android.net.SntpClient is missing from Android SDK

Question

I am trying to get time from an Internet Time Server. And I found that android.net.SntpClient is a good solution that I could use.

But my Android SDK (Android API 19) does not contain that class. I downloaded the "Sources for Android SDK" via SDK Manager and the source code contains the SntpClient.java (source file for class android.net.SntpClient)

Please view the images links I uploaded. (sorry, I dont have enough reputation for images right here)

The android SDK: https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/1888504_897281990284152_2310291065247680835_n.jpg?oh=989c5f49848a8914d77bb0d4aac8897d&oe=54F8E9D6

The sources: https://scontent-a-sea.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/s720x720/10659310_897281993617485_1823842706987095742_n.jpg?oh=27ee6a075967731dc7265352c22002cd&oe=54DCBB73

Could anyone tell me why this file is not compiled? If I want to use this class, I have to explain to my boss why android SDK doesn't contain it.

Thanks a lot

Answer 1

Google has chosen not to make all public classes available as part of the SDK. Visibility is controlled by the @hide comment tag as described here.

I'm not sure why they chose to hide SntpClient particularly, but provided you respect the terms of the Apache license you can copy the source into your application without much modification.