AAD Android Build System, Gradle & App Deployment 2

Question 1

What is an Android App Bundle (AAB) and how does it differ from an APK?

Accepted Answer

An AAB is processed by the Play Store to generate optimized APKs per device; APK is installed directly on devices

Answer

An Android App Bundle (AAB) is uploaded to the Play Store, which generates split APKs tailored to each device's configuration (architecture, screen density, language), reducing download size.

Question 2

What is the purpose of ProGuard/R8 in a release build?

Accepted Answer

To shrink, optimize, and obfuscate the app's bytecode

Answer

ProGuard/R8 performs code shrinking (removes unused code), optimization (improves bytecode efficiency), and obfuscation (renames classes/methods) during the release build process.

Question 3

Which Gradle dependency scope makes a library available at compile time but excludes it from the final APK?

Accepted Answer

compileOnly

Answer

`compileOnly` makes the dependency available to the compiler but excludes it from the output APK/AAR, useful for annotation processors and other compile-time-only tools.

Question 4

What must be changed before publishing an app update to the Google Play Store?

Accepted Answer

The `versionCode` must be incremented from the previously published release

Answer

The `versionCode` must be incremented with each new Play Store submission; the Play Store rejects updates with a `versionCode` equal to or lower than the currently published version.

Question 5

What is the purpose of `local.properties` in an Android project?

Accepted Answer

To store machine-specific configuration like the Android SDK path, excluded from version control

Answer

`local.properties` stores environment-specific configuration (like the `sdk.dir` path) that varies per developer machine and should not be committed to version control.

(AAD) Associate Android Developer Certification Practice Test

(AAD) Associate Android Developer Certification Practice Test

AAD Android Build System, Gradle & App Deployment 2