README.android_emulator

How to install and run an android emulator.

mkdir android # or any other place you prefer
cd android

# download java JDK
# http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html
# download android SDK
# http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
# download android NDK
# http://developer.android.com/sdk/ndk/index.html

# versions I used:
#  jdk-7u4-linux-i586.tar.gz
#  android-ndk-r8-linux-x86.tar.bz2
#  android-sdk_r18-linux.tgz

# install jdk
tar xzf jdk-7u4-linux-i586.tar.gz

# install sdk
tar xzf android-sdk_r18-linux.tgz

# install ndk
tar xjf android-ndk-r8-linux-x86.tar.bz2


# setup PATH to use the installed software:
export SDKROOT=$HOME/android/android-sdk-linux
export PATH=$PATH:$SDKROOT/tools:$SDKROOT/platform-tools
export NDKROOT=$HOME/android/android-ndk-r8

# install android platforms you want by starting:
android 
# (from $SDKROOT/tools)

# select the platforms you need
# I selected and installed:
#   Android 4.0.3 (API 15)
# Upgraded then to the newer version available:
#     Android sdk 20
#     Android platform tools 12

# then define a virtual device:
Tools -> Manage AVDs...
# I define an AVD Name with 64 Mb SD Card, (4.0.3, api 15)
# rest is default


# compile and make install Valgrind, following README.android


# Start your android emulator (it takes some time).
# You can use adb shell to get a shell on the device
# and see it is working. Note that I usually get
# one or two time out from adb shell before it works
adb shell

# Once the emulator is ready, push your Valgrind to the emulator:
adb push Inst /


# IMPORTANT: when running Valgrind, you may need give it the flag
#
#    --kernel-variant=android-no-hw-tls
#
# since otherwise it may crash at startup.
# See README.android for details.


# if you need to debug:
# You have on the android side a gdbserver
# on the device side:
gdbserver :1234 your_exe

# on the host side:
adb forward tcp:1234 tcp:1234
$HOME/android/android-ndk-r8/toolchains/arm-linux-androideabi-4.4.3/prebuilt/linux-x86/bin/arm-linux-androideabi-gdb your_exe
target remote :1234