Beta Version of AIDE Enables Application Building On Android

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Beta Version of AIDE Enables Application Building On Android

Posted by Unknown on Wednesday March 14, 2012 @01:37AM from the not-enough-cloud dept.

sl4shd0rk writes "Hackers can now build applications directly on their Android devices with the beta release of AIDE. The Android IDE is at beta version 7, and already allows editing and compiling of apps as well as integration with LogCat. AIDE is even compatible with projects started on Eclipse so you can move a project over and work on it. Finally, a reason to get yourself that Transformer keyboard dock?" sl4shd0rk also provided a screencast which is attached. InfoQ has a short interview with the developers. Mildly interesting is that it does the compilation on device instead of shipping the work off to some network service or other. The app is, like a lot of Android stuff, only free cost with no corresponding source code at the moment.

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Just because you can... by Oswald+McWeany · 2012-03-14 01:40 · Score: 4, Insightful

I'd still rather work on a powerfull desktop with big dual monitors- a nice split keyboard and a mouse for that kind of thing.
It's neat you can program on an android... but I'd still rather create on my PC. I'm sure it makes testing easier though to be right on the android device.
Crazy thought... android on a desktop or laptop anyone?

--
"That's the way to do it" - Punch
1. Re:Just because you can... by ozmanjusri · 2012-03-14 01:44 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  Crazy thought... android on a desktop or laptop anyone?
  Why crazy? It works fine.
  http://www.android-x86.org/
  
  --
  "I've got more toys than Teruhisa Kitahara."
2. Re:Just because you can... by spacepimp · 2012-03-14 01:45 · Score: 1
  
  I've been suspecting that the way Google is going, that the chrome browser will eventually have a full chrome based Android VM in the cloud or at least android apps in the cloud. log in once and your apps are there for those times your phone isn't.
3. Re:Just because you can... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-14 01:48 · Score: 0
  
  WIth an ICS device, I dont really use my PC much except for programming work. But what if I could do that on my ICS device too? As the phones, tablets become more powerful the need for me to have a PC is less and less. You can still dock your phone, say, and access it via dual monitors and keyboard+mouse. This is just another step towards my phone replacing my PC.
4. Re:Just because you can... by HaZardman27 · 2012-03-14 01:54 · Score: 1
  
  I'm sure it makes testing easier though to be right on the android device.
  And may even help you write more bugs that you'll find in testing!
  
  --
  Apparently wizard is not a legitimate career path, so I chose programmer instead.
5. Re:Just because you can... by oakgrove · 2012-03-14 02:05 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  I've had this installed on my tablet and phone for a couple of weeks now and its actually pretty amazing. I was in Chili's a couple of nights ago and was waiting on my girlfriend to show up when inspiration struck. I have a project that I've been working on that was sitting in my Drop box so I just pulled my GNex out and went to work. In about 10 minutes, I had made the changes to my source code, compiled the app and tested it right there at the table. It was practically surreal. A real Android app edited and installed right on my phone. Will I start using my phone as my dev station from now on? Of course not but damned if AIDE didn't come through in a big way the other night.
  
  --
  The soylentnews experiment has been a dismal failure.
6. Re:Just because you can... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-14 02:10 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  The mention of the girlfriend casts your whole story into doubt. Nice try. You might as well have gone for the gold and said "I was in a hot tub with Charlie Sheen and the Lakers cheerleaders the other night..."
7. Re:Just because you can... by vlm · 2012-03-14 02:15 · Score: 1
  
  I'd still rather work on a powerfull desktop with big dual monitors- a nice split keyboard and a mouse for that kind of thing.
  HDMI out on a smartphone seems almost a standard feature now, if you believe the ads. I suppose you'll want two HDMI output plugs now...
  My old bluetooth keyboard must be pushing a decade. My sister in law's mac I believe only uses bluetooth keyboard and mice.
  
  --
  "Science flies us to the moon. Religion flies us into buildings." - Victor Stenger
8. Re:Just because you can... by oakgrove · 2012-03-14 02:18 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Okay, maybe I exaggerated that part but the rest still stands! AIDE is awesome if unfortunately named. /s
  
  --
  The soylentnews experiment has been a dismal failure.
9. Re:Just because you can... by Idimmu+Xul · 2012-03-14 02:27 · Score: 1
  
  Which one of those ISOs can i use to create an android VM in virtualbox or install on to a bare metal real x86 desktop / laptop please? Cos I can't work it out ..
  
  --
  The problem with slashdot is that most of its users were bullied and stuffed into lockers as kids!
10. Re:Just because you can... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-14 02:37 · Score: 0
  
  http://lmgtfy.com/?q=android+virtualbox
11. Re:Just because you can... by vgerclover · 2012-03-14 02:40 · Score: 1
  
  First link in google: How to run the eeepc.iso inside VirtualBox
12. Re:Just because you can... by Nadaka · 2012-03-14 06:45 · Score: 2
  
  Just don't tell your "girlfriend" how awesome it is to have AIDE in your pocket.
13. Re:Just because you can... by sootman · 2012-03-14 08:10 · Score: 1
  
  > I was in Chili's a couple of nights ago and was waiting on my
  > girlfriend to show up when inspiration struck... In about 10
  > minutes, I had made the changes to my source code, compiled
  > the app and tested it right there at the table.
  What did you do for the remaining 80 minutes it took her to show up? ;-)
  
  --
  Dear Slashdot: next time you want to mess with the site, add a rich-text editor for comments.
14. Re:Just because you can... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-14 15:49 · Score: 0
  
  Let me translate. Dear Slashdot I has cheesburger. Naner naner naner.
Good idea by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-14 01:51 · Score: 0

Great idea, but needs a bit of advancement, like GUI previews. Right now I would use it for making minor changes away from my desk, but I'd need a full desktop environment to develop quickly. Might be the tool for the commuting coder though.
Andtastic! by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-14 01:53 · Score: 2, Funny

Finally you too can have AIDES!
1. Re:Andtastic! by Canazza · 2012-03-14 01:57 · Score: 1
  
  I'm going to give needy orphaned children AIDES
  
  --
  It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for being subtle.
ray kurzeil's singularity by noh8rz3 · 2012-03-14 01:53 · Score: 0

ho, snap! the next step, android apps will be able to build better android apps, rapidly iterating themselves and we'll get the singularity!
Using touch screens to write code.... by shiftless · 2012-03-14 01:54 · Score: 1

....is like using sign language to compose a novel.
Perhaps possible, but not exactly efficient.
1. Re:Using touch screens to write code.... by oakgrove · 2012-03-14 02:09 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  For people that can't hear, sign language is pretty nice. For those times when inspiration hits and you are nowhere nearyour laptop, this is great news. Not to mention the fact that not all Android devices are constrained to touch only input and AIDE features comprehensive keyboard shortcuts for Transformer style devices.
  
  --
  The soylentnews experiment has been a dismal failure.
2. Re:Using touch screens to write code.... by Nadaka · 2012-03-14 02:13 · Score: 1
  
  My phone (Samsung Epic 4g) has a 5 inch wide physical keyboard with 49 keys (53 if you count the android keys). It would be just fine to program in a character heavy language like basic, though a brace/bracket/peren heavy language will require a lot of function key twiddling.
3. Re:Using touch screens to write code.... by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-14 02:36 · Score: 0
  
  Writing email on a phone isn't necessarily efficient, but plenty of people still do it...
4. Re:Using touch screens to write code.... by slack_justyb · 2012-03-14 02:38 · Score: 1
  
  ....is like using sign language to compose a novel.
  I had to write Marlee Matlin's Biography you insenitive clod!
5. Re:Using touch screens to write code.... by Oswald+McWeany · 2012-03-14 04:45 · Score: 1
  
  For most people around here when inspiration hits and they don't have a laptop handy- they just whip out their keys and start carving on the wall:
  "For a good time call 803 123 456......."
  
  --
  "That's the way to do it" - Punch
handy up to a point by PortaDiFerro · 2012-03-14 02:01 · Score: 1

I've written couple of bash and python scripts straight on my Nokia N9 and it's useful, but quite hard with virtual keyboard and vi. Writing full fledged apps sounds masochistic.
1. Re:handy up to a point by Shados · 2012-03-14 02:08 · Score: 3
  
  not that bad if you have a transformer prime with a keyboard. Thats not a full mechanical keyboard, but its better than many lap-top keyboards ive used :) and you can plug a mouse in if you don't like trackpad. Didn't try plugging a normal keyboard in the usb...maybe it would work?
2. Re:handy up to a point by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-14 04:37 · Score: 0
  
  I've written couple of bash and python scripts straight on my Nokia N9 and it's useful, but quite hard with virtual keyboard and vi. Writing full fledged apps sounds masochistic.
  Masochistic perhaps, but it will probably lead to way better code.
  I have noticed that if it is easy and quick to compile and run then the programmers tends to be sloppy with the thinking and a bit to trigger-happy with testing.
  More than 5s for compiling makes sure that the programmer writes syntactically correct code and enforces a structure that is easy to read for errors.
  Remove the memory protection and make sure that mismanaging you pointers leads to a full reboot and the programmers will learn how to write solid code the hard way. :)
  Bethesda really needs to apply this development method as soon as possible!
3. Re:handy up to a point by blackest_k · 2012-03-14 11:51 · Score: 1
  
  I have an archos 101 g9 recently updated to ICS cost about â280 it has HDMI and USB host mode
  a cheap adapter allows me to plug in a usb wireless keyboard and mouse dongle.
  so 19 inch monitor full size keyboard and mouse reasonable audio it works.
  The negative the archos 101 has a full size usb port currently archos are not letting it be used for anything other than their 3g stick. (maybe some mass storage device too).
  The micro usb port is also the psu connector so it is currently a choice between running on battery power or using the touch screen or a bluetooth keyboard.
  The hdd version doesnt have this problem.
  
  --
  Blarney Quality Restaurant, Plants
Using bluetooth keyboard. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-14 02:08 · Score: 1

Actually trying to write code with a bluetooth keyboard is kinda fail at the moment. It seems as though some sort of process runs with every keypress, on slower devices this == missed letters while typing.
1. Re:Using bluetooth keyboard. by oakgrove · 2012-03-14 02:27 · Score: 1
  
  What device and OS version are you using? I have an Apple bluetooth keyboard coupled to a Xoom running ICS and have never had this issue.
  
  --
  The soylentnews experiment has been a dismal failure.
2. Re:Using bluetooth keyboard. by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-14 03:28 · Score: 0
  
  What device and OS version are you using? I have an Apple bluetooth keyboard coupled to a Xoom running ICS and have never had this issue.
  I was actually using exactly that.
  Switching from that app to another text editor the input was just fine. I'll give it another shot though since you say you have good results with it.
It's taken this long? by tilante · 2012-03-14 02:10 · Score: 3, Interesting

The Palm platform had a C compiler and resource editor back in 2000, allowing native Palm apps to be created on Palms themselves. Look up "onboard c palm" on Google for full details. There's also Quartus, an onboard Forth development environment which could compile to native code, and could use the same resource editor as OnBoard C. I'm surprised that it's taken this long for anyone to release an onboard IDE for Android....
1. Re:It's taken this long? by oakgrove · 2012-03-14 02:23 · Score: 2
  
  This isn't the first or only way to code for Android on Android. See TerminalIDE c4droid for your C compiling needs, and the scripting layer for Android for Python, Perl, Ruby, PHP, beanshell, etc. There have been many ways to code for Android on a device for years it's just this one is coming to popular attention right now because it is so good.
  
  --
  The soylentnews experiment has been a dismal failure.
Beta Version? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-14 02:10 · Score: 1

Oh No! Beta!
Just a thought by MacGyver2210 · 2012-03-14 02:11 · Score: 4, Informative

Maybe you could link to something useful, like the actual market page ( https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aide.ui ) instead of some garbage like the Google+ page, which has no useful links or information at all.

--
If the only way you can accept an assertion is by faith, then you are conceding that it can't be taken on its own merits
1. Re:Just a thought by Quiet_Desperation · 2012-03-14 02:14 · Score: 5, Funny
  
  But... but... social media!
2. Re:Just a thought by PsyberS · 2012-03-14 02:38 · Score: 2
  
  Well, their Google+ page has a link to the Google Play page for their app. As well as current news so you can see what they've been working on.
Neat!!! by amoeba1911 · 2012-03-14 02:35 · Score: 1

This sounds really neat. Sometimes I just want to write a small algorithm and test it while it's fresh in my head. About 15 years ago I wrote an entire game on a handheld HP 200LX handheld PC, using Turbo C while I was vacationing far away from real computers. It's a challenge and it's quite fun. Don't mock it until you try it.
awesome by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-14 03:30 · Score: 0

I hope Apple follows suit. Apple markets their devices as being great for creators... but I'm a programmer. When I create, I write code. I can't do that on an iphone/ipad.
Bye bye laptop? by bsharitt · 2012-03-14 03:33 · Score: 1

I've actually been thinking about getting rid of my laptop in favor of a Transformer and keyboard dock, and this makes it much more likely. Now the biggest hurdle is waiting for someone to come out with a 12" Android tablet with a keyboard dock.
Why do this? by CosaNostra+Pizza+Inc · 2012-03-14 03:38 · Score: 1

Although this is nice, I'm not sure why anyone would want to do it. Its easy enough already to side-load the app onto a device through the USB. Also, Eclipse + the Android SDK is portable enough to run on several powerful desktop operating systems...I've developed Android apps on Ubuntu and Windows Vista easily enough. Most android programmers and many Java programmers develop through Eclipse so, that is what they are comfortable with...Why learn a new IDE?
Possible namespace collision by sticks_us · 2012-03-14 03:40 · Score: 1

...with this
http://aide.sourceforge.net/
It's not a bad little alternative to "Tripwire" or some of those other things, either.

--
"Beware of bugs in the above code; I have only proved it correct, not tried it." -- Donald Knuth
Yo Dawg by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-14 04:13 · Score: 0

Yo Dawg heard you like to compile android so we put a compiler on your android for you to compile android.
JavaIDEdroid by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-14 05:25 · Score: 0

Hehehe... I've been using JavaIDEdroid to do android development directly on devices for months now... I use aLogCat for debugging, FileManagerHD for file management, Hackers keyboard for typing, and JavaIDEdroid for compiling.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.t_arn.JavaIDEdroid&hl=en
I'm definitely going to try AIDE (hoping it has some useful IDE features), but it's not that first app that allowed you to compile APKs directly on the devices. Would be cool if it had a debug bridge allowing you change code on the fly without having to completely recompile to see the changes (i.e. like eclipse's ADB and attached emulator).
A feature Nokia N900 has had for over 2 years. by Sentry360 · 2012-03-14 05:30 · Score: 1

I could develop apps straight on the N900 using Qt Quick for nearly 2 years now.

Before that C++, Ruby, Python, PHP, were all available for hacking away at code.

As others have mentioned, coding on a phone is no fun, but with PyGTK Editor and a bluetooth keyboard (iGo Stowaway[why did they stop making this awesome keyboard?]), long commutes and boring classes have just become far more interesting.
Who cares? by Anonymous Coward · 2012-03-14 05:33 · Score: 0

Great. Now I can program my apps with all the discomfort and inconvenience of a tablet or phone, without all that glitzy, so-called "processing power" and "screen real-estate" and "keyboard" of a regular workstation. It's like a dream come true!