How to export library to Jar in Android Studio?

Solution 1:

It is not possible to export an Android library as a jar file. It is possible, however, to export it as aar file. Aar files being the new binary format for Android libraries. There's info about them in Google I/O, the New Build System video.

First, build the library in Android Studio or from command line issuing gradle build from your library's root directory.

This will result in <yourlibroot>/libs/build/yourlib.aar file.

This aar file is a binary representation of your library and can be added to your project instead of the library as a dependency project.

To add aar file as a dependency you have to publish it to the maven central or to your local maven repository, and then refer the aar file in your project's gradle.build file.

However, this step is a bit convoluted. I've found a good explanation how to do so here:

http://www.flexlabs.org/2013/06/using-local-aar-android-library-packages-in-gradle-builds

Solution 2:

I was able to build a library source code to compiled .jar file, using approach from this solution: https://stackoverflow.com/a/19037807/1002054

Here is the breakdown of what I did:

1. Checkout library repository

In may case it was a Volley library

2. Import library in Android Studio.

I used Android Studio 0.3.7. I've encountered some issues during that step, namely I had to copy gradle folder from new android project before I was able to import Volley library source code, this may vary depending on source code you use.

3. Modify your build.gradle file

// If your module is a library project, this is needed
//to properly recognize 'android-library' plugin
buildscript {
    repositories {
        mavenCentral()
    }
    dependencies {
        classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:0.6.3'
    }
}

apply plugin: 'android-library'

android {
    compileSdkVersion 17
    buildToolsVersion = 17

    sourceSets {
        main  {
            // Here is the path to your source code
            java {
                srcDir 'src'
            }
        }
    }
}

// This is the actual solution, as in https://stackoverflow.com/a/19037807/1002054
task clearJar(type: Delete) {
    delete 'build/libs/myCompiledLibrary.jar'
}

task makeJar(type: Copy) {
    from('build/bundles/release/')
    into('build/libs/')
    include('classes.jar')
    rename ('classes.jar', 'myCompiledLibrary.jar')
}

makeJar.dependsOn(clearJar, build)

4. Run gradlew makeJar command from your project root.

I my case I had to copy gradlew.bat and gradle files from new android project into my library project root. You should find your compiled library file myCompiledLibrary.jar in build\libs directory.

I hope someone finds this useful.

Edit:

Caveat

Althought this works, you will encounter duplicate library exception while compiling a project with multiple modules, where more than one module (including application module) depends on the same jar file (eg. modules have own library directory, that is referenced in build.gradle of given module).

In case where you need to use single library in more then one module, I would recommend using this approach: Android gradle build and the support library

Solution 3:

Since Android Studio V1.0 the jar file is available inside the following project link:

debug ver: "your_app"\build\intermediates\bundles\debug\classes.jar

release ver: "your_app"\build\intermediates\bundles\release\classes.jar

The JAR file is created on the build procedure, In Android Studio GUI it's from Build->Make Project and from CMD line it's "gradlew build".

Solution 4:

Include the following into build.gradle:

android.libraryVariants.all { variant ->
    task("generate${variant.name}Javadoc", type: Javadoc) {
        description "Generates Javadoc for $variant.name."
        source = variant.javaCompile.source
        ext.androidJar = "${android.plugin.sdkDirectory}/platforms/${android.compileSdkVersion}/android.jar"
        classpath = files(variant.javaCompile.classpath.files) + files(ext.androidJar)
    }

    task("javadoc${variant.name}", type: Jar) {
        classifier = "javadoc"
        description "Bundles Javadoc into a JAR file for $variant.name."
        from tasks["generate${variant.name}Javadoc"]

    }

    task("jar${variant.name}", type: Jar) {
        description "Bundles compiled .class files into a JAR file for $variant.name."
        dependsOn variant.javaCompile
        from variant.javaCompile.destinationDir
        exclude '**/R.class', '**/R$*.class', '**/R.html', '**/R.*.html'
    }
}

You can then execute gradle with: ./gradlew clean javadocRelease jarRelease which will build you your Jar and also a javadoc jar into the build/libs/ folder.

EDIT: With android gradle tools 1.10.+ getting the android SDK dir is different than before. You have to change the following (thanks Vishal!):

android.sdkDirectory 

instead of

android.plugin.sdkDirectory