An SDK, or software development kit, is a collection of software resources that helps developers build applications for a particular platform or connect to a service. Depending on its purpose, it may include libraries, APIs, build tools, documentation, examples, or other files. There is no single standard set of contents: the SDK for one platform can look quite different from the SDK for another.
What does SDK stand for?
SDK stands for software development kit. It is a packaged set of resources intended to help you develop software for a target platform, framework, or service. The term describes a category of developer tools, not one specific product or a universal format.
For example, a Windows SDK supports building software for Windows, an Android SDK provides resources for Android apps, and a cloud provider’s SDK can help an application call that provider’s services.
What is an SDK used for?
An SDK helps with the work needed to create, build, test, or integrate software for its intended target. It can supply code that handles common tasks, tools to compile or inspect a project, and documentation explaining how to use the target platform or service.
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- Platform development: Use the platform’s libraries, headers, and tools to build an application that runs on it.
- Service integration: Use a provider’s language-specific library and tools to make requests to its service.
- Build and test workflows: Use compilers, command-line tools, emulators, or other components when the SDK includes them.
The right SDK depends on what you are building. Start by identifying the target platform or service and the programming language and version your project uses.
What is inside an SDK?
Contents vary by vendor and purpose. An SDK may contain some, but not necessarily all, of these resources:
- APIs or API references: Interfaces and descriptions that explain how software can use platform or service capabilities.
- Libraries: Reusable code that can be included in an application.
- Headers and other development files: Files needed by particular languages and build processes.
- Build tools: Compilers, linkers, command-line utilities, or other tools for creating software.
- Documentation and examples: Guidance and sample code for common tasks.
- Runtime or redistributable components: Some SDKs include these; others do not.
Examples illustrate why the name alone does not tell you exactly what is included. Microsoft’s Windows SDK documentation describes headers and libraries for compiling and linking, along with command-line tools such as a compiler and linker. Android’s SDK Manager provides tools and packages, including platform tools such as adb, Android platform versions, and optional emulator system images. At least one Android platform package is needed to compile an app.
Microsoft describes the .NET SDK as including the .NET CLI, runtime and libraries, and the dotnet executable. That is a .NET-specific package description, not a rule that all SDKs include a runtime.
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What is the difference between an SDK and an API?
An API (application programming interface) is an interface that software can call to request data or actions. An SDK is a broader toolkit for developing against a platform or service; it may package API references or client libraries along with other developer resources.
| Term | What it describes | Typical role |
|---|---|---|
| API | An interface and the rules for using it | Lets one piece of software communicate with another |
| SDK | A kit of development resources; exact contents vary | Helps developers build for a platform or integrate with a service |
They are related, but they are not interchangeable. An SDK can make an API easier to use by providing a library or tools, but an API does not by itself mean you have the broader collection of resources an SDK might provide.
Do I need an SDK to develop an app?
Not always. You need the resources required by your target and chosen development approach. A platform may require its SDK to compile or test an app; a service may offer an SDK for your language, while also documenting another way to call its API. Check the platform or service’s official documentation for requirements rather than assuming that every API call requires an SDK.
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If you do install an SDK, make sure it matches the platform, version, and task you are targeting. An SDK meant for a different platform or an incompatible version may not provide the tools or APIs your project needs.
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How to choose and install an SDK
- Identify the target. Determine the operating system, framework, platform version, or service you are building for.
- Check language and version support. Confirm that the SDK supports the language and platform or API version your project requires.
- Review what it includes. Look for required libraries, build tools, platform packages, and any emulator or runtime needs.
- Use the provider’s official instructions. SDK installation is platform-specific. Android provides SDK Manager and the
sdkmanagercommand-line tool; Microsoft documents Windows SDK and Visual Studio options as well as .NET installers. - Install the needed components and accept applicable terms. Android’s SDK Manager can install or remove packages. Follow the provider’s project setup instructions after installation.
- Verify the installed version and source. Check the installed components against the project’s requirements and use known, trusted distribution sources.
There is no universal installer or command that installs every SDK. For .NET, Microsoft says native installers are intended primarily for development machines and require administrative privileges. For Windows development, Microsoft’s cited preparation page describes the Windows SDK and Visual Studio; that page was updated August 19, 2020, so consult current official download guidance for release details.
Why SDK versions and sources matter
SDK versions can determine which platform features and interfaces are available. Android uses API levels to identify framework API revisions. Android’s documentation warns that preview APIs may change: signatures can be altered, APIs renamed, or APIs removed before release. This preview behavior is specific to Android’s versioning context and should not be assumed to describe every platform.
Use official documentation to identify the right release and source. Microsoft also cautions that the .NET SDK locates and executes tools, and that in some cases user input can lead it to execute malicious software. It advises against trusting repositories that contain binaries with names matching tools in the SDK installation directory. This is a reason to vet repositories and tooling sources—not a reason to assume every SDK installation is unsafe.
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SDK troubleshooting: common problems and fixes
- The build cannot find a platform API or package: Check that the required platform or SDK component is installed, and that the project targets a version supported by that component. In Android, verify that the needed platform package is installed through SDK Manager or
sdkmanager. - The SDK is installed, but the command is unavailable: Check the provider’s setup instructions and confirm that the command-line tools are installed and configured for your shell or development environment. Installation steps differ by SDK.
- The project builds with one SDK version but not another: Compare the project’s configured target and required APIs with the installed SDK version. For Android previews, account for the possibility that APIs may change before release.
- A sample or instruction does not match your setup: Confirm that the documentation applies to your SDK, language, platform, and version. An example for a different release may rely on unavailable tools or interfaces.
- An installation source or tool seems unfamiliar: Pause before running it. Verify the source against the platform provider’s instructions and avoid untrusted repositories or binaries.
How an SDK differs from a runtime
A runtime provides the components needed to run software in a particular environment. An SDK is for development and can include tools and libraries used to create software. Some SDKs also include a runtime: Microsoft’s .NET SDK is one example. Other SDKs may not. Check the specific package description instead of treating “SDK” and “runtime” as synonyms.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does every SDK contain an API?
No fixed component list applies to every SDK. Check the provider’s description to see whether it includes API references, libraries, tools, or other resources.
Can I use more than one SDK in a project?
Yes, when a project targets multiple platforms or services, it may use multiple SDKs. Confirm that each is compatible with the project’s languages and requirements.
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