S3 Directory structure.... [root] - Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hi guys,
Long time lurker first time poster. I've always been handy enough to follow the clues on xda forum to be able to work things out and google, but this time around I'm stuck and would appreciate a few leads... maybe I'm google-ing the wrong terms.
Anyways, I'm looking to get more info on directory structures on the phone and microsd card.
Let me explain: After rooting my phone and putting a new ROM on it, I noticed that the ROM does does not read my sd card. I looked it up and apparently the rom had a new structure on jb (or was it ics, I can't remember,) and there was a fix that I needed to run in recovery which fixed it, when I changed to a different ROM (was running sentinelRom and now slimrom) it didn't read again and I ran the file in recovery again.
This time I noticed that the kinda added extra directories and I'm not sure which one the rom is using.
As an example, I noticed that when I went into es explorer, there would be similar directories within each other (ie. device/0/0 .....)
and since I've gotten notice that I'm running low on space, I noticed under storage that the directory /0 is taking the most space.
Problem is I don't want to just delete it... the last time I tried to clear a directory I deleted some files that were being used. (luckily they were only sound files, ) so somehow, certain directories are being used by the rom, I'm just not sure which one....
Anyways, I would be much obliged if someone could point me in the right direction on where I can get info or be able to clean up my directories before I upgrade to the kitkat version of my ROM.
Thanks in advance folks!

grungypoo said:
Hi guys,
Long time lurker first time poster. I've always been handy enough to follow the clues on xda forum to be able to work things out and google, but this time around I'm stuck and would appreciate a few leads... maybe I'm google-ing the wrong terms.
Anyways, I'm looking to get more info on directory structures on the phone and microsd card.
Let me explain: After rooting my phone and putting a new ROM on it, I noticed that the ROM does does not read my sd card. I looked it up and apparently the rom had a new structure on jb (or was it ics, I can't remember,) and there was a fix that I needed to run in recovery which fixed it, when I changed to a different ROM (was running sentinelRom and now slimrom) it didn't read again and I ran the file in recovery again.
This time I noticed that the kinda added extra directories and I'm not sure which one the rom is using.
As an example, I noticed that when I went into es explorer, there would be similar directories within each other (ie. device/0/0 .....)
and since I've gotten notice that I'm running low on space, I noticed under storage that the directory /0 is taking the most space.
Problem is I don't want to just delete it... the last time I tried to clear a directory I deleted some files that were being used. (luckily they were only sound files, ) so somehow, certain directories are being used by the rom, I'm just not sure which one....
Anyways, I would be much obliged if someone could point me in the right direction on where I can get info or be able to clean up my directories before I upgrade to the kitkat version of my ROM.
Thanks in advance folks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have a look in the stickies thread. Described over there why there is a new structure and how to move files...
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

Thanks for that! Much appreciated!

Related

Avatar.apk Movie App for Froyo that works with DRM'd Copy

This Avatar.apk is for those who have upgraded to Froyo with an unofficial build that doesn't include a working Avatar app, but desire a working Avatar.apk that launches the DRM protected copy of the movie included with the phone.
Some caveats/disclaimers: I don't own a Vibrant; I have an i9000 Galaxy S and a Nexus One. I don't plan on providing much support for this, but it shouldn't need it. All the usual "I am not responsible for damage to your phone" disclaimers apply; if you don't know how to use adb and don't have root, go find out how in the appropriate FAQs.
Back story: My friend owns a Vibrant and hated it (slow/laggy). I thought upgrading it to a Froyo build would make him happy, so I did with Team Whiskey's Onyx version (very slick, better than the best ROM I have on i9000 IMHO). He was disappointed that the Avatar shortcut/app on the desktop disappeared, so I pulled the apk from a 2.1 build and pushed it to the phone, but it didn't work.
A little investigation showed that the apk file has an xml resource that is hard-coded to look for the encrypted/drm copy of the movie in the path "/sdcard/sd/movie/AVATAR.dcf", but the Froyo builds mount the external card as "/sdcard/external_sd/" so the app doesn't work.
All I did here was edit the xml file to the correct path, repacked the apk, signed it, pushed it to the phone with adb to /system/app. The apk was then available to add as a desktop shortcut again, and it opens the movie as expected.
The file won't install like a regular apk (at least it wouldn't for me), it must be pushed to /system/app to work - use this command:
adb push <your path>/Avatar.apk /system/app
You could also probably download the apk and copy it over to /system/app with Root Explorer or any other file manager that lets you write to /system/app.
I have only tested this with Team Whiskey's Onyx build and by pushing via adb. I can't test any other ROM since I don't own a Vibrant.
I know a lot of people consider the Avatar.apk to be bloatware and ask how to remove it, but I see a lot of people asking for it back because it's convenient and a great show-off feature on the phone for non-Galaxy S owners.
Additional disclaimers: I did quite a bit of searching here on XDA for an apk that took this approach and didn't find one. If it's already out there, I apologize for this post and can link to it. All I found was an apk that requires you to have a non-encrypted mp4 copy of the movie. I also found a lot of bad information about you could use the original 2.1 version if you just de-odexed it and other stuff like that. Again, this will ONLY work on a 2.2 Froyo ROM because of the change in mounting path of the external sdcard.
credit/thanks to Brut.all for his apktool and to jessetbenton for his Mac-friendly android auto signing applet.
Edit: I only modded the English language part of the apk, it may not work properly if you're using a different language.
Here's the apk, enjoy:
Wow, that first post is a lot of words for such a simple posted apk! LOL. I just wanted to make sure to cover all the bases for any criticisms I might be getting.
Thanks dude, I kept trying to install the old avatar.apk, and when I tried opening avatar, it kept giving me "file not found"
Oh, btw works on Eugene's Macnut R12
You could also just make a folder named "sd" on the sd card, and move the Movie folder there. Works just fine for me.
pablizzo said:
You could also just make a folder named "sd" on the sd card, and move the Movie folder there. Works just fine for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but then you lose that 1gb of space on your internal sdcard.
I'd have gone for a symlink approach instead, but the internal card is plain old FAT32 and doesn't support them.
Or just use the stock froyo Avatar.apk? Lol. Worked for me...
distortedloop said:
Yes, but then you lose that 1gb of space on your internal sdcard.
I'd have gone for a symlink approach instead, but the internal card is plain old FAT32 and doesn't support them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1 out of ~13gb is fine with me
rk0 said:
Or just use the stock froyo Avatar.apk? Lol. Worked for me...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, that's good. Where'd you get it? I thought there wasn't a Vibrant specific Froyo yet - all I see on samfirmware.com are 2.1 builds. Like I said, I'm not a Vibrant owner, so don't really keep up with its developments.
Thanks for posting that.
pablizzo said:
1 out of ~13gb is fine with me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, to each his own.
My internal 16gb on the i9000 is almost full (nandroid backups, media, etc), and I have an external 16gb that's more than half full. I prefer to keep large media files on the external, obviously YMMV.
Glad you had a solution that works for you.
Nice thanks
Been looking all over this...thanks
Sent from my XDA app cuz I'm stalking your mom....
distortedloop said:
Ah, that's good. Where'd you get it? I thought there wasn't a Vibrant specific Froyo yet - all I see on samfirmware.com are 2.1 builds. Like I said, I'm not a Vibrant owner, so don't really keep up with its developments.
Thanks for posting that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Deodexed JK2 Rom.
rk0 said:
Deodexed JK2 Rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the response.
I wish someone had answered any one of the dozens of posts I read where people were complaining or asking about this with that info. Would have saved me the trouble here.
Actually, it worked out well for me anyways. I have a couple of apps with the same problem where I really want to force them to use the external card instead of the internal. Now I've learned an approach I can use to "fix" or mod those apps. I wish app developers would let you specify a preferred working directory - hard coded paths aren't usually a good idea in my opinion.
At any rate, based on the number of views of the thread, and over 140 downloads between my version and yours, seems like a lot of people didn't know about this, and we've given them a working solution. That's a good thing in my opinion.
can u make this work from terminal?
Please help me to get Avatar working !
Iam on Darky's 10.2 ROM(GB 2.3.4), bullet kernel & KB5 modem.
and the movie is at the same folder structure since, my phone came stock.
I tried:
1.) I cleared drm content and drm protected content & restarted my phone two times- then downloaded the app from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=774078 but it won't install.
2.) I used the Android customisation suite from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=894794 and created a zip with just the avatar.apk , cleaned dalvik cache, and the installed the zip from CWM, still the application just clicked, but no response/error message whatsoever.
3.) I downloaded a terminal emulator & tried to push the apk from this thread and I get adb:not found.
Please guide me, what needs to be done, as I haven't seen the movie [email protected]!
Great work I know this has been a huge issue for many many people ...I no longer have avatar on my phone but I sure missed the launcher at one time back when I first flashed my phone
Shortbus-Driver said:
Great work I know this has been a huge issue for many many people ...I no longer have avatar on my phone but I sure missed the launcher at one time back when I first flashed my phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Buddy, I haven't been able to get it working, thru any of these methods!
I guess, I might have been doing something wrong in ADB Push. But I even tried with a Root File Explorer and replacing the Default Application that i had flashed using zip generated by Android Customization Tool(ACS) , with one provided in the two links(one of them, gives application not installed,probably the bigger in size one, and so installed the other one, thereby replacing the default that I talked above). but for no good.
Avatar, still doesn't work. Please help, guys!!

[Q] APK Creation

Well as many of you know we're over most of the hurdles we needed to jump with the CM7 build for Nook tablet.
Updates for the internal version are simple via CWM, the SD version is not so simple of course.
I'm assuming that it should be possible to built an APK that gains superuser permissions then copies the new files to the system. Can anybody confirm this is possible please?
We need to know that we can tell our SD user that they can update their version just as easy as the internal user
Thanks in advance for your help again everyone!
Well presumably this is how ROM Manager and Metamorph both do their thing, just in a slightly more round about way (as they don't come with the files they need to copy). I'm almost 100% sure this is possible, but I've never tried it personally.
EDIT: Looks like this is how you'd do it: http://developer.android.com/reference/java/io/File.html. Specifically the renameTo() method.
CelticWebSolutions said:
Well as many of you know we're over most of the hurdles we needed to jump with the CM7 build for Nook tablet.
Updates for the internal version are simple via CWM, the SD version is not so simple of course.
I'm assuming that it should be possible to built an APK that gains superuser permissions then copies the new files to the system. Can anybody confirm this is possible please?
We need to know that we can tell our SD user that they can update their version just as easy as the internal user
Thanks in advance for your help again everyone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well there are about a dozen ways to do this. First of one of the hardest things is comming up with the commands/script. I can defiantly do this. If you want an apk, there are a few guys whom could port my script to an apk. I'm going to make a script here that will format, and create partitions and extract directly from the nook, no need to go through the fancy formatting and such, just go into terminal and run the script. Ill post a prototype for you to have the testers test!
Do you think something like BacksideUpdater inside custom ROM for LG Optimus V?
made by JerryScript
JerryScript i very nice guy, I bet if you ask him, he will let you play with his code
if is it what you looking for
Yes, this is possible. I wrote an app that flashes the recovery partition for my older Froyo phone in the very rudimentary Basic4Android. Copying files under root privileges was part of this process. Fairly easy if you find the right coding examples in whatever your development platform of choice.
xdajunkman said:
Yes, this is possible. I wrote an app that flashes the recovery partition for my older Froyo phone in the very rudimentary Basic4Android. Copying files under root privileges was part of this process. Fairly easy if you find the right coding examples in whatever your development platform of choice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So one of the problems is its not really copying. Its more of an extraction from one place to another. We are required to use dd, and fdisk(for formatting).
GREAT! I was worried updates would be to complicated for people
Sent from my Nook Tablet using xda premium
... and I was worried that I might have to wipe my NT clean again to get the updates. After a week with this wonderful upgrade, I've got a LOT of customization I don't want to lose...
Whoops, wrong button with the thanks. Anyway, it occurs to me you could just have people run a script from a terminal emulator. That would probably be the simplest way to do it. Make an Update folder on the SD card, add it to the PATH by default, and users could just copy over the update files and run the script. Just a thought.
Sycobob said:
Whoops, wrong button with the thanks. Anyway, it occurs to me you could just have people run a script from a terminal emulator. That would probably be the simplest way to do it. Make an Update folder on the SD card, add it to the PATH by default, and users could just copy over the update files and run the script. Just a thought.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Has to be simple, something like copy an update.zip onto the SD card then run the apk which will automatically run the update in the zip But my knowledge of such things is limited so I need help there
Same process. With the above method, the user would only have to copy over the file, open a terminal, and type 'update'. With the apk idea you just have to add a little more time for someone to actually write the app (not that it would take too long).
Sycobob said:
Same process. With the above method, the user would only have to copy over the file, open a terminal, and type 'update'. With the apk idea you just have to add a little more time for someone to actually write the app (not that it would take too long).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm.... that sounds good.
Anybody know how to actually implement it ?
Dammit, idk why I keep hitting the thanks button thinking it's reply >.>
Anyway, it's just a matter of setting the PATH variable to include /sdcard/Update/ or something similar. To make an actual update, make a folder called Update, fill it with all the files that need to be copied over (probably in a directory structure), and write a script that actually copies everything over. You'll need to make sure sh is in /system/bin (I think it is by default).
You could zip the the files as well, using gunzip (busybox?) to extract them before copying them, then deleting them when you're done, just to keep it cleaner for the user.
The only downside to all this is that I don't know how you would flash a kernel.
Sycobob said:
Dammit, idk why I keep hitting the thanks button thinking it's reply >.>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That makes two of us!
Sycobob said:
Anyway, it's just a matter of setting the PATH variable to include /sdcard/Update/ or something similar. To make an actual update, make a folder called Update, fill it with all the files that need to be copied over (probably in a directory structure), and write a script that actually copies everything over. You'll need to make sure sh is in /system/bin (I think it is by default).
You could zip the the files as well, using gunzip (busybox?) to extract them before copying them, then deleting them when you're done, just to keep it cleaner for the user.The only downside to all this is that I don't know how you would flash a kernel.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm guessing you'd just flash it as usual, surely that one is the easiest? Copying stuff to boot partition would hopefully be just as simple, I was mainly worried about updating system files. I could do with building one for the current update to test the theory!

[Q] File system changes do not take affect.

I asked this in the general Q&A thread because I feel it is an android issue, not a Note issue...but alas no one even replied, trying it out here. Please help!
RockZors said:
Hello all,
I have a Samsung Galaxy Note i717. I have installed a few ROM's, but recently I installed CM9 unofficial build. After it was installed, I noticed that my default.prop is only like 4 lines long. So I try and add stuff to it (I am rooted, and used RW mode in Root Explorer). I can close the file and save changes successfully, but when I reboot it is back to the way it was with the 4 lines. It is not only that though, any files i add to the "/" get deleted upon reboot.
Things I have tried:
ODIN to stock rom, still did not have a full default.prop
Tried many different ways to change file system (different programs)
Ran fix permissions in CWM and busybox installer script
All with no success. Is there anything else I can try to fix this and be able to edit my "/" and have changes take affect. Or has anyone had this issue before?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was wondering if anyone with an i717 could go into cwm, run a backup, and upload that somewhere so I can restore it. Keep in mind your personal data gets backed up also, so preferably someone with a fresh working install. I don't care what rom it is either.
Thanks for reading.
The default.prop should only be 4 lines..
Are you confusing it with the build.prop?
Wow well don't I feel stupid. That's exactly what it was. Thanks for helping me see the way!

[Q] Help unbinding storage/external_SD from storage/sdcard0

Somewhere along the line either my brother or I made a mistake, and when going to storage/sdcard0 there is a folder external_sd (in italics in most file explorers) which links directly to storage/external_SD. The problem is, while I've cleaned out storage/sdcard0 by moving as many apps as possible with Link2SD, having that directory there makes the phone think sdcard0 is full. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
No one? I'm sure there's some simple busybox command in console mode that will unbind the directory. I only have 250MB on sdcard0 (the internal MMC storage partition) but I can't even update my apps because when I try I get "insufficient storage available" & it's all because the friggin external_sd is linked in that folder. Right now using a diskinfo app, it says sdcard0 is 128% full because the size of the external_sd linked folder. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!! The limited storage available is the main reason I spent the time rooting, to be able to use link2sd to move my apps. I hope someone can help soon.
Don't know of this will work butt I was getting a full sd0 card s while back then I moved all of my backup files to external. All pictures, music, etc as well. Good luck !
Sent from my LG-P769(20F) using the xda-developers app. If I helped you please hit the "thanks" button.
Are you running a swap script?
Sent from my LG-P769 using xda app-developers app
kuma82 said:
Are you running a swap script?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here's the thing, after I rooted the thing, my brother-in-law and I swapped phones for a week (his GS3 for my L9) because I wanted to try out his phone. And he said he tried some tweaks, but said he put everything back before we swapped back. He told me in an email the other day when I told him about this issue that he tried How to exchange memories but said it didn't work for him. So when you ask if I'm running a swap script, could that be what your talking about.
I'll never swap a rooted phone with a friend again! Especially when I can't figure out where he/she screwed it up. But I was thinking about getting a Galaxy S3 or S4, so I wanted to check out his phone. Thanks so much for the reply though.
...oh, and Nathan, all of my files are on the external. And because the external_sd has a folder inside sdcard0, that's why sdcard0 is reading 122% full, even though there's only 200MB of files actually on sdcard0, everything else that the phone reads is from the linked folder.
wintermute010 said:
So when you ask if I'm running a swap script, could that be what your talking about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There ale few ways to swap storage/external_SD, check /system/etc/init.d/ folder for script, depending on android version script will have different name, 97ext2sd was working on ICS, for JB you have to dig the forum. Ussually deleting the script reverts changes, when you find the proper script there should be information how to switch back.
Reward offer...
No init.d folder, I can use an app called "init.d toggle" to make init.d folder (and place system/bin/sysinit file - modify system/etc/install-recovery.sh), but there wasn't a script there creating the directory bind.
At this point I haven't been able to update or install any apps/games in a couple of weeks because I don't want to delete the info I have on external_SD. So, I'm willing to transfer $10 by PayPal to anyone who will help me fix this problem. I'm sure it's something simple, I just need someone with more knowledge of linux and busybox, etc.
Please...is anyone out there willing to help out with a few moments of your time if there's 10 bucks in it?? :fingers-crossed: :laugh: :highfive:
I would really appreciate it...Thanks so much and take care all.
Sd0 is your internal sd card. Look you might as well just flash a ROM
Sent from my LG-P769(20F) using the xda-developers app. If I helped you please hit the "thanks" button.

[Q] Flashing a 4.2.2 rom

This might be a dumb question, but I am a noob and need someone to please help me out. I just unlocked my bootloader and rooted my phone, so my question is if I perform a back up and then Flash a 4.2.2 rom in TWRP recovery can I restore back to the stock rooted 4.1.2? I searched on the forum to see if this question had been asked before, but I couldn't find anything. If someone could please answer my question asap I would greatly appreciate it.
Also if this question was posted in the wrong section feel free to move it or let me know any I will delete it and post it in the right place.
Thanks again
Yes
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4
Thanks for the response I read somewhere, that when you update to a 4.2.2 rom the 4.1.2 rom back gets deleted.
jro003 said:
Thanks for the response I read somewhere, that when you update to a 4.2.2 rom the 4.1.2 rom back gets deleted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Going to 4.2.2 moves the sdcard contents to /data/media/0 (if I remember correctly). I've seen some recommend backing up your sdcard to your computer, formatting the sdcard on the device, then restoring the contents after you flash to 4.2.2.
At any rate, everything will still be there: just somewhere else.
Thanks for the reply Simba, do know how to back up your sdcard to your computer and then format the sdcard on the device
jro003 said:
Thanks for the reply Simba, do know how to back up your sdcard to your computer and then format the sdcard on the device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm going to get really basic, so don't be offended if it seems like I'm assuming you don't know how to do something. I always outline everything exactly for future people who find this thread. I've found countless old threads that have been a huge help because someone took the time to type everything out .
*Connect your device and access your sdcard files by opening My Computer - you should see your device*
Literally just copy all of the contents to your computer. Create a folder on your desktop (or wherever), select everything on your sdcard (ctrl + A), copy (ctrl + C), and paste it in the folder.
Then just delete everything on the sdcard after you've confirmed a successful copy. Same thing - ctrl + A, delete.
After you flash 4.2.2, connect the device again and copy/paste (or drag/drop) the contents of the folder (not the folder itself, but everything inside of it) you created to your device. You'll have all your files without dealing with them being in a different location.
There was some discussion of a way to execute a shell command that would fix the issue. I'm an experienced user; the contents of the sdcard ended up being wiped lol. Save yourself the headache.
By the way, I'm assuming you're on PC by giving those ctrl commands lol. If you're not (on Mac, I suppose), do whatever the equivalent is.
Not offended at all, I really appreciate you simpling it down for me. I have a few small quick questions for you, if I am using a Mac (I have both but Mac is my daily computer) do I just connect my phone and use something like Android file transfer or Htc sync manager to copy all the folders inside the sdcard to my computer? After flashing the 4.2.2 where on the phone do I copy the files I backed up on my computer on to? And if I erase everything off the SD card after copying it to the computer won't that effect the operating system? Especially if I chose to flash back to the 4.1.2 stock rom? Sorry to ask you so many questions but I am really new to this, and I appreciate all the help you can give me the last thing I want to do is brick my phone.
jro003 said:
Not offended at all, I really appreciate you simpling it down for me. I have a few small quick questions for you, if I am using a Mac (I have both but Mac is my daily computer) do I just connect my phone and use something like Android file transfer or Htc sync manager to copy all the folders inside the sdcard to my computer? After flashing the 4.2.2 where on the phone do I copy the files I backed up on my computer on to? And if I erase everything off the SD card after copying it to the computer won't that effect the operating system? Especially if I chose to flash back to the 4.1.2 stock rom? Sorry to ask you so many questions but I am really new to this, and I appreciate all the help you can give me the last thing I want to do is brick my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure that would work, though I have no experience with either. And typically, the directory you see on the computer is the default sdcard location. So there isn't a specific place you need to put it.
And it won't affect the operating system. At boot, Android automatically creates certain folders and files anyway. There are data files that apps use, but if they aren't there, they'll just recreate them. At the worst, a skin (or the like) won't be available if the file isn't on the sdcard. I've seen this with a calendar widget I use. Everything becomes fully functional once the files are back.
I don't really like using that verbiage - "functional," because it is perfectly safe to delete the sdcard's contents. Like I said, Android creates folders/files at boot, so they're not really necessary. Anything that affects the operating system is tucked away in a directory that requires root access :good:.
Big thanks for all the help Simba, you helped out a lot.
jro003 said:
Not offended at all, I really appreciate you simpling it down for me. I have a few small quick questions for you, if I am using a Mac (I have both but Mac is my daily computer) do I just connect my phone and use something like Android file transfer or Htc sync manager to copy all the folders inside the sdcard to my computer? After flashing the 4.2.2 where on the phone do I copy the files I backed up on my computer on to? And if I erase everything off the SD card after copying it to the computer won't that effect the operating system? Especially if I chose to flash back to the 4.1.2 stock rom? Sorry to ask you so many questions but I am really new to this, and I appreciate all the help you can give me the last thing I want to do is brick my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You wouldn't want to use HTC Sync as this only transfers files like music, pictures and such. You would actually want to open up your sdcard and copy all as was told. I use Linux now so I don't have to worry about Sync, but I personally think it is a useless piece of software. It is easier to just drag and click, and you don't need a program to do that.
Congrats on entering the world of rooting and customization BTW! :good: It's addictive, be warned! :cyclops:
Okay thanks for the reply, that's actually what it did (drag and dropped to my computer) :highfive:

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