externalNativeBuild
externalNativeBuild is a Gradle plugin used in Android development to integrate and manage native build systems like CMake and ndk-build. It allows developers to incorporate C and C++ code into their Android projects, leveraging the performance benefits of native code. The plugin automates the process of configuring and invoking these external build tools, simplifying the workflow for developers who need to compile native libraries for their Android applications.
When using externalNativeBuild, developers typically define their native build configuration in separate files, such as CMakeLists.txt
The primary advantage of externalNativeBuild is its ability to streamline the integration of existing native codebases