Sharing Non Editable Code in Android : Libraries in Android

Abhinay Gupta
3 min readJun 11, 2023

To share your Android code with other developers without allowing them to edit it, you can follow these steps:

1. Create a Library Module:
— In Android Studio, create a new library module that contains your code.
— Move your code files (such as Java or Kotlin classes) into this module.

2. Configure Module Access:
— In the `build.gradle` file of your library module, specify the desired access modifiers for your code.
— For example, to make your code read-only and prevent modifications, you can use the `private` or `internal` access modifiers.

// Example of build.gradle file in the library module
apply plugin: 'com.android.library'

android {
// Configure other settings for your library module
}

// Specify access modifiers for your code
kotlinOptions {
freeCompilerArgs += ['-Xallow-private-fun']
}

dependencies {
// Include any necessary dependencies for your library module
}

In the example above, the `kotlinOptions` block with the `’-Xallow-private-fun’` argument allows other developers to use your code but prevents them from modifying any private functions.

3. Share the Library Module:
— Package the library module as a separate module or an AAR (Android Archive) file.
— You can share the module or AAR file with other developers, allowing them to import and use it in their projects.

--

--

Abhinay Gupta

Exploring personal growth, tech, and culture through engaging storytelling | Inspiring and connecting with readers worldwide.