclone
Template: Empty Activity

📁 Understanding the Project Structure

When the project is created, you’ll see a few default files. Here’s what they do:

File	Purpose
`AndroidManifest.xml`	Defines app structure: package, permissions, and activities.
`MainActivity.java`	Starting point for app logic written in Java.
`activity_main.xml`	Controls the layout/design of the home screen.

🔎 What is a Package Name?

A package name is a unique identifier for your app. It’s also used to upload to the Play Store.

Example: com.codevertex.facebookliteclone

com – Represents "commercial domain"
codevertex – Your brand or developer name
facebookliteclone – The app's identity

🆚 Java vs. Kotlin — Why Java?

We're using Java for this project because:

It’s easy to learn and beginner-friendly
Still widely used in many companies
Most tutorials and documentation are based on Java

🎬 Visual Demo – Watch the Tutorial

🚀 What’s Next?

In Part 2, we’ll begin designing the user interface using activity_main.xml. We’ll add text views, buttons, and images to start shaping our Facebook Lite UI.

Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel @codeverix for updates!

💬 Have Questions?

Leave a comment below or message me directly on YouTube. I'm here to help!

Keep coding, keep learning. ✓✓✓✓✓