DIY

Android : Coding on the terminal

Terminal is a command-line interface where the user can give and execute text-based commands. Command Prompt (CMD) and PowerShell on Windows are some examples that will give an idea. It is not as widely used by the average user. In fact, such an interface is preferred only by more advanced users who want to get deep down into the basics of the working of the system and allows to get to the back end of a program.

Terminal IDE :

Terminal IDE is an expandable terminal application, with a full Java / C / C++ / HTML / Android development kit, that runs on your Android device. Yes, it is available for free.

It uses the command line, with many powerful and robust open-source applications, plus a custom ASCII on-screen ‘soft’ keyboard that works well (You must ENABLE it in your device’s main Keyboard Settings).. and also has an extensive generic external ‘hard’ keyboard key mapper. This way CTRL / ALT / ESC etc.. should all be accessible. The app runs without requiring any root user permission.

NOTE : This app cannot be installed onto the SD card because you do not get ‘Execute’ permissions on that mount. It must run in this app’s private memory on the device.

Running a C code :

1. Download and install Terminal IDE from Google Play store.

2. Run the app. You will be presented with a number of options. Click on Install System and follow on screen instructions.

3. Now tap on Terminal IDE. $ prompt opens.

4. To setup GCC, type ”  install_gcc ” without quotes and execute the command. This unpacks the GCC package.

5.  Navigate to system/src folder using cd  ( cd ~/system/src ) command and create a folder using command “mkdir myccode”. You may name the folder as per your desire. (here named myccode)

6. Create a source file, say test.c, using the command ” cat > test.c ” without quotes and execute it. Now you can type in the code. Try the classic “Hello world” to keep things simple.

7. Once you have finished typing the code, press volume(-) button + C (onscreen -keyboard) to terminate cat command.

8. To compile the code, use the command  ” terminal-gcc -c test.c ” without quotes.

9. If the code compiles without any errors, proceed to create the executable file using the command “ terminal-gcc test.o -o test ” without quotes.

10. Run the program using the command ” ./test ” to see the output.

Running a java code :

1. Open the terminal. Navigate to system/src folder using cd command and create a folder using command “mkdir myjavacode”. You may name the folder as per your desire. (here named myjavacode)

2. Create a source file hello.java using the command “cat > hello.java” without quotes and execute it. Now you can type in the code. Try the classic “Hello world” program to keep things simple.

There are times when we feel we could alter the OS or the Apps pre-installed in our Tablet PCs. But the manufacturers keeps any kind of alteration provisions inaccessible normally. They do so to prevent us from hampering the product, say a Tablet PC, from getting exposed to numerous malicious software out there. But an informed user can prevent its Tablet from all sort of viruses and at the same time widen the usability of his/her Tab.

Rooting is a method by which a user can actually free his/her Tab from all the product specific limitations and utilize the Tab to the fullest, making the most out of its hardware.

There are clear advantages and disadvantages of rooting a Tablet PC or any smartphone. If you want to add or deleted any App or have a whole new OS, you root your Tab. But if you root, your Tab is no longer covered under warranty/guarantee. Your Tab is more prone to external threats and hence, you got to be more informed about suspicious Apps out there.

What is rooting: To ‘root’ Is essentially removing the handcuffs of the Android software. Android is already an open software, but manufacturers put an added restrain on the extent you can modify the stuff on your phone.

Advantages: Rooting removes that restriction and provide you developer like advantages on your phone, increase the hardware performance, install and use kernel level programs and even install custom ROMs which are not provided by your manufacturer.

Disadvantages: Rooting process in itself is not risky, but what happens after rooting clearly is. Android losing its control to the user will expose the tablet contents and will be prone to malicious software, if you are not careful enough. Plus, it voids the warranty of the device by the manufacturer. So tread very carefully. If you are not in a state to risk your tablet with experiments, don’t root.

How to root : As said earlier, rooting is quite easy and is generally one or two-click affair. There are lots of software tools available depending on your device’s compatibility. Check out the links below to see if your device can be rooted:

The actual process:

Step 1: Backup everything! You might want to take a backup of all your apps, contacts and settings before you proceed, since it may be lost while rooting. This doesn’t usually happens but just in case anything goes wrong.

Step 2: Enable developer mode on the tablet. Go to settings->Applications> Developer Mode and tick the option ‘USB Debugging’.

Step 3: Download the rooting tool. We used  SuperSu to root our Micromax Funbook P255.  Install and run the app and you are done.

Note: The process might varies from tablet to tablet and also all rooting app might not be compatible with your tablet. See the rooting process for Nexus 7 2013 tab.