The Android NDK is typically used in the following scenarios:
Performance Optimization: When performance is critical and cannot be achieved with Java/Kotlin code alone, developers can use the NDK to write performance-critical parts of their application in C/C++ for better performance.
Porting Existing Code: If you have existing C/C++ libraries or codebases that you want to reuse in your Android application, the NDK allows you to easily integrate and use them.
Accessing Native APIs: The NDK provides access to certain native APIs that are not available in the Android SDK, allowing developers to access platform-specific features or hardware capabilities.
Security Requirements: In some cases, developers may use the NDK to implement security-sensitive algorithms or cryptography functions that require low-level control over memory management and data processing.
Cross-Platform Development: If you are developing a cross-platform application that needs to run on multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, and desktop, using C/C++ code with the NDK can facilitate code sharing and portability across different platforms.
However, it’s essential to consider the trade-offs of using the NDK, such as increased complexity, potential platform dependencies, and reduced portability compared to Java/Kotlin code. Developers should carefully evaluate the requirements and constraints of their project before deciding to use the Android NDK.
