Database Info

Noob Dictionary

So I am stealing this from another forum, hopefully it will cut down on some of the repeated threads. Copy and pasted to reduce the strain on my brain and typing.
Stolen from the Sprint Hero board on AndroidForums.com - Props to PDragon for typing it all. I have slightly modififed.
ROM - Read Only Memory
While the term has changed a bit from it's original meaning, it's essentially computer memory that does not require power to store it's data (non-volitile). In the sense of a smartphone like the Hero, it's the Internal Memory where the OS is stored. From what I've gathered, the Internal Memory is just Flash Memory (a special type of ROM) partitioned into two parts, one for the OS and the rest for apps to use. So, the OS partition essentially is true ROM, unless you root the phone. The software that groups like xda-developers make available are called ROMs because they're a ROM Image.
For the Hero this size is 512MB.
SDcard is a larger capacity external Flash Memory card.
Recovery Rom - I would assume enough said, but. This is the recovery partition of the phone for when things go bad, typically how you will load your ROM packages, some times refered to as "Update.zip" files.
Vanilla Rom
All the fancy bells and whistles have been pulled out so that its as minimalist as possible, users can then build on this for their own custom setup.
RAM - Random Access Memory
This is where current processes that are running are stored and keep the data they need immediately available to them. This is the memory you see when you run any of the Task Managers showing you currently running apps and the available memory. It's a completely different part of the phone from the Internal Memory discussed above. Data stored in RAM requires constant power and does not survive a power cycle of the phone (volitile).
For the Hero this is 288MB.
Root
This is the term being thrown around for modifying a smartphone to put custom software on it that normally wouldn't be allowed through means included with the phone (Android Market or an .apk file for a non-Market app). "Root" is the common term chosen because, in a Unix environment, the "root" user has complete and total control of the entire operating system of the computer. So, "rooting" the phone means taking complete control over its operating system. This is usually done by means of finding a flaw somewhere in the phone's firmware to allow access to the restricted Internal Memory where the OS resides. You then install a custom ROM (see above) to let you use your phone from then on.
Android is a bit more unique than any of the previous smartphones in that you don't really need "approval" from a higher power (ex, the Apple store) to install an app that hasn't made it onto the Market. Just uncheck the box Settings -> Application settings -> Unknown sources and you're free to install any .apk file you wish. So Android phones are more like a regular computer in that you're free to install whatever software you want from whichever source you want. Just be careful of where you get apps from outside of official Market sources. Also like a regular computer, you could open yourself up to having your personal data stolen.
Rooting still gives some advantages for power users, but for normal or even intermediate users, you probably don't need to root the phone to enjoy it as much as you'd have needed to for previous smartphones.
For further discussion, please see our Developer Forums.
Tethering
This is the term used for using your phone as an Internet access point to allow an attached computer to access the Internet. It turns your phone into a mobile modem. Please don't discuss Tethering here. See the thread Does Tethering work? to discuss this further.
*Let me know if we should add other terms. Maybe a MOD can stickie this.*

but where are the guides

jtadeo said:
but where are the guides
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Click to collapse
I think all of the guides have been Stickied on the first page of the board. Do you need one in particular??

At the bottom of the main forum is a dictionary for anyone to use. I don't see the point in this unless it is made for lazy people that just want what they want now and can't take time to research.

tdavis42 said:
At the bottom of the main forum is a dictionary for anyone to use. I don't see the point in this unless it is made for lazy people that just want what they want now and can't take time to research.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you think we would have as many of the new user questions repeated over and over if they did take time and do the research? Think not... You must have some real faith in humanity if you think people won't take the easy way out if it is offered. Hence my copy and paste from another forum.

What was a SDcard? and I'm not understanding the concept or RAM....
hahaha, just joking..
Nice work, I'm sure this will come in handy for some folks!

for all other definitions check out : http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=Glossary

N0J said:
What was a SDcard? and I'm not understanding the concept or RAM....
hahaha, just joking..
Nice work, I'm sure this will come in handy for some folks!
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I am not making fun of anyone, I have been there my self. But I have seen the above questions on other forums! lol.
I must say XDA members tend to be a little ahead of the learning curve.

Search Button!
jtadeo said:
but where are the guides
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Search button is your FRIEND!!!

Kcarpenter said:
I am not making fun of anyone, I have been there my self. But I have seen the above questions on other forums! lol.
I must say XDA members tend to be a little ahead of the learning curve.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol, yeah
xda is good
jjjjayd13 said:
Search button is your FRIEND!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but the search button is terrible, lol
I've even seen a disclaimer on a mod's signature saying that it sucks and to use google, haha!

[Q] Android Developers, why are you treating my SD card like a garbage can?

This has been bothering me for quite a while, so I conjured a little story to help sooth my frustration.
Lets say my Android device is the new tenant of a nicely formated loft, this loft being 16gb of square space. To commemorate this new exciting space my device throws a house party. Most of the Apps he invites are pretty well behaved, but some start spilling drinks, then puking on the carpet, then having an orgy, then bukkake-ing the root directory. After discovering such acts, the device politely requests the disruptive guests force quit and leave. "I need more space on my phone." the device replied as each questioned on their way out. To his disbelief, NONE of the Apps cleaned up their mess! Even worse it seems some of the classier Apps, though more organized seem to have been influenced too. Unfortunately the device is forced to live with it, as the police force stopped responding to calls in his neighborhood. One man tries, but it always returns to a mess.
I hope that entertained someone.

i know exactly how you feel... there is at least 7 unused folders just wasting space on my phone. not to mention random mp3's hidden deep within my phone...

PhxkinMassacre said:
i know exactly how you feel... there is at least 7 unused folders just wasting space on my phone. not to mention random mp3's hidden deep within my phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I hope you understand about the unused folders and NOT the bukkake-ing!!

hello, nice story!
I won't say that I am even close to being a developer but I do develop some apps and the thing that I wan't to point out is that apps do not run when they are installed or uninstalled. It's not each application job to clear up the mess it may have created but package manager's which apparently leaves some files be just in case you would like to reinstall the app later(?)...
I would propose to look for a more efficient package manager or doorman/janitor for your loft

That's why I don't invite the guy whos only existence is to make farting noises!

Very good point. However, one thing I don't know is if uninstalling through the market cleans up the SD card better than using a third party mass uninstall app. Something you may want to experiment with.

Back at it again...
Here I am again, and I still don't flippin get it!
After reading some of your comments I realized my main point kind of got glazed over(no pun intended @Scudderb)
My big issue is that there's no hierarchy in place for this crap. In windows, program files are stored in the 'Program Files' directory. In Android (and I credit google and the developers for this sloppy BS) Apps are just throwing all their **** in with my stuff on the ROOT.
How is this acceptable. Seriously, HOW? And if its all cache files and/or temporary documents than WHY THE **** ISN'T ALL THIS CRAP BEING PUT INTO A TEMP/CACHE FOLDER.
I'm PISSED! Why does every app I install get to put their own folder on the ROOT WITH the FOLDERS and FILES that actually matter to me ex: like my music, pictures, movies, documents (OH and by the way, a lot of apps developers do a REALLY ****ty job with their NAMING CONVENTIONS so the folders being created may or may not even look related to the app that put it there!)
::end rant::
My apologies for the colorful language, folder structure and hierarchy are something I design as a web designer so when I see this crap going on in my phone like the inmates are running the asylum... I get angry.
Today I was cleaning up my SD card for the umteen'th time, and found that Foursquare was dumping its temp files directly onto the root of my directory. I blew my top and had to get it out of my system... so..
A MESSAGE TO ALL THE APPS PULLING THESE SHENANIGANS: GROW UP!

The problem here is that it's hard to do it right
For custom data, files are supposed to be saved into "/data/data/com.appname/blah" (that's from the top of my head, could differ slightly). That's the directory to use for data files, but there's one big issue with it: it's on the internal memory storage. We all know that internal memory on Android (without custom ROMs) is.. limited. That's probably why most devs are using SD for larger files.
There's also the "Android/data/com.package_name.blah/blah" directory on the SD card. This directory should be used by apps to store files into and is automatically deleted when the user removes the associated app (but only when you're running Froyo or greater).
The issue with this approach is that users (and developers too, when testing the app) will lose all their data when removing an old version of a specific app. Let's say there's a bug with the Market again and the app suddenly gets uninstalled. User will have to reinstall, result: data will be all gone. That's only one of the many doom scenarios.
I can't speak for other developers, but that's more or less the reason why I started to use a common directory outside of the preferred ones when I was doing apps. It's not a great situation, I fully agree. But would you rather have your data accidentally deleted?
If anyone knows a good way to get around this issue, I'd love to know more about it...

orly
Thanks for the reply @Stripeymilk
I can think of multiple solutions:
#1 Development community adopts a universal directory for files deemed 'User' or 'Save' data that should be stored for future use. (or Google creates this for developers)
#2 Development community adopts the practice of allowing users to pick the directory users want to store an apps data in. (prompt at app's first start)
#3 Store files/data in the cloud.
#4 Users dump trash in the lobbys/living-rooms of developer's and see how quickly they find a solution.
#5 USE THE "Android/data/com.package_name.blah/" FOLDER WHEN ALL YOU'RE REALLY DOING IS STORING CACHE/TEMP FILES!!!
BOTTOM LINE: Its not hard to do it right, Its just hard to get people to do it.

You make it sound so easy
1) I'm all for it, but Google needs to put its weight behind an approach like that because otherwise people will say "I like /Data better than /data or /Mydata or /MyData". It's a bit like coding conventions: everyone wants to be different.
2) Good for techy people, not so good for "normal" users. Could make it easier with a small "file manager", but that's too much work for indie devs. Could be a nice idea for a new open source project though.
3) Great idea, could actually work if the associated account would be created automatically (like in Cut the Rope for Android with Scoreloop), but:
- The backup functionality in Android for storing data in the cloud is available for API level 8 and greater, making it of not so much use when you're targeting API level 5 or 6 and greater. Could be fixed by using something like Google Storage combined with Jets3t instead, but that would be useless for apps written in C++, like many games are.
- Cloud storage isn't free. Developers can't pay for that as it would be too expensive. If every Android user would've gotten free cloud storage from Google it could be a nice alternative, but (yeah, there's always a but) most current users don't have that.
4) If you're prepared to send your trash by plane to another country, go for it!
5) Agreed. Useful for temp data.

I'm not trying to make it sound easy, believe me I know how it isn't. I'm trying to make it sound simple, because really.. it is...
In response:
1) I agree and this is exactly what I mean by the real hard part is getting people to do it. This requires widespread endorsement by developers big and small - that this is a 'best practice' that should be adhered to. I think the gate swings both ways though.
example: Twitter didn't invent hash tags, their users did, and with its widespread adoption, Twitter adopted/implemented it too.
2) Another good point, though this process can be curated to drive the user in the right direction (holding their hand). The XBOX 360 does this for every game you play, the first thing it does is ask you which storage device you want to use for game saves.
example: in combination with solution # 1, the default folder the app saves to could be '/data/theAppsName' and the prompt could say "This app saves files to your SD CARD in '/data/theAppName'. Would you like to choose a new location?" [Yes] [No] [?]. The [Yes] option brings up a simple file manager, the [No] option uses that location, the [?] option brings up an easy to understand write up on what its asking and why its asking it.
3) We'll get there eventually, my point really was if you've got the resources, why not. Its a solution better than #1 and #2
4) I plan on sending human clones to create trash individually and exponentially
5) AMIRITE~!
In all seriousness though, thank you @Stripeymilk for taking the time to go in depth and have a conversation about this. I seriously think it doesn't take an act of Godogle to solve this (to what I beleive) is a big issue!

I can't agree more with you.
As developer (Windows, iSeries) I try to make my programs as structured and readable as possible. The same goes for the files and folders used used by the programs, but sadly, even with all the available resources, some people (colleagues) make a complete mess of it, cause "that's not/less important", as long as the program does what it's intended to do ...
It's all about the resources and people using them the right way!

Cool, didn't know about the hash tags on Twitter
Well, we're on a great site here with developers on it. If everyone here would adhere to the same standard, it could at least be a nice push to make the Android SD card world a better place.
What's the directory we're going to settle on? Any pros and cons?

[Q] Which online "storage" is the best?

I have considered getting one of those online services ie like RapidShare etc and has considered signing up for one, but which one is "ultimately" best?. I know claiming which one is best might be a bit sketchy.
But I would prefer a place where I can basically decide to make folders either accessible to all so they are public so that people can access the folders through a webinderface and download from it. Or that people need to put in a password/key to get aceces. Or ultimately that I am the only one who can access them.
As well as allowing "some" people to upload stuff to the public folder etc.
But can any of these online services handle that?

O I think it can "handle it"...

themasterfulone said:
O I think it can "handle it"...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
O?
[Post too short????]

I believe Box.net covers most of your specs....
Personal account is free and stores up to 50g.

Dropbox does pretty much everything you're looking for. Other people can upload to a folder, but you have to share it with them. A shared folder takes away from their amount of storage as if it were their own.
If you exceed 10 gigs of external traffic in a single day, Dropbox suspends the specific file(s)/folder responsible for the excessive traffic for a few days... at least for the first offense, not sure about after. I learned this the hard way.
Dropbox also only gives you a couple of gigs of storage. It's by far the nicest file-sharing client, but very limiting. I use Dropbox to share small files - recoveries, individual images, tutorials, etc. For most of my personal storage and larger files that I need to share, I use crappy file sharing sites like Megaupload etc.
The great thing about Dropbox is that you don't have to link people to some spammy site where you have to wait however long for slow downloads. Click the link and you're prompted to download.
However, if you plan on sharing large files or need a ton of storage, I'd go with something else unless you're willing to pay.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

[Q] Trick WP7 to use Data connection as Wi-fi(larger marketplace downloads) ?

Trying to see if this is possable....
What I would like to do, is make my WP7 device see my Data Connection as a Wi-Fi connection to download larger apps from the Marketplace when I am away from home or away from a wi-fi connection. Something that could be turned on and off.
Is this even possable ?
I hate the fact because I am on the road I can't buy a new App because of it's size, even tho I am on a full 5 bar 3G connection.....
Thoughts ?

My guess is that there is a throttling bit set in the registry for the Zune app for when not on wifi - I just can't seem to find it.

There's a value which appears to control this limit specified a file in \My Documents\Zune\PimentoCache\Keepers. The files there are downloaded to the phone based on your carrier and OEM, but they can be temporarily replaced (this is how my OEM Marketplace XAPs work).

GoodDayToDie said:
There's a value which appears to control this limit specified a file in \My Documents\Zune\PimentoCache\Keepers. The files there are downloaded to the phone based on your carrier and OEM, but they can be temporarily replaced (this is how my OEM Marketplace XAPs work).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you saying that what I am looking for IS possable ?
If so where do I get started with this ?
I'd love something that could go in the Settings menu to enable a 50mb limit or something, that I can turn off when I am done.

You'll need to interop unlock and/or root your phone so you can browse/edit the registry.

Moved TO WP7 Q&A​
Thread moved to WP7 Q&A. Please post in the correct section in the future. Posting in the dev section just to try to get extra exposure is not allowed.​

GoodDayToDie said:
There's a value which appears to control this limit specified a file in \My Documents\Zune\PimentoCache\Keepers. The files there are downloaded to the phone based on your carrier and OEM, but they can be temporarily replaced (this is how my OEM Marketplace XAPs work).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now that this thread is back open.. I would like to see if it's possable to get to the bottom of this.
What my dream is here... A little app that is in the Settings that will allow you to change your settings to allow the limit to extend to 50-100mb for a short time. This will allow users to download a larger App from the marketplace.
One of my biggest hates on WP7 is when I am on the road (not at home or by a wi-fi network), I can not BUY a new app because of it's size limits.
Has anyone tried this ? And do you need root access on your device for an app to be able to change this setting (by just flipping a switch) ?
Thanks !

Check this thread for more details that might be useful.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1602691&highlight=download+limit

DavidinCT said:
Now that this thread is back open.. I would like to see if it's possable to get to the bottom of this.
What my dream is here... A little app that is in the Settings that will allow you to change your settings to allow the limit to extend to 50-100mb for a short time. This will allow users to download a larger App from the marketplace.
One of my biggest hates on WP7 is when I am on the road (not at home or by a wi-fi network), I can not BUY a new app because of it's size limits.
Has anyone tried this ? And do you need root access on your device for an app to be able to change this setting (by just flipping a switch) ?
Thanks !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same issue and the solution to it is to edit the xml files LKG_MOConfig.xml and Downloaded_MOConfig.xml located at /My Documents/Zune/PimentoCache/Keepers. The download limit is set to 20 and can be edited to a higher value. I recently downloaded an 80 MB file through my 3G network. The only downside it seems is the files get replaced by the OS in every few days. To get round that I have made the files read-only and testing it. Will let you know how it goes.
And yes it will require a rooted or a fully unlocked phone.
Thanks to ken52787 for figuring out the files and his thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1602691

You don't need full unlock, just interop_unlock with a file browser.
Testing myself...

drkfngthdragnlrd said:
Here's the pre-edited files with a 200 MB limit & the "Read Only" attribute set in case it works. You don't need full unlock, just interop_unlock with a file browser.
Testing myself...
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Click to collapse
I'd remove these files. These are only valid for T-Mobile and my guess is it'll cause some problems if someone tries to buy apps with them on another network.
If someone can't figure out how to edit the xml themselves and change a single number, they probably shouldn't be messing with this to begin with.

Can these be put in a XAP ?

ken52787 said:
I'd remove these files. These are only valid for T-Mobile and my guess is it'll cause some problems if someone tries to buy apps with them on another network.
If someone can't figure out how to edit the xml themselves and change a single number, they probably shouldn't be messing with this to begin with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point, had a brain fart & didn;'t think these files might be courier dependent, files removed...

Actually, I'd really appreciate it if multiple people (different carriers in particular, I already have the OEMs) posted their PimentoCache XML files. I'm working on an app that will allow people to easily switch their Marketplace settings (OEM, MO, max download size, etc.).

GDTD - Let me get these files off my Verizon Trophy and I will post so you can add to your xap. I'm off for work so it may not be until later today.

Here are the VZW files. I already edited them for 200MB download limit.
View attachment 1016305

[Q] [Q of a sort] Low Vision A700

This is a two part question
I have the A700 and, frankly, I love it to pieces
1. I have a problem with app text size.. Most of the apps have teeny-tiny text that I can't read. The talk-back affects my ability to scrll up and down so text-to-speech is not an option. Is there anything to be done to control app text size?
2. I was goofing around with the Barcode scanner and I got somthing with small print as well as a bar code and I get the printed part in the scanner square. What I saw blew me away. The print was very legible and got an idea. If you could expand that magnified area to fill the screen and do away with the red scan line, you could have a very good reading device for persons with low vision. Even better, if you could route it through the Android browser, you could set it up "darkfield"; White on black. Those of you have have ever done microscopy know about the "darkfield microscope" designed to make things easy on the eyes for long-period use, not to mention using the browswers zoom command. This would duplicate the action of the current low-vision reading device known as the CCD/TV which, the last I was sure of cost $US1200 and am told is down to $US700. I contacted the creator of the Barcode Scanner app and he said that it was open-source. If what I have suggested could be done; expand the veiwing field to full screen and removing the red scan line this would make the A700 a very good low-vision reading device at about 65$ of the price of a CCD/TV
Could someone adapt the Barcode Sanccer program to expand the viewing/magnifying area to the full screen and eliminte the rad scan line?

Hi Space Patroller,
1. There are two ways to accomplish resizing the text:
1.1: Go to Settings > Accessibility and tick the Large text box. If that isn't big enough, or just not right, try 2.
1.2: Go to Settings > Display and tap on the Font size button. There you'll find the four options: Small, Normal (default), Large, Huge.
2.
I contacted the creator of the Barcode Scanner app and he said that it was open-source.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is quite the easy answer. I don't think the developer wanted to actually implement it or he just didn't have time.
To edit the source, you have to have some knowledge about the coding/scripting language. It's not something a regular "customer" could do.
I couldn't do it either, so you might want to create a new topic in either one of those:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=565
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=524
Maybe there are people with the particular knowledge who could accomplish what you want. Though removing the red line wouldn't be a huge problem for people with a little knowledge about the language.

Low Vision Iconia
I have already tried the methoids you mentioned. 1. They don't make that much of s size difference 2. The don't control the app text size in most cases. I got BigFont and that helps somewhat but not with app text
I quite agree about knwing the code and the creator really did not want to be involved I put it here beccause I was told to put all questions in the "general" forum
I am talking here about severe visual disability like not being aable to get a driver's license severe. Are you sure it is all right for met to post my question in those forums? I do not wish to give offense, but if this were done it would bring this cost of reading devices down by at least half

Space Patroller said:
I have already tried the methoids you mentioned. 1. They don't make that much of s size difference 2. The don't control the app text size in most cases. I got BigFont and that helps somewhat but not with app text
I quite agree about knwing the code and the creator really did not want to be involved I put it here beccause I was told to put all questions in the "general" forum
I am talking here about severe visual disability like not being aable to get a driver's license severe. Are you sure it is all right for met to post my question in those forums? I do not wish to give offense, but if this were done it would bring this cost of reading devices down by at least half
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could also try to ajust the LCD Density. The LCD Density changes the whole resolution of your tablet, which makes everything looks bigger or smaller (texts, but also buttons in apps or games).
You'll need, however, require root permissions in order to do that.
There are two ways:
1. Manually: Download a file browser which is capable of viewing the root of the tablet. Root Explorer will do that for you, but it's shareware. There are other free apps out there which can do the same thing, but Root Explorer is able to edit files. You can also try AndroZip and then edit files with Documents To Go 3.0.
Navigate to /system/. Search for the file default.prop. Edit the file and search for lcd_density = 240 (which is the default). Change it to a higher value. I'm not quite sure which values are valid, because it'll also affect the Google Play Store compatibility checker. I think 320 is a valid value. You can also play a little with it, but you have to reboot the tablet every time you change the value.
2. Automatically (On The Fly ajustable, won't survive reboot ): Download LCDDensity for Root and check it out, haven't been able to get my hands on the app yet.
I think it's okay to post a question in one of these forums, you should edit the question a little though. You should mention the severe vision disability and then that you would want anyone to look into the app because it is open source; With of course the two things you want different. Though I really want to help you with that, I don't have the programming knowledge. I'm not sure if anyone is willing to help you out with something "complicated" like that, because people willing to do stuff that include changes like those are hard to find.

Space Patroller said:
This is a two part question
I have the A700 and, frankly, I love it to pieces
1. I have a problem with app text size.. Most of the apps have teeny-tiny text that I can't read. The talk-back affects my ability to scrll up and down so text-to-speech is not an option. Is there anything to be done to control app text size?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I don't know if you updated already to JB, I did, and as a novelty there's an option to extend the apps' visualization to fill all of the screen's real estate, afterwards the text gets bigger. A new "enlarge-stretch" icon appears near the clock in the navbar in (almost) every open app. But maybe you already found out by now