Boosting the Developer productivity using APEX in AOSP

Day 1 | 11:00 | 00:30 | H.2214 | Renjith Rajagopal

Note: I'm reworking this at the moment, some things won't work.

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Developing features in the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) often involves modifying multiple files across various locations within the codebase. This fragmentation can make the process of building, debugging, flashing, and testing changes time-consuming and complex. To address this challenge, Google introduced the concept of vendor APEX (Android Pony EXpress) modules, which aim to simplify and streamline the development process. Vendor APEX: Bundling Feature Areas Vendor APEX modules provide a solution by allowing developers to package entire feature implementations, such as the WiFi HAL, into a single, self-contained unit. This approach offers several advantages: Faster Iteration: Developers can build and push individual vendor APEX modules to test changes, eliminating the need to rebuild the entire vendor image. Simplified Testing: The bundling of a feature area into an APEX simplifies the process of building, pushing, and testing changes for that specific functionality. Easier Debugging: When issues arise, developers can more easily debug or revert changes by working with a single APEX module rather than navigating through multiple system components. Modular Updates: Device manufacturers can easily select and combine independently-built vendor APEXes, facilitating the creation of customized vendor images. Benefits for Developers By adopting the vendor APEX approach, developers can experience significant improvements in their workflow: Focused Development: Developers can concentrate on a specific feature area without worrying about the complexities of the entire system. Reduced Build Times: Building and pushing a single APEX module is much faster than rebuilding and flashing the whole vendor image. Streamlined Debugging: Isolating features in APEX modules makes it easier to identify and resolve issues. Flexible Testing: Developers can easily install older versions of an APEX to compare behavior and isolate problems. In conclusion, vendor APEX modules address the challenges of fragmented AOSP development by providing a more efficient, modular approach. This solution not only simplifies the development process but also enhances productivity by allowing developers to focus on specific feature areas without the overhead of managing the entire system