Q: You mentioned that when you create an APK file, the Java source code gets compiled into bytecode and added to the APK. Q: Most apps are built using gradle? I thought you said a lot of developers use Android Studio?Ī: Android Studio provides a graphical interface to gradle, and also to other tools for creating layouts, reading logs and debugging. Gradle also uses Groovy as a scripting language, which means you can easily create quite complex builds with gradle. Gradle can compile and deploy code, just like ANT, but it also uses Maven to download any third-party libraries your code needs. Gradle projects can be created and built using a text editor and a command line.Ī: Similar, but gradle is much more powerful than ANT.

Most Android apps are now created using a build tool called gradle. Q: Can I write Android apps without using an IDE?Ī: It’s possible, but it’s more work. All you need is a tool that will let you write and compile Java code, plus a few other specialist tools to convert the compiled code into a form that Android devices can run.Ī: Android Studio is the official Android IDE, but Eclipse is also popular. Do I have to?Ī: Strictly speaking, you don’t have to use Android Studio to build Android apps. Q: You say we’re going to use Android Studio to build the Android apps.

Android studio hello world emulator