Eclipse ADT appcompat... what is it?

Question

I've spent all afternoon getting absolutely nowhere with this. I've downloaded Eclipse, downloaded the SDK, installed the updates, but every new Android project I create something's wrong.

Firstly, it would not generate the R.java file, at all, now it does but there's a separate project it's created automatically called appcompat_v7. I don't know what this is, but it's causing problems with any other new project.

This is the error a normal project produces: The container 'Android Dependencies' references non existing library '/home/omar/workspace/appcompat_v7/bin/appcompat_v7.jar'

I have absolutely no idea how to fix this. What is causing this?

EDIT It appear this is only with KitKat, every other API platform doesn't produce ANY source files at all.... any idea how to combat this?

Answer 1

It's a support library which presumably your project refers to. You will need to build it as a library project in your workspace. This process is described here Support Library Setup under Adding libraries with resources.

You will find the project you need to copy in your SDK in the folder:

\yourSDKlocation\tools\android-sdk-windows4.4\extras\android\support\v7\appcompat

(It's no use just copying a jar, you must build it as a library project.)

Answer 2

I had this problem when I moved a project to a different laptop. I solved it like this:

If appcompat_v7 is not available in Eclipse: From the File menu, choose New then Project. Next, choose Android and Android Project from existing Code, then click next Browse to find your appcompat_v7 project folder Make sure there’s a check mark next it in the ‘Projects to Import’ list If the appcompat_v7 project folder is not currently in your workspace, select ‘Copy projects into workspace’, then click Finish

Now that the library project is available in your workspace, it can be added to a project: Choose your project from the Project Explorer and open the project properties (on a mac it’s in the Project menu) Click on Android in the left list Next to the Library list, click the Add button Choose appcompat_v7 from the list

You should be good to go now.