[Q] What do you need to know for basic development? - Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Assume you're telling a middle-aged woman that's trying to take her youth back and has Android but really doesn't know anything about it.
I'm not, but that wouldn't be far off.
I have no idea what I should be telling you I need to know, I just want to know what I need to know if I want to know how to say... make a ROM for a phone.
If you can read that last sentence I'll ensure a bj from Carmen Electra. Try to figure out what I mean, because even I don't really know...

you can either cook a rom from an existing rom (easier) or you can start from scratch (harder).
to cook a rom from an existing rom, take a look at the following:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=633246
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1198035
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1192493
you can also theme your cooked rom using the UOT Kitchen
if you want to start coding a rom from scratch, i believe you need to know java (it might be another programming language such as c++; i can't say for sure since i am not a developer )

Alright, thanks!

Related

Stupid noob needs help

Hey guys !
I've been around here for many years but have allways been using Windows Mobile phones. I've had a Hero for about a year and i must say that i am very pleased with it. It works so damn good ! I've been flashing roms on windows mobile phones and even created roms my self.
However this Android / Linux world is so new to me that i have no idea what i need to do in order to simply flash a rom on my Hero!
What i get is that i need to root my device. There are some few guides for this in the wiki but i still do not know if my Hero is a Virgin og a Telus. How can i see this?
Also i see a lot of Linux based talk and commands (i presume) that i do not understand anything of. Do we have any desciption of the most common used commands and such stuff so new people like me can get a better understanding of what you guys are actually talking about?
When i learn all this i will edit the wiki with the information. And as i am new it is easier for me to fill in what is missing if you understand
.. And yes i have searched!
Da9L said:
Hey guys !
I've been around here for many years but have allways been using Windows Mobile phones. I've had a Hero for about a year and i must say that i am very pleased with it. It works so damn good ! I've been flashing roms on windows mobile phones and even created roms my self.
However this Android / Linux world is so new to me that i have no idea what i need to do in order to simply flash a rom on my Hero!
What i get is that i need to root my device. There are some few guides for this in the wiki but i still do not know if my Hero is a Virgin og a Telus. How can i see this?
Also i see a lot of Linux based talk and commands (i presume) that i do not understand anything of. Do we have any desciption of the most common used commands and such stuff so new people like me can get a better understanding of what you guys are actually talking about?
When i learn all this i will edit the wiki with the information. And as i am new it is easier for me to fill in what is missing if you understand
.. And yes i have searched!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Theunlockr.com is an excellent source of information on rooting/flashing your Hero.
nprussell said:
Theunlockr.com is an excellent source of information on rooting/flashing your Hero.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seconded.
And when you're unlocked, check out Villain and Vanillain ROM's (check out previous post), definitely two of the best
if you want to know if your phone is rooted download and install "Super user" and run it,you will then know if your phone is rooted or not.
I,like you,was a WM user and found android to be more complicated,but in fact it´s not...once you root your phone and install Amon-RA recovery ( http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=4549551&postcount=1 ) its much easier and simple to do things.
theres a sticky in this sub-forum with wiki-guides,read it!
Branwen said:
Seconded.
And when you're unlocked, check out Villain and Vanillain ROM's (check out previous post), definitely two of the best
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True used a lot those roms.
Waiting patiently for a Vanillain rom based in eris dump.
Right now im still using AychTeeSee's just to be able to use the Buuf Theme
I'm in the exact same situation as Da9L . Could you please let me know if flashing a new ROM will also change the Firmware version?
Currently my firmware is 1.5. I've seen on a friend's G1 the voice search widget and I'm dying to get that on my device. From what I've been told, i need to get a newer firmware, but I've got no idea on how to do this.
Any help would be appreciated ^_^
Some questions:
So the short line of the process of flashing a custom rom is when using unbranded htc hero:
1. Downgrade my software to 1.76, as iam using the newest
2. Root the device acording to _this_ guide
3. Perform a backup
4. Flash the custom rom as i flash a stock rom?
Is that it? It leads me to some more questions
What is this "recovery image" and is there any reason to flash a new one?
And why is there any reason to change this at all ?
How do i get danish xt9 for sms?
And please i have a feeling that i am getting this wrong.. Can you please explain to me the procedure of doing all this ?
Is there any benefit by flashing a rom?
I mean the stock rom actually runs pretty good and is stable. A custom rom is likely to be a little more unstable than a stock rom, but often give you more speed and newer features. This is when we are talking Windows Mobile, but is it the same here? What are the pros and cons by flashing a custom rom over the stock rom?
Da9L said:
Is there any benefit by flashing a rom?
I mean the stock rom actually runs pretty good and is stable. A custom rom is likely to be a little more unstable than a stock rom, but often give you more speed and newer features. This is when we are talking Windows Mobile, but is it the same here? What are the pros and cons by flashing a custom rom over the stock rom?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It varies depending on the ROM tbh. It's a bit like the high-tech version of 'how long's a piece of string'?
Really, you're likely to get improved performance, root permissions, user interface tweaks, different versions of applications that are better than the default ones, maybe a custom kernel (if it's a 1.5 release you're looking at).
The custom kernels can have better performance due to optimisations in them. Not sure how much of this is like winmo (never had a winmo phone, all I know is that you are able to install alternative ROMs on them), but with android the core OS is open source, so you get more performance boosts under the hood.
Anyone able to add to that?
anon2122 said:
It varies depending on the ROM tbh. It's a bit like the high-tech version of 'how long's a piece of string'?
Really, you're likely to get improved performance, root permissions, user interface tweaks, different versions of applications that are better than the default ones, maybe a custom kernel (if it's a 1.5 release you're looking at).
The custom kernels can have better performance due to optimisations in them. Not sure how much of this is like winmo (never had a winmo phone, all I know is that you are able to install alternative ROMs on them), but with android the core OS is open source, so you get more performance boosts under the hood.
Anyone able to add to that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sounds great. However, since this is so new to me i do not know what new tweaks and apps i will be able to use and get if you follow me? When i have flashed a new custom rom, propably android 2.1, i do not know what new things it has and therefore where and how to use these new functions. And does the real advantage in a custom rom also get to a normal user or is the advantages more directed at the developers or?

[Q] Ordered Eris..couple Q's

Hey guys, so I just ordered an Eris which I intend to use on MetroPCS.
I just want to make sure that I'm doing all this in the correct order..
So, fist thing is that I need to make sure that the phone has 2.1 on it in order to use the 1 click root solution(love )
-Though if my phone isn't 2.1..how do I upgrade without rooting so that I can root?
Next, I need to choose a rom to use. I found the read first sticky listing all the most current roms and radios and other info on how to actually install them.
-Though, since the thread is closed are they really all the latest?
Lastly, I need to Flash (not sure if that is actually the correct terminology) the phone's settings over to Metro using the file found here.
I think that's the basic direction that I need to take. Please let me know if I'm missing anything.
I am in the dark about a couple things, though I'm not sure I need to understand them.
I know the kernel is a central part of the OS, but doesn't it come with the rom you choose? Why would you need to flash the Kernel, is it just to update your rom without actually changing your rom?
Also, what's with recovery images and what's an RUU?
Finally, how do I pick a rom that's right for me!? There seem to be so many and I'm not sure which are the most recent/functional/fast..
Anyway, you guys are awesome for all you do and I hope that this thread can be useful to someone besides just me.
Thanks again!!
conradcliff said:
Hey guys, so I just ordered an Eris which I intend to use on MetroPCS.
I just want to make sure that I'm doing all this in the correct order..
So, fist thing is that I need to make sure that the phone has 2.1 on it in order to use the 1 click root solution(love )
-Though if my phone isn't 2.1..how do I upgrade without rooting so that I can root?
Next, I need to choose a rom to use. I found the read first sticky listing all the most current roms and radios and other info on how to actually install them.
-Though, since the thread is closed are they really all the latest?
Lastly, I need to Flash (not sure if that is actually the correct terminology) the phone's settings over to Metro using the file found here.
I think that's the basic direction that I need to take. Please let me know if I'm missing anything.
I am in the dark about a couple things, though I'm not sure I need to understand them.
I know the kernel is a central part of the OS, but doesn't it come with the rom you choose? Why would you need to flash the Kernel, is it just to update your rom without actually changing your rom?
Also, what's with recovery images and what's an RUU?
Finally, how do I pick a rom that's right for me!? There seem to be so many and I'm not sure which are the most recent/functional/fast..
Anyway, you guys are awesome for all you do and I hope that this thread can be useful to someone besides just me.
Thanks again!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably once you get the phone it will already have the 2.1 official OS or you can update it through the Settings and have it check for updates. I would suggest that you try xtrSense. I have no clue on the Metro settings though but I would imagine once you get a good ROM flashed that all you have to do is to just install the settings.
Thanks, yeah..I think that link that I posted takes care of the metro settings..at least it says it does.
I didn't think I would be able to do an over the air update because I was assuming that it was DL'd from a verizon server. Does the update to 2.1 come from a typical internet source that can be accessed from any network?

Themes for stock rooted ROM

Hello guys, I was just wondering whether there are any themesout working for the stock ROM. I actually want to change my taskbar look without modifying the whole ROM. I have rooted my phone and installed the mik_os kernel (God bless him).
Any suggestions?
As far as i know... that involves working through odexed files and since if you change the stock color... you'll have to setup the text colors too and THAT is the real pain in the ass if you have no ideia how to do it! (like meeeeee )
Even with tutorials for unexperienced ppl it basically involves you messing with the stock rom and deodex the specific files afecting the status bar and it's texts like the Framework ALL BY HAND! too much hassle if you're a noob, like me!
Basically you can't put themes that change the system setup without "deodexing" the ROM files you have to! That means you would be, in a way, "coocking" your own rom! and therefore it would not be a "stock" rom any longer!
Easiest solution is to get a custom rom that best suits your needs and with said theme you want OR.... make a nand backup of your ROM and go learn how to change and edit the files you need to place a new theme on your ROM and... flash it!?
Last case scenario but highly improbable... get ahold of your current ROM version, the official ROM for your specific phone model and ask somebody you may know or learn it how to do it your self and after you work it out! flash it!
I think there ARE videos on youtube about it but like i said... it's NO amateur stuff believe me!
Either Way remember to always backup your current ROM in case something goes wrong you can always restaure it!

[Q] Why ROOT SG2 and how it works?

I'm new to the whole thing of rooting, i'm new to androids to be specific. I spent the last two years modding iOS's but my last iphone 4 was stolen and i got my hands on the new SGS2. I like it a lot but i still want to take more out of it.
Why ROOT my phone? What are the pros and cons of doing it? (i dont have this very clear since im new and i dont really know all my phone can do as is, stock). will i be able to reverse it, or delete it with an update?
what i really want more help is with the following:
What are MOD and ROMS and wich one is better recommended?
i have search a lot but im still confused a little bit. ive run into cyanogen mod 7, villian etc. i basically want to make themes and add features to the phone, wich MOD will give me more room to play around, wich one has more stuff running around on the web?
i found a theme called neongt that i liked a lot will it work with any mod or rom i choce?
thanks a lot with whatever help you can give me
* Root is equivalent of Jailbreaking in iOS
* Provides root access to the mobile OS
* Can install backup apps like Titanium backup which requires too to take backup freeze or unfreeze apps
* Villian ROM is based on the latest version of Android OS released for SGS2. Note that there are different firmware for different regions unlike iOS
*CyanogenMod is I believe its from Vanilla Android OS with mods . To know more about click here http://www.cyanogenmod.com
* You can try any one and if you dont like you can always revert back to Stock rom (original which was released by Samsung)
* Mods are additional features to an existing ROM. Example One of the mod is when you click the power button, it will display Reboot , Recovery which is not provided in Stock rom also showing % in battery is another MOD
Hope this helps You can look into http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1058
BTW What I read is 99% impossible to brick the phone. So you can play around with the phone with flashing roms
If you new to android then wait a while before rooting. There are tons of stuff to learn and do without root.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
The only real way at the moment to brick the phone is to put the PIT in and then have a problem while flashing (or put a galaxy s pit in, it has been done, thats a hardbrick).
Root is like total control, you can do anything and edit anything.
The easiest way to root is using CF-root which autoroots you, this is a stock kernel with a custom inframfs which does the rooting.
When chosing a kernel you need to match the bolded bit of the version to the rom you are using CF-Root-SGS2_XX_OXA_KG6-v4.1-CWM4.zip
The rest of the version relates to the region it was built for, but for kernels that does not matter.
Custom kernels normally bring Clockworkmod recovery which gives you options to take a whole phone backup/snapshot of the moment you backed up.
They also have other things like overclocking(not recomended unless you know what you are doing)/undervolting controls.
Also stuff like BLN(back light notification) which uses the touch key backlight to show notifications like an led would.
Custom roms, deodexed means taking the classes.dex files and shoving it back into the jar file so its easier to edit.
At the moment if you deodex the framework (part of the OS) the stock browser lags, some roms with around this by leaving it odexed but this has its disadvantages as some mods need a 100% deodexed rom or a 100% odexed rom.
You can use places like the UOT kitchen to theme your phone yourself or find loads of themes in the right section.
Also part of the rom is called a CSC which contains customisations like apps your carrier wanted to bundle, also APN settings, you can use any CSC with any version in general and dont need to flash a new one unless the rom comes with or asks for one.
Always read the first posts in a thread, and use the search before asking a question
thanks a lot to everyone i have spent last night researching and ive learn a lot, i think i have taken all i can from my phone already, im a modding freak so i cant se my phone behave or look the same way for too long, i have it since july 20 ill keep it as is for a couple of weeks more and then ill try only rooting. after that ill play aruond with the mods until i found one that i can use to make one my self and theme it my way as i use to do with my ios's. thanks a lot for all the advices. ive heard a lot of rumors about bricked phones but i have figure out that is not that risky, as my friend galaxyII back there said, but it still can happen so ill be as carefull as i can
im looking forward to posting/sharing the mods or themes i make, also if you know someone that needs help with iOS devices i can help
i better keep looking around now so i dont mess anything up XD lolz

Order of doing things (Root, Roms, Kernels...)

Hi All,
Please excuse the particular noob nature of this post. I have been doing a lot of digging and I just want to make sure I know what I'm doing before I launch into this amazing world of custom software and updates.
I very luckily won myself a Galaxy Tab 10.1 3g wifi (no idea exact model until it comes, as it appears there are a few....)
I have a galaxy nexus, but I've not mucked around with it at all really. A free galaxy tab though, is too much of a temptation not to.
So, in what order should I be doing stuff? From what I can gather it would be:
Root
Download ROM Manager
Install Clockworkmod Recovery
Make a NANDROID backup
From here, I'd like to use an AOKP rom, so I guess I flash that next, then install GAPP's.
Can you change kernel's when you like, or do they have to be done before the custom ROM, or after? Do they effect the custom ROM much?
Once both are on, make another NANDROID if stable?
There's a lot of guides on each step which I'm reading through at the moment, but the overall order isn't discussed that much. Hopefully I have a good jist of whats going on, and I apologise for bringing up such a basic issue yet again.
If it saves me bricking my new toy though, hopefully it will have been worth it.
I also currently use Widgetlocker and ADW launcher on my nexus. Will these work on ROMs? Are they needed? I notice that people post themes up so is there a seperate way of theming when on custom roms?
There's a lot of questions there, so I apologise for spamming. As long as I have the right order of doing things to start with, I'm sure I'll pick up ther rest on the way.
Thanks all.
If i were you . I follow this guide http://galaxytabhacks.com/galaxy-tab-10-1-hacks/how-to-root-galaxy-tab-10-1-the-easy-way/
once you have the Clockworkmod Recovery. Make a backup and install any custom rom you like. Yes, you can change kernel's after installing custom rom. Good Luck
Awesome. Thanks for the reply.
Can't wait to start mucking around with it.

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