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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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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
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
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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.
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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.
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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?
Alright, so I'm looking for a developer or two, that can tick some of the criteria, because I'm a bit busy, and another dev on the team would be awesome.
What we need:
Graphics designer, preferably UI design but a few logos, icons here and there
ROM development, you need to know the basics
Kernel development, if you know C/c++ great, if not I can teach you how to compile kernel etc.
App development, you need to know the basics of Java.
And you need to be a good developer too
Anyone? PM.
Sent from my Dark R800i using Tapatalk 2
I would love to help, but alas, I've not done any dabbling in Android. You would just end up training a power user, so good luck getting some help!
lightningdude said:
I would love to help, but alas, I've not done any dabbling in Android. You would just end up training a power user, so good luck getting some help!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So am I but if you can teach me I would be proud to be a part of the development!
Sent from my R800i using XDA
Would love to, but my only coding experience is with private Ragnarok servers so I'd need to learn the basics first.. Mind you I learn anything tech-related very fast.
Not sure what kind of graphic design you need but I make my own signatures, avatars and guild emblems.
Is there a good guide you know of to start off with? For coding, I mean.
Also my phone is screwed so testing wouldn't work too well.
Sent from Asgard
We all know these phones work through good ol fashion magic...so aslong as we agree on that then we be cool...ill be expecting a pm shortly...oh ya i work only 2.25 days of the week, I dont do deadlines and a mandatory raise every 2.5 months based on my alchemy skills.
I love to help out but I only know c/c++
Sent from my R800i using xda premium
Sent you a pm, in case you're interested in an American branch
Sent from my phone, please excuse any Swypos.
I'd love to help but I only know very little when it comes to Java.
KeiranFTW said:
Alright, so I'm looking for a developer or two, that can tick some of the criteria, because I'm a bit busy, and another dev on the team would be awesome.
What we need:
Graphics designer, preferably UI design but a few logos, icons here and there
ROM development, you need to know the basics
Kernel development, if you know C/c++ great, if not I can teach you how to compile kernel etc.
App development, you need to know the basics of Java.
And you need to be a good developer too
Anyone? PM.
Sent from my Dark R800i using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to join... but i dun know anything... (or at least i know what is needed to get me by my testing of roms..) i know the basics of photoshop... interested in kernel dev.
well i thought i'd get this up before source for JB (4.1) drops... I'm looking for a dev willing to let me watch them as they build a ROM and make changes to that ROM... no i don't need to come over your house to do this... I was thinking of a live video stream of your screen as you do the work... if you're willing to allow me to watch and maybe answer a few questions in between, i'm willing to learn!!
i learn really fast if i'm watching someone do it which is why i'm taking this approach rather than trying to read through a bunch of threads on this topic... that stuff basically looks like a foreign language to me... especially when they talk linux stuff lol... i can catch on quickly but i need to SEE IT BEING DONE... not reading and having my brain decode what i just read...
so please pass this thread along... the site i'm looking to use is join.me and it can be viewed by more than one person... so if someone else is willing to jump in on the fun and the dev is cool with it... we all can watch as they work their magic...
preferably someone that's gonna be building on crespo/crespo4g... but i'll take whoever is willing to teach!!
disclaimer: i'm not even looking for a real "expert" on the subject... just someone to do the basic work so i can take notes and then do the stuff myself!!
PM me if you're a dev and willing to help out!! what do you have to lose? nothing really... you're just gonna load the program and let it stream as you do the stuff you normall would do...
sn: it doesn't have to be Jelly Bean... but seeing as source is coming out soon... i figured someone will want to start fresh and build from aosp... that's really where i'd like to start from!!
I'd love to watch too
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Click here for custom mods for your E4GT
umm. the best way to do it is to just follow the step by step guides online. doesnt get much easier than that. you watching isn't going to help when they already have all the software installed
derekwilkinson said:
umm. the best way to do it is to just follow the step by step guides online. doesnt get much easier than that. you watching isn't going to help when they already have all the software installed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks but i have everything i need to build a ROM installed and have already built one from CM9 source... i'm talking about all the other edits and things they do... ie: adding in or removing features of a ROM...
and if you re-read my OP... i said reading this stuff is like learning another language... i'm a visual learner... i need to SEE these things then do them... not read them and try to decode whatever i just read...
the1dynasty said:
thanks but i have everything i need to build a ROM installed and have already built one from CM9 source... i'm talking about all the other edits and things they do... ie: adding in or removing features of a ROM...
and if you re-read my OP... i said reading this stuff is like learning another language... i'm a visual learner... i need to SEE these things then do them... not read them and try to decode whatever i just read...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just happen to work for a company the makes tools to help visual learners.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
Yea I'm willing too. I got a few things going here. Along with ubuntu, sdk, java6, android kitchen. I'm more of a visual learner. I've been constantly researching to point where my brain hurts to think android. I need a break. But I'm willing as well. Some devs out there no even respond to help needed. I would love to watch Fergie716 at work tho.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk 2
My video will be up tomorrow (today) in my MIUI thread. I have everything ready for it. I just had a bit too much to drink tonight (its 450am)
Tomorrow afternoon it'll be up
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2
I also like to watch.
Sent from my SPH-D710
I agree with the OP, one thing I think is missing (or at least in my experience hard to find) in the Android ROM community is a set of guides on how to properly do things (branch with repo to make a mod, apply patches from other trees, add prebuilt apks, add source provided apps, integrate su, busybox, creating your own vendor, device, adding your kernel, etc)
It's all scattered all over the net, sure you can figure some of it out but if you lower the barrier of entry people will be able to focus their energy on doing better work somewhere else.
gparent said:
I agree with the OP, one thing I think is missing (or at least in my experience hard to find) in the Android ROM community is a set of guides on how to properly do things (branch with repo to make a mod, apply patches from other trees, add prebuilt apks, add source provided apps, integrate su, busybox, creating your own vendor, device, adding your kernel, etc)
It's all scattered all over the net, sure you can figure some of it out but if you lower the barrier of entry people will be able to focus their energy on doing better work somewhere else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i really couldn't have said it any better!!
i know Fergie usually puts out some great tutorials... i used his stuff when i was learning to theme... so hopefully he delivers on this as well... i would still like to do a live "webinar-type" of training tho if any dev is up for that!!
we can get a time going so that everyone can login at the same time and see what's being done...
I'd also like to see how its done, I would love to be able to cook up some things and then release a ROM to the public. I'm sure it's not easy but I'm willing to take a wack at it
Btw are you guys using pretty powerful computers for building ROMS? Or would you say they're average spec?
stellar said:
I'd also like to see how its done, I would love to be able to cook up some things and then release a ROM to the public. I'm sure it's not easy but I'm willing to take a wack at it
Btw are you guys using pretty powerful computers for building ROMS? Or would you say they're average spec?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mine isn't that great tbh... but it manages to put out something... once your setup is correct and you do your first build... the second build of that ROM is usually a lot faster...
i think average would be around quad core with 8GB RAM... that's my guess based on a few devs i've heard from...
the1dynasty said:
mine isn't that great tbh... but it manages to put out something... once your setup is correct and you do your first build... the second build of that ROM is usually a lot faster...
i think average would be around quad core with 8GB RAM... that's my guess based on a few devs i've heard from...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like to learn too. But my pc is just dual core 3.0ghz 4gig ram what do you think?
Sent from my Nexus S™
mixtapes08 said:
I like to learn too. But my pc is just dual core 3.0ghz 4gig ram what do you think?
Sent from my Nexus S™
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it will take longer than some other PC's... but that will still work... i'd guess a few hrs to build a ROM... mine is around those specs and it takes a few hrs on the initial build lol
There should also be a thread for porting, kinda like "chef central" where users could get support on certain issues with their ports.. Over there in chef central the people seem to only help people that are building from source.. there's not too much support for people doing ports which is unfortunate because not everyone is skilled enough to build from source and having ports is what keeps some devices alive... In this thread there would be threads where you could post your logcat if your not getting boot and some of the more experienced porters (like fergie for example) could take a look and point you in the right direction. Also there could be guides and tutorials as how to get certain aspects of the ROM working like HWA, WiMax, MMS/SMS so on and so forth... I think that it would really bring a lot of new life to some devices that don't get the support that they should..
Anyone else agree on that or is just me?
evol4g said:
there's not too much support for people doing ports which is unfortunate because not everyone is skilled enough to build from source and having ports is what keeps some devices alive...
Anyone else agree on that or is just me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with the whole sentiment "more people should build things", but not with "aosp is too hard so we should help people do ports". Unless a port is the only way to get a device working, we definitely should focus on making aosp easier to learn if that's part of a problem the porting people are having.
Anyway, I started my own ROM yesterday and might end up making a wiki to document a bunch of things I'm doing. It's a very stock-ish ROM though, so I won't spend much time writing about adding mods other than a few basic ones.
-IF- I do get around to making the wiki, I will post here about it.
As for the computer, I am using a i7 930 (2.8GHz) with 24GB of RAM.
gparent said:
I agree with the whole sentiment "more people should build things", but not with "aosp is too hard so we should help people do ports". Unless a port is the only way to get a device working, we definitely should focus on making aosp easier to learn if that's part of a problem the porting people are having.
Anyway, I started my own ROM yesterday and might end up making a wiki to document a bunch of things I'm doing. It's a very stock-ish ROM though, so I won't spend much time writing about adding mods other than a few basic ones.
-IF- I do get around to making the wiki, I will post here about it.
As for the computer, I am using a i7 930 (2.8GHz) with 24GB of RAM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
id like to ask.. is making a rom really difficult.. how much java language knowledge would a person need to have to build from source...?
ferozfero said:
id like to ask.. is making a rom really difficult.. how much java language knowledge would a person need to have to build from source...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, one of the fun things about being a maintainer rather than a developer is that you really don't -need- much knowledge at all.
Everything helps, though. Yesterday I fixed a gcc compilation issue from knowledge of C++ that I acquired over a number of years. It wasn't a hard bug to fix and I could've asked a friend about it instead, but being a programmer lets me get away with fixing mistakes I see in AOSP when it's necessary (it rarely is).
Later, in my kernel compile, I turned on a compilation flag because I knew that a warning (that failed the build due to -Werror) was completely inaccurate. Good luck doing this if you don't know what's a compilation flag, and good luck doing it safely if you're not sure what the warning means and if it is really safe to override it (it often isn't).
If you want to make a ROM and be efficient about it, I think the two most important skills (in order of importance) are the ability to use git and to solve problems. Without a minimum of source control ease, it will be a pain in the ass to add features to your mods or to keep track of changes efficiently (especially when it comes the time to branch off releases and what not). Problem solving is what you do whenever stuff that should work doesn't work. And it's always hard because if it wasn't hard it would be documented already so you wouldn't have the problem.
If you want to build FEATURES for a mod (that is, not repack what others have written), then yes you will need programming knowledge. Java, C and probably C++. Mostly Java for user facing stuff.
great post gparent... that was a wonderful breakdown of how ROM making works... if it's all true (which it sounds like it), then this might be a bit more than i can chew lol... i'm still willing to see someone in action do these things so i have a better understanding of how to put things together and maybe one day i'll take a stab at building my own ROM!!
gparent said:
24GB of RAM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:what: wow, lol
If any other devs come by I'd love to know what setups you guys use for developing too.
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Click here for custom mods for your E4GT
I'm totally new to developing and programming all together. I know there is a stickied thread for developing beginners but the ROM Kitchen compilation does not list this phone as compatible therefore I don't know if it will be usable or not. Any help would be appreciated. I wanna start learning!!
immortal Any2 said:
I'm totally new to developing and programming all together. I know there is a stickied thread for developing beginners but the ROM Kitchen compilation does not list this phone as compatible therefore I don't know if it will be usable or not. Any help would be appreciated. I wanna start learning!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I second this. Can anyone help out?
Bump. Anyone wanna put some input in here? Like I know basic stuff like deleting and adding apps, ringtones, theming, I don't however understand how custom settings and what not are added. any help would be awesome. Even if it involves programming I just wanna know what I gotta learn lol.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
You need how to use kitchen first, IMO.
immortal7792 said:
I'm totally new to developing and programming all together. I know there is a stickied thread for developing beginners but the ROM Kitchen compilation does not list this phone as compatible therefore I don't know if it will be usable or not. Any help would be appreciated. I wanna start learning!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dsixda Kitchen and Archikitchen both work well for our phone. It takes a bit of reading and tinkering around but it works. Do a Google search for Scott's ROMS, there is some great info there on building your own ROM from scratch.The link is at the bottom of the main page and in a small link at the bottom of the second page. I haven't posted a link because I'm not sure if we can link to other forums on XDA.
What you are asking is an extremely broad topic.
If you want skills that will last you a lifetime, take a programming class and then attempt to build a Wanam Exposed module of your own. If you want skills which will last a year or less, learn about ROM kitchens.
But IMO you need to learn how to search this site first.
Go here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/search.php
Type "learn to develop" in the keywords
Select Search Titles Only
Select Return Threads (not posts)
Hit the search button
bftb0 said:
What you are asking is an extremely broad topic.
If you want skills that will last you a lifetime, take a programming class and then attempt to build a Wanam Exposed module of your own. If you want skills which will last a year or less, learn about ROM kitchens.
But IMO you need to learn how to search this site first.
Go here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/search.php
Type "learn to develop" in the keywords
Select Search Titles Only
Select Return Threads (not posts)
Hit the search button
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Without being a jerk, you could simply not reply to him at all...how bout that.
OP - there is a entire dev section on XDA. Just use the search to locate it. Or watch some YouTube videos to get a beginner course.
Good luck!
bftb0 said:
What you are asking is an extremely broad topic.
If you want skills that will last you a lifetime, take a programming class and then attempt to build a Wanam Exposed module of your own. If you want skills which will last a year or less, learn about ROM kitchens.
But IMO you need to learn how to search this site first.
Go here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/search.php
Type "learn to develop" in the keywords
Select Search Titles Only
Select Return Threads (not posts)
Hit the search button
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very helpful. Thank you.
Feeling Happy ..
Its been nice to go through your post.
It has given me much knowledge & so many valuable information.
I'm feeling very nice to be here. so enjoyable...:laugh::laugh::laugh:
jmill75 said:
Without being a jerk, you could simply not reply to him at all...how bout that.
OP - there is a entire dev section on XDA. Just use the search to locate it. Or watch some YouTube videos to get a beginner course.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you sir i thought the same lol. Yea Ii was looking through there and found that ROM kitchen just didn't know it was compatible withe Note 3 ROMS. I shall sift through and try to learn as much information as I can. Thanks guys!
jmill75 said:
Without being a jerk, you could simply not reply to him at all...how bout that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL. Pot, meet Kettle. Kettle, meet Pot.
But I don't remember calling anybody names.
I just ran that search I recommended - 73 different threads. I would have posted a link to the search results, but I'm pretty sure they are tied to a forum session key and/or are only cached for a short amount of time, so there isn't much of an alternative to saying "use the search function".
And the other advice I gave - attempting to write a Wanam Module after learning a little bit of programming - would propel someone down a path where they would end up understanding exactly how apps work / interact with framework classes / load resources / etc. They would then know how to deal with *any* Android device from a UI-centric point of view.
Nothing wrong with using a ROM kitchen; but someone who is entirely new to it (as the OP suggested) is probably better off trying to create a ROM by hand the first time through. They will actually learn something doing that. Thereafter, if they want to use a "kitchen" to speed up some of the drudgery, at least they will then have some idea of what is going on under the hood.
cheers
Op I agree that your post is broad. If you know how to theme then you probably know how to diff. To me that's a great way to break things down and learn how things interact. I'm far from an RD or any of those coveted tags people get when they create a bunch of awseomesauce, but I have some experience. Grab the stock base beans made and release a Rom. Debloat, theme and put it out there. You will get feedback on what you need to learn. Then you can port stuff from different carriers or roms(giving credit of course). I never learned how to use a kitchen. Just apktool or an apkmanager. Also, if you can get involved with a group of people they can push you and give you critical feedback on your design and development. The Verizon boards need more people like y'all who are willing to learn. It's amazing how many files need editing to make a solid rom...it really takes a lot of time. I'm willing to answer questions if you have anything specific.
I use winmerge. It's very helpful in finding xml and other file changes.
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