We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Software

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is a Native Development Kit?

By Eugene P.
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 6,074
References
Share

In computer programming and software development, a native development kit (NDK) usually is an abstract programming interface (API) that provides a developer with the ability to use functions or execute code directly through the core operating system. This method of executing a program is distinctly different from running managed code or interpreted programs, in which the code that is written is executed by a virtual machine or interpreter that acts as a software layer between the core operating system functions and the user-written code. The use of a native development kit can be essential in applications that require the fastest possible execution and processing times, because it can provide direct access to hardware and libraries the operating system uses. Depending on the type of program being written and the target operating system, the use of a native development kit might not increase program speed at all, and could make code that is difficult to maintain, read and port to other systems.

Applications that are written for some devices, such as smart phones, or use interpreted computer languages are not executed directly by the core operating system processes, or the kernel. Instead, the program code is executed by a separate program known as a virtual machine (VM), or interpreter. The virtual machine reads the code, expands and resolves commands, and interfaces with the kernel to execute the code. This can be beneficial for some developers, because it provides a good layer of abstraction for portability and leaves many complex details, such as resource management and file handling, to the creators of the virtual machine.

In some instances, however, the virtual machine can be a hindrance to some types of programs. The VM can slow execution or fail to provide access to some functions within the host kernel. A native development kit for the target operating system or device exposes the functions of the kernel to the application being written. Depending on the extent of the kit, this can allow a program to directly access hardware, load its own custom libraries into the kernel, or use system-specific optimizations.

A native development kit is most often used only for time-critical portions of a program. These can be graphics processing calculations, output to the display or file input and output. Not all programs that use native functions or routines will see a speed benefit, because the virtual machine might already make optimizations to the managed code so the resulting machine code is identical, regardless of whether native functions are used. Additionally, native code ties a program to a specific implementation of an operating system and sometimes a specific version of a device, meaning that code using a native development kit might not be easily ported to other systems.

Share
EasyTechJunkie is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.easytechjunkie.com/what-is-a-native-development-kit.htm
Copy this link
EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.