Google has announced that it will move away from Java application programming interfaces (APIs) in favor of OpenJDK from Android N onwards. It is noteworthy that OpenJDK is an open-source version of Oracle’s Java Development Kit, whereas the search engine giant was facing a copyright infringement suit over the use of Java APIs.
The move may not bring any visible changes for an average Android user, but a common Java codebase is supposed to make app development a much simpler task.
“As an open-source platform, Android is built upon the collaboration of the open-source community. In our upcoming release of Android, we plan to move Android’s Java language libraries to an OpenJDK-based approach, creating a common code base for developers to build apps and services. Google has long worked with and contributed to the OpenJDK community, and we look forward to making even more contributions to the OpenJDK project in the future.”                                         – Google spokesperson
In 2010, Oracle had dragged Google to court over the improper use of its Java APIs. A court decision in 2012 had ruled in favor of Google, who had argued that the Java APIs were essential for software innovation. In 2014, a Federal court, however, reversed that decision.
While Google recently revealed that its dispute with Oracle hasn’t settled yet, it refused to comment on whether the code change is related to that. If you ask us, the code change is a good news indeed for a common Android user as new apps will be developed easily and app updates will be faster.
Yes, Google will no use Java API’s in Android N, they will use Java API’s in Android N.