Apps Apk files?

[krazykrivda]

Does anyone know if there is a way I can unzip applications from my phone just to view the code so I can adapt it for personal use and repackage it?

I can't seem to find where apk files are located on my droid. Any advice would be great.

 

[eclipsed4utoo]

For the most part, any application that you download from the Market is protected so that you can't remove it from the device.

And let me get this straight, you want to take an application that somebody else wrote, be able to open it and look at the code, change the code, then use that? Ever heard of software piracy? If the developer wants you to see the code, they will upload it to the internet for downloading.

 

[KlaymenDK]

eclipsed4utoo,
go easy on the lad.

krazykrivda,
a couple of points for you:
-- Using a program such as ASTRO you can copy apps (the apk files) to your sdcard, which you could then copy to your pc.
-- The apk files are binaries compiled from source; they do not contain their source code. On other words, the point above is kinda moot.
-- Even if you could access the source code, that would not necessarily make you a pirate; in fact, looking at other people's code is quite educational. BUT, before you USE any code you find, I would strongly suggest you check out the licenses of those apps to ensure you don't violate your rights.

If you want to look at Android code, I would recommend looking into The Andoid Developer's Guide, in particular the Tutorials and Sample Code; or search sites like SourceForge for Android-based open source projects.

 

[krazykrivda]

For the most part, any application that you download from the Market is protected so that you can't remove it from the device.

And let me get this straight, you want to take an application that somebody else wrote, be able to open it and look at the code, change the code, then use that? Ever heard of software piracy? If the developer wants you to see the code, they will upload it to the internet for downloading.

I somewhat understand piracy, actually. If I could alter certain programs (that I obtain by legal means) for my PERSONAL use I'm pretty sure that doesn't break any laws or ethical codes. Now, on the other hand if i took my changes and redistributed as my own work, I can see where you are coming from.

Also, if I 'copied' code on how to call a particular function, I'm pretty sure that is within boundaries as well. Something like "toggling bluetooth on/off" I'd feel is pretty standard.

Was not trying to light any fires with this post.

In truth, what I wished to accomplish was be able to have certain programs, when launched, also toggle a few settings such as GPS on/off etc. If I could access source code, and through the necessary line or two in, I'd be golden. I've looked into 'profilers' and Locale isn't cutting it for me, neither where many alternatives. The closes i got was 'Toggle Settings" although having it constantly wait to intercept intent in the background eats up some unnecessary battery, and still doesn't necessarily accomplish what I wish.

Thank you for your input though.

 

[KlaymenDK]

what I wished to accomplish was be able to have certain programs, when launched, also toggle a few settings such as GPS on/off etc.

Hmm, I have an app for exactly that on my Palm (called Blue Fang). I wonder if Android has 'hooks' to let a background service know which apps are being launched? If so, you could implement your idea as a 3rd-party app, in the process making the idea more generic and more easily applied to any additional apps you'd like to use it with.