How to use and package a JAR file with my Android app? - android

I have an API in the form of a JAR that I would like to use in my Android app. Not sure if it should be part of the project in Eclipse or kept separate and added to the project properties. This JAR also needs to be packaged with the application, so how is that done for Android apps?

As explained by this SO question:
Your Project -> right click -> Import -> Archive File -> yourjar.jar
Your Project -> right click -> Properties -> Java Build Path -> Libraries -> Add Jar -> yourjar.jar
You must add it as "external JAR" files, and set the "Order and Export" in your Eclipse project.
Update February 2012:
Pacerier mentions in the comment having an issue (ClassNotFound) even though he did declare the library.
He had:
However, the solution was simple:
Over 1 hour wasted. Man was I pissed!
Solution: make sure your JAR is compiled with 1.6 and not 1.7.
Argh

Thanks to VonC for pointing me in the right direction. I had the same symptoms but for a different library (I needed to add org.apache.commons.codec.binary.Base64 for an Android project). The solution that worked for me was SLIGHTLY different. Herewith the steps that I followed:
Download library from http://commons.apache.org/codec/download_codec.cgi
Extract commons-codec-1.6.jar from the tarball and copy to a local
folder
In eclipse:
right-click project name
choose "Properties" from context menu
on "Libraries" tab, select "Add External JARs..."
navigate to and select commons-codec-1.6.jar from the location you extracted it to your local drive
The jar file will now appear under "referenced Libraries" in your Package Explorer and you will be able to reference the library in your code.

Related

Problems including library project into build path

I am trying to follow the steps of setting up a v7 support library as they are listed on the android development website.
Create a library project and ensure the required JAR files are included in the project's build path
I get stuck on step 5 where I am supposed to right click the JAR files and choose "Build Path". This option is missing. I have checked other questions related to this such as this one>>> Question
but none of the listed solutions seem to work for me. Either that or I do not see the options that the posters are referring to on the menus. Has anyone had this problem? Where did I go wrong?
I need this for an android project.
If you are doing in eclipse, then you can go to ProjectName -> Right click on it -> Goto Properties -> Goto Java Build Path -> Go to Library -> Choose Add Jars option if jar is in same project or choose Add External JARs if jar is outside the project folder.
If you have already copied the JAR file to libs/ directory of your project then choose the option of Add JARs and browse to the libs folder where you've copied the jar. Select it and press okay. It should get included in your project. Hope this helps else please comment.

How can i add "Add External Jar" to my project in android

I want to add banner to my project. I have done some work in this regard, but i have problem in adding "Add External jar".
[Right click on my Project -> properties -> Java Build Path -> Libraries -> Add External jar].
Now my problem is, as I click "Add External jar" a new widow(browsing) opens and asking for to open jar file, but I have studied "Android Developer documents" for adding banner in project, there was nothing mentioned about the to open jar file. Now what I have to do, to add "Add External jar" and I could continue my project further.
Yours help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank`s in advance.
How can i add “Add External Jar” to my project in android
For, this i always follow below steps -
Just create a libs folder on my project ->And, copy the .jar file to there.
In your workspace select your project and right click -> on Properties, just go to Java Build Path
Click the Add External jars it'll open the window dialog box -> root your workspace -> And, select your project -> go to libs folder -> choose the .jar file -> Click ok.
Hope these steps helps you.
There should be a jar file that you downloaded that contains he libraries you need. You'll need to select that jarfile for the step that you are doing currently.
It is a good idea to keep that file within your project folder as well. Many people like to keep all of their libraries inside of a folder called libs within their project folder.
I'm not sure what "banner" is, but if it's an Android Project it cannot be added as a JAR. Projects that have resources are not able to be fully externally liked libs.
If indeed this is Android Project you will need to import the existing project into your Eclipse workspace here the steps http://developer.android.com/guide/developing/projects/projects-eclipse.html#SettingUpLibraryProject
Create a folder called "libs" in your project.
Go to that folder using Windows Explorer and copy the .jar file there.
Refresh your project in eclipse and right click on the jar file and select "Add to Build Path" option.

How do I attach the Android Support Library source in Eclipse?

Having the source code attached to external libraries is awesome. Where do I find the source code for the v4 support package? Preferably, it would be a zip file which could be easily attached to the android-support-v4.jar in Eclipse.
I just want to add yet another method of attaching sources for the support library. It requires ADT in version 20 or later. Supposedly this method works for all JARs for which setting source/javadoc location is disabled by the container. Here's what you need to do:
The android-support-v4.jar library lies in the libs directory of your project. In that same directory create a regular Java properties file named exactly like the JAR in question, but with appended .properties extension. So, for our support library it'll be: android-support-v4.jar.properties.
Open created properties file and set value of property named src to the location where sources for that library can be found. Your file should have one line like:
src=c:/apps/adt-bundle-windows-64bit/sdk/extras/android/support/v4/src
Save the file.
Close and re-open your android project.
Try browsing to one of the support classes. The source attachment should work now.
Worked perfectly in my case.
One thing to note: if src is not an absolute path, it will be resolved starting in the parent directory of the JAR file. Taking support library as an example - if src=support/src, ADT will assume that the class sources are located in libs/support/src.
Short description of this feature written by its author can be found here.
If anyone is interested in how exactly this .properties file is processed, I recommend reading patch set #4, esp. changes in eclipse/plugins/com.android.ide.eclipse.adt/src/com/android/ide/eclipse/adt/ internal/project/LibraryClasspathContainerInitializer.java :)
Edit
Please also see a fine comment by WindRider about adding sources properly in a project with multiple referenced libraries.
Here the solution to attache the source of the support library in Eclipse Juno
I suppose that your project already has android-support-v4.jar in your "Build Path", under "Android Dependencies", but you cannot attach the sources directory to it. (the "Source attachment" said "Non modifiable"). Solution:
Goto "Configure Build Path"
Add External JARs > YourProject/libs/android-support-v4.jar
(I know your project had already referenced to it but don't worry, just add it again).
Expand jar and attach Source to the External Jar: android-sdk/extras/android/support/v4/src
Switch to the "Order and Export" tab, pull up the external jar above the "Android Dependencies"
Enjoy navigating the support library with source!
if you have an "Android Test Project" attached to YourProject, so YourProjectTest might not compiled anymore. In this case, you have to return to "Order and Export" and pull down the external jar below the "Android Dependencies" to get things back to normal.
After downloading the support package from the Android SDK Manager, you can find the source code of support package in folder <android-sdks>/extras/android/support/v4/src.
Referencing the accepted answer, it is also possible to attach the source straight from the directory without building a .jar file. From the Java build path / libraries tab, expand android-support-v4.jar, highlight "Source attachment", click "Edit...", "External Folder..." then point to (android-sdk)\extras\android\support\v4.
This was tested using eclipse indigo.
From the comments:
The problem of being unable to add source to the support library seems to occur if your support library is located in the "Android Dependencies" folder of your project. The workaround is from the same "Java build path / libraries" tab click "Add External JARs..." and find the .jar file in your (android-sdk)\extras\android\support\v4 path. It will then appear in your project setup under a new "Referenced Libraries" folder.
For those who like the standard to have the jar file of the source code, which makes it more convenient for source control and sharing the project.
For example:
../android-support-v4.jar
../android-support-v4-src.jar
It is simple to create the source jar file and attach it:
cd to path_to_android_sdk/extras/android/compatibility/v4/
Use your favorite zip program such as 7-zip to create a zip file and name it android-support-v4-src.jar. The first folder in the jar should be /scr.
Copy the file to your project, in this example it is in the same folder as the code jar.
In Eclipse attach the source jar in project properties.
I just remove the auto generated one , then manual add it as a Referencde Libraries.
First open a class, the IDE will ask you to Change Attached Source.
The process of attaching the src and doc from build path works for some and it doesn't for some (like me). some key things to keep in mind
Make sure you are in Package Explorer, not Project Navigator.
If you have put your android-support-v4.jar in libs folder under your project. great.
Right click the jar, Build path.. Add to Path. (if Add to Path does not show up then its already added. you will see configure path..)
As the result of step 3, a new folder called Referenced Libraries will appear in package explorer tree. Open that tree, find the android-support-v4.jar there. Right click on this jar in the Referenced Libraries, properties. Then set the Java Source Attachment and Javadoc Location there.
You are done.
The path for my Java Source Attachment.(its external location)
C:/Users/thupten/adt-bundle-windows-x86_64-20130514/sdk/extras/android/support/v4/src
I used the android website doc for java doc location
http://developer.android.com/reference/android/support/v4/app/package-summary.html
I found this for me:
For main lib: android.jar:
src: sdk/sources/android-19
doc: sdk/docs/reference/
For support lib: android-support-v4.jar: (before this we should add android-support-v4.jar like external jar (Project Properties -> Java Build Path -> Libraries, then in Tab ‘Order and Export’ pull up this library before Android Private Libraries)):
src: sdk/extras/android/support/v4/src/java
doc: http://developer.android.com/reference/android/support/v4/app/package-summary.html (not sure)
After you have updated the SDK and downloaded Documentations in it:
Import support library project to package explorer.
Create a folder in the library and name it something like ext-jars.
Move android-support-v4.jar to ext-jars folder.
Right click on the project and click on Properties.
Click on Java Build Path in the left menu then select Libraries tab.
Click on Add JARs... then expand the project and select the jar file you already moved to folder ext-jars.
Expand the added jar and select Source attachment then click on Edit.
Select External location then click on External Folder...
Choose the source folder for the Support v4 which is located in
[sdk-path]/extras/android/support/v4/src
Select Javadoc location click on Edit then select Javadoc URL then click on Browse... and choose the javadoc location for support v4 which is located in [sdk-path]/docs/reference/
- Select Order and Export tab and check the android-support-v4.jar you just added.
I suggest you also clean the project and reopen the Eclipse.

Adding jars to classpath, Eclipse, Android

Currently, I go to properties-> build path-> libraries -> and then add external jars to my classpath, I know this is the correct way to do this, for java at least. However, the issue is I am running it on the Android SDK 2.1. When I run the program, I do not think the android emulator can "find" the .jars in the classpath. Is this possible? If so, which folder do I put the jars before adding them to my classpath?
You can try doing it in eclipse by
Right Click the jar --> Build Path --> Add to build path
1) Go to your Finder / Explorer and select your .jar files
2) Drag your .jar files into Eclipse, (make sure to put them in your desired Project)
3) right click on each jar -> "build path" -> "add to build path"
What is the output of the LogCat?
if you are using native code in your projects you must include the so files in libs->armeabi folder. stuff like box2d, chipmunk, xml2, etc...

How to use Android-Wheel into my project

I have zip file of Android-wheel but dont know how to use it into my project.What possible things can i do, Please suggest me.
You need to unzip the zip file to some directory, and in your android project under build-path choose add external jar, and choose the jar in the unzipped directory.
Update:
I checked Android-Wheel out and you will have to import the project from the google-code svn Android Wheel. In eclipse if you go to create a new project there should be a import from svn option. Once you do and the project is imported you can set it up as a library project and then use it in your app. To do that right click on your project, choose the android tab, and choose add under the libraries section.
I just made this tutorial, hope this helps those who use android wheel for the first time.
http://tolkianaa.blogspot.mx/2012/03/do-not-try-to-reinvent-wheel.html
*Download project with Svn
*Import the project into Eclipse
* Once you import the project in the Eclipse, Right click on the project -> Properties -> Choose android tab and check the IsLibrary option
* Now Right click on your project -> Properties -> Choose android tab -> In the Library section add the imported project.

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