Porting to Android

[herbeck]

Hello

I trying to make Android port of OpenCPN. It's not a straightforward port, but mostly a new program with similar functionality partly based on OpenCPN sources. Now I writing cm93 support. I have port CM93_Ingest_Cell and it's underlying functions to Java. All this functions working well. Then I have try to draw results to screen, but I don't understand what projection used in CM93/2 and how to convert object coordinates, readed from file to meters. Can anybody help me to solve this problem?

[barnakiel]

Hi,

This is great news that you are trying to port Open CPN to Android. I can see that now Android is gaining field in tablets. And I would like a tablet for navigation.

I think if you talk to these people:
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...sts-30931.html

they may be able to provide the info you need.

Will your application be Open Source too? Any place that we can follow your progress?

Best regards,
barnie

[dacust]

Another thought is there are Android tablets being sold unlocked. They can run a distro or two of Linux. Seems like a full port to that might be the way to go.

Archos is on manufacturer doing this. On limited models, so far.

-dan

[barnakiel]

Fine, but why put Linux on something that already has Android?

b.

[CarCode]

Because OpenCPN runs only with Linux or Windows.
There are even great problems to port it to the Unix-like Mac OS X.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by CarCode

Because OpenCPN runs only with Linux or Windows.
There are even great problems to port it to the Unix-like Mac OS X.

Yep, but Wikipedia says: "Android's mobile operating system is based upon a modified version of the Linux kernel." So maybe it is doable?

Esp. that the OP is already doing it!

They just need help with some specific issues that I am sure someone at Open CPN knows how to address!

b.

[CarCode]

OpenCPN depends on the so called wxWidgets libraries and because there is no port for Android of wxWidgets it is not possible to port OpenCPN to Android. As I wrote you there are even no stable wxWidgets libraries for Mac OS X.
Believe it or not...

[barnakiel]

A question to Herbeck then : How are you doing what you are doing?

b.

[CarCode]

You might want to read his message above:

It's not a straightforward port, but mostly a new program with similar functionality partly based on OpenCPN sources.

Everything clear now?

[herbeck]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Hi,

Will your application be Open Source too? Any place that we can follow your progress?

Best regards,
barnie

Yes. My application will be open source. Now I'm not ready to give program and source to public. It's on wery early stage. But when it will be on usable stage it will be accessible under Apache public license.

[herbeck]

Originally Posted by dacust

Another thought is there are Android tablets being sold unlocked. They can run a distro or two of Linux. Seems like a full port to that might be the way to go.

Archos is on manufacturer doing this. On limited models, so far.

-dan

Not all android tablets and smartphones can run linux with X support. Runninig linux on such devices is some times tricky. Native android program will be usable not by Linux specialists only.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by herbeck

Yes. My application will be open source. Now I'm not ready to give program and source to public. It's on wery early stage. But when it will be on usable stage it will be accessible under Apache public license.

Any luck getting support with your issue? Have you talked to people in other Open CPN threads? There are many! You will be able to get your answers from them, or at least some clues!

b.

[herbeck]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

A question to Herbeck then : How are you doing what you are doing?

b.

The port can be done only by rewriting at least interfase part to Java. Android has no native WxWidgets port. Now I do full Java program. If there will be some performance issues I will rewrite some parts of program on C with Android NDK. OpenCPN is used as a source of algorithms. My program will support only CM93 and may be S57 (the only formats that represents area of my sailing interest). But when program reaches minimally usable stage it will be put too publuc domain and anybody can write support for chart format that he/she needs.

[brak]

Originally Posted by CarCode

OpenCPN depends on the so called wxWidgets libraries and because there is no port for Android of wxWidgets it is not possible to port OpenCPN to Android. As I wrote you there are even no stable wxWidgets libraries for Mac OS X.
Believe it or not...

I beg to differ. wxWidgets on MacOS is quite stable and we are using it successfully.

[GPSNavX]

XGate from GMN uses wxWidgets and works just fine on Mac OS X, MS Windows and Linux.