How to compile an Android app with aapt2 without using any build tools?

Question

I\'m trying to compile an Android application I just created in Kotlin on Android Studio, without using Gradle or any other build tools. My intention is to speed up compilin

Answer 1

Actually it is very difficult and messy to use extra support libraries, You are getting those errors, because you are using support library's theme which is not a part of android.jar, Instead you can use android.jar's default theme. Just put

public  class MainActivity extends Activity {...}

in place of

public  class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {...}

and change your manifest's App theme pointing to 'styes.xml', So basically you have to change the styles XML file to this one

<resources>

    <!--
        Base application theme, dependent on API level. This theme is replaced
        by AppBaseTheme from res/values-vXX/styles.xml on newer devices.
    -->
    <style name="AppBaseTheme" parent="android:Theme.Light">
        <!--
            Theme customizations available in newer API levels can go in
            res/values-vXX/styles.xml, while customizations related to
            backward-compatibility can go here.
        -->
    </style>

    <!-- Application theme. -->
    <style name="AppTheme" parent="AppBaseTheme">
        <!-- All customizations that are NOT specific to a particular API-level can go here. -->
    </style>

</resources>

Also you should use below code in 'Manifest.xml' file to point the Theme of your project or Activity in Styles XML file under values

android:theme="@style/AppTheme"

this reference article is very helpful for what exactly you are trying to dohttps://geosoft.no/development/android.html, Also sign your APK in order to run your app on device, otherwise it can show error while installing. Thanks.

Answer 2

Use the below link for reference of using aapt/appt2 for compiling java app, so that you can make one for compiling kotlin on your own.

https://github.com/HemanthJabalpuri/AndroidExplorer