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What is Android?

Android, the widely popular operating system, is the beating heart behind millions of smartphones and tablets globally. Developed by Google, Android is an open-source platform that powers a diverse range of devices, offering users an intuitive and customizable experience. With its user-friendly interface, Android provides easy access to a plethora of applications through the Google Play Store, catering to every need imaginable. From social media and gaming to productivity and entertainment, Android seamlessly integrates into our daily lives, ensuring that the world is at our fingertips. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a casual user, Android's versatility and accessibility make it a cornerstone of modern mobile technology.

Android CMake vs NDK Build: Which One Should You Use?

When developing native Android applications (applications using C or C++), Android developers often need to work with native code in addition to Java or Kotlin. For compiling and building native code, two major tools come into play: CMake and NDK Build. Both tools are designed to manage and compile the native code, but they have different features, workflows, and use cases.

In this article, we'll compare CMake and NDK Build to help you understand their differences, and help you decide which one is better for your Android project.

Table of Contents

  1. What is NDK Build?
  2. What is CMake?
  3. Key Differences Between NDK Build and CMake
  4. When to Use NDK Build
  5. When to Use CMake
  6. Advantages and Disadvantages of NDK Build
  7. Advantages and Disadvantages of CMake
  8. Conclusion

1. What is NDK Build?

NDK Build is the older build system provided by the Android NDK (Native Development Kit). It uses Makefiles (similar to traditional make tools used in Unix/Linux) to define and manage the build process for native code. This approach allows developers to manually specify how source code is compiled, linked, and packaged into shared libraries that can be used in Android apps.

NDK Build uses a Android.mk file, where you specify source files, libraries, and build configurations. This method is more manual and requires developers to manage dependencies and build steps explicitly.

Example of an Android.mk file:

LOCAL_PATH := $(call my-dir)

include $(CLEAR_VARS)
LOCAL_MODULE    := my_native_library
LOCAL_SRC_FILES := my_native_code.cpp
include $(BUILD_SHARED_LIBRARY)

In the above example, the Android.mk file defines a shared library (my_native_library) built from the C++ source code file my_native_code.cpp.

2. What is CMake?

CMake is a modern, cross-platform build system generator that is often preferred in modern Android development due to its flexibility and better integration with Android Studio. Unlike NDK Build, CMake uses a CMakeLists.txt file to define build rules, and it automatically generates build files (like Makefiles, Ninja files, etc.) for the specific platform.

CMake is widely used for multi-platform development (including Android, iOS, and desktop) because of its support for a wide range of platforms and compilers. It offers an easier way to manage complex dependencies, and its flexibility allows for larger, more scalable projects.

Example of a CMakeLists.txt file:

cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.4.1)

add_library(my_native_library SHARED
            my_native_code.cpp)

find_library(log-lib log)

target_link_libraries(my_native_library
                      ${log-lib})

In the above example, CMake defines a shared library (my_native_library) that is built from the my_native_code.cpp file and links against the log library. The find_library function makes it easy to locate and link to system libraries.

3. Key Differences Between NDK Build and CMake

Feature NDK Build CMake
Build Configuration Uses Android.mk files (Makefile-like) Uses CMakeLists.txt files, more declarative
Cross-platform Support Limited (mostly Android) Multi-platform (Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, etc.)
Integration with Android Studio Integrated with Android Studio but requires manual configuration Native integration with Android Studio, supported out of the box
Dependency Management Requires manual management of dependencies Better support for dependency management (find_package, targets)
Flexibility More manual control over build process More automation and flexibility for large projects
Complexity Simpler for small projects More complex but offers better scalability for large projects
Platform Support Primarily used for Android projects Suitable for multi-platform native code projects
Support for Modern C++ Features Limited support for modern C++ features Strong support for modern C++ features, including C++17 and later

4. When to Use NDK Build

While CMake has become the preferred tool for native Android development, there are still scenarios where NDK Build may be a better fit, especially for simpler projects or legacy systems.

Use NDK Build when:

  • You have a simple, Android-only project: If you're building a relatively straightforward Android app with native code (e.g., a small JNI library), NDK Build can be sufficient and easy to use.
  • You have legacy code: If your project already uses NDK Build and you don't want to migrate to CMake, it may make sense to continue using it.
  • You're working with an existing Android.mk structure: If your team has built projects using Android.mk in the past, switching to CMake might require significant rework, especially for projects with complex dependencies.
  • You don’t need cross-platform support: If your project is solely targeting Android and doesn't require building for other platforms, NDK Build is simpler.

5. When to Use CMake

CMake is the modern and more flexible option for Android native development, and it has become the recommended tool for many Android projects. It provides better integration with Android Studio and offers more advanced features for larger, more complex projects.

Use CMake when:

  • You have a multi-platform project: If you're developing native code that needs to run on multiple platforms (Android, iOS, desktop, etc.), CMake is a much better choice due to its cross-platform capabilities.
  • You are starting a new Android project: CMake is the recommended tool for new Android projects, especially if you plan to work with modern C++ features or large, scalable codebases.
  • You need more flexibility or control: If your project has complex dependencies, needs to link to multiple libraries, or you require more control over your build system, CMake is more powerful and flexible.
  • You want to use modern C++ features: CMake has excellent support for modern C++ standards (C++11, C++14, C++17, etc.), which can be helpful for developers working with advanced C++ features.

6. Advantages and Disadvantages of NDK Build

Advantages of NDK Build:

  • Simple for small projects: NDK Build is easy to set up and use for small Android projects with limited native code.
  • Faster to get started: If you're working with legacy code or a simple Android-native app, NDK Build is often quicker to set up.
  • Manual control over the build process: If you want complete control over the build steps, NDK Build gives you the flexibility to define everything explicitly.

Disadvantages of NDK Build:

  • Less scalable for larger projects: As the project grows, managing dependencies and build steps manually can become tedious and error-prone.
  • Limited cross-platform support: NDK Build is mainly designed for Android, making it difficult to use for multi-platform projects.
  • Less modern tooling: NDK Build lacks some of the automation and modern features found in CMake, especially for larger, more complex projects.

7. Advantages and Disadvantages of CMake

Advantages of CMake:

  • Cross-platform support: CMake works across different platforms, making it ideal for multi-platform development.
  • Better integration with Android Studio: CMake is fully supported by Android Studio, providing an integrated experience.
  • Support for modern C++: CMake provides full support for modern C++ features, making it easier to work with the latest language features.
  • Scalability: CMake scales well with large and complex projects, handling multiple libraries and dependencies efficiently.

Disadvantages of CMake:

  • Learning curve: CMake can be more complex to set up, especially for developers who are new to it.
  • More configuration needed for small projects: If you only need a small Android-native project, CMake can feel like overkill compared to the simplicity of NDK Build.

8. Conclusion

Both NDK Build and CMake are valuable tools for Android developers working with native code, but each has its strengths and weaknesses:

  • NDK Build is simpler and ideal for small, Android-only projects or when working with legacy code.
  • CMake is more powerful, scalable, and cross-platform, making it the preferred choice for modern Android development, especially for large projects, multi-platform development, and those requiring modern C++ support.

Ultimately, your choice will depend on the complexity and scale of your project. If you’re starting a new Android project or need cross-platform capabilities, CMake is the better option. However, for simpler, Android-only applications or when dealing with legacy code, NDK Build can still be a valid choice.