Android jaħdem fuq firxa enormi ta' apparati u verżjonijiet tal-OS ("frammentazzjoni"), għalhekk l-apps għandhom jimmaniġġjaw kompatibilità tal-verżjoni — jappoġġjaw verżjonijiet eħin filwaqt li jużaw il-features l-ġodda b'mod sigur. L-fehim tal-SDK levels, il-libreriji ta' kompatibilità, u l-graceful degradation huwa importanti.
SDK levels: min, target, compile
minSdk → the OLDEST Android version the app supports (older devices can't install it)
→ lower minSdk = more devices reached, but more compatibility work
targetSdk → the version the app is TESTED/optimized against (and opts into its behaviors)
→ should be kept current (Play requires a recent targetSdk)
compileSdk → the SDK version used to COMPILE (access to newer APIs)
→ Balance: support enough old devices (minSdk) while targeting current behavior (targetSdk).
