What is the full chain list of formats that Android .java file is getting through?

Question

I just noticed the .smali file, which the .dex file is compiled to. I want to be able to track over all the transformations that my .java file is going through.

First, I want to know what are all the transformation that executed from creation of the .java file to the .apk that I install.

Second, How can I actually see and open all those files that created in between?

Answer 1

At no time in the standard Android build process is a .smali file produced. This is a custom disassembly format not used by Google. I assume you disassembled an APK. The usual code-related files involved in the standard tool chain are java -> class -> (sometimes jar ->) dex -> APK.