How to build and debug android source code

System: ubuntu 14.04

1. download source code and build 

This step is not hard. basically following the doc here:

https://source.android.com/source/building-running.html

You should be able to run emulator after build. 

One tips for re-running emulator after closing the terminal window is to create script like below

method 1:
build/envsetup.sh && lunch full-eng && emulator

method 2: 
 where to find the emulator? 

2. debug android framework java source code

download the ADT eclipse ADT:  http://developer.android.com/sdk/installing/index.html

   it has the eclipse IDE and DDMS debugger

you can create a java project to import all the java source code into eclipse as described in https://source.android.com/source/using-eclipse.html

I have tried the red part below:

          

1. f Eclipse asks you for a workspace location,  don't choose default, create the workspace at the android root. 
   

2. If you have a "Welcome" screen, close it to reveal the Java perspective.

3. File > New > Java Project

4. Pick a project name, "android" or anything you like.

5. Select "Create project from existing source", enter the path to your Android root directory, and click Finish.

6. Wait while it sets up the project. (You'll see a subtle progress meter in the lower right corner.)

then, pick an app like setting app to debug.  Set break point to the setting app's source code. 

3. common command

- croot:   Changes directory to the top of the tree.
- m:       Makesfrom the top of the tree.
- mm:      Builds all of the modules in the currentdirectory.
- mmm:     Builds all of the modules in the supplieddirectories.
- cgrep:   Greps on all local C/C++ files.
- hgrep:   Greps on all local C/C++ header files.
- jgrep:   Greps on all local Java files.
- mkgrep:  Greps on all local make files.
- rcgrep:  Greps on all local .rc files.
- resgrep: Greps on all local res/*.xml files.
- shgrep:  Greps on all local .sh files.
- godir:   Go to the directory containing a file.

good post:

http://apienthusiast.blogspot.com/2014/06/using-eclipse-to-browse-and-edit-aosp.html

andriod build system

http://elinux.org/Android_Build_System

use emulator

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/9022750/running-emulator-after-building-android-from-source

gdb & gdb server

http://www.thegeekstuff.com/2014/04/gdbserver-example/

http://thinksrc.com/2012/07/15/android-gdb-full-symbol/

http://www.kandroid.org/online-pdk/guide/debugging_gdb.html