kivy / kivy/python-for-android
Build Process Enhancement: Exclude redundant source files from `dists` directory
- Dominant language
- Python
- Stars
- 8.9k
- Forks
- 2k
- Avg merge
- 12h 20m
- Merged PRs (30d)
- 9
Description
**Problem Description**
The current `assemble_distribution` method in the `SDLGradleBootstrap` (and other bootstraps) copies the entire temporary build directory into the final `dists/` directory.
This process works reliably, but it results in a `dists` directory that contains a large number of redundant files. Specifically, it includes the complete C/C++ source code for all the `BootstrapNDKRecipe` dependencies (like SDL2, SDL2_image, etc.) in the `jni/` subfolder, as well as intermediate object files in `obj/`.
This is unnecessary because these source files have already been compiled by `ndk-build` into the final `.so` libraries located in the `libs/` directory. The subsequent Gradle build step only uses these pre-compiled libraries and does not re-compile the C/C++ source.
This behavior has a few negative consequences:
1. **Increased Disk Usage:** It significantly inflates the size of the distribution, which can be problematic in CI/CD environments or on systems with limited disk space.
2. **Slower Build Times:** The file I/O for copying of unnecessary source code adds a small but noticeable delay to the build process.
3. **Confusing Project Structure:** The presence of the `jni/` sources in the final Gradle project can be misleading, suggesting that Gradle might be compiling them, which it is not. A cleaner project structure would be easier to debug and understand.
**Note:** This issue does **not** affect the final size of the APK, as the Android packaging tools correctly exclude the source code. This is purely an enhancement for the intermediate build process.
Contributor guide
Research direction
Start by locating the assemble_distribution method in SDLGradleBootstrap and the other bootstrap implementations. Trace how the temporary build directory is copied into dists/, then verify that the distribution retains compiled libraries while excluding the redundant jni/ sources and obj/ files. Confirm the change with the project’s available build or distribution checks.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- android, python
- Domain
- build-system, mobile
- Issue type
- Feature
- Difficulty
- 3/5
- Estimated time
- 1-2 days
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 48/100