What Version of JDK Fully Supports Android Development?

What is the JDK version that fully supports Android development?

When developing Android applications, it is crucial to use a compatible version of the Java Development Kit (JDK). As of now, Android primarily supports JDK versions 8 and some features from later versions, but there are limitations on using Java 11 directly within the Android environment.

// Example of setting the sourceCompatibility and targetCompatibility in build.gradle
android {
    compileOptions {
        sourceCompatibility JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
        targetCompatibility JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
    }
}

Causes

• Android's official support explicitly states it is fully compatible with Java 7 and partially with Java 8.
• Limited support for higher JDK versions, including Java 9, 10, and 11, due to changes in APIs and language features that are not available in the Android Runtime (ART).
• Some features from Java 11 may not be backported or could lead to runtime issues.

Solutions

• For optimal compatibility, use JDK 8 (specifically version 1.8) for Android development. This will avoid many issues related to unsupported features.
• Update your Android Gradle Plugin to the latest version for better support of Java enhancements if you need to use some Java 8 features.
• Consider using Android Studio instead of Eclipse, as it offers better support for Android development and utilizes Gradle for dependency management.

Mistake: Using JDK 11 directly without verifying compatibility with your tools.

Solution: Stick with JDK 8 for Android development unless you know what you're doing and require specific features.

Mistake: Not keeping the Android SDK tools updated.

Solution: Regularly check and update the Android SDK to utilize the latest features and support.

Mistake: Assuming all Java versions are compatible with Android.

Solution: Refer to the official Android documentation for compatibility details before upgrading your JDK.