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Android SDK Command Line Tools allows developers to access multiple Android development functions without using an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The primary reason to use Android SDK Command Line Tools is efficiency. In addition, some developers prefer basic text editors to IDEs for their code. This blog post will cover the reasons why developers should use Android SDK Command Line Tools and guide them through five different methods to use the tools. We will also provide some tips on how to maximize the use of Android SDK Command Line Tools.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Using Android SDK Command Line Tools
Android SDK Command Line Tools allows developers to access multiple Android development functions without using an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). However, using the command line interface can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you’re new to command line interfaces. Writing code in this way requires a deep knowledge of the syntax, as well as familiarity with command line arguments. However, once you get the hang of it, the process of using Android SDK Command Line Tools become routine and efficient.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before we start, you should make sure that you have the following tools installed and ready to go:
- Android SDK Tools
- Java Development Kit (JDK) version 8+
If you haven’t already installed these tools, visit the Android Developer website and download the SDK Tools. Once you have downloaded them, you will need to install the JDK.
Method 1: Using the ‘adb’ Command
The ‘adb’ command helps to communicate with an emulator or connected Android device. ADB stands for ‘Android Debug Bridge’. You can use ADB to install and debug applications, acquire log information and more. Here are some detailed steps on how to use the ‘adb’ command:
- Connect your Android device to your computer with a USB cable
- Open the terminal / command prompt and navigate to the folder that contains the SDK tools
- Type ‘adb devices’ and press enter, this should return a list of connected devices
- Type ‘adb shell’ to open the shell on your Android device
- You can now enter commands into the shell. For example, ‘ls’ to list the files in the current directory
Pros:
- Test apps without opening Android Studio or an emulator
- ADB can speed up the process of developing and debugging
Cons:
- Commands are case-sensitive and can require a lot of typing
- You need to have a connected device to use ‘adb’
Method 2: Using the ‘avdmanager’ Command
The ‘avdmanager’ command helps to create and manage Android Virtual Devices (AVDs). AVDs emulate Android devices and allow developers to test apps before deploying them on a physical device. Here is how you can create an AVD:
- Open the terminal / command prompt and navigate to the folder that contains the SDK tools
- Type ‘sdkmanager –install’ to install the latest version of the SDK tools
- Type ‘avdmanager create avd –name example –package "system-images;android-29;google_apis;x86"
- Wait until the AVD is created successfully
- Type ‘emulator -avd example’ to start the emulator
Pros:
- AVDs can be customized and created for different Android versions and device types
- AVDs allow for fast experimentation and testing
Cons:
- There are many hardware and software issues with AVDs that may not be present in a physical Android device
- AVDs rely heavily on the performance of your computer, which may make them slower than a physical Android device
Method 3: Using the ‘monkey’ Command
The ‘monkey’ command generates pseudo-random streams of user events, such as clicks and touches. This can help you test the functionality of an app. Here is how to use the ‘monkey’ command:
- Connect your Android device to your computer with a USB cable
- Open the terminal / command prompt and navigate to the folder that contains the SDK tools
- Type ‘adb shell monkey -p com.example.myapp -v 500’
- The ‘-p com.example.myapp’ refers to the package name of your app. ‘-v’ means verbose. ‘500’ specifies the number of events to run
Pros:
- Generates random user events on an app, thus finding bugs and errors that may have been overlooked in a normal test
- Allows for the test of real world conditions and edge cases
Cons:
- Generates events on an app randomly and does not cover all possible scenarios
- Can be time-consuming and might not have the expected results
Method 4: Using the ‘pm’ Command
The ‘pm’ command helps to manage your Android device’s package manager. It can help you install, uninstall, or even query about an installed application. Here is how you can use the ‘pm’ command:
- Connect your Android device to your computer with a USB cable
- Open the terminal / command prompt and navigate to the folder that contains the SDK tools
- Type ‘adb shell pm list packages’ to list all the currently installed packages on your device
- Type ‘adb shell pm uninstall -k com.example.myapp’ to uninstall an app with the package name “com.example.myapp”
Pros:
- Uninstalling an app without going to the device settings
- Full control over application lifecycle on the device
Cons:
- Can be a long process and might require a lot of typing
- May not be suitable for end-users or non-technical people
Method 5: Using the ‘dx’ Command
The ‘dx’ command is the tool used to convert Java bytecode into Dalvik. This command is important for developing Android applications with Java. Here’s how to use the ‘dx’ command:
- Open the terminal / command prompt and navigate to the folder that contains the SDK tools
- Type ‘dexDump.jar [path to dex file] > output.txt’
- This will create a text output of the Dalvik bytecode from the .dex file
Pros:
- Java bytecode files can be converted into Dalvik
- Can help you understand and improve the performance of your app
Cons:
- Not a beginner-level task
- Requires intermediate-level knowledge of Java bytecode
Why Can’t I Use Android SDK Command Line Tools?
1. Missing JDK installation: You need to have JDK version 8+ installed to use Android SDK Command Line Tools.
Fix: Download and install the JDK from the official Oracle website.
2. Missing SDK Tools: You need to have Android SDK tools installed to use Android SDK Command Line Tools.
Fix: Visit the Android Developer website and download the SDK tools.
3. Using Commands Incorrectly error: If you’re receiving errors when trying to use command line tools,
Fix: Check for syntax errors, make sure you’re using the right command for the right task.
Additional Tips
1. Keep the Android SDK up to date for the best performance and bug fixes.
2. You can write scripts that automate tasks and make it easier to work with command line tools.
3. Use version control tools like Git to track changes and revert changes if necessary.
5 FAQs about Using Android SDK Command Line Tools
Q1: Can I use Android SDK Command Line Tools to build and sign an APK?
A: Yes, you can use Android SDK Command Line Tools to build and sign an APK. You can use the ‘aapt’ command to create the .apk file, and then use the ‘jarsigner’ command to sign the APK.
Q2: How can I see a list of all available commands for Android SDK Command Line Tools?
A: You can type ‘adb help’ in the terminal / command prompt to see a list of all available commands for ADB. For other command tools, make sure to check the Android Developer website for documentation.
Q3: Can I use Android SDK Command Line Tools on a Mac computer?
A: Yes, you can use Android SDK Command Line Tools on a Mac computer. The terminal application on macOS is similar to the command prompt on Windows.
Q4: How can I use Android SDK Command Line Tools to take a screenshot of my Android device?
A: You can use the ‘screencap’ command to take a screenshot of your Android device. Type ‘adb shell screencap /sdcard/screenshot.png’ to take the screenshot, and then type ‘adb pull /sdcard/screenshot.png’ to save the screenshot on your computer.
Q5: What are some other uses for Android SDK Command Line Tools besides debugging Android apps?
A: Android SDK Command Line Tools can also be used to test website performance on Android devices, simulate incoming calls and texts, and monitor CPU usage.
In Conclusion
Android SDK Command Line Tools can be a big help to developers in terms of efficiency and productivity. It’s a powerful set of tools that allows you to test and debug your app without the need for an IDE. By utilizing these five different methods, you can greatly enhance your development process. As a developer, being able to navigate the command line is an important skill. We hope our guide provides a good starting point for those just beginning to use the command line, as well as some new ideas for those already familiar with it.