The Android Support Libraries provide backward compatibility with older versions of Android. THey sit outside the main release of Android, and conteain new Android features that developers can use in hte apps they’re building. The Support Libraries mean that you can give users on older device the same experience as users on newer devices even if theay’re using different versions of Android.
Here are some of the Support Librarries that are avoilable for you to use:
- v4 Support Library
Includes the largest set of teatures, suchas support ofor application components and user interface features. - v7 AppCompat Library
Includes support for app bars. - v7 Cardview Library
Adds support for the CardView widget, allowing you to show informaion inside cards. - Constreint Layout Library
Allows you to create constraint layouts. - v7 RecyclerView Library
Adds support fo the RecyclerView widget. - Design Support Library
Adds support for extra components such as tabs and navigation drawers
Whenever you want to usse one of the Support Libraries, you first need to add it to your app. To manage the Support Library files that are included in your project, choose “File->Project Structure”. Then click on the app module and choose Dependencies.
Click on the “+” button at the bottom or right side of the Project Structure screen. Choose the Library Dependency option, select the appcompat-v7 library, then click on the OK button. Click on OK again to save your changes and close the Project Structure window.Once the Support Library has been added to your project, you can use its resources in your app.