Right after Android 4.4 was announced, we saw that Google had partially implemented a new runtime compiler in the software called ART that could potentially replace Dalvik in the near future. Now we're getting just a bit more clarification on exactly how ART can improve Android.
Currently, Android uses Dalvik and a Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler. This means that Android apps are written in a generic version of code, called bytecode, that is only half-compiled by developers. Whenever the apps are launched, Dalvik compiles the code “just in time” to run. While this is a functional solution, it's not perfect. To fix that, the Android team implemented ART, or Android RunTime, that compiles the bytecode when applications are installed as opposed to compiling them just before being launched. This is called Ahead-Of-Time (AOT) compiling and is much, much more efficient on performance and battery life.
We've already mentioned that activating ART is available in Android 4.4's developer settings, so it's clearly not ready for daily use just yet, but early use shows that it has the potential to really cut down on the lag on some devices and cut application startup times in half. For an experimental feature, that's not bad.
It's not without downsides, though. ART compiled code would take up slightly more room on a device compared to apps that were only compiled in use, but for most devices, the tradeoff is well worth it. Installing apps will also likely take longer using ART, since they're compiled on installation. On bigger apps, that could definitely draw out the process a bit, but for most people I feel like the performance gains would be worth it.
Hopefully we'll see ART become the standard within the next year or so. Has anyone had any experience with it so far?
source: Android Police
Just switched over to ART, the process was simple: a restart where it compiled and installed all of my apps. No findings yet, but no issues either.
It kind of sounds like a no brainer. I can’t wait for the kinks to be ironed out.
Apparently, WhatsApp throws a fit too
Yes. Flipped the switch for the 2nd time. Not sure if KK improvements or ART, but better battery for sure, and most apps worked without issue. I have had Cover crash on me. That is it.