CS50 C Library for Windows

Here's how to add the CS50 C library to Code Blocks IDE for completing the problemsets found in Harvard's CS50 Intro to Computer Science.

Wherefore art thou Andrio[d]

My latest jaunt back into the world of Java sees me trying to take two birds with one stone. In so keeping, I've decided to simultaneously learn, or relearn Java, and delve into Android to boot. Considering both will be done through Eclipse and Java is the language de jour, it's actually a no brainer not to.

I'll start off with the Android environment as by now setting up Eclipse with the required JDK is near effortless. Eclipse with Android is an almost completely different beast. The last time I'd setup either one was two years ago 1   and 2

I'd had set up Eclipse with Android more than two years ago and it was arduous and prone to lapses between the description of how to set it up and actual eventualities. Most of this was due to the ever changing nature of updates and software packages, but I did eventually manage to get it set up properly after much prodding and online help.

Fast forward

At the moment the entire Android SDK and installation has changed noticeably. I'm between resources utilizing info from the Android developer portal
http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html and

Initially I was halted in my progress of setting up the environment because I didn't realise that Android works with JDK 6, not 7. After that, it turned out that 32 bit versions of Android SDK, JDK and Eclipse builds are required. The development environment bundle that is available to download from Android is supposed to be 64 bit but for the moment I'll be happiest with a regular Eclipse build with Andriod added on. Note: The Android bundle includes the IDE, SDK and JDK required.

Here's a brief outline of what I had to do to resolve issues:

February 27th 2013
- Eclipse Juno 32 bit (installed successful)
- Android ADT (installed successfully on second attempt)
- Android SDK zipped file (problem installing in Eclipse)
- Android SDK installer file (problem still persists)

Signed out at 22:52 hrs

February 28th; Signed in at 19:55 hrs
- Attempts to sort out Android SDK manager launch issue (manager will not deploy either directly or through Eclipse IDE)

Starting with a clean slate at 20:57 hrs
 - Eclipse Juno reinstalled
 - JDK 6 install (install successful: in 'D:\Progra~1(x86)\')
 - SDK launch issue sorted via Android.bat patch :
     http://stackoverflow.com/questions/5199811/android-sdk-manager-wont-open)

 - Android SDK manager updates (successfully loaded all prescribed updates after 3 tries)


Bar a few details, eventually I managed to setup an Android SDK, ADT with the latest version of Eclipse. I've installed JDK 7 as well, for beginning development in Java separate from Android.
Hopefully everything will work well together.

Related articles

• Android App Development For Beginners - Setting Up Your SDK
• Eclipse can't find the JDK or JRE
• Setting Up Android Development Tools on Linux
• Using your chromebook as your full-time, no compromises, Android dev machine.

It's been one year since you looked at me...

It's been long while since I've blogged; 2012 seems to have been particularly empty, second lowest year it seems for blogging.
 I can only attribute it to extremelty busy work schedule and loss of focus. Well I was completing my MBA but I digress.
 Now a quick outline to what I hope to write about in the coming days, weeks as it may be:

1. A bit of a bittersweet moment -
   I've finally bought a new laptop, nicely kitted with little extras, windows 8 and what have you.
   Unfortunately, that means I have to let my old laptop go. It's been almost eight years since I'd owned it and I've become somewhat sentimental about letting it go. So to that end I'll be writing up a brief description of its features and shared history as a memento of auld times.
2. Following from that topic, the reason I purchased a new laptop was two fold -

• Setup a agile environment to learn programming/development
• And gaming
• OK and I wanted to start a bit of designing/drawing but too many pots and not enough cook to go around.
3. Branching off of the first two topics a bit about the Windows 8 experience and...
4. My trials of setting up development environments, progress and any eureka moments I'll be having.

To that I shall break my imaginary bottle of champagne on the stern of the vessel that is 2013 with this first post.

Update - How to save battery drain on Vodafone Smart 858

Image via Wikipedia

Just an update on saving battery drain on a Vodafone Smart 858. Following up from my previous post - How to save battery drain on Vodafone Smart 858

I've stumbled upon another setting which should further restrict your phone from intermittent data access. In the last post turning off background data was the supposed silver bullet which I thought should solve the drain. Although, it had cut it down a good amount, there was still annoying cellular data transfer which I felt was unwarranted. These transfers occurred when apps were syncing or getting ads relayed to them.

The offending setting can be found under:

Settings>Wireless & networks>Mobile networks

• Data enabled (Enable data access over Mobile network)

Simply uncheck this option and the little 3G/G symbol should disappear. Now you've fully choked data transmissions and hopefully added to your battery mileage.

Disclaimer: This content is purely for informational purposes and should not be taken in mission critical scenarios. The author accepts no liability for any consequences arising from using this information. The previous part is dismissible, if and only, usage arising constitutes a favorable return and arouses generousness in associated user, who further, wishes to divulge part of generousness to author.

Developping Andriod Apps using eclipse

                                       Image via Wikipedia

It's been a year since I've used any IDE, just recently, I came across a great article on smashing magazine about developing android apps using eclipse. Eclipse is an open source, free IDE for Java programmers.

The article explains how to get both Eclipse, the Android SDK (Software Development Kit) and installing them. The only hitch was that I had when using the instructions was right before the heading, 

'Targeting Android Platforms'

The image beforehand indicates the SDK packages for the different types of Android devices. You won't see that until you complete the steps after the heading in question. I've only managed to get uptil this point as my computer was wrought with malcontent and i had to reinstall everything.

The article pointed here is very detailed and will guide most readers through the first baby steps in developing an Android app. Happy developing.