Ant build script: cannot find android.jar.

Question

Hallo,

I cannot compile my project using an ant build script. The error message:

Ant cannot find symbol...

I read about creating build.xml, but it seems it is not enough. My project directory has the following layout:

poject

• src
  
  • gen
  • ...

libarie_with_needed_java.file

• src
  • clients
  • helper

How do I work with external references? Ant cannot find android jar. The build.xml file looks as follows:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
==================================================================== -->
<project name="test" default="main" basedir=".">

<!-- ==================================================================== 
      Declare global properties for reuse and control of script
     ==================================================================== -->

<!-- For project source files  -->
<property name="src.dir" location = "src/de/test"/> 
<property name="common.link" location = "../test-common/common"/> 
<!-- For compiled/output files. -->
<property name="build.dir" location = "build/source"/>
<!-- For class libraries and dependency files. -->
<property name="lib.dir" location = "lib"/>
<property name="sdk.dir" location = "../android-sdk-windows/" />    

<!-- ==================================================================== 
      Einstiegspunnkt - Target main
     ==================================================================== -->
<target name="main" depends="compile"  description="getting started">
  <echo message="start main target"/>   
</target>

<!-- ==================================================================== 
      Übersetzen - Target compile
     ==================================================================== -->
<target name="compile" depends="init">
  <echo message="start compile target"/>

  <javac srcdir="${src.dir}" destdir="${build}" debug="on"/>
  <classpath refid="classpath"/> 
</target>

<!-- ==================================================================== 
      Initialisierungen - Target init
     ==================================================================== -->
<target name="init" description="create needed directories">
  <echo message="start init target"/>
  <mkdir dir="${build}"/>
</target>   

</project>

I created this file using examples from websites and the file that Eclipse generated.

I have removed the following external properties files (to simplify the problem):

<property file="local.properties" />
<property file="build.properties" />
<property file="default.properties" />          

I need to include the external .java files from a different src location.

I need to know how to copy the external files in the project and compile everything together.

Thanks, Marcel

Answer 1

Property files typically contain values for variables that are used throughout the main build script.

To find out why android.jar cannot be found, do this:

1. Browse to the directory containing build.xml.
2. Browse up one directory (../).
3. Browse down into android-sdk-windows/platforms/android-4/.
4. Make sure android.jar is in that directory.

Otherwise, you will have to change the path to the location of android.jar, relative to the build.xml file.