Develop Bugs

[DFT] z..::H.O.W...T.O...N.A.T.I.V.E::..z [PREVIEW]

..::H.O.W...T.O...N.A.T.I.V.E::..
Hello,
today I had decided to start this thread about native development for WP7.
At the current moment I don't upload/attach any working stuffs to this message. It will happen a bit later, after new DFT ROMs release. This is because it's very difficult to run them for now.
Let's start from current achieved results:
1) It's possible to run any EXE files (after "FullUnlock")
2) Those EXE files can do any operations in the system (after "FullUnlock")
3) It's possible to show some GUI from this applications. But GUI has legacy Windows CE style, it's impossible to create Metro-style applications for now.
How can it be used by community?
We can develop a lot of homebrew applications: like porting emulators, old native applications, video players and etc.
It can be possible to port famous TCPMP player for example and get ultimate playback on Windows Phone 7!
Is it possible to run old Windows Mobile 6.5 applications without modifications?
No, it's not possible. A lot of different APIs are missing for those applications.
Is it hard to modify old Windows Mobile 6.5 applications?
Well, it's almost same like porting to pure Windows CE, but a lot of Windows CE stuffs are "damaged" inside Windows Phone. They just doesn't work right, because nobody never used/tested them before
Photos of sample "WP7 Native test"
Information for developers you can find in the next messages.
So I will release demo WP7 native application, when we fix issues with FullUnlock.
Demo will be as binary EXE file. And as VS2008 project, which can be good start point for other developers.
Now this thread dedicated for discussion, share ideas and thoughts.
DFT, Cotulla

Information about "FullUnlock"
Information about "FullUnlock"
DevUnlock actually allows only to deploy XAP files from external sources.
It doesn't give more privileges.
So we (DFT) developed "FullUnlock". FullUnlock is implemented as replacing some system files by wrappers, which allows any kind of access (disable access checking at all)
We replace LVMOD.DLL which used to check files and data (checksums, certificates and etc) and POLICYENGINE.DLL which implements internal objects access checking.
All written before means that FullUnlock at the current moment only possible by flashing custom ROM to device. In future maybe we can find good ways to do it without flashing, but for now I don't see any ideas how to do it without flashing.
Maybe we can replace DLLs inside \Windows\ directory (put a shadow copy), but I am not sure if it will work really. It's stuffs for future experiments.
It can be possible to do something near by editing policy values, but it need big research to find right way. As it still won't disable file checking, maybe we can add own certificate to right store and then sign files with them.
The last DFT 7720 MANGO ROMs contains FullUnlock, but it doesn't work as expected there few issues. as well some users got issues with debugging on those ROMs and etc. We will continue work under it
So I will release demo WP7 native application, when we fix issues with FullUnlock.
Demo will be as binary EXE file. And as VS2008 project, which can be good start point for other developers.
Now this thread dedicated for discussion, share ideas and thoughts.

For developers
For developers
(users do not read! danger for brain!)
First of all I want to talk about abilities of native code.
Most applications built in inside WP7 are native. But they don't use usual Dialog UI style, they are using some kind of Silvelight scripts. This kind of UI is called "UIX".
Main idea of UIX that DLL files have UIX resources inside which describe whole UI.
Something similar is used inside CE 7.0 Slivelight - there some xml compiler which make binary data and put them as resources inside DLL. I don't know how to decode this binary data.
Seems Zune desktop application also using this framework.
So UIX used some kind of scripts for UI part and callbacks for all actions.
If we decode this UIX format, we will able to change/modify UI as we want, like it was before with regular resources inside DLL. But UIX must be much more powerful.
We can't use UIX for native application because we don't know how to use it, how to make proper binary data and etc. It's hard to reverse.
But native application can have some GUI with Windows CE style (you can see examples on the photos above)
Another issue: If you call API function "CreateWindowW" you won't see anything on the screen. It seems because shell handle all output, so window doesn't visible.
After some searching I found inside some test ROM nice DLL called "WindowTreeUpdater.dll". After looking inside and decoding functions parameters, it's working!
Basic idea: you create window and call function from this DLL and Window appear on the screen. There seems some kind of proxy engine to output legacy windows on top of shell output.
Nice, it's working...
So we can use usual windows for UI inside native application.
There present standard controls, but they work rather laggy (hey, and looks too).
Basic controls like PushButton, Static, CheckBox, Radiobutton, Icon are working.
About extended controls: (Progress bar, list view, and etc)
they come from Commctrl.dll usually, it was present inside Initial/NODO releases, ut it was removed inside MANGO. I was able to run NODO Commctrl.dll under MANGO after some modifications. But all this controls are shown on screen, but they don't do anything on input. So you can see toolbar, but can't press any button.
CommDlg.dll is missing and never was inside WP7.
There present AYGSHELL.DLL, but most functions are broken. For example, I was not able to create menu bar.
So, a lot of functions are broken, like MessageBox not working.
But we still can create own custom controls and use them for developing.
For example porting TCPMP means that we will need reimplement UI fully - because toolbar doesn't work. slider also won't. Maybe get and reuse some source from ReactOS or NT40 CommCtrl

reserved1reserved1

reserved2reserved2

reserved3reserved3

This is some crazy ****! I like it

for...all...devices!? If possible...damn
I just came...

Holly smoke !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Way to go guys....BRAVO... This is a major breakthrough for wp7 dev
Once again well done DFTeam

You guys are beasts...please keep it up

for...all...devices!? If possible...damn
I just came...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For now it's only for HTC devices with flashing custom ROM

The UIX/UIB scripts are a real pain.. I tried going through them a while back to change the annoying notification system (10 seconds? Really, Microsoft?) and figured it would all boil down to the usual XML-style script that WM6.5 and other MS products use, but the format is newer and there doesn't seem to be an easy way to decompile them.
From what I do know, however, is that it's more of an encoding than a compilation, and can be decoded if we can figure out what all the different headers mean... but that's a serious reverse engineering project.

Keep it up.is it possible to add Samsung device into support list?

Great work! Are there any multitasking restrictions for these apps? presumably because they are not Silverlight they will not be present in the task switcher & the app will be in charge of when the process terminates?
Looking forward to doing some nice low-level operations - hopefully this will open a whole new world for WP7 dev
Sent from my 7 Pro T7576 using Board Express

That's great，，，Thanks

Cotulla said:
For now it's only for HTC devices with flashing custom ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hopefully this will change when you receive the Samsung Focus and try custom ROMs.

Blade0rz said:
Great work! Are there any multitasking restrictions for these apps? presumably because they are not Silverlight they will not be present in the task switcher & the app will be in charge of when the process terminates?
Looking forward to doing some nice low-level operations - hopefully this will open a whole new world for WP7 dev
Sent from my 7 Pro T7576 using Board Express
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would suspect that they won't be killed unless there's an Out of Memory issue (you can see the whitelists for that in the registry), because these processes are not like the silverlight/xna apps that are launched in Taskman.exe. Whether they show up in multitask lists, idk, but they probably won't be killed in the traditional way..

but that's a serious reverse engineering project.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes...
maybe it's precompiled XAML scripts, like inside Managed applications?
Great work! Are there any multitasking restrictions for these apps? presumably because they are not Silverlight they will not be present in the task switcher & the app will be in charge of when the process terminates?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would suspect that they won't be killed unless there's an Out of Memory issue (you can see the whitelists for that in the registry), because these processes are not like the silverlight/xna apps that are launched in Taskman.exe. Whether they show up in multitask lists, idk, but they probably won't be killed in the traditional way..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plain EXE can run without restrictions, but I guess it will be killed at OOM condition still. EXE with window seems all a bit more complex. When I press back button it usually disappear after few seconds. I think window got WM_CLOSE or something at that moment. It should be researched more in the future.
Furthermore, I forgot to say: Interesting thing, before MANGO WP7 supports native XAP files too!
There was few files nativeinstaller* which implements native installation. There references inside for setup.dll and _setup.xml like in old CAB files.
But it was removed from MANGO seems

Cotulla said:
For now it's only for HTC devices with flashing custom ROM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would we be able to install an old application like fpsece for windows mobile? One of the biggest things I miss about windows mobile! I get paid today so I will be making a donation for your hard work! I'm currently using your custom rom on my HD7! Thanks again, and keep up the good work!

支持DFT論壇！支持xda-developers！至於你信不信，反正我是信了！

[APP] Lemon v1.3.0.1

Lemon
MODERN BROWSING
FEATURED
Massive Overhaul - completely rewritten to optimize the code and unify the overall interface
OTA Updates - updates require little to no user interaction
Security - hide and lock the browser with the touch of a button
Privacy - browsing history is only stored locally and can even be automatically deleted on exit
Auto Complete - suggests words depending on your history
Screenshot - nothing special, but you may take HD screenshots right within the browser
Notepad - notes that save automagically
Open Source - the source has now been released
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NEW
Privileges Fixed - no longer runs needs to run in administrator mode thanks to @SixSixSevenSeven
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BUGS
Outdated Browser Component - this browser is based off IE7 on some computers
Mishandles Links - links that open in a new window or tab will most likely open in your default browser
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lemon has been abandoned for quite some time now and I have removed the screenshots and download links. I am considering coming back to this project in the near future when I have time to put Windows on my MacBook. Until then, however, you may play with the source.
Source // Website

Maybe post some screenshots, or possibly a download?

netham45 said:
Maybe post some screenshots, or possibly a download?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for the recommendations Just uploaded 3 screenshots and added a download link towards the bottom.

Nice start. No go on RT.

cx1 said:
Nice start. No go on RT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder why this is not working on the RT.. I wish I had this device to test some things on. Anyways, this build was focused on 4.0 .NET framework made in visual studio 2012 for windows 8 Desktop. Thanks for trying.
EDIT: Problem is with the installer, download the ZIP below it and use that. I will try to find a fix for the installer. Sorry for the inconvenience.

mellowdev said:
I wonder why this is not working on the RT.. I wish I had this device to test some things on. Anyways, this build was focused on 4.0 .NET framework made in visual studio 2012 for windows 8 Desktop. Thanks for trying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try targeting 4.5 for Windows RT.

netham45 said:
Try targeting 4.5 for Windows RT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just updated to .NET 4.5

Nope will not run on RT unless I'm doing something wrong?

THEBIG360 said:
Nope will not run on RT unless I'm doing something wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm, any errors being displayed? Or just not opening?
EDIT: Problem is with the installer, download the ZIP below it and use that. I will try to find a fix for the installer. Sorry for the inconvenience.

You would need to target "Any CPU" in the .NET code, and recompile any third-party x86 libraries that you are using to target ARM, and it would probably work then. Most (although not all) of the system libraries on Win8 are also on Windows RT, and (at least in the case of .NET libraries), the ones that aren't can sometimes be brought over from a Win8 box anyhow.

GoodDayToDie said:
You would need to target "Any CPU" in the .NET code, and recompile any third-party x86 libraries that you are using to target ARM, and it would probably work then. Most (although not all) of the system libraries on Win8 are also on Windows RT, and (at least in the case of .NET libraries), the ones that aren't can sometimes be brought over from a Win8 box anyhow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At the moment, I am trying to get geckoFX 15 and xulrunner 19 added to the project so I do not have to use the default WebBrowser component given in Visual Studio. If you would like, I could send you the source and maybe you could help porting to Windows RT and adding geckoFX? Btw after v1.0 this will be Open Source to all Thanks for all the support guys.

Works now thanks, scrolling is a little hitchy how ever its a great start. On another note would it be possible to make the onscreen keyboard auto pop up?
Will the flash be optimized, the browser is really fast. Its just the flash side of things that is buggy.

Seems to bypass the Flash whitelist on Windows RT. That's quite handy.

Re: [APP] Lemon Browser v0.9.7.3
I can surely attempt the auto pop up on screen keyboard, also the glitchy scrolling will be fixed soon. Thanks
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Just FYI: a web browser requiring Administrator to run is absolutely unacceptable. Browsers should run with extremely limited permissions (lower than standard user, ideally) rather than elevated permissions. I fixed this by hand-editing the .EXE file's embedded manifest to run AsInvoker (rather than RequireAdministrator). You should change the manifest in VS. Preferably, the whole thing would run in a low-IL sandbox the way IE does, and/or use some other sandboxing technique.
Also, there's little reason, especially for RT-targeted builds, to use Debug unless you include the source files and expect people to use them when reporting bugs. Release builds are typically smaller and faster.
Finally, could you get this to use a somewhat less awful rendering engine than IE7? I don't mind using Trident in general, but IE7 is archaic and awful. How do you justify "faster than Chrome" on a browser that can't even pass Acid2, much less run a modern speed benchmark? Gecko would be awesome, though I don't believe anybody has managed to port it to RT yet so that would be x86-only at first.
There are other things I'd like to see, ranging from simple UI conventions (double-clicking the tab bar, tapping Alt to show the menu bar, etc.) to some significant security issues (loading mixed content - that is, HTTP content on an HTTPS site - is a potentially serious risk).

Re: [APP] Lemon Browser v0.9.7.3
I appreciate the feedback, about the debug, i honestly did not even think about that, its just much faster to update using the debug folder. I will make it the release build next time. Next - about the admin permissions - Unfortunately this is needed to enable the temporary download of version.txt (allows OTA updates). And I was not planning on targeting the RT at all. I simply made this on my windows 8 laptop and released to the public for however they would like. I am now working on a 3D FPS though and will be releasing the code to this very shortly. And for the IE7 subject, I tried using firefox component but it does not allow the "LoadComplete" sub. Simply put, I do not know how to do 'if web page loaded' do this. I need this feature so i can load favicons etc. Please understand that this was made < 1 week ago. I highly appreciate all the comments though because I can not even begin testing all of these. Plus with school and other activities I do not expext this to be a huge project. Just simply a fun project (focused on gui) to add to my projects. Thanks again
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

No worries on the Debug/Release, just a tip.
The admin thing, though... that's a serious problem. If the problem is just downloading a file, download it to the local application data folder instead of the install directory. If auto-updating is desired, make a separate updater that runs as Admin, and have the browser launch the updater program when it detects an update.
That said, though, admin is only needed if the browser is "installed" to a location where Admin is required to write. Programs installed in (for example) the user profile don't require this. In fact, on machines where the user *can't* get Admin (think about computers at a school, library, or office), the fact that it can install and run without requiring admin is a major advantage.
I understand that this is a side project for you, and I applaud you for hobby programming and sharing it with us, that's fantastic to see. I also do quite like the GUI, although I find it a bit bare-bones at the moment. Additionally, you getting it to work on RT is fantastic. However... I cannot in good conscience recommend using a web browser that sets the state of environment security back by nearly seven years. The web is an extremely hostile "place" and we've learned many lessons over the years. one of the critical ones is that web browsers are simply too easy to attack for them to be trusted; the only safe way to use one is to assume it will be compromised, and run it in a suitable contained environment. Microsoft did his with the IE7 Protected Mode on Vista betas in 2006, but even on XP it was possible to run IE as a non-Admin.

Re: [APP] Lemon Browser v0.9.7.3
I will admit chrome will always be my favorite browser Just wanted to throw something visually appealing together though after seeing all the horribly designed ones on youtube lol. If anyone would like the source just email me. The code is (slightly cluttered) but OCD friendly. everything labeled and named properly. If someone would like the source, i recommend also downloading the android holo icons from their site. That is what I am currently using and this allows identical pre-made light / dark icons.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Hello !
really thank for this build ! :good:
A question:
Can you integrate a download manager which allow us to download files with screen off but which avoid the complet stand-by state of the tablet during the download ?
Because with IE it's impossible to download something with the Surface screen OFF.
It could be a really cool feature, and the only browser which allow that ! :highfive:
@+
*********_
Edit:
Oh......
Your browser yet intagrate this feature !
Cool... Now I can download big files with screen Off !
I love you

samco08 said:
Hello !
really thank for this build ! :good:
...
Cool... Now I can download big files with screen Off !
I love you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! I appreciate that aha. Major update (kinda lol) will be released soon. Have to work on Mango Tools first (I might toss a thread up on this tool) but this can be found on my site mellowdev.net It just allows you to easily perform ADB commands on android phone. Anyways right after this I will work on v0.9.8! Hoping to add lots of cool, unique features to give this browser an edge. I know that speed means a lot and I have received many complaints on using the IE7 component. However my focus at the moment is to add features. Web browsing for most is just type in words and search. I want this to be so much more. So anyways aha thanks again. Love the support here!

Android Emulator

Is there a Android Emulator?

anned20 said:
Is there a Android Emulator?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have heard that you can use an emulator to load the image files which come with eclipse. Sorry I don't have more details, but it is a start. Best

Okay, an Emulator for Android... Hm... On Windows or what?
You want to emulate your own apps on the PC? Then you should take a close look into Android SDK.
You want to use other apps? Then you need "bluestacks"... Just search for it and you'll be fine

Thanks i will look at it
Verstuurd van mijn GT-S5660 met Tapatalk

Blue stacks
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium

aukhan said:
Blue stacks
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
... As I already said

anned20 said:
Is there a Android Emulator?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i heard about device anyware , its not an emulator but the real deal controlled remotely .
maybe it'll be good for you

Yes.. There is !
anned20 said:
Is there a Android Emulator?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes ... There is an Android Emulator. But what type of an emulator do you want ? ... That's a question you have to answer.
If You want an emulator to test android apps that you make:
Then you should use the Android Virtual Device emulator that comes with the Android SDK.
It allows you to test your app in different Android OS versions and screen sizes.
To know more on how to use it, CLICK HERE
If you want an emulator to simply run android apps and games on your Computer:
Then BlueStacks is the one for you. BlueStacks App Player lets you run apps from your phone fast and fullscreen on Windows and Mac.
It runs on Android 2.3 (i think). You can download it from the company website here - www.bluestacks.com

I would not recommend anyone use Bluestacks for an Emulator. It is sh!t.
Try Jar of Beans. It is an XDA developer build based on the SDK emulator and has great things like GL rendering, root access and is more functional and close to real device than currently what is offered as part of the SDK. You can at least test full rendered wallpapers without force closes and or total device failure i.e. shut down of your emulator.
The developer has it updated to 4.1.2 Android, but I am currently working on Updating it to 4.2.2. So far I have managed to port across a fair chunk of the Ouya gaming console as an emulator, however it doesn't run properly.
I have done some hacking in Windows and developed an application/ "add-on" that allows users a one click method for run the Android emulator in a RAM Disk (although it is very alpha, untested and not something I am going to upload just yet).
RAM disk performance is said to be approximately 50-100x faster than solid state drive, so the potential looks to be very promising! :victory:
Although my code is something else. Umm let me just say this, at execution or runtime there are no error checks in any steps of my code lol. Essentially my app in its current state assumes no errors. I am definitely not an idealist, and more so a pragmatist by nature, however due to lack size of code I had to make, lack of of time and surely extreme eagerness (to see its potential) on my behalf to view its potential managed to get it working.
All I can say is that it is fairly complex to set up and probably the reason why we have not seen or heard of it yet, so for me I wanted to build something that wouldn't mind boggle people at the thought.
I may write essay length posts, but I am not all about essay length tutorials. I would rather make something that puts the essay into code and actions that is simple for people to use.
My goal is to have fully working interface for people who want to run Android on Windows that has all of its functions. I also want to have a testbed of an emulated console to allow people to run accelerated Android game play with full rendering support on Windows. This requires full bluetooth emulation to allow for game controllers to connect to the virtual android device. Something not yet working. It is available on some developer X86 builds but is that is a lucky dip and will require you a sh!t tin of work to configure.
You can try the VirtualBox builds of GENYMOTION (previously known as AndroVM) that i can get to boot maybe 1 out of every 10 attempts. If you change any setting inside the VM via their claimed app forget about it, delete the VM and start again.
Link to a Wallpaper showing full GL Rendering
http://goo.gl/OEnLF
More info here in thread
20/01/2013 Jar of Beans - Android Emulator Portable x86 - BETA 4.9.3
More info on my concepts here in same thread
Post #490

ye i would do a google search for emulators as bluestacks is not a very good one, in my game i wont render some thing correctly or at all leaving ether nothing there or a black.

Now Bluestacks released new version. It is work perfectly

If you're primarily interested in gaming, I'd suggest considering LeapDroid. There is no subscription or monthly fee, and the emulator has been optimized for gaming
http://leapdroid.com/
Key features include:
- key mapping
- multiple instances, (two emulators side by side)
- very, very fast start up speed
- you can use your google play account
- painless installation

my favorite is Genymotion

there is clearly a need for such product hope one day somebody will create it

Thanks for all the answers.

[Lib][Java/JAR] RegIOLib - Java/Registry In/Out Communications Lib

Hey there,
I thought it was time to release something new
A bit of background storyline:
My last projects were all VB/.Net programs, and they were somewhat great, sure. But I was missing the Linux portability and the programs aren't available on all Windows version - Which bugged me a lot. So I finally started coding in Java again! I'm also porting Universal Android Toolkit to Java, so I can easily create a Linux version of that as well.
(If you want to make that happen faster, please donate to me. I managed to fix my laptop, but I've only got a 60GB HDD and I need that much space alone for Windows and I have no income, I'm only 16 )
Anyways, now that you know where I'm coming from, as I'm porting Universal Android Toolkit to Java, I need access to the registry to save the application's settings and easily access them. But unlike .Net languages, Java doesn't have built-in support for this kind of operation, so I looked around and grabbed bits and pieces of code and stuck them together into a Java Class Library.
Thus, RegIOLib was born.
It's licensed under the GPL 3.0 (License info included in the source).
Downloads
Sourceforge
Source Code
http://github.com/Beatsleigher/RegIOLib
EDIT:
I forgot to mention the following: To get access to the Windows registry, the application needs to be started with administrative rights!
You can either achieve this by starting the app via a launcher (Which is what I tempt to do) or by right-clicking the file and allowing it to run as admin.

Beatsleigher said:
It's licensed under the GPL 3.0 (License info included in the source).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So closed source applications may not use it?

nikwen said:
So closed source applications may not use it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course they can use it
Just add a link to this thread and my website, done.
But if you're coming from some major company or something, then I would like something more

Beatsleigher said:
Of course they can use it
Just add a link to this thread and my website, done.
But if you're coming from some major company or something, then I would like something more
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to the GPL they can't because it requires the source code of derivative work to be published. That's the "problem" with that license if you use it for libraries.
Due to that the LGPL exists.

http://www.tldrlegal.com/license/gnu-general-public-license-v3-(gpl-3)
Limited commercial use. Must include source code. So no, GPL libraries and closed source applications do not mix.
An inelegant solution (which is the one I have always used actually) is to save settings in a file in %APPDATA%, no admin rights are required to edit files in there, or roll your own registry library for the application. Or Beatsleigher could LGPL it, but its his project, his license, I think he has full right to stick it under GPL if he wants to.
Although I dont think saving into a registry key is really cross platform Neither is %APPDATA% but using the %APPDATA% method is simple file read/write so on a cross platform application you can simply change the filepath dependent on the current execution environment.
System.getenv("APPDATA") will return the filepath for the current users APPDATA folder on windows. System.getProperty("user.home") works on linux and I think OSX to get the home directory. I dont think user.home works properly on windows. But it should be easy to switch between the 2 methods, add on an extra bit for where your settings file is and detect which to use at runtime.
Disadvantage (and to some advantage, depends on what the application is doing and whether the author likes it or not) is that saving configuration files as actual files means the user can play around with them. APPDATA is by default a hidden folder. But chances are most users dont even know what the registry is so in a way your settings might be more secure left in there.
Even possible to have an application load settings from the registry on windows and files on everything else.

SixSixSevenSeven said:
Or Beatsleigher could LGPL it, but its his project, his license, I think he has full right to stick it under GPL if he wants to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course, he has that right. It's his code. The GNU even collected some reasons for sticking with the GPL.
Just wanted to point out that the GPL says that all derivative work (which includes programs that use libraries licenced under the GPL) must be GPL'ed (and therefore open source'd), too.

SixSixSevenSeven said:
http://www.tldrlegal.com/license/gnu-general-public-license-v3-(gpl-3)
Limited commercial use. Must include source code. So no, GPL libraries and closed source applications do not mix.
An inelegant solution (which is the one I have always used actually) is to save settings in a file in %APPDATA%, no admin rights are required to edit files in there, or roll your own registry library for the application. Or Beatsleigher could LGPL it, but its his project, his license, I think he has full right to stick it under GPL if he wants to.
Although I dont think saving into a registry key is really cross platform Neither is %APPDATA% but using the %APPDATA% method is simple file read/write so on a cross platform application you can simply change the filepath dependent on the current execution environment.
System.getenv("APPDATA") will return the filepath for the current users APPDATA folder on windows. System.getProperty("user.home") works on linux and I think OSX to get the home directory. I dont think user.home works properly on windows. But it should be easy to switch between the 2 methods, add on an extra bit for where your settings file is and detect which to use at runtime.
Disadvantage (and to some advantage, depends on what the application is doing and whether the author likes it or not) is that saving configuration files as actual files means the user can play around with them. APPDATA is by default a hidden folder. But chances are most users dont even know what the registry is so in a way your settings might be more secure left in there.
Even possible to have an application load settings from the registry on windows and files on everything else.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, as far as I'm aware, only Windows has a registry. I could be wrong though. In the past 5-6 years that I've been developing, I was only developing in VB.Net - A decision that I highly regret nowadays
But I'm so used to being able to save my settings in the registry where no 'normal' user can modify them and cause the program to misbehave, that I'd like my java programs to do so as well.
And seeming as Universal Android Toolkit is a big, big project (I've been developing it for over a year now and I'm constantly adding new features and now I'm porting it to Java making it really hard to release, but I'll get there eventually.
As soon as I've got the major stuff sorted out, I think I'm ready to release a Pre-Release candidate for testing and bug-fixing, but like I said, I'm still having some trouble and then I need to figure out a way to get those settings saved on Mac OS and Linux machines, for which I've already written some classes, but only to install ADB and stuff... And I'm getting side-tracked again, aren't I?
Anywhosers, I think I'm going to leave it under the GPL, even though you're right and that that means that closed-source programs can't use it, but I'll think of something. Even if it's a commercial license, say someone pays 2$ per program. I don't know.
But for the thing you said with %AppData%, what you can do on Linux machines, is (in Java)
Code:
private final String userProf = System.getenv("user.home");
final File tempDir = new File(userProf + "/Temp/(.)<Program>/temp.file");
private void setupTempDir() {
Path tmp = tempDir.getParentFile().getPath();
if (!tmp.exists()) {
tempDir.createNewFile();
}
}
That should solve that problem, then you COULD create some sort of settings file, but then it's just a pain to get and save the settings when you're using multiple GUIs, like me.
And then there's another way of doing that in Android apps, which I haven't figured out yet, mainly because I haven't even started with Android apps and I don't have the hard drive space to do so :/

Beatsleigher said:
Anywhosers, I think I'm going to leave it under the GPL, even though you're right and that that means that closed-source programs can't use it, but I'll think of something. Even if it's a commercial license, say someone pays 2$ per program. I don't know.
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Click to collapse
OK, no problem. The GPL, however, says that you may not relicense it. :/
(All of my comments I've posted yet sound as if the GPL is a bad license. To clarify that: I don't think so. I prefer it for applications, but use the LGPL or Apache v2 license for libraries.)

Beatsleigher said:
(If you want to make that happen faster, please donate to me. I managed to fix my laptop, but I've only got a 60GB HDD and I need that much space alone for Windows and I have no income, I'm only 16 )
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I'm 17 and I have a 64GB SSD. C#, C++ works great.
Anyway 700 lines of license make no sense. The same about the portable registry library for linux. Could you tell the purpose of it?

Useless guy said:
I'm 17 and I have a 64GB SSD. C#, C++ works great.
Anyway 700 lines of license make no sense. The same about the portable registry library for linux. Could you tell the purpose of it?
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Click to collapse
GPL isn't 700 lines last time I checked, also I left a link to a simple description of it above (I do love tldrlegal).
There is no registry for linux, no one mentioned a portable registry for linux.

SixSixSevenSeven said:
GPL isn't 700 lines last time I checked, also I left a link to a simple description of it above (I do love tldrlegal).
There is no registry for linux, no one mentioned a portable registry for linux.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did
Anyways, now that you know where I'm coming from, as I'm porting Universal Android Toolkit to Java, I need access to the registry to save the application's settings and easily access them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

nikwen said:
OK, no problem. The GPL, however, says that you may not relicense it. :/
(All of my comments I've posted yet sound as if the GPL is a bad license. To clarify that: I don't think so. I prefer it for applications, but use the LGPL or Apache v2 license for libraries.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm working on a license for it and any other such things. So I'll release it again for commercial and closed-source programs when it's done.
And yes, it does sound like you think it's a bad license. But meh. Everyone has their own opinion, I guess.

Useless guy said:
I'm 17 and I have a 64GB SSD. C#, C++ works great.
Anyway 700 lines of license make no sense. The same about the portable registry library for linux. Could you tell the purpose of it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GPL isn' 700 lines.
That's cool for you, that you've got that stuff. I don't. Anyways, I'm getting away from .Net languages, and C# is easy for anyone to learn. Especially if they're coming from VB, like me.
C++ isn#'t my kinda thing, as you can't natively create GUIs in it. You always need some kind of library for that sort of stuff.
And I didn't intend this for use with Linux. Everyone that has basic knowledge of these operating systems knows that Linux, BSD, Mac OS etc. don't have registries. And I never even noted that I'm attempting to use registry stuff in Linux. I said I'm porting Universal Android Toolkit to JAVA, and that I need access to the WINDOWS registry to save the application's settings in the reg, so that users can actively change the settings if the program starts misbehaving.

Useless guy said:
I did
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I said JAVA, not Linux. What I probably did say, however, is that I'm porting my program to Java so that it can easily be ported to said OSs. But never that I'm attempting to save my settings in the registry in all OSs.

Beatsleigher said:
C++ isn#'t my kinda thing, as you can't natively create GUIs in it. You always need some kind of library for that sort of stuff.
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Lolwhat?

Beatsleigher said:
C++ isn#'t my kinda thing, as you can't natively create GUIs in it. You always need some kind of library for that sort of stuff..
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Click to collapse
Errm, those libraries are written in C or C++... native code such as C and C++ are the only languages which can create GUI's. VB.net/C#/anything else .NET use libraries too which in the case of WinForms and WPF are just wrappers around win32 functionality implemented in C.

Beatsleigher said:
And yes, it does sound like you think it's a bad license. But meh. Everyone has their own opinion, I guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I love the GPL. I use it for everything (except libraries).
But I'll stop the off-topic now.

android 2.1 app dev environment

i find that i prefer using my nst more & more.. in fact, my swanky but gas-guzzling tablet has been all but discarded, except for watching movies in bed.
i am going to find open-source apps, and recompile the latest sources specifically for android 2.1 eclair, as i find that most devs and google market are removing eclair from their horizons. i am particularly interested in small-sized efficient apps. i do use quite a lot of them, but mostly very old versions.
for this purpose, i want to setup a eclair-dedicated dev environment. i am happy to share all apps that i compile & use myself. hopefully, many others might find useful too.
where i need your help is with advice on how best to setup a tiny/efficient (not bloatware) dev environment, bearing in mind that it will only be used to recompile apks for eclair on b&w eink. i notice that some of you are very efficient in creating extremely small apk, and this is what i want to do.

platform:
on my debian wheezy host, i installed virtual box and created a debian wheezy minimal guest. virtualbox guest additions has significantly altered my perception of virtualbox. i had been using kvm previously.
pre-requisites:
install openjdk-7-jdk
dev environment:
google lists android studio as the only official one. it is huge, bulky, cumbersome bloatware imho. i think this is targetted at the new kids on the block not used to terminal environments. but this seems to be my only option for now, till i hear from you lot of some simpler dev tools.
my requirement is very simple, all i need to do is, change some code somewhere and compile.
so i downloaded android studio, and unpacked it in a directory reserved for my android development. loading it is like watching windows booting up! and then it downloads android sdk, which is another huge bloatware, particularly since it insists on downloading all the crap-lollipop-ware which i have no intention of using.
so my dev environment is almost ready! if anyone has suggestions or tips, or want more detailed instructions/commands, please comment..

Don't forget that the NST only runs 2.1 Éclair apps, as its OS is 2.1 Éclair.
This sounds like a great project - I also prefer my NTG (in fact, I'm on it right now!).

veloo said:
for this purpose, i want to setup a froyo-dedicated dev environment.
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Click to collapse
Check requirements for compiling Eclair/Froyo itself, SDK version doesn't matter since it supports all API versions.
Personally I'd use a virtual machine with oldest supported 32-bit *buntu release- better chance that required packages versions will be present in official repos.
EDIT:
This may help, discussion was related to kernel compilation however there should be link to quick tutorial about CM6 (Froyo) compilation- http://forum.samdroid.net/f28/setup-kernel-build-environment-using-virtualbox-windows-7-64-bit-4007/ (sorry if 10-sec advertisement pops up)

thanks folks.. my bad! indeed it is eclair, and not froyo. i have updated my op above.

gen_scheisskopf said:
EDIT:
This may help, discussion was related to kernel compilation however there should be link to quick tutorial about CM6 (Froyo) compilation- http://forum.samdroid.net/f28/setup-kernel-build-environment-using-virtualbox-windows-7-64-bit-4007/ (sorry if 10-sec advertisement pops up)
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that discussion seems to be about iphone development

veloo said:
that discussion seems to be about iphone development
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Nope, it's for Samsung i5700 Spica (latest official firmware- 2.1)

all that talk about crosstool toolchain arm-iphone-linux-gnueabi got me confused.. sorry!

No problem. Back then we had to use whatever was available and compiling Crosstool-NG was easier option than to get precompiled Android toolchain.
Anyway check links in the thread, there were tutorials about compiling Froyo from scratch (note: samdroid's wiki is down) and IIRC Eclair had about the same requirements

thx but my objective atmo is not compiling froyo or eclair or any roms. it is purely to compile apps for use on the nook.

I'm aware of that. IMO link provided can help you in preparation of build environment

At work I use Android Studio to build apps, but at home I still just use Notepad++, the Windows tools in the Android SDK and the (ancient) Borland make.
I probably will migrate to Android Studio at home eventually.
Still, coding by hand you learn a lot about things.

In the old days for text editing very large data files I used VE & Vedit plus the old Norton commander file manager, I could select any sort of columns within a text file in VE, hex, plus grep commands. Or ms-word macros with VB APIs if needed too. But these were for huge files from publishers. For most things though I had been using Notepad++ or UltraEdit for years. In recent past I hardly use them, instead I use Sublime Text Editor for almost everything, I like the recent portable version which launches fast. Also if I'm debugging live with breakpoints & watches & changing code in PhpStorm, the open instance of Sublime updates code as I work in PhpStorm. I tried a few modern text editors in the same league which supposedly have bested Sublime, but I keep going back to it for most coding or text. Apart from php and various text formats, Sublime handles & color codes for other types too like html, JavaScript etc. Interesting discussion on modern text/code editors & IDEs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K-TalfLFas

Hey a nice effort to build apps optimized for Nook Simple Touch.
Renate, Marspeople, have already created some nifty apps for our device.
How about you update the OP with links to their apps(with due credit to them and express permission for the same) besides sharing your own collection of NST optimised apps ?

I'm totally noob at this, My little dream it's develope a clock app for the nook but I'm stuck in "hello world" when I try to compile my app in Android Sudio 2.1.3 it throws this error: "uses-sdk:minSdkVersion 7 cannot be smaller than version 9 declared in library" Can somebody help me?
I

Use SDK suite ver. 9 and higher or declare in library, that you're using ver.7.

Necropost, I know, but do you hhave links to posts by the people mentioned, with the apps they've developed?
aiamuzz said:
Hey a nice effort to build apps optimized for Nook Simple Touch.
Renate, Marspeople, have already created some nifty apps for our device.
How about you update the OP with links to their apps(with due credit to them and express permission for the same) besides sharing your own collection of NST optimised apps ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse