Android Studio: create Java project with no Android dependencies

Question

It's possible to add pure Java module to existing Android project.

But is it possible to create pure Java project with no Android dependencies?

You have to download IntelliJ IDEA for that, Android Studio is specific for android projects. — miljon, Mar 10 '15 at 06:20
@47.5 I've removed Eclipse after migration to Android Studio. Sure I can download it or IntelliJ IDEA again, but I'm wondering whether it's possible in AS with Gradle, since in Gradle it's legitimate to use "apply plugin: 'java'" — Alex Dmitriev, Mar 10 '15 at 08:43

Aleksander Mielczarek · Accepted Answer · 2015-03-25T22:54:10.757

71

Yes, it is possible. You have to manually create all necessary files.

Here are steps for Gradle based project:

Remove include ':app' form settings.gradle
Remove app directory
Replace build.gradle with example from end of this post (IntelliJ creates similar)
Create folder hierarchy for your Java code (src/main/java)
Select Edit Configuration from drop down menu where normally you start project
Click Add new Configuration and select Application
In Main class point your Main class.

Android studio is more or less like IntelliJ Community Edition.

apply plugin: 'java'

sourceCompatibility = 1.8
version = '1.0'

repositories {
    mavenCentral()
}

dependencies {
    testCompile group: 'junit', name: 'junit', version: '4.11'
}

edited Mar 25 '15 at 22:54

answered Mar 25 '15 at 22:48

Aleksander Mielczarek

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It works :) Note: after step 4, click "Refresh all Gradle projects", otherwise you won't be able to continue. – Hermit May 23 '15 at 11:01
1

And don't forget to create main(String [ ] args) method :) – Slampy Aug 26 '15 at 06:56
1

@Hermit How to do that ? – user5716019 Mar 01 '16 at 09:35
Click the round refresh button at the top left of the Gradle Projects view – Hermit Mar 01 '16 at 09:42
1

Not working for me. It is showing Red "J" on my java files. It cant find the Main method i have added in the class. – M. Usman Khan Dec 06 '17 at 04:10
Error: Could not find or load main class Foo – That's Enam Mar 28 '18 at 08:31
Using your method, I am forced to manually sync the project with gradle files to show the src folder at every project startup.Is it possible to avoid that? – Evolve_or_Die Oct 24 '18 at 07:04
Hello future readers: I had some issues so hopefully I can help if you're reading this. 1: Right click on java -> Mark Directory as -> Sources Root 2: You NEED to create a package inside src/main/java and refer to it in the config with the package name. I had my class rooted in /java/ and it didn't work. – Zeek Aran Dec 27 '19 at 21:57
3: And as Slampy said, you need this method - public static void main(String[] args) { } – Zeek Aran Dec 30 '19 at 16:39

score 6 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 12 '15 at 12:51

Not via the 'New project' wizard.

One alternative is to create a Java maven/gradle project outside Android Studio, then 'import' it into AS via File->Open.

Gradle has the init plugin to set up a java project scaffold:

gradle init --type java-library

https://docs.gradle.org/current/userguide/build_init_plugin.html

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 10 '15 at 06:24

2

I think this is possible to create a new module from following path (Using Androdi Stdio 1.1.0):

File> New Module> Choose from more module> java library

Hope it will work's for you.

answered Mar 10 '15 at 06:24

crazy_coder

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3

1

Thanks for pointing this out, I'm aware about modules, wondering if it's possible for the whole project. – Alex Dmitriev Mar 10 '15 at 08:45

score 2 · Answer 4 · answered Mar 10 '15 at 06:28

No you cannot create a java project with Android Studio because AS's building system won't let you build your project once you are done writing your application. Android Studio's gradle building system only builds .apk file.

Android Studio won't support most things requiring an external database or application server.

score 2 · Answer 5 · answered Dec 06 '16 at 21:25

2

Easiest method is to temporarily disable the Android Support Plugin. Un-check Configuration > Plugin > Android Support Plugin After restarting close any current project and you will get the new project wizard with all of your non-android options. Once your new project is created you can re-enable the Android plugin.

answered Dec 06 '16 at 21:25

JT.

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Disabling the plugins _Android APK Support_, _Android Games_ and _Android NDK Support_ at _File_ > _Settings_ > _Plugins_ does not work as described with Android Studio 3.6. – iron9 Mar 23 '20 at 12:54

score 1 · Answer 6 · answered Jan 09 '17 at 23:40

One thing that you might want to add here to help REALLY new folks out (it kept tripping me up) is that after creating the folder hierarchy for your Java code (src/main/java) you must right click the java folder and select Mark Directory As > Sources Root. Otherwise, you won't have the option of creating a new java class within the foo directory.

score 1 · Answer 7 · answered Oct 29 '17 at 17:14

Another way from my perspective:

Create a new android project
Add java module to your project
Close android studio project and go to project's directory, just take the java module folder and paste it to new directory
In Android Studio open exthis this module, ide will generate gradle file for you.

score 1 · Answer 8 · answered Sep 15 '20 at 09:46

1

The answer by Aleksander worked for me. Thanks Aleksander. I further needed to create a package and add a new java class to it before Step 5. Then in Step 6, I used that java class as the MainClass.

answered Sep 15 '20 at 09:46

wat er

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score 0 · Answer 9 · answered Feb 25 '16 at 14:48

Easiest Way From Scratch

Create a empty folder where you want to put the project
At the 'Welcome to Android Studio' screen, choose "Open existing..."
Navigate to your folder and hit OK
Your project is created, now add your java files
Choose the SDK and you're done! Happy coding

score 0 · Answer 10 · answered Aug 08 '20 at 11:51

The easiest way to run a pure java program with input

Follow these simple steps:

Create a new project or open an existing project
Right-click your package name under java directory > New > Scratch File
Choose java from the dialog

A class with name Scratch.java will open now you can write your code here...

To run your program just right-click to Scratch.java and choose option -> Run 'Scratch.main()'

Now you can see you program output. :)

score 0 · Answer 11 · answered Jul 31 '21 at 12:46

I think my answer is the simpliest one: (To clarify, I'm not using Gradle, but I'm working with native Java only)

Simply create a root folder in your workspace directory, below which create two new folders src and res.

Then, in Android Studio, go File > Open and select the root folder you just created. You may have to refresh to see the folder.

However, if you add a new Java file by (RightClickMenu) > New > File and name the file Main.java, you should see that it's not working (denoted with an orange dot):

What you'll need to do is right click on the src folder, then Mark Directory As > Source Root

Repeat this with res directory, this time using Mark Directory As > Resources Root.

You should now see that your Main.java file is now recognized as a class. You can then proceed to do the coding thing. You may add new .java files through Right Clicking src (or any package directory), then New > Java Class.

In fact, you could mark the src and res directories first before adding the Main.java file. It's just a matter of your preference.

For me, this method is simpler than having to delete a number of setting files (which may potentially cause errors), and it works for me everytime. I use this method quite often for I have just migrated to Android Studio from Eclipse several months ago, and I used to work with native Java code instead of Android projects.

Hope this helps. :)

Android Studio: create Java project with no Android dependencies

11 Answers11

Easiest Way From Scratch

Linked