Begginers questions about Files

[glook]

I'm probably going to feel really stupid asking this, but --


Q1. How can I open a file on the SD card?

I have a file in a directory on the emulator's SD card - /sdcard/pbdb/PB.dpbm
In this case it is a database file, so try to open it :

con.Initialize(File.DirRootExternal, "pbdb/PB.dpbm",False)

I also tried "DirDefaultExternal" and adding "/sdcard/" to the path, but it always fails to open. (I checked it is really there and correct name).

It also fails if I try to create a new test file (on sdcard).


Q2. How do I copy an existing file to the "DirInternal" ? Where does it go?

I created a new test DB file that works, but I can't see it anywhere. I thought it would be under the /data directory, but it appears empty.

Geoff.

 

[Erel]

A1. The WRITE_EXTERNAL permission was not set correctly. So writing to the sd card failed. It is now fixed.

A2. Just do Log(File.DirInternal)
For now you can copy by creating an input and output stream. I will add A File.Copy method.

 

[glook]

Ah - it wasn't obvious what was happening with the SD card. Long-term, it will be needed as I use large database files.

Q2 - I probably didn't explain this very well. I was simply attempting to copy an existing database file from my PC to the internal storage of the emulator. I assume this can be done with "adb push", but what is the destination direcory for DirInternal? Or should I be using another directory?

I had already made a new database using File.DirInternal, but I cannot see it anywhere in the file system (using AndExplorer). If I found this test file, I could perhaps use that location for adb push.

Hope that makes sense? I'm fairly OK with Unix/Linux filesytems but the Android layout is still a bit of a mystery.

 

[mtw]

glook use "adb shell" at a command prompt then you can use the unix ls command to list files.

btw: I did a File.DirInternal it was /data/data/com.Tester/files but since Tester was the name of the app, it wont be on yours, but at least you know where the file will be.

 

[Erel]

You can write:

Log("InternalDir location = " & File.DirInternal)

It will print the location to the LogCat (or just write Msgbox(File.DirInternal, "") )

 

[glook]

The fog is starting to lift!!

Thanks to both for the tips

I was confused by AndExplorer showing the /data directory as being empty - there must be some sort of restriction or hidden option, while ls reveals all.

Still a lot to read and learn - I can see that adb is going to become a good friend!

 

[derez]

Is it possible to include a directory with files in the file manager, to be part as the apk (with whatever is in the directory) ?
As an example for the need - a directory of maps for a GPS application.

 

[Erel]

How large are the files? The APK is limited to a certain size (5mb I think).

 

[derez]

The specific maps folder is much bigger, I guess it will have to be installed directly to the sdcard by memory reader, but I think there will be other cases, like a set of small wav files or text files etc. that will be less then 5 Mb

 

[derez]

Where is "send to back" and "bring to front" ?

 

[Erel]

The specific maps folder is much bigger, I guess it will have to be installed directly to the sdcard by memory reader, but I think there will be other cases, like a set of small wav files or text files etc. that will be less then 5 Mb

You can add those with the file manager (Files tab).

Where is "send to back" and "bring to front" ?

In the designer - Tools - Bring to front.

 

[Inman]

I have a file test.txt in my hard drive. I want my Android app to read the contents of the file and populate a list on run time. I read the tutorial and learnt all the file read write commands. My question is in which folder on my hard drive should I put test.txt to be accessible with File.ReadList(File.DirInternal,"test.txt"), to try the app on emulator?

 

[Erel]

You should go to the Files tab in the right pane and then add the required file.
It will be included in the APK file and you can access it in File.DirAssets folder.

 

[Inman]

But if I declare the file as an asset, I cannot write to it, right? I need to update the file with new content when I load the app.

 

[Erel]

So you need to copy the file from the assets folder to the internal folder when your program starts.
Copying a file is easy with File.Copy.

 

[Inman]

So it is not possible to maintain a file like for example a settings.ini in the internal memory, like we store the same file in the app folder on Windows to read and write settings?

 

[LittleEddie]

For a .ini type file use the Map thingy, it works great,
For memory save it to

File.DirDefaultExternal
for the SD card
or
File.DirInternal
for the phones memory

 

[LittleEddie]

Inman, I should have said

YES, you can save a file to the SD card or the internal memory

Map is:A collection that holds pairs of keys and values

 

[Inman]

Thanks LittleEddie. That does solve the ini issue.

But what about plain text file? I have a list of data (one item per line). I need to bundle this list with my app and the app will read the data from the file and display it in a listview. After that, the app will connect to a website and download more data into this text file. I don't want to put this file on memory card and give access to the user. It will be safer in the internal memory.

Can this be done?

 

[Erel]

Put the text file in the Files tab and then copy it to the internal storage when your program starts.