I can cross-compile any C/C++ application ,statically link it Linux libraries and run it on android.What was the need of an Android-ndk then ?Android-ndk limits us to bionic which has a small subset of gnu libc.Isn't it a better idea to straightaway cross-compile applications and run them through Android shell?Is there any limitation to cross-compiling that I can't see ? This URL : [Can Linux apps be run in Android?](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/1636901/can-linux-apps-be-run-in-android) answers my question to some extent but eventually leaves me confused and without clarity.