Database Develop

Android Development

I'm posting this in the Development section because that is what I am trying to learn about. Please move me if I am mis-posting this.
I'm greatly interested in the the Roms people are making and everything that is being done on these forums. If someone wanted to start to learn about these things, developing and such, where should they start? Do I need to learn Java? Are there certain books I should be reading?
I can flash my phone like its my day job now, and I haven't come across any major problems I couldn't solve by reading, but I have no idea where to start to be able to develop things myself. If any developers here could maybe throw out a few tips on how to get started, what someone should focus on learning, etc., it would be greatly appreciated! I have plenty of time and a great desire to learn so I'm not intimidated by having to do the work, I just have to have some things to focus on. Thank you in advance for any help/advice you can give me!

I always wanted to know how make roms also I was looking around the internet but couldn't find anything that will describe it step by step word for word.
Maccie

It will be a huge writeup.But im sure someone will do it. I am still learning myself. There are some good topics around but different from what we have now

topshelf95 said:
I'm posting this in the Development section because that is what I am trying to learn about. Please move me if I am mis-posting this.
I'm greatly interested in the the Roms people are making and everything that is being done on these forums. If someone wanted to start to learn about these things, developing and such, where should they start? Do I need to learn Java? Are there certain books I should be reading?
I can flash my phone like its my day job now, and I haven't come across any major problems I couldn't solve by reading, but I have no idea where to start to be able to develop things myself. If any developers here could maybe throw out a few tips on how to get started, what someone should focus on learning, etc., it would be greatly appreciated! I have plenty of time and a great desire to learn so I'm not intimidated by having to do the work, I just have to have some things to focus on. Thank you in advance for any help/advice you can give me!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are a number of aspects to android development you have to learn to know how to build a full ROM from scratch. C is of course required for kernel building, and apps are built from java in the dalvik-vm, but can be built against sun java.
of course, to get started, you would need the android sdk available here: http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
then there's the cloning of the android git:
http://android.git.kernel.org/
and, specifically for the captivate, there's the captivate source code:
http://opensource.samsung.com/
then there's pulling off the vendor proprietary libs from your phone (which is a ***** and I believe you can grab them from wes's github, though I can't speak for their accuracy) here:
http://github.com/wesgarner/proprietary_vendor_samsung
building the entire android OS from source is a challenge, especially compensating for some changes Samsung has introduced. this is what a real ROM is. now if you're talking about "ROM"s like Cognition and Shep's and even Eugene's Hybrid/Frankin-Twiz... they aren't comparable. Not to belittle any of their efforts, but this is simple "drag and drop" from stuff built by Samsung. While they're very useful tools, there is little actual development going on in them. There are improvements and tweaks, for sure... but it isn't a *true* ROM. All these releases by DesignGears, Eugene, and Shep are good and effective, but it'd be a shame if they weren't because they are just files thrown together from Samsung's already compiled ROM(s). Even the AOSP Beta 3 (which I have a qualm with the name, because it isn't actually AOSP, it's files pulled from an already built AOSP tossed onto Samsung's ROM again) is just modifying binaries (decompile, edit, recompile).
for those, it's as simple as extracting the zip, replacing the files you want, and rezip it. modifying the update-script inside meta-inf if there's something you want to add.

Awesome post Kaik, thanks, I was wondering some of those too.

Thx that explained a bunch
Maccie

Thank you for taking the time to post that Kaik! It's nice to have a place to start! Anyone else have any tips or things they think might be good to check out?

last, but certainly not least and I can't believe I forgot this, is Unhelpful's toolchain to compile against:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=761923
he did a lot of testing with various combinations, and this was the best he found to reduce wakeup lag and other issues

Wow. Kaik. That was the most awesome response to that question I have ever seen. Most people just point to developer.android.com and say go learn to program and come back in 5 years.
Thank you for this very useful information. Your the man now dog.

johnyhoffman said:
Most people just point to developer.android.com and say go learn to program and come back in 5 years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Devs are not being mean or pissy, they are being honest and realistic. If development was just "point and click" XDA would not even be here. Give the devs/veterans a break and take it upon yourself to learn the basics and do some searches, if you are that interested.
I would love to just start making my own Android OS just the way I like too but to do that will require much more reading and learning, trying and failing.
You will probably not find "the answer" you are looking for but if you search, read and most importantly, respect the time, energy and anguish people have put into this site you will find the means to get where you want.
Otherwise you can expect... "Let me just glance and peek to see how to do this. Damn what the hell does that mean? Oh well here is a modded ROM. I'll try that. Jeez, that sucks. How do I make my own? Let me just glance and peek to see how to do this. Damn what the hell does that mean? Oh well ..." It is an endless cycle.
I'm not saying this to belittle anyone. Most have been there, including myself. I say this as a vote of confidence to all.
Hang in there, do the work, break some phones, read some books. Really! You have to!

koe1974 said:
Devs are not being mean or pissy, they are being honest and realistic. If development was just "point and click" XDA would not even be here. Give the devs/veterans a break and take it upon yourself to learn the basics and do some searches, if you are that interested.
I would love to just start making my own Android OS just the way I like too but to do that will require much more reading and learning, trying and failing.
You will probably not find "the answer" you are looking for but if you search, read and most importantly, respect the time, energy and anguish people have put into this site you will find the means to get where you want.
Otherwise you can expect... "Let me just glance and peek to see how to do this. Damn what the hell does that mean? Oh well here is a modded ROM. I'll try that. Jeez, that sucks. How do I make my own? Let me just glance and peek to see how to do this. Damn what the hell does that mean? Oh well ..." It is an endless cycle.
I'm not saying this to belittle anyone. Most have been there, including myself. I say this as a vote of confidence to all.
Hang in there, do the work, break some phones, read some books. Really! You have to!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this times one thousand. I linked you guys to some very useful sites when it comes to actually putting android together... but understanding how it all works, actually getting a successful build, fixing bugs, etc... I can't even begin to pretend to be able to help with that. if you have little to no experience in C and Java, these things will basically be useless to you. dev's aren't being mean when they brush you off like that, but usually if you can't figure out how to google what to do with the code, they don't have high hopes for what you'll be able to do with it once you find the code.
the idea isn't to be like "f*** off" when they say that, it's more of a "we'll help you when you learn, but you're the one who needs to take the first steps and you need to take the responsibility of learning on yourself."

I was actually referring to the fact that someone like me, a hobbyist programmer for about 10 years now, can make sense of his reply and use it to go forth and actually do something. Most of the guides you find on here that are supposedly pointed at noobs, do not layout things as easily as his post did.
Wasn't criticizing anyone, but I have seen less patience nowadays for any posts such as these.
Was just saying it was a gem of a post for me personally. Maybe it doesn't help the ultra noobs and the more experienced people see it as useless, but for someone with little time right now, it was a perfect post for me.

Noob (to Sylvania Tablet) ANy help would do

Hi Guru's.
Im back and i got my new gadget but im not too sure what to do on it quiet yet. i been searching online all day to try and find a better market place and been seeing all this tec talk that i dont understand about APK's and roots stuff. So im hopeing that some one will be able to help me a little by DUMBING some terms and directions down for me so i can make the best of my tablet or it will be returned and ill have the easy IPAD come tax returns lol.
Im tec savy, but yall are so good at what you do here so im hoping that some nice person will guide me in the right direction.
Also ive seen some threads with questions on what apps to install and such, but then i was confused on which apps to really install beucase folk has had issues with the apps that they installed. so believe me before i get a ignorant response to my topic i have done my leg work and ive read over 50 pages of talk about this tablet. And i have an idea on what to do but im still not sure.
Thanks a Bunch
<3 Chayda B

Unfortunately I am also not so great with this but will explain some terms as best I can...(I'm also a noob)
APK: Is the term used for applications on the Android Operating System.
Root: Is a term that describes unlocking your phone's true potential. This is accomplished because normally the Android OS has certain permissions unlocked for the user and other super permissions locked. This defines what the unrooted OS will let you do to the device without harming it. Rooting basically unlocks those hidden(super) permissions allowing you to do much more to the software and hardware like overclocking your CPU to make it faster... umm also allows you to do things like backup applications or extract them and on some devices play around or look through the device's scripts and system files. Ask the community about rooting as they can probably explain it better than I can. Sorry!
Sadly about the Market, it is not fully unlocked in all countries and I think you need special licensing to access certain apps or apks on the market. As for your Silvania I would recommend going to Androidtablets.net and search for your device. There is a mini community there for your tablet, maybe you can get more help there.

this tablet become truly enjoyable once you have the real Marketplace on it.
I put together a walk through that takes you through all the steps necessary to get it installed and working on your tablet here.
I take zero credit for any of the work that went into getting it working. I mainly made the page as a reference for myself in-case i need to do it again.
If you hit a snag let me know and i'll do what i can to help.
just as a note i also have the gingerbread keyboard and live wallpapers working on mine. i'll see how my market guide is received before i put together anything about putting these others on our tablet.

A word of WARNING regarding flashing roms (for the new folks)...

Experienced users already know this but we have lots of new people who come in ready to flash anything and everything. Here are a few pointers to keep yourself out of trouble:
1) You CAN break your new toy and turn it into a $500 paperweight. This is referred to as "bricking" your device. There are hard bricks and soft bricks. Soft bricks are recoverable with the right knowledge. This is usually something like a bootloop or being stuck at the Samsung splash screen. If your device will boot to atleast the Samsung splash screen or recovery but no further, you are most likely soft bricked. Be patient. Seek help and get it solved. Don't start just randomly trying things as you could turn that soft brick hard. A hard brick usually means you have a black screen and no further. Although this is not as easy to do as it used to be, it is still possible and royally sucks if it happens to you. (Guide to un-"soft bricking" your tablet - http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-tab-s/help/to-event-soft-brick-disaster-t2838473).
2) Check the firmware version being used by the developer against the proper firmware for your device. Make sure they match. If in doubt ask the developer. Some countries firmware are not compatible with other countries and can brick you.
3) There are 4 terms you want to know and understand - rom, kernel, recovery and firmware. Do your research and understand what these mean. Google is your friend. Don't ask the developer to explain them. This is your due diligence and your responsibility before joining the discussion.
4) If you are new please show some humility in the development thread. Give feedback ("this isn't working for me"), don't criticize ("this is rubbish!"), stay OT (on topic) and don't get into flame wars (playground arguments) with other users. If someone insults you report it and forget it. The mods will delete the offending comment and your ego will remain intact. If you simply must respond to the other user use private messaging. While the argument may be important to you no one else cares. And for gods sake, PLEASE read the OP (original post) thoroughly before asking questions. If the thread is well established there is a good chance your question has already been answered. Before asking do a keyword search. There are no stupid questions but repetitive ones annoy the locals.
5) Ask politely, never demand and NEVER be snarky or sarcastic. After you type your post reread it and ask yourself, could someone find this insulting? If the answer is yes, retype it. If someone helps you, hit the Thanks button.
6) Please, if you go into a thread for a Touchwiz rom, don't say, "wow, I wish this was CM", or "what we really need is AOSP". This is offensive to the developer and you are hijacking the thread. You wouldn't tell your girlfriend you'd rather be dating her sister - don't insinuate the developer's work is not good enough. If you want the developer to work on your behalf with a CM or AOSP rom, ask them directly in a private message so their thread doesn't get sidetracked.
7) Before flashing a new rom, ALWAYS do a Nandroid Backup of your current setup. That way if things go badly you can easily restore what you have. Don't be lazy. Do the Nandroid and give it a unique name so you know what it is later. These can be big. Clear out older ones once they are no longer useful.
8) In addition to a Nandroid backup do a full backup of your personal and system apps using a quality paid backup product like Titanium (don't be cheap, time is money and this will save you plenty). This will allow you to restore all of your apps with a click. In addition you can restore any system apps the dev may have "debloated" but which you still want. Remember, one man's bloat is another man's essential resource.
9) Be cautious, take your time and have a good experience. Roms can be awesome but they can also be trouble. Eyes wide open.
Thanks everybody

Thanks that was really nice of you to lay all that out. I would have been really grateful to have all that info in one place back when I was new to the XDA scene.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Premium HD app

Very well put together for sure
Nexus 5 via Tapatalk

wee bump

Thanks. Had a few hairy moments with being stuck but thankfully home, volume down and power got me out of them.

So many new roms now. Pretty exciting. Make sure to double check those firmware numbers before flashing folks.

Great thread

im just waiting for T805 Rom lol only rom for T700

Thx for Word of WARNING.

szfagir said:
Thx for Word of WARNING.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. Many new people don't understand what a serious risky business flashing roms and kernels can be.

Should I root

Does rooting provide any protection against malware or does it make it worse?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

Best protection against malware = user.

If you just root, and don't use a custom recovery and custom ROMs, immediately install SuperSU, antivirus, and make sure you protect yourself. SuperSU will at least notify you when an application is trying to use root permissions (aka - modify or access system files) which is not something you want every program doing.
The nice thing about having root is you can change things on your phone a launcher can't touch - boot animation, screen DPI, backup apps like Titanium Backup, and of course clearing out carrier bloatware.
If you do go with a custom recovery, TWRP for example, and flash ROMs, CyanogenMod for example, you are often provided with SuperSU tools and other options as part of the package. Just be very sure you are using images from reputable sources. Lord knows what kind of stuff someone who published a custom ROM could get off your device if they had ill intents.
If you are new to rooting, flashing, etc then I would suggest starting with root access only. Explore what you can do with it, learn it, and be conscious of security as you go. After you are comfortable with it, try CyanogenMod to see how a custom ROM really differs from stock.

Rooting will not give any protection against malware you have to install antivirus or use any app that will help you against this with root

Oh, and to answer the question 'should you root'... We tinker with all the things because we like to. We like knowing how all the things work. We like having more control of all the things. If you don't like this, then don't.

clago87 said:
Does rooting provide any protection against malware or does it make it worse?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android is blamed for earning malware for your device but hey! the user of the device is 100% responsible for it. Stop clicking on spammy links and visiting those websites which allow you to earn malware Problem will be solved.
Now rooting. Rooting is the best way to taste your android device at fullest. Use custom ROM, tweak the kernel and much more

clago87 said:
Does rooting provide any protection against malware or does it make it worse?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not an expert and have found the site to be filled with a lot of great, detailed information including howto instructions if you decide to root. I've rooted a few phones but not the N6 yet. I'm waiting for 5.1 to be available only because I'd rather the OTA download and didn't want it to break root and have to spend a day playing with the phone to get it set up again. Yes, lazy too. My two cents:
There were a few articles back when 5.0 was being released saying how root for this OS would need to bypass much of the built-in security features with this OS version. I don't have a clue if it is true. If I decide to root, I'll go back and see if this is a real problem.
Why root? The exposed framework gives you nice features. Apps can have access to the phone os/hardware that is blocked, for example, you can get the notification LED to work, the battery statistics allow more access so you can see what app is killing your battery. There was one or two other apps I used that required root, can't recall now.
Its easy to say malware is a user problem, some of it is like careless sideloading. But I have no idea if a web page is loading something on my phone. Worse, if you look at the permissions you grant apps, you would load very few on your phone. I find the service providers , like T-Mobile (mine) and Verizion (Fios) to be the worst in asking for access to the phone data for no apparent reason. Does my app to see visual voicemail really need access to my microphone and camera or apps I have loaded on the phone? In my opinion this is spyware as you have no idea what is being uploaded to the app developer. Many of the apps in google play have questionable permission requirements.
That's actually another reason to root, the xposed xprivacy module (haven't used it). Or, using a DNS that will filter malware web site (I think you need root to change the DNS in Android). I'm not sure about the status of xposed on the nexus 6 so you have to read the threads. I don't know why you want to root, so you have to determine if it is worth the effort.

Simple answer is No.
if you're asking if you should root then you do not know what root is and the benefits to it. if you are happy with the phone and all the apps you have suit your needs, then stay as you are and do not download any dodgy apps from the play store

IINexusII said:
Simple answer is No.
if you're asking if you should root then you do not know what root is and the benefits to it. if you are happy with the phone and all the apps you have suit your needs, then stay as you are and do not download any dodgy apps from the play store
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couldn't agree more. If you have to ask, the answer is no.

IINexusII said:
Simple answer is No.
if you're asking if you should root then you do not know what root is and the benefits to it.
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Click to collapse
Terrible answer! Just because someone doesn't already know something is piss poor justification for telling them not to learn it.
If someone asked the forum if there were any benefits in C#, would you tell them not to bother learning to program, just keep buying Microsoft products?
FFS...

Elnrik said:
Terrible answer! Just because someone doesn't already know something is piss poor justification for telling them not to learn it.
If someone asked the forum if there were any benefits in C#, would you tell them not to bother learning to program, just keep buying Microsoft products?
FFS...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What a terrible response. is root a programming language?

Elnrik said:
Terrible answer! Just because someone doesn't already know something is piss poor justification for telling them not to learn it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it is the best answer. He is not asking to learn it, he is askign us to make a decision as to whether he should root or not. If he knows the benefits of root, he should make teh decision himself based on the usecase. If he doesn't know the benefits, he should read a sticky thread that lists the benefits. If he doesnt know whether he should root, then he shouldnt because it is not something to um and ahh over.

Rooting in and of itself will have no effect on your getting infected with malware or not. It may affect the degree in which something can muck up your system, because if rooted, that program can get further into the OS than if you were not.
Now, that said, the real meat of it is that if you allow sideloading, that's the one that will let apps install from downloaded files, etc.
Ever notice where they say all the android handsets are getting infected? not here in the US anyways.
If you stick to known downloads and are not trying to get hacked apps, you won't have to worry.
I have to agree with RootSU here, his last paragraph sums it up nicely.

IINexusII said:
What a terrible response. is root a programming language?
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Click to collapse
Well, I can't resist using your own logic... If you don't know that root isn't a programming language, you shouldn't root. You probably shouldn't even reply to posts. Further, If you can't understand the example I provided, I'm not going to waste my time and explain it. You should just go read the stickies on the benefits of examples, or something. After all, you shouldn't um and ahh over this.
Facetiousness aside, if you read my example you'd see that I in no way called root a programming language. My entire point is that there are better ways to tell someone not to root. If your point to the OP is this: No, you shouldn't root because it can be dangerous, can brick your device, and that you really need to do your homework on it before you just go and do it, then tell them that! Don't condescend to them and/or future readers of the thread that not knowing it is reason enough not to do it ever. It's insulting. At least it is to me. It IS a discouragement, and in IMO, and in the spirit of XDA, we should try to point people in the right direction so they can learn and make them aware of the risks and benefits so they can make informed decisions. Sure, if it's already been covered, post a link to the thread or sticky. No need to rewrite it. But sending the message of "If you don't already know, abandon all hope now" is crap.
If you disagree with me, then I'll agree to disagree with you.
That's the last I'll say about this.
Peace

Elnrik said:
Terrible answer! Just because someone doesn't already know something is piss poor justification for telling them not to learn it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I interpreted it to mean that learning more about root and what it might offer/require of a user is probably best before actually rooting and then deciding later on if that's what you really wanted to do. That is, being conservative here is probably not the worst suggestion.
- ooofest

Accidentally deleted my os! Need help installing Cyanogen 13

I messed up big and accidentally deleted my os. I can get into TWRP, but I don't know what to do from here.

noohel said:
I messed up big and accidentally deleted my os. I can get into TWRP, but I don't know what to do from here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
move the rom, gapps, and supersu over from a computer to your phone, then flash it in twrp. put your phone into recovery, then move them into your phone.

I'm a noob to this stuff so is there any thread with a tutorial or video explaining on how I can do this?

noohel said:
I'm a noob to this stuff so is there any thread with a tutorial or video explaining on how I can do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think so, as this is the very basic thing that you should learn before you ever flash anything or before you root your device.
there are several ways you can transfer files, adb push is one, or you can just transfer them over using an option in twrp.

If you can't even drag and drop a file to your phone you shouldn't be flashing roms,this is pretty simplistic and basic... I try to help people but this gets really old everyday its the same thing over and over,sorry for my rant or sounding like a total d*#k!

holeindalip said:
If you can't even drag and drop a file to your phone you shouldn't be flashing roms,this is pretty simplistic and basic... I try to help people but this gets really old everyday its the same thing over and over,sorry for my rant or sounding like a total d*#k!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok, really old.. you have 500+ posts, it cant be that old to you. i have 32400+ posts, and im still willing to help everyone. you were a newb once as well, and im sure someone helped you somewhere. i know i was a newb once. oh, and im sure that youre not a dxxk! youre probably a nice guy as well

Ive been on here since 2010,I just don't post every time somebody needs something,I let others chip in. Bit you have to admit how many times do you login and see the same thing day after day.
1. He bought the phone with cm13 on it already and is a noob and doesn't know how or
2 he installed cm13 on his own but accidentally deleted the os which means he's done it before but automatically forgot how to do it again
Again sorry to op I'm being mean tonight!

holeindalip said:
Ive been on here since 2010,I just don't post every time somebody needs something,I let others chip in. Bit you have to admit how many times do you login and see the same thing day after day.
1. He bought the phone with cm13 on it already and is a noob and doesn't know how or
2 he installed cm13 on his own but accidentally deleted the os which means he's done it before but automatically forgot how to do it again
Again sorry to op I'm being mean tonight!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i actually used to agree with you completely, in 2013 i was fed up with the same questions over and over and over again. then something happened to me that let me see past being fed up. i guess something like seeing the light. ive been nothing but very nice with newbies since. i do see people asking questions over and over again, that should know what they are doing. it those people ill get on, and wont be nice sometime

Anyways to answer your question do as Simms said
1.boot to twrp
2. Plug device to pc
3. After downloading rom,gapps,and SuperSU drag and drop from pc to your nexus 6
4. In twrp click install and install rom,gapps,and SuperSU
5. reboot and if twrp asks to install super user select no
6. Profit!!!

I'll be blunt here.
I have no patience for people looking for a handout. If a noob comes to this forum, does their research beforehand, and then encounters a problem, I'm more than willing to help them out. They at least are trying to learn how to do things on their own.
I place great value on self-reliance, and will reward the self-reliant with as much help as I can provide, within the limits of my experience. The OP on the other hand is on their own. Unlike the self-reliant person, the OP didn't bother to do their homework before attempting to mess around with their device, and on encountering a problem that could have been solved with a simple search, hit XDA Developers for help after the fact.
An increasing number of noobs aren't even bothering to read and understand what they are doing, because they are under the illusion that rooting is somehow cool or will grant them instant street cred. Rooting, as anyone with half a brain knows, is serious business. One wrong step and your shiny new device could become a shiny new paperweight. So, if the OP is unwilling to help themselves through simple research, how will giving the answer to them teach them anything?

Strephon Alkhalikoi said:
I'll be blunt here.
I have no patience for people looking for a handout. If a noob comes to this forum, does their research beforehand, and then encounters a problem, I'm more than willing to help them out. They at least are trying to learn how to do things on their own.
I place great value on self-reliance, and will reward the self-reliant with as much help as I can provide, within the limits of my experience. The OP on the other hand is on their own. Unlike the self-reliant person, the OP didn't bother to do their homework before attempting to mess around with their device, and on encountering a problem that could have been solved with a simple search, hit XDA Developers for help after the fact.
An increasing number of noobs aren't even bothering to read and understand what they are doing, because they are under the illusion that rooting is somehow cool or will grant them instant street cred. Rooting, as anyone with half a brain knows, is serious business. One wrong step and your shiny new device could become a shiny new paperweight. So, if the OP is unwilling to help themselves through simple research, how will giving the answer to them teach them anything?
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Click to collapse
100% agree, thumbs up. I have said this before on here but I think an admin. Deleted it, I don't think anybody reads anything anymore they just want somebody to do it for them