Resolve "Easy-installer documentation improvement"

> Information about the project or its applications

- [/e/ OS easy-installer](/easy-installer)

- [Maps application](/maps)

- [The different build types](/build-status)

- [Apps Installer FAQ](/apps)

---

layout: page

title: Contribute to the Easy Installer

permalink: easy-installer/contribute

permalink: easy-installer-contribute

toc: true

---

## What is the Easy Installer?

## /e/OS easy-installer Build documentation

The Easy Installer is a Java desktop application which helps users install /e/ on supported devices.

## Why should I contribute?

### Tools required to build

> @Vincent the team member who developed the easy-installer used

The Easy Installer currently run only on Linux and support 4 devices.

- Netbeans 11.3 (/!\ netbeans 11.0 doesn't work properly with javaFX)

- Gradle 4.10

- OpenJFX11+: [doc](https://openjfx.io/openjfx-docs/#IDE-NetBeans)

- Java JDK 11+

### How to clone the project

Run this command in a terminal

```shell

git clone https://gitlab.e.foundation/e/tools/easy-installer.git

```

### How to build

Open a terminal at the root of the project

prompt: `./gradlew dist`

Note: "dist" for "distribution"

#### Result

It will create 3 zipped artifacts, zipped together in a single archive :

- linux-x64

- windows-x64

- mac

Location of the artifacts :

Zipped build : "/build/distributions/"

The /e/ team can't support all the work needed to support all devices. That's why we ask the community to help us on:

- porting the Easy Installer on Windows and MacOS: the java software should run without big issues, but script need to be ported

- support new devices: with its architecture based configuration files, it's easy to add new devices.

Unzipped build : "/build/image/"

## How can I help?

#### What does this command do?

Compiled java version is provided from "buildSrc" folder. There is one version for each platform (windows, osx, linux). That will allow to have an installation free application. thanks to java 9+, it only includes required modules.

99% of the job is done by the "badass jlink plugin" (see section below).

The remaining 1% consist of:

- copying ADB

- copying heimdall

- copying fastboot

- flash's scripts

from "buildSrc" and "flash-scripts" folders into the build.

#### What is used to make the build ?

It uses the ["badass jlink plugin"](https://badass-jlink-plugin.beryx.org/releases/latest/#_properties)

## Feature idea

- make `./gradlew dist` to create a build for one platform at a time depending on a param.

i.e: `./gradlew dist windows` or `./gradlew dist linux`

1. I want to help **porting /e/ on Windows**

    - you can help us to translate scripts to Windows

    - First step is to create configuration files for the Easy Installer

    - If necessary, create the missing scripts to be able to achieve the installation

1. I want to **give constructive feedback** about the Easy Installer

    - Kindly take our survey available [here](https://mydataismydata.limequery.net/167261?lang=en)

## How to support or add a new device ?

## How does it work?

The easy-installer uses two configuration files for each device.

### Config files

_note: We are using herolte (Samsung galaxy S7) as an example here_

The Easy Installer uses config files for each devices to be able to define the install process.

The config files are located in "src/main/resources/yaml/" folder.

Those config files are stored under *src/main/resources/yaml*.

```

src

--main

----java

----resources

------css

------fonts

------fxml

------images

------instructions

------lang

------yaml

--------**herolte.yml**

--------**herolte_fs.yml**

```

There is 2 files for each device:

  - **\<device code\>\_fs.yml**: define the resources to download before flashing but also UI elements (instructions and images, average time of step where users just have to wait)

  - **\<device code\>.yml**: define the flash process: script's order, script's parameter, how to handle script's output, etc.

#### 1. First file: <device_code_name>.yml

### Scripts

The first file "herolte.yml" defines the flashing process.

The file is a [YAML](https://yaml.org/) resource.

Each config files can call scripts to be able to perform the step. The scripts are on [the flash_script project](https://gitlab.e.foundation/e/tools/flash-scripts/-/tree/folder_per_platform) (on the folder_per_platform branch).

#### Structures and nodes of the file

### Build&Test

``` yaml

name: herolte

flash:

    f1:

        script: wait-download

        parameters:

            heimdall_folder_path: ${HEIMDALL_FOLDER_PATH}

        codes:

            ok:

                0: ~

            ko:

                1: script_error_waitDownload_1

        output: ~

        succeed: f2

        failed: ~  

    f2:

        script: oem-unlock

        parameters:

            heimdall_folder_path: ${HEIMDALL_FOLDER_PATH}

        codes:

            ok:

                0: ~

            ko:

                10: script_error_oemUnlock_10

        output: ~

        succeed: f3

        failed: ~

...

```

Clone the project with

- `Name` defines the codename of the device. This value is a simple String.

_example: `herolte` for S7, `hero2lte` for S7 edge, `dreamlte` for S8, ..._

```shell

git clone https://gitlab.e.foundation/e/tools/easy-installer.git

- `f1` is the step key (it identifies the step). The value is the step defined by following elements:

- `script` contains the name of the flash-script to call. There is no extension because it is defined at runtime (this allows to use either ".sh" for linux and mac or ".bat" for windows)

- `parameters` contains a map of parameters to use when the script is called. The order should be the one expected by the script. There are two types of values for a parameter:

	1. a fixed parameter which is a raw string.

	_example: `my_key: foobar`_

	2. a changing parameter which is defined at runtime. Then its value must be the key - in uppercase - wrapped in '{' and starts with '$'.

	_example: `my_key: ${MY_KEY}`_

- `codes` contains two sub lists: `ok` corresponds to script's exit when the step succeeds, and `ko` corresponds to script's exit when there is an error.

The codes returned by the script are always numeric value.

	The `ko` codes can be defined with an error message which will be displayed to the user if it happened.

	_example: `10: script_error_oemUnlock_10`_.

	The error message is a key corresponding to a value in the translations file (`src/main/resources/lang/traduction.properties`)

- `output` can be used to define a variable than must be read from the last line of the running script.

example: `output: ${MY_KEY}` corresponds to a step where the installer should read the last line provided by the script and store it in a java variable "MY_KEY" which would be used in a later step. The value of output is always structured like a changing parameter.

- `succeed` specifies the next step's code after a success.

- `failed:` defines the next step's code to call after a failure.

#### Special step:

``` yaml

    f7:

        script: askAccount

        parameters: ~

        codes: ~

        output: ~

        succeed: f8

        failed: ~

```

To be able to build, you will need:

  - Apache Ant 1.10+. Needed to install Netbeans 11. [Installation procedure](https://computingforgeeks.com/how-to-install-latest-apache-ant-on-ubuntu-debian-and-linux-mint/)

  - OpenJFX11+: [doc](https://openjfx.io/openjfx-docs/#IDE-NetBeans)

  - Java JDK 11+

  - JFoenix 9

This is the only step which is empty. There is no script "askAccount". It is used by easy-intaller to know when to show the UI which lets the user request an invitation email to create an account. Please always add this step before the last step.

To build the Java app, kindly run in a terminal, from the project folder

```shell

./gradlew dist

#### 2. Second files: <device_code_name>_fs.yml

This second file specifies extra data (which aren't optional)

### Structures and nodes of the file

``` yaml

sources:

   rom:

        url: https://images.ecloud.global/stable/herolte/e-latest-herolte.zip

        filePath: e-latest-herolte.zip

   twrp:         

        url: https://images.ecloud.global/stable/twrp/herolte/twrp-3.2.3-0-herolte.img

        filePath: twrp-3.2.3-0-herolte.img

flash:

    f1:

        ui:

            type: action

            title: stepTitle1On7

            instruction:

            - install_instr_turnOff

            - install_instr_startDownload

            - install_instr_acceptWarning

            stepNumber: 1/7

            titleIcon: Download.png

            instructionImg: group2.png

    f2:

        ui:

            type: load

            title: stepTitle2On7

            instruction:

            - install_instr_oemUnlock

            stepNumber: 2/7

            averageTime: 8

...

```

It contains two parts: `sources` which specifies files that need to be downloaded and `flash` which defines UI for the different steps.

### `sources`

Each different files that needs to be downloaded should be specified here.

Use a key to identify it :

_example: `rom`, `twrp`, `vendor`, `patch`, ..._

- `url` specifies the url that points to the resource.

	_example: `url: https://path/to/the/file.extension`_

-`filePath` specifies the file's name on the user's computer once it has been downloaded

__/!\ files must have a sha256sum to check integrity. The sha256 should be the exact filename(with extension) +".sha256sum". The sha256sum should be in the same folder as the target file. It will be automaticaly downloaded.__

#### `flash`

Uses the exact same key as in the first file. They must be identical.

`ui` contains an element which defines what is displayed during the step.

There are three types of UI (user interface): `action`, `load` and `askAccount`

#### `action` type

It corresponds to the step where the user has to perform an action (like pressing button).

It has the following structure:

```yaml

            type: action

            title: stepTitle1On7

            instruction:

            - install_instr_turnOff

            - install_instr_startDownload

            - install_instr_acceptWarning

            stepNumber: 1/7

            titleIcon: Download.png

            instructionImg: group2.png

```

- `title` contains the translations' key for the step's title. The value is defined in `src/main/resources/lang/traduction.properties`

- `instruction` are translations' keys for the instruction at this step. Their values are defined in `src/main/resources/lang/traduction.properties`

It is also used to identify pictures to display along with the instruction. Pictures are defined like instructions' text but are locatd in `src/main/resources/instructions/imageName.properties`

- `stepNumber` defines the step place in the process

- `titleIcon` is displayed left to the title value

- `instructionImg` is ignored and will be removed soon.

#### `load` type

``` yaml

            type: load

            title: stepTitle2On7

            instruction:

            - install_instr_oemUnlock

            stepNumber: 2/7

            averageTime: 8

```

- `title` is the same as for `action type`

- `instruction` is the same as for `action` type except that it must have only one instruction.

- `stepNumber` is the same as for `action` type.

- `averageTime` defines the averageTime the step is required to do its job. it is in second.

#### `askAccount` type

It's a special type, which only contains `type: askAccount`.

Its step key (f<number>) should fit with the one which defines "script: askAccount" in the first file.

#### Good practice:

- '~': is used for empty or null value.

- defines "normal" step code with 'f' and a incremental number. It helps to understand the whole process.

- defines "failure" step code with 'e' and a incremental number. It helps to understand the whole process.

## Lets make the translation file

### What is the translation file?

A translation file has extension ".properties".

It also contains country code & local lang code before the extension and is separated by `"_"`.

Base name is: translation.

The complete name is:

- `translation.properties` for the default translation's file. This file will be used when no translations are found in a specific language.

- `translation_xx_XX.properties` It is a language specific translation's file.

__i.e :__ `translation_fr_FR.properties`.

It is stored in the project and build with the App.

`To update translation, we need to rebuild the application.`

### Contents of the translation file

The content of a translation file is not limited in size.

_one row = one translation

a Row is structured with the following pattern: `reference=value`

- `reference` is the code used to load the value.

- `value` is the raw text that will be display to the user

_example:_ trad_1_title=first title of the translation

_note:_ if you add a space between the `=` and the first character of your translation, the displayed message will include this space too.

But you can add a space between the reference and the `=`  without any problem.

#### a. Line break

In most case, you should let the application decide to break line or not.

If you really need a line break, use `\n`.

_example_: trad-example=firstline\nsecondline

Result:

```

firstline

secondline

```

The result for each platform is available in the new created zip.

### How to choose `reference` for a translation

In order to have easy to maintain translation's file,

We'll define `reference` following a defined pattern.

Each part of the pattern will be separated by `"_"`

1. First part is an identifier for the UI which use the button.

2. Second part is an element type identifier. Is it a simple label ? a title ? a button ?

3. third part is a unique identifier

_Theorical examples:_

```

UI-1_label_uid1

UI-2_button_uid1

UI-2_button_uid2

UI-2_title_uid1

```

#### a. UI identifier

The different interface are listed below (inspired by the tab's name in [this document](https://office.ecloud.global/products/files/doceditor.aspx?fileid=2121#) :

- welcome

- before

- connect

- devMode

- ADBdebug

- detect

- download

- install

- eAccount

- congrats

- feedback

_note:_  we don't use `UI` with a number corresponding at the order of the interface in the whole process.

Because if we want to change the process order, we'll have to change all translation reference...

#### b. Element type

possible element's type with corresponding code to use, are:

- Main title : `mTitle`

- title: `title`

- subtitle : `sbTitle`

- Label : `lbl`

- Button : `btn`

- instruction: `instr`

#### c. Unique identifier

use 'uid' with a simple incremental value.

The incremental value restart from 0 for each UI's identifier and each element type.

or use a text identifier.

or no unique identifier if this is the only one element of this type

#### d. Real example

_note_: in the following example, the value describe the position or the content, but it can be anything else.

```

interface_mTitle_uid1=This is a main title

interface_sbTitle_uid1=this is the first subtitle

interface_sbTitle_uid2=this is the second subtitle

interface_sbTitle_uid3=this is the third subtitle

interface_lbl_version=this is the version Number

interface_lbl_uid1=this is the label below the first subtitle

interface_lbl_uid2=this is the label below the second subtitle

interface_lbl_uid3=this is the label below the third subtitle

interface_btn_uid1=this is the button to change interface

```

layout: page

title: Try the Easy Installer beta

permalink: easy-installer

toc: true

---

## Install beta version (Linux only)

## What is the /e/OS easy-installer?

- The Easy Installer is a Java desktop application which helps users install /e/ on supported devices.

- In its current version the tool is a GUI which works on the Linux OS

![](/images/easy-installer-mainscreen.png)

- The easy-installer beta version supports 5 Samsung devices

  - Samsung Galaxy S6 – Exynos only

  - Samsung Galaxy S7 – Exynos only

  - Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge – Exynos only

  - Samsung Galaxy S9 – Exynos only

  - Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus – Exynos only

## Why are more devices and OS not supported?

The /e/ team cannot support all the work needed to add more devices or other operating systems. That's why we ask the community to help us on:

- Porting the Easy Installer on Windows and MacOS

   - the java software should run without big issues

   - but script need to be ported

- Support new devices

   - with its architecture based configuration files, it is easy to add new devices

   - we share details on how you can add more devices in this document

## How can I install the /e/OS easy-installer?

### Installing the beta version (Linux only)

> Depending of your configuration, you may need to prefix the commands with `sudo`

    snap connect easy-installer:adb-support  

    ```

    > Those permissions are needed to allow Easy Installer to get access to USB

    > These permissions are needed to allow Easy Installer to get access to USB

1. Start Easy Installer!

    A new icon should be available on your Computer. Click on it to open and try our Easy Installer.

![](/images/easyinstaller-in-apps.png)

A new icon should be available on your Computer as shown in the screenshot above. Click on it to open and try our Easy Installer.

## I want to develop the source further. How can I help?

To build or improve upon the easy-installer code check the [documentation here...](easy-installer-contribute)

## Give us feedback & Contribute!

## Send us your feedback & Contribute!

Please take our survey ([click here](https://mydataismydata.limequery.net/167261?lang=en)) to **give us your feedback** about the Easy Installer, and let us the opportunity to improve the tool.

Please send us **your feeback** on the /e/OS Easy Installer by taking part in a [survey](https://mydataismydata.limequery.net/167261?lang=en) .

Please note  this is an anonymous survey and no participant data will be collected.

You want to **help us** on the Easy Installer project? Kindly have a look to [our documentation](contribute) to be able to contribute.

Your feedback gives us an opportunity to improve the tool.

Please discuss about the project and find help on [our Community Forum](https://community.e.foundation/c/community/easy-installer/136).

To discuss about the easy-installer project or get help on it come to [our Community Forum](https://community.e.foundation/c/community/easy-installer/136).

**Thank you in advance!**