Since the last Android ADT update 16 there is a new tool included called Lint. Lint is able to scan Android projects for potential new bugs! Here is a short list of possible problems Lint is checking:
- Missing translations
- Layout performance problems
- Unused resources
- Inconsistent array sizes
- Accessibility and internationalization problems
- Icon problems
- Usability problems
- Manifest errors
The complete list can be found here: http://tools.android.com/tips/lint-checks
Lint is available as a command line tool and also integrated within Eclipse. I tried the eclipse version and it is very useful! I found several missing translation with it as well as possible performance issues. Check the tool documentation from here to get a really nice overview of the tool: http://tools.android.com/tips/lint
Image source: http://tools.android.com/_/rsrc/1321373354311/tips/lint/lint-window2.png
Update:
To integrate Lint into Eclipse you also have to update your ADT plugin within the software update section of Eclipse. If the update is done, you get a little icon next to the Android Virtual Device Manager icon. Just select the project you want to check and press the Lint icon.
I really like Lint from a QA perspective, because you can easily check what is going on in the source code and talk to your developers about the findings to improve the app quality!
Have fun!