Level Up - Android Dev: How To Automatically Extract Hardcoded Strings To res/values/strings.xml

This is just one of the many refactoring features of Eclipse. Using this extract feature, you won't even need to open res/values/strings.xml to add the String resources nor manually write out reference to the resource.

This saves a lot of time, and allows the best practice of putting String constants away from the UI/Java files so that localization can be performed easier. This method I'm about to show you is especially productive because it can change all instances of that particular String to point to the xml string resource so that you don't have to do it individually one-by-one. (I'm doing maintenance on code that has everything hardcoded, so this is a lifesaver.)

To automatically extract the String, it's easy enough:

Step 1: Highlight the entire String that you would like extracted and sent to res/values*/strings.xml
Step 2: From the menu bar, select Refactor->Android->"Extract Android String..."
Step 3: Preview options and confirm changes.

Step 2: Automatically extracting string menu option.

Step 3: Many different great refactoring options to choose from.

This works in the XML and Java files for your Android application. And, this is much quicker than manually changing all instances of hardcoded Strings to getString() and @string/.


~ Danial Goodwin ~

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My Android Apps | My Windows Phone Apps | My Developer Blog

An Easier Way to Cook Rice

You may be thinking, rice is already easy enough to cook... just put in some rice and water and press the big button.

Don't be limited by your present notions of ease.

Don't be deceived by your preconceived notions of simplicity.

What if we didn't have to put in the water? What if we didn't have to put in the rice?

That sounds like a good future for me. And I'm sure a significantly advanced rice cooker could put whatever additional ingredients you wanted in there AND stir it!

Here's one way that this idea would work:
 - A separate silo for both the rice and water (either bag or hose to the main line).
 - An input for rice to water ratio, number of servings to make, and at what time to make it.
 - And, of course, have the ability for a smartphone app to control the device.

This reminds me.. automated pizza makers already exist.. and here's how this pizza vending machine is made.

More ideas that I didn't think too much about:
 - Ability to easily tilt rice container to make scraping out all of the grains to a plate easier.
 - Building it into a counter or wall.

~ Simply Advanced ~

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My Android Apps | My Windows Phone Apps | My Computer/Programming Blog

New Android App: LTE Discovery

Published new Android app, LTE Discovery!

It automates discovery of new LTE coverage for Sprint, AT&T, Verizon. It automatically cycles airplane mode every thirty seconds in order to detect the faster network. If you don't have this app, then your phone will only check once every thirty minutes.

Current features include:
 - Audible notification
 - Record of discovered LTE GPS coordinates
 - Works with the screen off

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.simplyadvanced.ltediscovery

~ Simply Advanced ~

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My Android Apps | My Windows Phone Apps | My Computer/Programming Blog

Coding All Day and All Night

I need to make an app that will sleep for me so that I don't have to. I'd rather be coding all day. There are so many exciting things to build that haven't been built yet. =]

Tomorrow, I'll be releasing LTE Discovery for Android. It automates everything you need to do to detect new LTE towers around you. The app will cycle airplane mode on and off every thirty seconds, for the first version. Then, each time LTE is detected, your current GPS coordinates will be saved for easy reference.

I have many exciting plans for future releases if the community likes this one. ;]

~ Simply Advanced ~

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My Android Apps | My Windows Phone Apps | My Computer/Programming Blog