CODEWITHSUNDEEP
androidbuild
lisa
lisa

Reputation: 660

Android Source: What is building exactly and is it necessary to test small changes?

For a project, I am changing certain ContentProvider-files in the Application Framework Layer of the Android System. As I am trying different things, I was wondering if it is necessary to build the Android Source for every change I make, or if there is a way to somehow emulate the system without the build?
I am not entirely sure what "building" means, as I cannot find a proper definition including Android as a context. I assume it is some kind of compiling?
Converting the source code into an executable program? In that case I do not think there is another way, is there?
But do I understand building correct in the first place? In that case, I would believe there is no other way than building the system every time and then see how it works out.
So I might have the solution right here, but I was hoping someone could assure me that it is right or maybe tell me why it is not?!
Any help is very much appreciated!

Upvotes: 0

Views: 48

Answers (1)

Yash Sampat
Yash Sampat

Reputation: 30601

Building in this context means that all Android source files are re-compiled by the java compiler and a massive .jar file is produced. This is the Android.jar file that we see in the library dependencies of an Android application project.

Unfortunately, the short answer is that there is no way out for you except to re-compile the entire blob of the Android framework files each time you make a change. What I can advise you is to plan all your changes beforehand so you don't end up wasting a lot of time.

Upvotes: 1

Related Questions