Posted by Jamal Eason, Product Supervisor
In the present day marks the discharge of the primary model of Android Studio Arctic Fox (2020.3.1) on the canary channel, along with Android Gradle plugin (AGP) model 7.0.0-alpha01. With this launch, we’re adjusting the model numbering of Android Studio and our Gradle plugin. This variation decouples the Gradle plugin from the Android Studio versioning scheme and brings extra readability to which yr and IntelliJ model Android Studio aligns with for every launch.
New versioning scheme – Android Studio
With Android Studio Arctic Fox (2020.3.1) we’re transferring to a year-based system that’s extra intently aligned with IntelliJ IDEA, the IDE upon which Android Studio is constructed. We’re altering the model numbering scheme to encode a lot of essential attributes: the yr, the model of IntelliJ it’s primarily based on, plus characteristic and patch stage. WIth this identify change you possibly can shortly determine which model of the IntelliJ platform you’re utilizing in Android Studio. As well as, every main model may have a canonical codename, beginning with Arctic Fox, after which continuing alphabetically to assist make it simple to see which model is newer.
We suggest that you just use the most recent model of Android Studio so that you’ve got entry to the most recent options and high quality enhancements. To make it simpler to remain updated, we made the model change to obviously de-couple Android Studio out of your Android Gradle Plugin model. An essential element to bear in mind is that there isn’t a impression to the best way the construct system compiles and packages your app if you replace the IDE. In distinction, app construct course of adjustments and APK/Bundles are dictated by your venture AGP model. Due to this fact, it’s secure to replace your Android Studio model, even late in your growth cycle, as a result of your venture AGP model may be up to date in a distinct cadence than your Android Studio model. Lastly, with the brand new model system it’s even simpler than earlier than for you or your staff to run each the steady and preview variations of Android Studio on the same time in your app venture so long as you retain the AGP model on a steady launch.
Within the earlier numbering system, this launch would have been Android Studio 4.3. With the brand new numbering system, it’s now Android Studio Arctic Fox (2020.3.1) Canary 1 or simply, Arctic Fox.
Going ahead, right here is how the Android Studio model quantity scheme will work:
<12 months of IntelliJ Model>.<IntelliJ main model>.<Studio main model>
- The primary two quantity teams characterize the model of the ultimate IntellIj platform {that a} specific Android Studio launch relies on (earlier canaries should still be on the sooner model). For this launch, that is 2020.3.
- The third quantity group represents the Studio main model, beginning at 1 and incrementing by one for each main launch.
- To make it simpler to refer to every model, we’re additionally giving main releases a code identify, incrementing from A to Z primarily based on animal names. This preliminary launch identify is Arctic Fox.
New versioning scheme – Android Gradle plugin
With AGP 7.0.0 we’re adopting the rules of semantic versioning, and aligning with the Gradle model that AGP requires. Compatibility between Android Studio and Android Gradle plugin stays unchanged. Initiatives that use steady variations of AGP may be opened with newer variations of Android Studio.
We’ll publish another post quickly with extra particulars about our AGP versioning philosophy and what’s new in AGP 7.0.
What’s new in Android Studio Arctic Fox
We’re in early days within the characteristic growth section for Arctic Fox, however we’ve got invested a lot of our time in addressing over 200 high quality enhancements and bugs throughout a variety of areas within the IDE from the code editor, app inspection instruments, format editor to the embedded emulator. Try the release notes for the particular bug fixes.
For these making an attempt out Jetpack Compose, we’ve got a bunch of recent updates, like deploy @Preview composables to system/emulator:
Deploy preview composable
Additionally check out the brand new Format Validation Software in Arctic Fox to see how your format responds to varied screens sizes, font sizes, and Android Shade Correction/Shade Blind Modes. You’ll be able to entry this by way of the Format Validation instrument window when you’re utilizing the Format Editor.
Format Validation
Lastly, for these operating MacOS (different platforms are coming quickly) with the most recent Android Platform instruments and an Android 11 system, you possibly can check out the IDE integration for the Wireless ADB characteristic by going to the Run system choice dialogue → Pair Gadgets Utilizing Wi-Fi.
Menu to entry Wi-fi ADB characteristic
Wi-fi ADB Setup Window
What’s Subsequent
If you wish to study extra about different detailed adjustments coming with this launch for each Android Studio and the Android Gradle plugin, ensure to check out the release notes.
