Prior to Tools r8 we did indeed use dx (and aapt, and aidl) from each platform based on the project compilation target.
We originally did this so that we wouldn't have to care about possible compatibility change (for instance the tool generates a new format while the platform itself can read both old and new platform). At the time we made the decision we weren't sure if the tools were going to do that or not. We are changing strategy where we rely on the tools to be able to generate code/resources that work on older platform. One of the big reason behind this change is that adding new build features (like library projects) requires us to add new options/behaviors to aapt which means going back to update older versions. Now we have a single version used to compile projects targeting any version of Android. Since we haven't gone back to edit the components for older platforms, there are still versions of aapt/dx/aidl in there but they are not used. Updating those packages is possible but we'd rather not touch something that works when there's little benefit. Xav On Thu, Feb 17, 2011 at 6:32 AM, Eric <[email protected]> wrote: > You mean I should not have to care on which platform my jar file is > going to be used as long as it was optimized with the "dx" tool under / > platform-tools? Then I guess my confusion arise from the fact that the > SDK ships with numerous versions of the "dx" tools for the different > Android releases. Why keep these "dx" binaries in the SDK if they are > not to be used? > > Thank you for your answer, > > Eric > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google > Groups "Android Developers" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected] > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected] > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/android-developers?hl=en > -- Xavier Ducrohet Android SDK Tech Lead Google Inc. http://developer.android.com | http://tools.android.com Please do not send me questions directly. Thanks! -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Android Developers" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/android-developers?hl=en
