How to Use the Command 'jetifier' (with examples)
Jetifier is a powerful command-line tool designed to facilitate the transition of Android project dependencies to and from the AndroidX format. It comes in an npm format, making it especially compatible with React Native projects. Many developers encounter the need to migrate dependencies to AndroidX due to the modernized nature and improved development workflow facilitated by AndroidX. Jetifier provides a seamless transition mechanism to maintain compatibility and support throughout this process. Below, we’ll explore use cases demonstrating how you can effectively use Jetifier for these migrations.
Use case 1: Migrate project dependencies to the AndroidX format
Code:
jetifier
Motivation:
The primary motivation for using Jetifier to migrate dependencies to the AndroidX format lies in keeping your project up-to-date with the latest Android standards. AndroidX represents a major improvement over the deprecated Android Support Library, offering enhancements such as backwards compatibility and new features. By migrating your project dependencies to AndroidX, you ensure that your application remains robust and compatible with future Android releases. Without this migration, your project might face compatibility issues or may miss out on improvements provided by AndroidX libraries.
Explanation:
In this use case, the ‘jetifier’ command is invoked without any additional arguments. This default invocation instructs Jetifier to scan project dependencies and automatically transition them to the AndroidX format. The absence of extra arguments simplifies its execution, as the command relies on preset configurations to identify and convert necessary support libraries to their AndroidX equivalents.
Example Output:
Executing the command might produce output such as:
Jetifier found 12 support library references. Converting to AndroidX...
Conversion complete. 12 libraries updated.
This indicates that Jetifier successfully identified and converted 12 dependency references from the older Android Support Library to their appropriate AndroidX versions.
Use case 2: Migrate project dependencies from the AndroidX format
Code:
jetifier reverse
Motivation:
On the other hand, there are instances where reversing an AndroidX migration might be necessary. This could occur if you need to maintain compatibility with an older project setup that hasn’t yet embraced AndroidX, or if certain legacy components within your project are incompatible with AndroidX dependencies. By using the reverse command option in Jetifier, you can revert your project back to using the Android Support Libraries, ensuring that any incompatibility is mitigated and that the project remains operable in its existing environment.
Explanation:
The command ‘jetifier reverse’ is composed of two significant parts: the ‘jetifier’ command itself, and the ‘reverse’ argument. Here, ‘reverse’ acts as a directive for Jetifier to execute the inverse of its standard operation. Instead of migrating dependencies to AndroidX, this command scans the project for AndroidX libraries and converts them back to their original support library format.
Example Output:
Running this command may yield results such as:
Jetifier found 8 AndroidX library references. Reverting to Support Libraries...
Reversion complete. 8 libraries updated.
This output indicates that Jetifier successfully reverted 8 AndroidX references back to their original versions, effectively completing the migration reversal.
Conclusion:
Jetifier provides an indispensable utility for Android developers navigating the transition to and from AndroidX. Whether updating to modern standards with AndroidX or reverting for compatibility with legacy systems, Jetifier seamlessly handles library conversions with minimal disruption. Its role in maintaining project stability during these migrations underscores its value in current Android development practices.
