compile and run Android apps from the console

Question

I installed eclipse and all the sdk/jre etc... I can make Android Apps now and it's working, but often my eclipse crash.

I would like to know if it's possible to:

• compile
• build
• run

from the command line?

I use VIM to edit the files

Solution

I had the same problem until I found a memory error. If you can't upgrade your memory here's what you can do:

1. Install dependencies:

   sudo apt-get install git-core gnupg flex bison gperf libsdl-dev libesd0-dev libwxgtk2.6-dev build-essential zip curl libncurses5-dev zlib1g-dev openjdk-6-jdk ant gcc-multilib g++-multilib
   sudo apt-get install ia32-libs ## if applicable
   sudo apt-get install ant1.7 ant-optional
   

2. Export paths:

   Open .bashrc file using an editor. If you use VI then vi ~/.bashrc and add the following 2 lines in your .bashrc file.

   JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/jdk1.7.0_04/
   export JAVA_HOME
   

   Also, you can add these to compile from anywhere:

   open: .profile

   export PATH=$PATH:~/development/android-sdk-linux/tools
   export PATH=$PATH:~/development/android-sdk-linux/platform-tools
   
   if [ -d "$JAVA_HOME/bin" ] ; then
     PATH="$HOME/bin:$PATH"
   fi
   

3. Configure the android simulator:

   android avd
   

   And you can setup your simulator there

4. Build:

   ant debug
   

   or

   ant clean debug
   

   You might need to run:

   android update project --target <your build target> --path <path to LunarLander example>
   

   if you get:

   Buildfile: build.xml does not exist!
   Build failed
   

5. Install the app:

   adb install ./bin/app-debug.apk
   

Sources:

• Updating A Project
• Running On Emulator
• http://developer.android.com/tools/building/building-cmdline.html

Comments

[Pat R Ellery]

I tried android studio but it was very slow and crashed too.

[Jason Conti]

It is possible, they tell you how in the android getting started tutorial: developer.android.com/training/basics/firstapp/… Just jump down to 'Create a Project with Command Line Tools'

[Pat R Ellery]

omg it works, thank you very much ... super fast to build as well +1.