After much futzing around with Windows - I also managed to create the necessary files for deploying Android apks there too.
(
here's the link again, in case anyone missed it) - although you can also get to it in a round-about-way through
the download page for OXT lite >
Mega links).
I was trying to think how to make this clearer.
This screenshot contains everything on one screen, and I'll explain because
initially it might be clear as mud.
- windows screenshot.png (326.32 KiB) Viewed 2876 times
Lets start with the folder (bottom right) in the screenshot:
Here, I've unzipped the Android.7z file from my link above, for Windows. I get an uncompressed 'Android' folder with two subfolders (the JDK and the SDK).
Move that Android folder to somewhere that won't change. Perhaps your documents folder, or your home folder.
Open the IDE (I say 'the IDE' as this will work in LCC 9.6.3 too).
Now go to "Edit" menu > Preferences > Mobile Support.
If on Linux,
The 'Choose JDK' button will be visible. Browse to & select the SDK folder first from the "Android" folder you uncompressed earlier.
Next, click the 'Choose JDK' button and browse to & select the JDK folder from the "Android" folder you uncompressed earlier.
I'm on a Mac or on Windows though...
edit: commented this out, no longer valid as I've shown the button to choose the JDK all the time. Just make sure you have my most recent updates applied.
/*
This is where it gets a bit more complicated - we need to show a button that the IDE supresses. Open the "Preferences" > Mobile Support
Now from the "View Menu", make sure "Show IDE Stacks in Lists" is ticked.
Now from the "Development" menu > "Plugins" and choose "App Browser"
This is the window on the right of that screenshot.
Scroll to find the "revPreferencesGUI" stack, expand it so you can see the cards, and click the 'Mobile Support" card.
Look for the button "ChooseJDK" and set it's visible checkbox to true. The button will appear - as per the red line and box in that screenshot.
Now that's visible,
*/
choose the SDK folder you downloaded and uncompressed.
Next, do the same with the JDK folder you also downloaded and uncompressed.
Back on track now, this now applies to all platforms:
You'll note that nothing has had to be 'installed' here. The SDK and JDK folders are 'portable' for want of a better term. This way, if your OS relies on a higher version of JDK for something else, then this won't interfere with it.
You can now close the App browser if it's open, and also the Preferences if it's open. This is now set and you won't need to set it again unless you reset your preferences *or unless they get trashed by an update, or unless you move that "Android" folder somewhere else.
Make a new stack, or choose an existing stack you want to make an Android apk app from.
When it's open and you are ready, choose File > Standalone Settings.
This is the window bottom-left of that screenshot.
Turn off all the build options for Mac, Windows, Linux etc.
Go to the Android tab and pick a build for the right Android processor (4 choices).
(Sorry LCC9.6.3 users - this tab doesn't resize properly - it's something that's fixed already in OXT Lite - you'll have to mess about with the window size in the inspector temporarily.)
Under "Signing", choose "Sign for development only" (unless you have a signing key).
Under minimum android version, you should be able to choose anything (if I remembered to include them all inside that "Android" folder) - if in doubt, choose 7.1
The rest of those options you can leave as default if you like.
(By the way, if you mess about with Version name and version code - this can't be a negative number). Best to leave it, or change it sticking to the same format shown.
Close the standalone settings window and choose File > "Save as Standalone Application..." - if you'd not picked where to output it, it'll ask you.
Should then proceed to build you an apk with the options you specified. That's the success alert shown in the screenshot in the middle.
You then have your apk and you just have to get it onto a test device. You can do that by uploading it to a web host and downloading it on the target device through a browser - which will ask if you want to install it.
Or, you can transfer it by MTP mode via a device to USB cable - then open a file browser utility app, and install from there.
I hope that makes sense. This turned into an entire Android dev post, rather than just the bit I added - but I hope it's now clear.
Oh, almost forgot. Licenses.
I've added the relevant Android and Oracle JDK licenses to the IDE > "Help menu" > "IDE Information". I'm probably supposed to tell you here that you must have read and agree to both licenses to 'technically' start developing Android apks.
- licenses.png (57.37 KiB) Viewed 2862 times
Removal
If you want to remove all this, just delete the Android folder you uncompressed. The IDE will no longer be able to find the SDK and the JDK and Android building will then be unavailable again.