How to Specify the JDK Version in Android Studio for Gradle Builds?

How can I set the appropriate JDK version in Android Studio to resolve Gradle build errors?

Setting the correct JDK version in Android Studio is crucial for ensuring compatibility with your Gradle builds. Gradle relies on the specified JDK to compile your Android projects. The error you encountered indicates that your Gradle build requires JDK 7, but Android Studio is unable to locate it. Here’s how to correctly specify the JDK version in your project settings.

// Example of build.gradle file configuration for Java compatibility
android {
    compileOptions {
        sourceCompatibility JavaVersion.VERSION_1_7
        targetCompatibility JavaVersion.VERSION_1_7
    }
}

Causes

• The installed JDK version is not correctly set in Android Studio settings.
• Android Studio cannot find the JDK installation path due to an incorrect configuration.
• The system might have multiple Java versions, causing confusion in locating JDK 7.

Solutions

• Go to Android Studio and open 'File' > 'Project Structure'. Under the 'SDK Location' tab, specify the path to your JDK 7 installation. For example, if you installed JDK 7 in the default location on Windows, it would typically be found in `C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.7.0_79`.
• If you cannot find JDK 7, you may need to re-install JDK 7 and make note of the installation path during the installation process.
• After specifying the correct JDK, sync your Gradle files by clicking 'Sync Project with Gradle Files' in Android Studio.

Mistake: Not correctly specifying the JDK path in Android Studio settings.

Solution: Ensure you navigate to 'File' > 'Project Structure' and set the right path.

Mistake: Having multiple JDK versions without proper management leads to confusion.

Solution: Explicitly set the desired JDK version and remove unwanted versions if necessary.