How does one become part of a ROM project? - General Questions and Answers

I am a computer science graduate that is looking to work on an existing ROM project in my spare time (ideally a popular one like CM10). How would I go about this? I don't mind starting small (doing code reviews and such), but I would like to be able to work up to actually submitting fixes and being part of a 'team'.
I don't have any specific Android development experience, but I know Java well and use it every day at my job. I am just not currently a part of any code projects in my spare time and would love to do something Android related now that I finally have one (even better if I could work on .
So...is this possible? What steps can I take towards this goal? Or is this a situation like 'you've got a lot to learn before you even think of joining a project'. Again, I have no Android-specific dev experience, but I learn quick and am eager to be a part of the Android development community. I want to be part of an existing team because I feel my strength lies in developing fixes and features, not in designing a ROM from the ground up.
Thanks in advance to anyone who replies and sorry If I shouldn't have posted this in a more specific Q&A forum as well.

Exoplanet25 said:
I am a computer science graduate that is looking to work on an existing ROM project in my spare time (ideally a popular one like CM10). How would I go about this? I don't mind starting small (doing code reviews and such), but I would like to be able to work up to actually submitting fixes and being part of a 'team'.
I don't have any specific Android development experience, but I know Java well and use it every day at my job. I am just not currently a part of any code projects in my spare time and would love to do something Android related now that I finally have one (even better if I could work on .
So...is this possible? What steps can I take towards this goal? Or is this a situation like 'you've got a lot to learn before you even think of joining a project'. Again, I have no Android-specific dev experience, but I learn quick and am eager to be a part of the Android development community. I want to be part of an existing team because I feel my strength lies in developing fixes and features, not in designing a ROM from the ground up.
Thanks in advance to anyone who replies and sorry If I shouldn't have posted this in a more specific Q&A forum as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your best bet is to start by trying to build a CM rom from source, play with GIT and get used to building android from source, then look towards a device you own, if there already a CM verion for it? if so perhaps talk with the dev thats in charge of it and see what you can help with.

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[Android] [POLL] Bugtracking/Communication system

Hi guys,
so, as there are some possibilities, and the question arised, here's a little poll for you.
It's about how developers and users/testers of Android should best communicate.
Quick overview:
This thread has 4k+ entries now, but many people are watching it. It's more like an IRC channel, though.
The Linux-To-Go site has 4 different trackers (bugs, patches, support, feature requests), and a news system and a little bit more. Sometimes it is quite slow, but since they've just got a new sponsor, I think they're working out how to distribute the load.
I have already asked whether we can have a subforum, and the site admin seemed positive about it, but wanted to see into which directions the Mod's discussions were.
If you have a better idea, please post!
Stefan
I prefer the googlecode bugtracker, since the most people dosnt need to create an new account, it is simple but powerfull. And the ui looks much better then the Linux-To-Go one.
Looks like guys here voting mostly for just subforum. May I suggest in this case that there would be few sticky topics for guides/overall discussion and the rest is topic per bug type-o-thing? Someone would be a moderator, of course.
it doesn't even matter what we / you think - the only votes that matter are the ones of the developers.
git seems to work quite well for developing - if ltg is too slow - it shouldn't be a problem to clone it to a faster repo elsewhere (afaik there's already a faster one in place - can't remember the address) - also after the initial setup it doesn't really matter how slow it is anymore (unless you don't know how to use git and constantly start over from scratch).
As for bugtracking - are there developers interested in bugtracking? I think they're well aware of what needs work.
(e.g. for Polaris it's documented in the wiki)
What we really need at the moment is kernel developers for various devices.
just my 2 ¢
Tip
I don't dislike the idea of a full thread as it was...but i feel we should split threats into 50 posts. After could be "Part II" , "Part III"...etc.
Hugs
excogitation said:
As for bugtracking - are there developers interested in bugtracking? I think they're well aware of what needs work.
(e.g. for Polaris it's documented in the wiki)
What we really need at the moment is kernel developers for various devices.
just my 2 ¢
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, I suggested a bug tracker, even for developers-internal use because then one can see what the other devs are working on and that one doesn't have to care about the problem...
More developers would be good, of course!!
Stefan
seidler2547 said:
Actually, I suggested a bug tracker, even for developers-internal use because then one can see what the other devs are working on and that one doesn't have to care about the problem...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is more to it. First, more eyes will be able to find more bugs. Second, bug tracker allows instead of keeping all bugs in head, constantly trying to remember them all, keep in head only one on which working currently, while the rest is recorded in database according to their priority. No one has superhuman memory. Also, bugtracking important because people generally happier with product that is with not too many features but robust rather than product with whole bunch of awesomeness but also hosting whole hive of bugs. Here's good article on bugtracking.
Thanks MooNWalker. Seems we should try to push a bit more for a subforum, and use the bugtracker for the reasons you said. We should see if the LTG one can be extended so that people will not have to sign up in order to make contributions. The site itself seems fast right now.
Stefan
Ok, we will try with the bugtracker.
Go here to see the bugs and to enter new ones.
Stefan
@seidler2547: Can you change something there? It is currently not obvious that this is the bugtracker for Kaiser Android. You have to know that this is the right place there. If i was new here and i what to fast post a bug, i will be very confused if the bugtracker is the right one.
Hi lanwin, dzo set up the tracker name. Anyway, it is a bit cryptic because it is not only for Kaiser Android. It is for running Linux (and with it Android) on MSM7x00 devices, that is Kaiser, Nike, Polaris, Vogue and so on. We have a common hardware base, so we coordinate our development. You know you're on the right bug tracker because -> the link here says so, and -> this is the only one in mobile-linux you can report bugs without logging in
Having said that, we can think about the name nevertheless. What do you suggest?
Stefan
Hi Stefan, yep i know that but a non technical user wouldn't do. Even if it is ugly, i suggest "Android for Kaiser, Nike, Polaris, Vogue (MSM7x00)".
Anyway, thanks for bringing Android for this platforms forward!
new sub forum
i think a sub forum is good because it will allow for more specific threads.
it will also allow us to get an rss feed of all things android
finally, can't the current long thread just be moved into the sub-forum? no one will be forced to start or look at new threads, but it will be there.
Does it really affect anything in a negative way or preclude the other options?
Android development is only going to pickup, and i expect we will see a corresponding drop off in WM.
Lets think about what the development scene is going to look like in 2 years... even after we've all moved on from our current phones.
The question is: Can/Should/Will xda-devs be the place for android development too?
seidler2547 said:
Having said that, we can think about the name nevertheless. What do you suggest?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Put link to bugtracker in Android on HTC wiki. Might be helpfull to put it in first post on main thread.
I think this bugtracker was for the full Android port, but it seems that it is only for the kernel so all my bugs are closed with "This is not related to this project (Linux kernel for mobile devices) but to the google android user space and must hence be moved.".
Where to report user spaces related bugs?
That is a good question. I have seen the close, but I'm not too happy with it, although I understand the reasons. Maybe we need to make an extra google bugtracker, as someone suggested.
Stefan
I think the original android post has really become quite cumbersome, I voted for a subforum but I don't really care as long as I am able to see what is going on. The old post has become unorganized there are a bunch of different sites and stuff on that post to get builds and kernels and what not from and I have become somewhat confused with it all. I am curious though as to how many people are actually working on this at our end the only one I see actively posting is seidler is dzo or polypoly still working on it. I'm having problems getting some of the files required listed on source.android.com fiqured I would give it a wack, probly a short wack.
seidler2547 said:
That is a good question. I have seen the close, but I'm not too happy with it, although I understand the reasons. Maybe we need to make an extra google bugtracker, as someone suggested.
Stefan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was me I am against a sub forum. Forums are very bad in cases of a bugtracking functionality because there is no bug management available and users tend to use one thread for bug reporting, questions and discussion where it is really hard to find out the bugs for the devs.
I think there should only be one bugtracker for the users because the most of them can not distinguish between user space and kernel space bugs and requests.
I suggest to open a user friendly google code bugtracker and some of the devs move bugs related to kernel space over to the other bugtracker.

Developers Unite! New Developer Pages on TheUnlockr.com (Beta-Testing)!

Hey guys,
Starting a new section on the site and want to get XDA User's and Dev's opinions on the matter.
Head over to the site for info:
http://theunlockr.com/2010/02/18/de...veloper-pages-on-theunlockr-com-beta-testing/
Think it could be a great resource for rom junkies and devs alike (and a nice compliment to XDA for that matter).
Thanks for your time guys!
I really am not trying to hijack your thread but this sounds like the OpenRelease project we are already working on and is almost done...
This is gonna be yet another source for people to check...
If we fragment any more, doing the OpenRelease project will be pointless.
No it is different. Our site is not for a repository of ROMs (although the site has that already), it is for Developers to show off all of their work in one location. It's more of a mini blog for developers, they can still use our mini blog for releasing whatever they want and easily head to your page to post the ROM in your repository without much effort, we CAN coexist lol
Actually I just thought, our two projects might be able to help each other and benefit the community further...
PM'd you, Simon.

[Q] How to get the ball moving on becoming an app developer

Hey guys,
I realize this might not be a correct section but there's not a Q&A section on android as a whole. I've had a G1 since it's release date, and since then am now on a vibrant, so i've experienced Android for a considerable amount of time. Over this time, I've flashed a lot of roms, and used a lot of mods that come through these forums. I'd say I have well above average knowledge on android and how to utilize the devices to their fullest potential over anyone who simply buys a phone and uses it.
That said, I've become interested in taking this passion to a new level and joining app, and maybe even ROM developers in the future. Now I know there's a lot to read on these forums about particular problems and solutions, but I'm looking for direction on where I can find sources to kind of introduce me to app development and explain the Android OS on a much deeper level, whether it be a huge guide, website, whatever. I want to take this head on and not half ass so simply searching through the forums for thousands of things just doesn't seem like the most efficient way to truly understand how everything comes together as a whole on app development. Truthfully, I really don't know any details on the process of signing up etc etc. It's also not like I can look up a class to take (which I would actually prefer) so I can really get a grasp and not have to come crying to these forums every time something tedious gets in my way, ya know?
So any app devs, I'd greatly appreciate any guidance to how you got started. I'm not a total geek by nature so it's not like I really understand things that some people might call common sense about linux/android. Whether you copy and paste a link, or give me some advice, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks guys.

[REQUEST] ** WANTED *** Rom Builders for Android TG01

Now that we've managed to get into an Android GUI and have a working touch screen driver,we need experienced rom builders to come forward to develop android sdcard based roms.
If you have the experience and would like to get involved, now is the time to step forward and get involved.
Please post here or contact Markinus or myself on the irc #toshdroid channel.
Thanks
Noone? Sad
I would make a request in the general Android Development section bally3. It's not like many Android dev's will be browsing the other sections of typically non-Android phones.
Scougar said:
I would make a request in the general Android Development section bally3. It's not like many Android dev's will be browsing the other sections of typically non-Android phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Linux all the time at home and work! I now feel how useful it could have been if I spent some time playing with ROM building etc rather than playing with WinMo customizations! I am so following the android on tg01-type threads Will try to spread the word too and see if anyone can come forward to help
Good luck and keep up the good work
BUMP!!
I want to bump this thread, any progress? We need as many devs as possible. we have come so far, let it not end here!!
Shall we post this in a Android Development Forum?

T959V Development Knowledge Base

Hi Guys
I made a suggestion in the "petition for devs" thread, but with all the excitement
it passed by all.
let me make some assumptions :
1. Most of us love android OS very much and the freedom it gives us.
2. Most of us want to try new ROMs every once in a while and want to customize it as much as possible.
3. Most of us are technological freaks, with a good sense of learning and interest in technology and its implementation.
4. Most of us would like to develop for this phone given the time and knowledge.
Regarding the time, we're working on a time machine, but till then, what do you say we found a knowledge base for our phone ?
I'm sure Krylon, DSexton, DrHonk, Raver, FBis, Soma, Fluip (forgive me if forget someone) wouldn't mind share with us their experience and insights.
If it takes too much time and resource it's worth a fund,
since this would make us know the difficulties and barriers and make some of us become new devs and revive this community and its content.
Please let me know what you think.
Sent from me.
I have a few questions on some obscure problems, and will be happy to share some knowledge when I get some answers.
...But, most of the devs are doing can be found by using google or your favorite search engine or searching locally here on the XDA Forum.
If you're new to XDA, awesome! Start here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1282679
and here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=263
If you're new to rom dev, you can learn from the kitchens.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1257297 (Dsixda's Kitchen)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=990829 (UOT Kitchen)
Then use your imagination and search other device forums and the "Android Development and Hacking" forums: http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=564
If you're new to kernel development, I'd suggest learning git and getting comfortable browsing github and reading through changes to learn.
But by far, the best advise I can offer is how to ask smart questions: http://catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
EDIT:Specifically: http://catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html#writewell
Hope this is helpful!
Thanks a lot Behundven!
Is any of the links related to our special file system in t959v?
Sent from me
itzik2sh said:
Is any of the links related to our special file system in t959v?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I'm not a "rom chef". I like source code and specs/datasheets, and am not very good at reverse engineering.
Raver, Dsexton, Whitehawkx, and a lot of other could bring more insight.
You will gain more use of your 'knowledge to be' if you learn about Android instead of getting spoon fed tricks that are specific to this phone.
Try building AOSP and CyanogenMod for other phones (like i9000 on CM, or crespo on AOSP EDIT:Granted, don't try to run the output on your SGS4G! You could try it in an emulator.) just to get a feel for what it takes to build android from source. Doing this will also help you get all the right things installed on your build computer that you will need. (java jdk, toolchains, build required libraries, etc...)
I guarantee sgs4g will get cm7 (if not cm9 as well) in the future, and the knowledge you learn from building the other phones will come in handy when it is available.

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