Do you hand code layout XML file or use WYSIWYG tool to generate it

Question

Back in the day before NetBeans GUI builder (Matisse) is mature enough, I need to perform hand coding, in order to generate a Swing GUI form/ dialog layout.

Now, I no longer need to perform any hand coding for Swing GUI, as Netbeans is able to generate correct Swing GUI code. - A happy NetBeans user :)

Now, for Android App development, I was wondering, whether most of you are perform hand coding, or using some sort of WYSIWYG tool to generate the layout XML file?

Till now, I had tried Eclipse + SDK, DroidDraw. However, I was quite disappointing with those tools, as non of them able to generate my desired outcome.

Answer 1

I definitely hand-code it. When I last tried the Eclipse editor, it was so terrible I wouldn't even use it for minor adjustments, as it'd mess up everything I'd previously written.

Answer 2

Hand code all the way. I think its more comfortable for pure dev types like me who would rather become more familiar with the nuts and bolts rather than spend time learning an abstracted tool to do the same. That said, if a mature, effective Android layout tool shows up, I'll definitely be giving it a shot.

The place where I start disliking WYSIWYG layout editors is usually when you get into fluid layouts, which is critical to Android development. I know Apple likes using the word "fragmentation" to disparage Android's proliferation across devices. Its not a bad thing in its nature, but it does create unique problems in designing apps that will provide a uniform experience. I have yet to see a WYSIWYG editor that addresses this well.