4 ms·

Next-Generation Dex Compiler Now in Preview

• iainmerrick 9y ago
  The term "next-generation" seems pretty overblown for this. It's just "the next version, with some nice incremental improvements."
• cpeterso 9y ago
  Are D8-compiled applications backwards compatible with older Android OS versions? The article doesn't say, but I assume they would be if D8 is emitting the same dex format.
  • chickenbane 9y ago
    Yes, I assume the same. There doesn't seem to be a large need to update the dex format so my assumption is this change enables faster compilation, perhaps by better integration with the Android Gradle plugin or incremental support.
  • EddieRingle 9y ago
    It accepts a parameter to set the minimum supported SDK version, so it will exclude newer DEX features in that case.
• HillaryBriss 9y ago
  very roughly 25% less compile time, according to their graph. interesting that they're also planning to replace proguard. so we'll have d8 and r8.