The key parts of the question as I see them: user is new to Ubuntu/Linux, user wants a recommendation based off of best practices and basic user experience.
@luis-de-sousa was correct in pointing out the Ubuntu directory structure, but I used this reference from Official Sources.
If you want android-studio to be available to all users (based on the above) you should be unpacking the tar/tgz/zip to /opt
rather than the /usr/local
or /usr/bin
(with the latter being preferred for specific-user installations). Setup properly, we shouldn't need to change user group permissions or any other high-level administration.
- Unpack the downloaded tar/tgz/zip file where it lays
- Using a Terminal window, navigate to that folder location (probably
cd ~/Downloads
), invoke sudo -i
(You will need administrator/su permissions for the next few steps)
mv android-studio /opt
moves the files you unpacked (requires permissions)
gedit android-studio.desktop
this opens a text editor so that we may create a shortcut icon to open your new program. Insert the following code, then save the .desktop file.
[Desktop Entry]
Name=Android Studio
Comment=Integerated Development Environment for Android
Exec=/opt/android-studio/bin/studio.sh
Icon=/opt/android-studio/bin/studio.png
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=Development;IDE
To finish up, desktop-file-install android-studio.desktop
We are done with the terminal window, you can close it or exit
That .desktop file now allows you to search for and find android-studio within Ubuntu's Unity interface (or whatever DE menu/dash you are using). In other words, click that icon in the upper-left to search for android-studio You may also right-click on the icon while it is running and "lock it to the launcher."
You can also create menu options to appear for your application launcher, see the Ubuntu Documentation on Unity Launchers.
Besides the in-text citations, I also referenced the following pages extensively:
http://naveensnayak.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/ubuntu-13-04-adding-launchers-to-unity-panel/
How to install Eclipse?
http://developer.android.com/sdk/installing/studio.html#Installing