[APP] BuildProp Editor/Viewer - community project [1.33] - for android [1.6 - 4.0.3]

android_owl · Sep 26, 2012

XDA-community!

NEWS: The app is open source: https://github.com/daOwl/build.prop-editor

I want to share my latest application with you: BuildProp Editor

root and busybox required

What is this tool used for?
This tool allows you to modify your build.prop file easily on your device. It makes editing easy and you don't have to take care about remounting stuff or read/write permissions. It also features descriptions which contain information about the property. A great tool for both: beginners and advanced users. It can be used to test a variety of properties on your device or even tweak it, but be warned: You've to know what you're doing! If the phone doesn't boot after a reboot, the initial backup of your device can be found at: /data/data/de.bwulfert.buildpropedit/build.prop

Why do you call it a community project?
Because I need your help. I want to create a documentation which contains every property and every meaning used by the android ecosystem. This is also my first real android project so instead of yelling the hell out of me, post some constructive feedback

.

Descriptors / the motivation for developing this app / little details
I've created this application because, obviously, I want to edit my build.prop file in a easy, non adb push / maybe remount, way. So I've decided to create this application which does these steps for you (remounting, backup your file, etc.) - you just have to download & install it, getting prompt to create a backup of your current build.prop file (it's just button clicking, nothing else) and you are good to go son! Hint: You actually have to create an initial backup otherwise the application closes it self. I'll add a neat "view" or "read" mode later but for the security of all our phones I think its the best deal for now.

After working on it for a while I noticed the big range of properties a build.prop file could contain - and which my knowledge doesn't. So I decided to create these descriptors which consists of:

description - meaning of the property, what is it used for
recommended values - alpha numerical values - e.g.: 0,1 or 180, 190, 200, 210 or dd-mm-yyyy, mm-dd-yyyy
keyboard layouts - textual values - e.g.: NumBlock, CharacterInput or FileDialog (the FileDialog isn't implementet yet)

An example of an existing descriptor:

Code:

<PropertyDescription>
		<KeyName>ro.com.android.dataroaming</KeyName>
		<Description>Enables data-roaming by default in the build.</Description>
		<KeyboardLayout>CharacterInput</KeyboardLayout>
		<Values>
			<Default>true</Default>
			<Value>false</Value>
			<Value>true</Value>
		</Values>
	</PropertyDescription>

Of course I'm not able to describe all the properties by myself so I've spend some time searching on the net and came up with an amount of 24 descriptions. This isn't that much but a good start. Thats the point where I need help from anybody who's interested: If you want to contribute to this little project, you can contact me and sending me your descriptors (which are just plain-text xml files) - I'll merge them into the project. You can also help by translate this application into your language (english is still welcome, I am german) or donate a small amount.

Contact
For questions or chats, here are my contacts. You're also welcome to follow me on twitter.
E-Mail: [email protected]
E-Mail: [email protected]
Twitter: https://twitter.com/android_owl

TODO
This project isn't finished in detail. Everything should work exquisit and fine but this are the steps I'm still thinking about:

Batchmode - adding little text snippets which consists of properties to your build.prop file. (Great for lazy people like me)
A (web) application to make it easier to contribute descriptions
Preferences - I got a lot of feedback for these, I'll add these in the next update

Screenshots

Download
You can download the application from Google play via link or qr-code

BuildProp Editor

Update
Here is my bundle of descriptions. If you want to add a description you can take a look into the file. You can also look at the scheme.
description_bundle.xml

android_owl · Mar 27, 2012

[APP] BuildProp Editor - community project [1.0 BETA]

Changelog

Version 1.0b

Initial release

Version 1.1b

UI redesign
Increased performance
Increased compatibility with other roms

Version 1.2

Added viewmode (for unrooted phones)
Added HC and ICS compatibility
Added an introduction
Increased usability
Fixed some typos</string>

Version 1.3

Fixed su-problem on several roms
Changed app icon
Removed debug logs

karthiknr · Mar 12, 2012 at 2:16 PM

Real good work. Works without a problem.

Sent from my Blade using XDA app

one_love_420 · Mar 12, 2012 at 4:32 PM

Love the idea, there is other great apps that already do this. Here is the best one i found and i use, keep up the good work

http://forum.sdx-developers.com/?topic=18572.0

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.joeykrim.buildpropeditor

Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk

ngh55 · Mar 12, 2012 at 4:38 PM

Good job, maybe I can help you with the "looks"

android_owl · Mar 12, 2012 at 4:51 PM

one_love_420 said:
Love the idea, there is other great apps that already do this. Here is the best one i found and i use, keep up the good work

There are quite a few apps which are able to do that but not with descriptions.

one_love_420 · Mar 13, 2012

android_owl said:
There are quite a few apps which are able to do that but not with descriptions.

True, joeykrim does have a section in his app with "common tweaks" as seen in attatched screen shot. I do love your idea with the description though, makes up for a lot of questions that could arise with such app.

Sent from my PG06100 using Tapatalk

android_owl · Mar 12, 2012 at 7:48 PM

ngh55 said:
Good job, maybe I can help you with the "looks"

That would be a great thing! I'm allready implementing custom widgets (TextViews, ListItems for example), but I'd to ask for icons. Simple pictograms which match with a white (!) background

epinion · Mar 13, 2012 at 1:45 PM

WolfBreak

Hi there, I was hoping could trying your app.

First time I run your app, it asked permission and of course i allowed it.
But your app show this message
"No root access is given!...."

that's strange cause my X10 using Wolfbreak with prerooted. And app like Titanium, ScreenshotER, etc works perfectly.

Maybe you can help me what should I do?

android_owl · Mar 13, 2012 at 2:52 PM

epinion said:
Hi there, I was hoping could trying your app.

First time I run your app, it asked permission and of course i allowed it.
But your app show this message
"No root access is given!...."

that's strange cause my X10 using Wolfbreak with prerooted. And app like Titanium, ScreenshotER, etc works perfectly.

Maybe you can help me what should I do?

Thank you for your reply, I'm going to search for a solution.

doc_v15 · Mar 14, 2012 at 10:07 AM

Genius! Thanks man!

motodroidfreak · Mar 15, 2012 at 1:32 PM

I can help you with the really pretty ui part

Sent from my VS910 4G using xda premium

android_owl · Mar 20, 2012 at 11:58 AM

[APP] BuildProp Editor - community project [1.1 BETA [Update]]

Update
Hey xda!

Today I've released the new version of my tool. The update contains a complete UI redesign in a lite/silver grey style. I've also worked on the ShellCommunication to increase the compatibility with other roms (works well on cm7 and MIUI).

Nevertheless I've uploaded my descriptionbundle. If you want to add a description you can take a look into the file. You can also look at the scheme.

description_bundle.xml

Version 1.1b

UI redesign
Increased performance
Increased compatibility with other roms

android_owl · Mar 27, 2012

Hello XDA,

another great Update of my build.prop editor. Thats the biggest update for now and I think, that this app isn't in beta anymore.

Version 1.2

Added viewmode (for unrooted phones)
Added HC and ICS compatibility
Added an introduction
Increased usability
Fixed some typos

Screenshots

My next step will be a batchmode. You can create a single text file which includes properties. These files can be integrated into the build.prop file. This allows to share stacks of properties for example helping somebody with a problematic build.prop. This also allows to share sets of tweaks for users, without to overwrite their own file. It should be selectable which property is going to be overwritten and which not.

Get your Editor / Viewer here!

DJBhardwaj · Mar 23, 2012 at 3:49 AM

A very usefull & handy tool for developers. Thank you very much

android_owl · Mar 23, 2012 at 9:36 AM

I need an icon!

DJoptimus-One said:
A very usefull & handy tool for developers. Thank you very much

Thank you sir! I've still got a bit to do but it's pretty functional and tested for now.

I also want everybody on the board here to ask if someone wants to create a proper icon for this app? I'm not really great on this (simple icons are okay but proper stuff is not my job). So, if somebody is interested, please contact me. The one who'll design an pretty icon for me gets marked in the credits

ma70ent · Jan 5, 2012 306 25 0

This tool looks awesome. Can't wait to see it get developed more.

-Grift- · Mar 27, 2012 at 1:54 PM

oh yeah nice tool rated and thanked!

jaggyjags · Mar 27, 2012 at 2:12 PM

same issue here, no root permissions granted in htc explorer, hope you solve it soon

android_owl · Mar 27, 2012

jaggyjags said:
same issue here, no root permissions granted in htc explorer, hope you solve it soon

Edit: Allright, I'm looking for a fix in your rom.

[APP] BuildProp Editor/Viewer - community project [1.33] - for android [1.6 - 4.0.3]

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