
How to Overcome the Fear of Updating Android Dependencies?
In a world of rapid change in Android development, keeping up with the newest tools, libraries, and frameworks is critical for staying ahead of the competition. However, changing dependent versions is a common source of hesitancy among engineers. While it may appear simple, upgrading dependencies may take time, even for experienced Android developers. In this post, we’ll look at why Android developers are hesitant to update dependency versions, how dependencies operate, why they’re hard, and how to overcome their anxiety.
How Do Dependencies Work In Android Development?
In software development, a dependency is a piece of code, library, or module that your project requires to work properly. Dependencies can range from third-party libraries that contribute functionality (such as networking or image loading) to internal modules that help your program maintain its modular structure.
In Android development, dependencies are frequently maintained using Gradle, Android Studio’s build system. Gradle allows developers to declare their project’s dependencies in a file called “build.gradle”. These dependencies are then automatically downloaded and included in the project during the build process.
The Role of Dependencies in Android Development
Dependencies play an important role in Android development since they allow developers to reuse existing code and libraries rather than reinvent the wheel. Instead of developing your image-loading logic, you may utilize a well-maintained library such as Glide or Picasso. This saves time while also ensuring that your application is built with battle-tested code that has been optimized for performance and durability.
Dependencies also provide modularity in large projects. You may keep your codebase clean and tidy by dividing it down into smaller modules, each with its own set of dependencies. This flexibility can accelerate and improve development efficiency by allowing various teams to work on different modules at the same time.
Why Are Dependencies Complicated?
Dependencies bring numerous benefits to the table. But, they are complex enough to haunt developers.
Dependency Conflicts
When a developer is dealing with dependencies, conflict is one of the most common issues that arise in the process. Usually, a dependency conflict occurs when two or more libraries or modules need different versions of the same dependencies. For example, your program may utilize Library A, which requires version 1.0 of a certain dependency, but Library B requires version 2.0. When this occurs, Gradle may be unable to determine which version to use, resulting in build failures.
Managing dependency conflicts may be time-consuming and irritating. To find the fundamental cause of a dispute, developers must frequently go deeply into their dependencies (transitive dependencies). This may require trial and error, manual elimination of specific versions, or even forking libraries to make them compatible.
Breaking Changes
Another issue with dependencies is the possibility of breaking modifications. When a dependent is upgraded to a new version, modifications may be introduced that are incompatible with your old code. These breaking changes might vary from small API tweaks to large changes in how the library works.
For example, a library may change method signatures or remove deprecated functionality, necessitating the refactoring of large chunks of your software to fit the new version. In certain situations, the update may cause elements of your program to cease operating completely, resulting in a bad user experience.
Dependency Hell
The term “dependency hell” is commonly used to describe a situation in which maintaining dependencies gets so complicated that it appears to be an impossible issue. This can occur when a project has a high number of dependents, each with its own set of transitive dependencies, resulting in a complex web of version conflicts, compatibility difficulties, and build failures.
In such cases, developers may spend more time managing dependency issues than developing code. The danger of going into dependency hell is one of the primary reasons why developers are afraid to upgrade dependent versions.
Why Are Android Developers Afraid of Updating Dependency Versions?
Given the complexities associated with dependencies, it’s no surprise that many Android developers are wary of updating them. Here are some of the main reasons behind this fear:
- Fear of Breaking the Build
One of the most common concerns developers have when changing dependencies is the danger of breaking the build. Updating a dependency may generate conflicts, disrupt existing code, or result in unforeseen difficulties that prevent the app from building or functioning properly. This may be especially worrisome in large projects with tight timelines when any disturbance to the construction process might cause delays.
- Fear of Breaking the Build
One of the most common concerns developers have when changing dependencies is the danger of breaking the build. Updating a dependency may generate conflicts, disrupt existing code, or result in unforeseen difficulties that prevent the app from building or functioning properly. This may be especially worrisome in large projects with tight timelines when any disturbance to the construction process might cause delays.
- Uncertainty About Capability
Even if a dependency update does not break the build, it is always unclear how it will affect the app’s functionality. Will the new version smoothly integrate with your old code? Are there any hidden defects or regressions that might affect your app’s speed or user experience? These concerns make developers cautious about upgrading dependencies, especially if the current version is functioning properly.
- Time Constraints
Updating dependencies involves more than just updating the version number in the “build.gradle file”; it frequently necessitates extensive testing, debugging, and, in some cases, major redesign. This may be a time-consuming procedure, and in a fast-paced development environment, developers may not be able to devote the required time and resources to ensuring a seamless upgrade. As a result, they may delay upgrades until they are absolutely required, such as when a vital security patch is published.
- Lack of Confidence in New Versions
Developers may be wary about new versions of dependencies, especially if the library has just undergone considerable changes or if the developer community has reported problems with the most recent release. In such instances, the fear of using a possibly unstable or untested version may exceed the apparent benefits of upgrading.
How to Overcome the Fear of Updating Dependency Versions?
While the concern of upgrading dependencies is natural, there are ways that developers may employ to reduce the risks and make the process more manageable.
- Adopt A Proactive Approach
Instead of waiting until a significant issue requires you to update a dependent, take a proactive approach to dependency management. Check for updates to the libraries and tools you use on a regular basis, and consider whether the new versions provide benefits such as improved performance, bug fixes, or new features.
Staying up to date allows you to avoid large, disruptive improvements in favor of smaller, more manageable adjustments.
- Use Dependency Managing Tools
Gradle, the build system used in Android development, provides a number of tools and functionality for managing dependencies. For example, the “dependencyUpdates” plugin may show you which dependencies are out of date and which versions are available.
Gradle’s “dependency resolution strategies” also enable you to specify criteria for resolving conflicts, such as requiring a certain version of a dependent or omitting problematic transitive dependencies. By utilizing these methods, you may gain control of your dependency management and lessen the likelihood of conflict.
- Implement Continuous Integration
Continuous Integration (CI) is a development approach in which developers often integrate their code changes into a common repository, resulting in an automated build and testing process. Integrating CI into your workflow allows you to identify possible issues with dependency changes early on, before they become larger difficulties.
CI technologies like Jenkins, CircleCI, or GitHub Actions may be set up to run tests whenever a dependency is updated, guaranteeing that your app continues to work properly and lowering the risk of disrupting the build.
- Conduct Thorough Testing
When upgrading a dependency, extensive testing is required to guarantee that your program continues to perform as intended. This comprises unit and integration tests, as well as manual testing of key features and user processes.
By identifying issues early in the testing process, you may solve them before they affect your users. Consider creating automated tests that cover the most important aspects of your program, allowing you to rapidly discover and resolve any issues that develop as a result of a dependency change.
- Engage with the Developer Community
When it comes to dependency management, the Android developer community may be a great help. If you’re unclear about whether to update a specific dependency, look on forums, GitHub problems, or social media for input from other developers who have previously done so.
Participating in the community may help you anticipate possible hazards, learn from other people’s experiences, and acquire confidence in the updating process. Additionally, contributing to open-source projects can help you gain a better grasp of how dependencies function and how to manage them efficiently.