Google has shared updates about Android Runtime (ART), responsible for running apps on the OS. ART’s recent developments and the ability to update it independently via Google Play system updates are significant.
Modularizing the Operating System
Google has overhauled Android’s core, the Android Runtime (ART), responsible for running apps. Previously, updates were tough due to a lack of clear boundaries. To address this, Google set distinct API limits, allowing independent ART updates.
Automation aided in boundary creation due to extensive changes. Additionally, changes were made to adapt features like stack unwinding to various Android versions.
In Android 14, Google restructured the Package Manager-ART interface, enhancing optimization. The transition introduced challenges, such as securing the compilation of Java libraries (Boot Classpath), affecting performance.
Older devices secure compilation on reboot, while newer ones utilize Isolated Compilation during idle times for faster booting.
Testing the ART APEX Module
Testing the complex ART APEX module was a challenge for Google due to its numerous APIs and hardware variations. They streamlined testing using the ART-specific Mainline Test Suite (MTS) to ensure thorough API and code coverage.
Rigorous daily tests involve compiling 18 million APKs and evaluating compatibility, performance, and memory across devices. Once tests confirm compatibility with different settings, Google gradually deploys the upcoming ART release.
Benefits of ART Google Play System Updates
Decoupling ART updates from OS updates provides speedy performance improvements and security fixes for users. ART 13’s optimizations led to up to 30% faster app start-up times on certain devices.
These updates also make it easy to deploy fixes, benefiting both users and developers. ART 13 swiftly embraced OpenJDK 11 core language features, highlighting Android’s quick adoption of new OpenJDK releases.
Availability
Google plans to release ART 14 soon, incorporating OpenJDK 17 support. The update includes performance-enhancing compiler and runtime optimizations while reducing code size.
Announcing the updates, Serban Constantinescu, Product Manager, Google, said:
Google Play system updates enhance the Android Runtime (ART), which is the engine of the Android OS. These updates boost performance, provide the latest security patches, and standardize core OpenJDK APIs across numerous devices, including all Android 12+ and soon Android Go devices.
ART, which executes bytecode compiled from Java and Kotlin, benefits all developers by making app execution quicker and bytecode compilation more efficient. Despite Android’s customizability, ART remains consistent across all devices, with Google Play system updates facilitating modular updates.