Compile v8 arm, arm64, ia32

Quick guide on how to compile v8 8.4-lkgr for Android on Ubuntu in one copy/paste script. I use this script regularly, so it is well tested.

If you are looking for some already pre-compiled ready-to-use v8 version, you can find them here.

# Install git:
sudo apt install git

# Install depot tools
Follow instructions https://v8.dev/docs/source-code.

# Fetch v8 source code.
# Use the branch of your choice. In will use 8.4-lkgr (last known good release).
# I'd advise always using -lkgr branches
fetch v8
cd v8
git pull
git checkout 8.4-lkgr

# Enter v8 folder.
cd v8

# Install all dependencies, ndk, sdk, etc.
# This may take a while. It downloads android tools: sdk+ndk, etc.
build/install-build-deps-android.sh

# Set android target. This op will take some time, ndk alone is +1Gb
echo "target_os = ['android']" >> ../.gclient && gclient sync

# Generate compilation target: 
# Change android_arm.release to the folder name of your choice, in this
# case: out.gn/android_arm.release
#
# Use this to compile for arm/arm64
tools/dev/v8gen.py arm.release

# Use this to compile for x86
tools/dev/v8gen.py ia32.release

# Edit gn configuration file: 
# I’d recommend disabling icu support, and set 
# symbol_level=0 for faster compilation and thinner
# output libs. You can get the whole list of 
# compilation options by executing: 
# `gn args out.gn/android_arm.release —-list` 
#
# Optionally set `target_cpu="arm64"` or `target_cpu="x86"` (if ia32 was used)

vi out.gn/android_arm.release/args.gn

# This is my file contents:
android_unstripped_runtime_outputs = false
is_component_build = false
is_debug = false
symbol_level = 1
target_cpu = "arm"
target_os = "android"
use_goma = false
use_custom_libcxx = false
use_custom_libcxx_for_host = false
v8_target_cpu = "arm"
v8_use_external_startup_data = false
v8_enable_i18n_support= false
v8_android_log_stdout = true
v8_static_library = true
v8_monolithic = true
v8_enable_pointer_compression = false

# to compile arm64, just change target_cpu and v8_target_cpu to arm64

# Compile target: 
# This may take up to 1 hour depending on your setup.
# Optionally use a -j value suitable for your system.
ninja -C out.gn/android_arm.release v8_monolithic

# Fat lib file has been generated by v8_monolithic parameter at
# out.gn/<e.g. android_arm.release>/obj/libv8_monolithic.a 

# source headers, for inspector compilation.
mkdir -p src/base/platform
mkdir -p src/common
mkdir -p src/inspector
mkdir -p src/json
mkdir -p src/utils
mkdir -p src/init

cp -R ../../../../src/common/*.h ./src/common
cp -R ../../../../src/base/*.h ./src/base
cp -R ../../../../src/base/platform/*.h ./src/base/platform
cp -R ../../../../src/inspector/*.h ./src/inspector
cp -R ../../../../src/json/*.h ./src/json
cp -R ../../../../src/utils/*.h ./src/utils
cp -R ../../../../src/init/*.h ./src/init

# copy v8 compilation header files:
cp -R ../../../../include ./

# For compilation on Android, always use the same ndk as 
# `gclient sync` downloaded. 
# Enjoy v8 embedded in an Android app

Compile for Android emulator

tools/dev/v8gen.py gen ia32.release
# edit out.gn/ia32.release/args.gn, to contain the following:
is_debug = false
target_cpu = "x86"
use_goma = false
target_os = "android"
v8_use_external_startup_data = false
v8_enable_i18n_support = false
v8_monolithic = true