Database Users

[Q] Is there a full detail guide to rom building?

Hey guy's (please don't flame me to bad still a little new to the forums) I have looked over many guides but they don't really go over Samsung mostly HTC. I have the source from Samsung for the 2.1-update-1 and have been looking at it but not sure what i am really looking at. If anyone can maybe shed some light on it...of course i could be just confusing myself and its simpler then i think. I have been reading a paper on how to build linux from scratch to get that understanding considering Android is linux in all reality...
Thanks ahead of time guys.

Not to be mean, but unless you understand the code, all you'll be doing is copying/pasting into terminal to get a build. Which isn't very useful if you are trying to learn something.
If you are actually looking at building the OS and manipulating the underlying code, go ahead and grab a C book. It'll take even an intelligent person a good deal of time to understand it all.
As far as putting some APKs into a zip file and calling it a rom, well there's tons of stuff on that laying around, most of that is scripting. If you get into rebuiling the APKs with Smalli - there is code involved there - but you will need to know how java works for it to make sense to you there...might as well learn that while your at it.

Well i know C++/C# and java (took them in college and currently use them for my job) so it shouldn't take too long..i guess i just need to dig into the code and go from there. I don't want to copy past thats definitely out of the question. Have any pointers where i should start and see if i can grasp this or just stick with using other custom rom's which in the end if thats what i do that's fine by me just wanted to get into it myself.
PS: didn't take what you said as mean lol any criticism or help is always appreciated.

^
What he said.
There are a bunch of mini-guides to teach you to copy and paste some stuff, but little in terms of a clear concise guide. I've been working on learning to do a rom myself, but I learned to program in C and Java on unix and linux machines in college. You're going to have to spend a lot of time reading and learning things that you won't be sure you'll ever really need to in order to do any meaningful dev work with that source.
Start using linux on a home machine. Start learning C. And pick up a book called "Advanced Programming in the Unix Environment" to begin to understand how the low level parts of a linux operating system work. Then you will be much better prepared to see how it all works together.
edit: Looks like we both replied at the same time. I guess you can ignore the above post.

lol, i will look into that book for sure though. I have been slowly getting back into linux i use to use it all the time then somethings i was working on and a few apps i was using i had to switch to mostly Microsoft and lost a lot of my Linux knowledge (which sucks) but i will start there thanks again!

I think if you are familiar with the code you are ready for what you want to do. Seeing as how you are reading htc development guides tells me your searching cause that's all that you can really find online. You dont know the steps to take to actually build that source your looking at. First thing is you need your development machine set up to build. I hope youve done that already if not, source.android.com will get you through that. You need the sdk and all that. Next you hook the phone up usb debugging and from within your android folder (mydroid) run extract.sh that willful the samsung files into your environment. From here it will be similar to the htc guides for building but you have the files in front of you to edit you just need to research the structure of linux and those files. Also you need to get familiar with building a kernela well to see how they interact. Good luck
Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk

Droid X Custom Rom Building

Hey guys. I know I am probably a complete noob at this stuff but I would really like to learn how to build custom roms. I know it involves some serious coding and things like that but I feel like if I follow someones instructions I will eventually get the hang of it. I am not looking for someone to link me to a guide cause they can be very hard to follow for noobs ecspecially for the Droid X. (Don't think I'm wrong in saying that.) If anyone knows how to make custom roms and has the tools to make one if they could please help me out it would be much appreciated. I am a fast learner and will definately pay you and give you credit to everything I create. Here is what I have available. Hopefully I will be able to build a Rom with this.
-Droid X - Rooted
-Windows Computer with Windows 7 Software
-Ability to download anything without getting viruses because of High Quality Norton Protection
Hopefully someone can help me out with this.
Thank You

smyers1012 said:
Hey guys. I know I am probably a complete noob at this stuff but I would really like to learn how to build custom roms. I know it involves some serious coding and things like that but I feel like if I follow someones instructions I will eventually get the hang of it. I am not looking for someone to link me to a guide cause they can be very hard to follow for noobs ecspecially for the Droid X. (Don't think I'm wrong in saying that.) If anyone knows how to make custom roms and has the tools to make one if they could please help me out it would be much appreciated. I am a fast learner and will definately pay you and give you credit to everything I create. Here is what I have available. Hopefully I will be able to build a Rom with this.
-Droid X - Rooted
-Windows Computer with Windows 7 Software
-Ability to download anything without getting viruses because of High Quality Norton Protection
Hopefully someone can help me out with this.
Thank You
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't mean to dash any hopes you had of building a ROM, but unless you know java pretty well... the chances of building a ROM are slim... Android is built on java and so knowing some form of java would be required to build a ROM. Even a lot of the devs who are extremely talented at developing such as droid2169 who I have talked to say even with their experience ROM development is tough.
This isn't something you can have someone teach you in a short amount of time without some sort of coding experience... I wish you the best, as I also would love to be able to do some dev work to contribute back to the community, but it's not as simple as legos. You can't just take pieces and put things together...it requires a great deal of work and understanding.

how about themes? are they difficult to make?

smyers1012 said:
how about themes? are they difficult to make?
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Click to collapse
it depends... If you are familiar with photoshop, and know some of the architecture for android (I.e. xml file contents, and what they pertain to) then no, it is one of the easier things to do in android. You can also look into metamorph. This allows you to build themes easier by replacing images with ones you find in other themes or out on the web wherever. There are tutorials for metamorph.

A big difference compared to putting some files together for a hybrid on my Blackberry.

Well I'd like to build a theme if anyone will teach me about xml or whatever i need to know about it... I will pay and give you credit in the theme

smyers1012 said:
Well I'd like to build a theme if anyone will teach me about xml or whatever i need to know about it... I will pay and give you credit in the theme
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can give some basics. To start you will want to use a program like photoshop, gimp, or paint.net for image creation. You will want to use apkmanager and learn how to use it. I will try and grab some more info and post back later.
Sent from my DROIDX using XDA App

http://androidforums.com/droid-x-all-things-root/246462-theme-help-tutorial.html

Best Way To Learn Android?

Hey everyone I would like to know the best way to start learning android. To start off I know that Java is heavily used and so is XML. XML is usually the theming part and Java is for Rom building if I'm correct. I'd like to know how to go about learning it and which path to take first. Do I buy books? Do I follow guides online? Do I look up youtube videos? Also do I have to be smart to learn Java or XML. I am no genius but I consider myself pretty smart if I use repetition and keep pushing myself to learn which I am fully capable of doing. If someone could tell me on how to go about learning Android Development that would be great.
Thanks,
Sean Myers

could anyone please help me out here??

i learned how to theme a little from here, and i made a theme for my music. http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=File:Motorola_Droid_X.png#Guides_.26_Tutorials

mattmartin77 said:
i learned how to theme a little from here, and i made a theme for my music. http://forum.xda-developers.com/wiki/index.php?title=File:Motorola_Droid_X.png#Guides_.26_Tutorials
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice link I might give something a try. I did try and find some books but they werent in enough detail for what I needed for our phones. Besides java,xml,.png isnt some linux? Going through lots of lines code?

You do need to know some linux because some of the rom has to be done in a linux os.

Http://developer.android.com
Sent from my Rooted DroidX running Liberty ROM v2.0.1 + Green Serenity Theme using XDA Premium app.

Maxgap1705 said:
Http://developer.android.com
Sent from my Rooted DroidX running Liberty ROM v2.0.1 + Green Serenity Theme using XDA Premium app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah... I was gonna say, google has a sdk and all that that, they'd be the best place to find info on their OS and how to develop for it.

smyers1012 said:
Hey everyone I would like to know the best way to start learning android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try to create and deploy the "Hello Android" app described here:
(I can't post external links until I have 8 posts here, sorry:
developer.android.com/guide/tutorials/hello-world.html )
I did it under Windows XP using eclipse, and deployed it to the emulator running on my PC and to my unrooted stock DroidX (Android 2.2) as my first Android project.
Knowledge of XML is always a good thing, but not required in that tutorial.
Once you have a basic app working and deployable, you can modify it to try more advanced things.
Sent from my unrooted DroidX using XDA App

do developers tend to have professional education in linux or are most of us self educated?
there is a vast amount of information out there. where woukd you send someone with little to no kniwledge of linux to learn the basics? i read and read posts, but often i am behind the curve on the basics so i cant understand all of the posts.
last question. if i run ubuntu on my computer will i be learning the same basic stuff for both ubuntu and android, as far as development goes? commands and logic? so far xda has been by far the best source of information. been reading the android developer page. its interesting.

Try the "Hello Android" book. It really helped me get the sense of the Android OS. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1934356565/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/189-8058323-8893839 let me know what you think?
Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

went ahead and bought it. shouod get it in a few days

bitterevp said:
went ahead and bought it. shouod get it in a few days
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how did you like it?

[Q] Learning Android SDK

Hi I am new to Android SDK, I know a little like creating an android project, android project structure, compiling it & testing it on a phone, but I do not understand anything in the source code. So I need to start from the basics, is this tutorial good for basics ?
http://www.cbtnuggets.com/series/219

Have a look at the official developers guides: http://d.android.com/guide/index.html
Theres really a lot of helpful guides that should teach you (almost) all basics you need to code on android.

Why should I not learn this first ?
http://www.cbtnuggets.com/series/219

Springles said:
Why should I not learn this first ?
http://www.cbtnuggets.com/series/219
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Click to collapse
Oh sorry, I didn't notice the topic list further down the page. If you really have no knowledge of (object-oriantated) programming some tutorial like this would indeed be a good idea. About this one I can't tell you if this will help you, since its paid content. Looking at the topic you will get all basics you need for starting with the link i wrote above. (Also theres some videos you won't ever need using the Android SDK)
IMHO: I would not pay that much money for video tutorials without excactly knowing its worth it! (Independent reviews!)
Theres a lot of free tutorials explaining the java basics out there, if you're not in hurry I would rather read some of those. (I sadly only know some in my native language)

Well I am in a hurry, ill watch it on my friend's laptop, hehe.

Springles said:
Well I am in a hurry, ill watch it on my friend's laptop, hehe.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In that case I would at least have a look at local courses that you could take since its always better if you can ask back for an explaination if you don't understand something. (And if you are new to programming I'm pretty sure this will happen )

Forsaken said:
(Also theres some videos you won't ever need using the Android SDK))
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you tell me which video chapter's are not needed to learn ? http://www.cbtnuggets.com/series/219

1-19 and 28+29 should be everything you need to understand how to use the android sdk. 12 & 18 (swing) is also different on android (afaik its not swing there) even it's quite simlar to it, so depending on how specific those videos are they might be a help anyway.

Can you tell me what is the equavelent package for:
java.awt & javax.swing for android ?

Springles said:
Can you tell me what is the equavelent package for:
java.awt & javax.swing for android ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no equivalent package, as the graphical interface is completly different. I will suggest you take a look to developer.android.com under the section of activity and view:
http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/fundamentals/activities.html
http://developer.android.com/guide/topics/ui/index.html

[Q] developing roms, where to start?

With the newly deodexed honeycomb I have gotten the itch to start looking into how to create/develop my own rom.
What is the best way to start learning, is there a good starting point, I have been doing some reading but it just seems so overwhelming.
I do have basic Linux knowledge and can whip up a linux VM in no time to get crackin. I have been modding my EVO for the last year so i know how to be a "user" and have tinkered with the xoom but have only scratched the surface.
So my question is just this, Where to start??
any input would be helpful.

+1!
need a little walkthrough too :S!!
and someone can say what files NEVER EDIT to not brick the xoom!!

i too would be highly interested in learning what steps to take.

bossjeeves said:
With the newly deodexed honeycomb I have gotten the itch to start looking into how to create/develop my own rom.
What is the best way to start learning, is there a good starting point, I have been doing some reading but it just seems so overwhelming.
I do have basic Linux knowledge and can whip up a linux VM in no time to get crackin. I have been modding my EVO for the last year so i know how to be a "user" and have tinkered with the xoom but have only scratched the surface.
So my question is just this, Where to start??
any input would be helpful.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Get that VM set up, and get your environment set up so you can build AOSP.
Look through the source so you know what parts of Android are found where in the tree.
Learn a little about the platform, what does what...
Basically, just get your hands dirty.

ydaraishy said:
Get that VM set up, and get your environment set up so you can build AOSP.
Look through the source so you know what parts of Android are found where in the tree.
Learn a little about the platform, what does what...
Basically, just get your hands dirty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so this is kind of what I expected for an answer but I would like a little more if you dont mind.
Like maybe a couple of links pointing in the right direction, like what does the environment need for tools etc.

ydaraishy said:
Get that VM set up, and get your environment set up so you can build AOSP.
Look through the source so you know what parts of Android are found where in the tree.
Learn a little about the platform, what does what...
Basically, just get your hands dirty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's like saying jump in a lions den and see what ticks him off. Can we get more details please? I want to get into theming and want to know the ideal OS to do it on. I was hoping on doing it in Linux but want advice from themers.

IV been playing hippie for a couple of weeks so I don't know if I missed something but, unless the full AOSP source has been released, a deodex rom will help with nothing but theming.
You can't do much to customise a ready built rom, and you would be wasting your time to try anything but the simplest of mods.
That being said, if you're happy to play with smali you might achieve a little more.
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

alias_neo said:
IV been playing hippie for a couple of weeks so I don't know if I missed something but, unless the full AOSP source has been released, a deodex rom will help with nothing but theming.
You can't do much to customise a ready built rom, and you would be wasting your time to try anything but the simplest of mods.
That being said, if you're happy to play with smali you might achieve a little more.
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this is exactly what I am talking about here, This is kind of why I brought it up in the xoom forum, since we dont have source and we do have a deodexed rom wouldnt playing with that be a great place to start? if so like what would be the best place to start, you say play with smali, now I know I can google and get tons of answers but I am asking to explain a little more because I trust the feedback from here and I think others might benefit also

bossjeeves said:
this is exactly what I am talking about here, This is kind of why I brought it up in the xoom forum, since we dont have source and we do have a deodexed rom wouldnt playing with that be a great place to start? if so like what would be the best place to start, you say play with smali, now I know I can google and get tons of answers but I am asking to explain a little more because I trust the feedback from here and I think others might benefit also
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Smali is a tool that will reverse engineer (baksmali) dalvik byte code into (barely) human readable code. If you can learn to understand this you can reverse and modify stuff with it. If i remember right, brut.all is the guy responsible, have a read around, but i warn you, its not for the feint of heart.
Macbots drool as I XOOM through the Galaxy to my hearts Desire.

bossjeeves said:
this is exactly what I am talking about here, This is kind of why I brought it up in the xoom forum, since we dont have source and we do have a deodexed rom wouldnt playing with that be a great place to start? if so like what would be the best place to start, you say play with smali, now I know I can google and get tons of answers but I am asking to explain a little more because I trust the feedback from here and I think others might benefit also
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is one of the best sources I've found....... made by cyanogen himself, tonnes of info here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=667298

I did come across this link http://simply-android.wikia.com/wiki/ROM_Development
looks like something that would be a helpful start. thoughts?
ps thanks for the replys

I think the best way to learn anything is just to read a lot, and to search for any questions you have. There are a thousand ways to learn to hack, but they all require the initiative to find answers on your own.
Sorry if this sounds patronizing. I always hated it when I get on a board and ask for something, and some curmudgeon geek tells me "Google is your friend". But it's true. You get better answers faster, as you can avail from the entire Internet, as opposed to the small number of people who reply to your query.
Thanks to the dude who linked to the Cyan advice post. My takeaway is this one line:
"There is a *ton* of information out there but any kind of "step-by-step rom cooking guide" is going to be a complete fail- it's too broad of a subject."
IMO if you are serious about ROM hacking, you need a dedicated linux environment. Cygwin is OK for run-time stuff, but too limited for anything else. If you only want to run basic bash commands, a simpler solution is win-bash (http://win-bash.sourceforge.net).
I'm kinda in the same shoes you are. Android interests me, although I don't have a Xoom or an Android tablet for that matter. Was gonna get a HC tab to tinker, but HC is still too green, so decided on a Nook Color for educational purposes. It's been out a while, and has many hacks already done that I can peruse. That, and it'll be useful for my "read a lot" mantra above.