How do I set up an Android development environment PURELY in Vim?

Setting Up an Android Development Environment with Vim

While Android Studio is the official IDE, you can achieve a robust development environment using Vim, a powerful and versatile text editor. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to configure your Vim environment for Android development.

Prerequisites

• Java Development Kit (JDK): Install the latest JDK from Oracle or OpenJDK.
• Android SDK: Download and install the Android SDK from Android Developer website.
• Vim: Ensure you have Vim installed on your system. If not, download and install it from Vim’s official website.
• Android Debug Bridge (adb): ADB is a command-line tool that allows you to communicate with Android devices and emulators. It’s typically included with the Android SDK.

Configuring Vim

1. Vim Plugins

• YouCompleteMe (YCM): YCM provides intelligent code completion, making it easier to write Java code.
• coc.nvim: A powerful language server protocol client that enhances your coding experience with features like code completion, diagnostics, and refactoring.
• vim-android-sdk: Simplifies the interaction with the Android SDK from within Vim.
• NERDTree: A file explorer plugin that allows you to navigate your project files easily.
• vim-surround: Provides a convenient way to add and remove surrounding characters like quotes, parentheses, or tags.

2. Setting Up YCM

YCM requires a C++ compiler. Install a suitable compiler for your system. Follow the instructions at YCM’s GitHub repository to configure it.

3. Integrating with the Android SDK

Install the vim-android-sdk plugin. This plugin provides commands like :Aemulate to start an emulator and :Ainstall to install your app. You can configure it to point to your SDK directory and the emulator’s path.

Developing Android Applications in Vim

1. Project Setup

Create a new Android project using the android command or an existing Android project. Ensure you have the necessary Android API levels installed.

2. Code Editing with Vim

Open your Java files in Vim and leverage the features of YCM or coc.nvim for code completion, error highlighting, and refactoring.

3. Building and Running

• Use :Aemulate to start the emulator.
• Build your project using the gradlew command.
• Install your app using the adb command or :Ainstall from the vim-android-sdk plugin.

4. Debugging

• Use the adb logcat command to view logs.
• Utilize the :Adebug command from vim-android-sdk to launch your app in debug mode.
• Connect a debugger to your emulator or device. You may need to use a remote debugger like GDB.

Example

Code: MainActivity.java

package com.example.myapp;

import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.widget.TextView;

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {

  @Override
  protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
    setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
    TextView textView = findViewById(R.id.myTextView);
    textView.setText("Hello from Vim!");
  }
}

Output:

This code will display the text “Hello from Vim!” in the app’s main activity.

Comparison: Vim vs Android Studio

Conclusion

Using Vim for Android development offers a flexible and highly customizable environment. While it requires more initial setup and effort compared to Android Studio, Vim provides a lightweight and efficient workflow that can appeal to experienced developers who value flexibility and control.