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How do I become a developer?

I've been a member of XDA Forums since about October (when I got my vibrant). And I wad wondering how to become a developer. I feel like I should help contribute to this community instead of just being someone downloading and flashing. Im planning on majoring in computer science in college and I know it will help me with this type of stuff but I cant wait another year (Junior in high school)... I would really appreciate it if you guys would point me in the right direction or take me under your wing so I could pursue this interest.

dcaples002 said:
I've been a member of XDA Forums since about October (when I got my vibrant). And I wad wondering how to become a developer. I feel like I should help contribute to this community instead of just being someone downloading and flashing. Im planning on majoring in computer science in college and I know it will help me with this type of stuff but I cant wait another year (Junior in high school)... I would really appreciate it if you guys would point me in the right direction or take me under your wing so I could pursue this interest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm doing computer science also to become a dev, I'm a senior! I have no idea, but I would love to dev also, I know it takes a lot of work though.

Step 1 - cut a hole in the box
step 2 - put your junk in the box
step 3 - make her open the box
step 4 - and that's how you do it (its my d$#* in a box)
haha naw i'm jk, I would like a clear way on how to dev specifically for the vibrant, I've seen a bunch of different ideas and tutorials on how to do it, but their specific for that phone, and its hard to comprehend on how to put the knowledge to the vibrant

Yea I know its alot of hard work but it will all pay off in the end.
I think it would be nice if one of the vibrant developers put up a video of how to become a developer and a video of him/her cooking up a rom. Im sure alot of people would take intrest to that. It would also give us enough knowledge to maybe be able to develop other phones or programs.

Learn your way around a linux box as it's pretty much necessary to compile source and what not. If you're wanting to develop programs for Android, learn some Java...
there's a few good e-books on amazon for android developing if you can learn from books.

I think you should start out with themes....so you know exactly which apks control what...which XMLs control what...then get some Linux knowledge so you can know how to tweak for speed....then start to learn some Java and Smali code....and do a sh*t load of research....i tried to create my own ROM based from official Vibrant source....MAJOR FAIL ...i think my phone went into shock ....but find someone who is willing to teach you...but make sure you're patient enough to learn.

Due to the nature of vibrant roms anyone can be a developer! That's a good and bad thing. Anyways... best way to learn is to learn Java. Android is built on it. It may not loom like it on the surface but it helps (ask whitehawk). Mr apocalypse's advice is probably the best.
Also a video is a horrible idea(no offense). It will empower people who have no business making roms to make them. Do you want people who don't know how to make a flashable zip making roms for your phone? It could potentially lead to bad things...
I was where you were a couple years ago (not that I'm much further ahead). Learn you some Linux. Learn you some theming and try and make a simple app for android.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk

Making Roms....

This maybe premature but I figured I would throw it out there; is there any devs who could tell me about the skill level or difficulty level of making new roms or tweaking existing roms? I'm learning about java programming and using j creator and eclipse. I'm still new but I'm a fast learner. I want to help out the charge community by keeping an active dev. I'm still a time away from that but want more insight..... Please no sarcastic remarks.... Thanks.
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App

I'm attempting to start teaching myself this as well. The advice I've gotten is to start ofs theming. That way you can break open the apks and see what's inside, get a feel for how to change things and reassemble packages without doing any major work, and then expand from there. I'm in the process of changing jobs and cities, but I'm going to start playing around with things after I get settled.

a lot depends on what you want to do
developing for oem skin (touchwiz roms in this case) is a lot different than aosp
aosp requires a lot of java knowledge, and depending on the phone can be somewhat easy (nexus phones source will boot without changes) to nearly impossible (this phone)
touchwiz roms require some basic tools (7zip, smali/backsmali, apktool, rom kitchens or terminal knowledge) as well as some smali knowledge and countless hours of just figuring stuff out
many of us got our start as themers, from which you (over time) gain knowledge on rom layouts, where things are located, xml/smali editing, making update.zips and updater-scripts, and the like
you dont *need* to necessarily use linux to work on tw roms, but it certainly helps imo...although most of the tools out there work in windows too
my suggestion?: download a stock rom and download a heavily modded one of the same build (infiniti/gummycharged) and compare them with kdiff and decompile the apks to get an idea of what was changed
its a good starting point

Sweet, thanks for the advice. I am learning java pretty quick but realistically it would probably be a year before I'm proficient. I also just added computer programming as a minor. I would like another phone, the nexus obviously, but I need to chill on buying phones. I love aosp- if that was possible that would be great, but getting started anywhere is good. Thanks for your help fellas.... I'll keep you all posted here on my progress...
I know that the java language will help-but comparing will help me get acquainted with android. So far I've learned everything from forums so this is a new direction...
Sent from my SCH-I510 using XDA App

For those following who may want this information. I had a response from imnuts in RootzWiki where I posted this same question. Here's what he said as well. He complemented the answers already given- I also followed up on a list of software to help get started.
http://rootzwiki.com/topic/11184-new-roms/

Thx for starting up this thread. I'm actually lookin into rom dev as well and this thread has some great starting blocks in it +1 for u dude

[SIGNUP] [DEVELOPMENT] signup sheet for aosp build team

The vast majority of us seem to want CM11, myself included. So, If you're decently capable, let me know! I fully understand @Angel_666 's frustration, namely why he's waiting to see tw kitkat - being a lone dev probably sucks, and trying to make a 4.4 port based on 4.2.2 x86 things with incomplete sources is insanely difficult. Let's change that. Stop being a part of the "gimme gimme" crowd, come do something about it!
For to-be Developers:
You're expected to have at least a basic understanding of Linux (command line). If you don't possess such an understanding, you're in way over your head, as even the advanced experience a kryptonite effect with the intel clovertrail platform. Basic understanding doesn't necessarily mean you need to know every single piece of a kernel. Just know your basic commands (such as cd, mkdir, etc). There are people, including myself, willing to teach you how to compile from source as long as you have this foundation. NOTE; If you only meet the VERY basic criteria, you will be required to do a cm11 build before being added to this list. Meaning, have someone walk you through it, or follow this guide for D2LTE. (you can replace d2lte with a device you have) If you get a feel for it, welcome to the team.
the exception to this rule is if you have valuable experience which, though might not be android perse, is definitely wanted.
For Testers:
If you want to be a tester, you're expected to be at least what's known as a "power user". Meaning, don't just say "bla bla bla is broken". Logs logs logs! Help debug!
For ALL:
Know how to use Google. Actually try to find what you need before asking about it, otherwise we clog things up with unnecessary questions/answers.
Now that the guidelines are down, some words of encouragement!
If we can just get our foot in the door, we can blow it wide open and pave the road for other roms (such as omni, aokp, beanstalk) which will be SIGNIFICANTLY easier to port with a solid foundation.
Comment if you're interested.
Members so far:
DEVELOPERS:
@Restl3ss
@Nonta72
@moonbutt74
@CAG-man
@rodbacon
@Rubenyz
@shadowsiul
-free spot
-free spot
-free spot
*note there is no limit to how many developers can join. Free spot is placed there mainly as a place holder*
Testers:
P5200:
@christty31
@bithunter_99
-free spot
-free spot
P5210:
@mzheng086
-free spot
-free spot
-free spot
P5220:
@javee
-free spot
-free spot
-free spot
*tester places are limited*

I can be a tester for 5210!

for P5200 i can test!

I want to be (somehow) a dev :silly:
Is that possible ?
You're expected to have at least a basic understanding of Linux (command line)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
About the commands, I've NO problem with them
Basic understanding doesn't necessarily mean you need to know every single piece of a kernel. Just know your basic commands (such as cd, mkdir, etc)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are people, including myself, willing to teach you how to compile from source as long as you have this foundation.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be welcome since "We never ended learning"

Post the rom as it is
Restl3ss,
please post the rom as you have/as it is no matter how clunky it may be.
i will accept it as a cwm/twrp backup if that's how it needs to be.
upload it to a regular/decent/respectable hosting site. dev-host, androidfilehost
cloud servers for me at least are unacceptable.
i will need the original [angel's] boot image and your [yours] boot image.
i have no patience for the build process [rom]. i prefer to do things in my own way.
i am willing to help provided the above conditions are met.
thank you for reading.
m

I'm a ("to-be") developer, and I would also like to test it...
Sent from my GT-P5210 using Tapatalk

moonbutt74 said:
m
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Click to collapse
l
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l
v
m

i want to help if you guys are willing to teach. i have a linux distro setup to build android but jsut goofing around on it. i know my way around on the terminal. i would love to help.

I've never done any android stuff, but have been modding and building custom Linux kernels for years. Getting suck of this tablet as-is, so happy to help.

I'm a bit in the same situation as Nonta72...
I know the basic programming things and Linux commands but no experience with Android Rom development so far. But willing to help

Willing to try
Id like to help the effort but the thing stoping me is I dont know where to start. I know the simple in and outs linux and simple terminal commands but I dont really know the actuall building process of the android os or where to even start. If you could just tell me breifly how and what to do I can put alot of time into this. I understand the basic concept of compiling from source. Id like to try to help you guys develop and id like to try and learn. I could be alot of help so if you interested id like to be a dev. Btw I have the p5210 wifi version

Hey @Restl3ss I am available to test and to learn development. I have 5210 model
Sent from my SPH-L720 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I can help with beta testing but my exams are near s I won't have too much spare time on my hands.
I have a P5200
Please don't put me on the list I have basic knowledge of stuff and am willing to help but have no free time
Good luck guys

Hey all! Apologies, I've been away for a couple days. Things resume tonight.

Put me down as a dev. I'm 5210.
If there is something I don't know. Google is my friend. Lol
Sent from my I337 ATT Galaxy S4. NB1 rooted with Galaxy S5 apps.

@shadowsiul
glad you're interested just pm me a little bit about your experience, hopefully we can add you to the list.
@stekkew
@mylifeandroid
Follow this build guide (you can replace d2lte with a device you own) and, if you get a successful build, we can add you to the dev list!
@Zachisimo
perfect, i'll put you down for tester for now. Follow the above build guide, and following a successful compile, we can put you in as a dev.
@CAG-man
@rodbacon
welcome to the team my friends

@mylifeandroid
Follow this build guide (you can replace d2lte with a device you own) and, if you get a successful build, we can add you to the dev list
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do I have to do it for the gt3 or any android device?

mylifeandroid said:
Do I have to do it for the gt3 or any android device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
any device. The point is to get comfortable with compiling from source before trying to tackle the tab 3

I actually don't want to test... Certain reasons...
I would actually like to be dev. I'm very known with Linux (I build my own, simple programs) and I've even approached to compile the CM 10.1 source code (which I stopped with).
Sent from my GT-P5210 using Tapatalk

I'd like to be a tester...
I've a P5200 with mobile sim card

Learning ROM Development - Where to even begin??

So I’ve been a member here since the Droid X days and I’ve learned a lot over the years with each device I’ve had but I never really looked into creating ROMs (I always wanted to learn but never got to it).
I know it’s going to be a learning process that takes some time but I’m looking for help on where I should start. Before anyone posts a whole bunch of random looks I’ll say right now that I am a complete beginner when it comes to this stuff. I’ve looked at a bunch on threads and it’s so overwhelming being completely new so I don’t know what’s relevant and what’s not.
From the research I’ve done today I learned about a program called Android Kitchen which from my understanding was used to create and compile ROMs. From what I found it looks like the original dev stopped updating it back in 2013. In the ChefCentral>Android forum it looks like someone else took over and maintains it for Linux. I also came across a variant there called “Assayyed_Kitchen”. Is this the same program just made by someone else? I don’t know you tell me? lol
I also plan to learn some Java in the coming months and Android App development. I don’t have a huge interest in making apps right now but who knows maybe I will down the road. I just figured learning Java can only help with learning to make ROMs? Do I even need to know any of it for this kind of stuff?
So basically I’m looking for some guidance on where to start as a complete beginner in learning ROM development. Even someone taking the time to type out a few basic steps explains what the whole process even involves from start to finish would help a lot. For example..
1. Download source
2. Open in this program and blah blah
3. Do your magic and customize this and that
4. Do some more magic and pack it back up and flash
Just understanding the steps would make a huge difference because then I know what to research and what to learn. Hoping this thread gets some good info in it and maybe at some point I can create a complete noob friendly guide in the OP to help others like me who don’t know where to begin. To anyone that takes the time to reply and help out.. THANK YOU!

You download the source, edit the code you want to edit, then you compile it.
If you have more questions then that it is because you don't know enough to be able to make a ROM. Where to start? Learn how to code and compile, start compiling other peoples Roms and look at their commits and source code to see what changes they made.
You can't really drag and drop then place your logo on it.
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

scryan said:
You download the source, edit the code you want to edit, then you compile it.
If you have more questions then that it is because you don't know enough to be able to make a ROM. Where to start? Learn how to code and compile, start compiling other peoples Roms and look at their commits and source code to see what changes they made.
You can't really drag and drop then place your logo on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure what the attitude is for I never implied that I could do simple things like drag and drop and use others people's stuff and do it with no programming experience.
Again it's all new to me so I was asking where to start with it all. I am starting to learn Java this week and I'm trying to figure out how it all works.. I'm not interested in making android apps so the android development tutorials all over the internet wouldn't help. Yes they would help with the Java stuff but not with the ROM stuff so that's what I was trying to understand. Imagine being a complete beginner with this stuff. All this talk of compiling and GitHub and commits is all jibberish at first. You gotta start somewhere so I'm trying to get a grasp on everything. My goal is to understand the steps needed to make my own ROM first. Because once I know Step 1: use this program to do this Step 2: do this, etc.. then I know the basic overview and can start the process of actually learning the details involved in doing step 1, 2, etc

If I was teaching someone how to change a tire on a car. They first would have to understand that it involves jacking the car up, loosening lug nuts, take tires off, put new tire on, tighten lug nuts, lower car off jack. Once they get the concept and process of what they are trying to do.. then they can start learning how to jack the car up. Then how to take the lug nuts off.. and so on
If they didn't first understand the general process they might start to learn how to take the lug nuts off first and do that right away

The best place to start is to google , "how to build Android from source." This will help set up your build environment and teach you the basics. The rest is pretty much trial and error.
I started back in 2013 with one of the guides and just started messing with code. I went from not knowing any coding to compiling my first ROM(slimroms) within 2 weeks of starting. I became an official member about 2 months after starting. Here is a link to one of the guides I used to start.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2223690

arcardinal said:
The best place to start is to google , "how to build Android from source." This will help set up your build environment and teach you the basics. The rest is pretty much trial and error.
I started back in 2013 with one of the guides and just started messing with code. I went from not knowing any coding to compiling my first ROM(slimroms) within 2 weeks of starting. I became an official member about 2 months after starting. Here is a link to one of the guides I used to start.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2223690
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the link! I've done some searching around also. So I would need Linux correct? Not an issue I can partition one of my PCs just want to make sure it's definitely needed.
I think my s5 is still running slim ROM haha so thank you! Did you have any programming (Java) experience when you started?

aholeinthewor1d said:
Thanks for the link! I've done some searching around also. So I would need Linux correct? Not an issue I can partition one of my PCs just want to make sure it's definitely needed.
I think my s5 is still running slim ROM haha so thank you! Did you have any programming (Java) experience when you started?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had no coding experience at all before starting.
You need Linux. You will also want a decently speced computer. I have an 8-core processor and 24 gbs of RAM and it takes about 20-30 minutes to compile a build. The computer I started on took about 4 hours.

arcardinal said:
I had no coding experience at all before starting.
You need Linux. You will also want a decently speced computer. I have an 8-core processor and 24 gbs of RAM and it takes about 20-30 minutes to compile a build. The computer I started on took about 4 hours.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yikes. I have a PC I built a few years back running Windows 7 currently
-Asus P8Z77 Pro motherboard
-Intel core i5 3570k
-8GB RAM
I know I could use some more RAM but I was considering getting an SSD first. I have an ancient HDD in there now. Not sure on the exact speed but it's slow

If I was you I'd start with kernel compiling before you get into rom developing. That's what I'm doing anyway, seems like getting a rom to compile is more involving.
You would need to read up on 'git' (it's a version control program) learn some C language and also read up on another program called 'make' what it does and how it does it.
Learn about 'toolchains' how they do and which one to use. I think you can get latest toolchains by downloading android-ndk (it should be one of the folders in the zip file).
With that said you need Linux and depending on the distro you use (Ubuntu,Fedora etc) you would need to download extra packages for development and that you would have to google it to find out which ones. Also you would need to know how to navigate within Linux, use that distro's programs or tools (although 95% are the same across all distros) and all of it using only the terminal.
Google is your friend. I know it is mine. Good luck.

New to Android ROM dev, have much kernel/driver development experience. Need protips

Hi, I started researching and messing with custom ROM/Kernel development 3 weeks ago. I've successfully compiled the kernel for my s5 neo Exynos 7580/MALI 200 (no hardware acceleration yet but I'm a kernel developer and reverse engineer so I can get that working given enough time, and have chosen all the apps I want to include in my first ROM. I made the ROM into and Odin flashable image and bricked my phone because I didn't adjust for the differences between the s7 and the s5 neo's power requirements. I bought 3 more S5 Neo's though, fixed the kernel, and all 3 devices have been 100% stable for 3 days with some minimal usage to test all the features. I am a kernel/driver developer, and as of now have taken over a dozen kernel MOD's from other people's kernels, and applied them to mine. There are more mods I could extract and apply, but I don't care to add them because I don't think they suit the goals of my ROM.
I would like to know things that aren't documented or easy to find that I will have to work with as I progress in the complexity of ROM development. So most of my ROM right now is apps I extracted from other ROMs and the play store and f-droid. But I am a coder and am working on my own settings app is suited for my ROM, including providing all the functionality of the root requiring apps I have installed now, also, I have about $80 of premium paid apps in my current setup, and want to put all the things they do into my custom settings app. I eventually plan on turning this into an android fork but for now, I'm starting out with baby steps to learn at a pace I can handle without overloading myself.
Please, any ROM/Kernel/App developers provide me any things you have learned from experience that I can't find on google and will be useful to know for my project.
Also, I have 2 questions. A) is UBER GCC better than Samsung eabi GNU compiler collection compilers?
B) Is deodexing really so good? because I've looked at the pros and cons and I don't think deodexing is worth the tradeoffs, but I feel like there's a reason almost every custom ROM does it. I know the tools to deodex ROM's don't work on Samsung android or other not AOSP based ROMS, but I already wrote a python script that deodex's my phone perfectly, I tried it, but I wasn't happy with the differences in response time and boot time and I believe it was causing a lot more memory to be used although I'm not sure why. Is deodexing better than I think it is, or is it just the cool thing to do for people who don't know how it really works?
Links, tips, polite criticisms, are all welcome. Also, this is my first post and I'm pretty sure these forums are the only place I can find people with the skill level to do these things well or at all.
I see some very knowledgeable people post here so I hope they find my post and reply with some tips. I tried the Freenode android channels and they are all plebs. They actually made fun of me for claiming I could make a custom ROM for this phone, they said it's impossible, and in 3 hours I had a screenshot of my about device showing my own compiled kernel running on my phone, no mods, just proof this been stuff is doable. Then I told them off about pretending to be experts but really knowing nothing and calling me a fool because they are too ignorant, then I left all 3 Freenode android channels and came here. In the channel for android ROM's and rooting, 99% of them were people who needed help rooting their phone or installing a custom ROM, not people I can learn from and grow to become a member of their community like I hope to do here.
if you didn't stop reading by now because of tl;dr, thanks for taking the time to read my post and please respond if you have helpful info. I've already read all the stuff I can find from google and these forums, I'm looking for the tips that aren't documented or that I may have written off as not important.
-zerorax, AKA Will O
Also if anyone wants to join forces to help me, I'm open to contributions and will give credit for them where it is due.