Author: Lipsa

Beginner’s Guide to Cropping Images in PHP Using ImageMagick

Posted on by Lipsa

While using images in a web application, developers can’t always include images of a particular measurement. In such cases, resizing the images for the application would be a good option but, not efficient either. For example, resizing a long vertical image into a horizontal dimension would just squeeze the image; thereby, affecting the aesthetics of the website and also reducing the purpose of it. Hence it would be smart to implement a cropping tool like ‘ImageMagick’ in order to fit images of various dimensions into a specified size.

ImageMagick is a collection of robust and convenient tools for manipulating images. It can be used to crop images of numerous formats such as JPEG, PNG, GIF, TIFF, PhotoCD and many more. ImageMagick facilitates creation of dynamic images that are fitting to the specific requirements of web applications.

Difference Between Cropping in GD Library and ImageMagic:

GD is the most commonly used extension for PHP. It is popular because it is easier to install and configure (`yum install php-gd` on Fedora, CentOS etc or `sudo apt-get php5-gd` on ubuntu). However, it has some limitations such as:

  • It is comparatively slower
  • It is more memory intensive
  • For certain aspects it can be more complex to use.

Below I have mentioned a sample code for image cropping using GD:

[sourcecode]<?php
function resize_my_image($file, $w, $h, $crop=FALSE) {
list($width, $height) = getimagesize($file);
$r = $width / $height;
if ($crop) {
if ($width > $height) {
$width = ceil($width-($width*($r-$w/$h)));
} else {
$height = ceil($height-($height*($r-$w/$h)));
}
$newGDwidth = $w;
$newGDheight = $h;
} else {
if ($w/$h > $r) {
$newGDwidth = $h*$r;
$newGDheight = $h;
} else {
$newGDheight = $w/$r;
$newGDwidth = $w;
}
}
$src = imagecreatefromjpeg($file);
$dst = imagecreatetruecolor($newGDwidth, $newGDheight);
imagecopyresampled($dst, $src, 0, 0, 0, 0, $newGDwidth, $newGDheight, $width, $height);

return $dst;
}

$img = resize_my_image(‘/path/to/some/image.jpg’, 150, 150);
?>[/sourcecode]

You can either output it to the browser or save it to a file using the ‘imagejpeg’ function.

Imagick:

Imagick is a less frequently used PECL extension. ImageMagick is a free tool that is used for creating and manipulating images that supports over 100 different image formats. This can be used on a command line tool for any programming language. The Imagick extension essentially provides an API for all of the functionalities available in the `convert` command line tool.

Some of its advantages are:

  • It is faster
  • It uses less memory
  • Offers more powerful functionality
  • ‘Imagick’ is lot easier to use (once you figure out how), your code may end up smaller and cleaner.

The down side of using this extension is that the documentation is extremely limited and there are almost no examples available on the web. Installation on the other hand can be a painful task as well.

Although it should just be a matter of running the command `pecl install imagick`.

Sample code:

Cropping larger images:

Put a big picture named andolasoft_logo.jpg along side with your php page, run the test and check the directory to see andolasoft_logo_thumb.jpg.

Requirement:

imagemagick with imagick extension

[sourcecode]<?php
$obj = new imagick(‘andolasoft_logo.jpg’);
//resize the above image
$obj->thumbnailImage(160, 0);
//write the thumb
$obj->writeImage(‘andolasoft_logo_thumb.jpg’);
?>[/sourcecode]

To Crop Animated Image:

[sourcecode]<?php
$image = new imagick(“andolasoft_animated_logo.gif”);
$image = $image->coalesceImages(); // the trick! To crop animated image
foreach ($image as $frame) {
$frame->cropImage($width, $height, $x, $y);
$frame->setImagePage(0, 0, 0, 0); // Remove gif canvas
}
?>[/sourcecode]

$x → The X coordinate of the cropped region’s top left corner
$y → The Y coordinate of the cropped region’s top left corner

Implementing ‘ImageMagick’ would make the website look clean and flawless. Images on the other hand retain its look and feel, thereby making the application look professional and optimized.

Find anything amiss here, then share it with us.

How to Import CSV Configuration File to Device’s SQLite db

Posted on by Lipsa

Much like web applications, certain Android apps necessitate configuration adjustments to facilitate app testing and deployment across various environments.

Managing configurations for devices has become a critical task. One efficient way to handle configurations is by uploading them to an SQLite database within the device. This approach offers a structured and easily accessible repository for storing and retrieving configurations.

Incorporating distinct web services APIs, we employ the same Android APK to access data from both developmental and staging servers. Additionally, we exercise control over the integrated camera configuration within the Android APK.

Furthermore, seamless operationality demands the implementation of diverse configuration settings within the APK, dynamically applied without necessitating alterations to the source code during runtime.

  • We used different web services API to access data on server, so we need to use same android APK to access data in dev server as well as stager server.
  • We need to control the camera configuration integrated in android APK
  • Similarly, we need different configuration settings to set dynamically in APK without changing the source code at run-time.

Considering the above scenario, the best thing is to use CSV files, such as the properties files used in Java and .NET platform. In Android, we put CSV file in the device’s phone storage (in this example, the file path is “/storage/sdcard0/Android/data/com.example/”).

We have to write codes to read the CSV file and then spilt the data programmatically using separator. Then it has to be inserted in to a SQLite table (in this example uses ‘appconfigtbl‘).

The sample program in this blog will perform the below mentioned steps to achieve the above mentioned initialization of configuration value inside android app:

  • Check if the CSV file exists in the device with proper file path location defined in the APK
  • Use the asynchronous task that runs in the background of the app and initialize the CSV content to the targeted table.
  • While the data is imported from the CSV file to database, the user will see the progress bar of data being uploaded. In case of larger data, the progress bar dialog will be shown with the value of %completed.
  • Since the data is stored in a config-table, the app can retrieve the record from this table and use it in appropriate section.

Benefits:

  • The APK will be re-initialized with basic configuration data at any time.
  • No need to re-write the APK and compile it again.
  • Easier to setup and run inside the device. We get the changed configuration data at run time.
  • APK can be set up to a different configuration data base when required and can be deployed with different config data (CSV file) at different location easily.

Example of CSV File contents (appconfig.csv)

[sourcecode]
Config ID,Config Name,Config Value
validate_url,http://50.56.70.140/
webservice_url,http://50.56.70.140:8080/HOSTAPP/resources/inspection
camera_resolution_hight,800
camera_resolution_width,600
camera_flashlight_mode,auto
long_password,abc123
[/sourcecode]

Example of Layout xml

[sourcecode]
xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="match_parent"
android:paddingBottom="@dimen/activity_vertical_margin"
android:paddingLeft="@dimen/activity_horizontal_margin"
android:paddingRight="@dimen/activity_horizontal_margin"
android:paddingTop="@dimen/activity_vertical_margin"
tools:context=".MainActivity" >

<TextView
android:id="@+id/showResult"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:text="" />

[/sourcecode]

Example of  Main form Activity class

1. MainActivity.java

[sourcecode]
package com.example.csvdemo;

import java.io.BufferedReader;
import java.io.File;
import java.io.FileReader;
import java.util.Date;

import android.os.AsyncTask;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.os.Environment;
import android.app.Activity;
import android.app.AlertDialog;
import android.app.Dialog;
import android.app.ProgressDialog;
import android.content.DialogInterface;
import android.content.Intent;
import android.content.SharedPreferences;
import android.content.res.Resources;
import android.database.Cursor;
import android.util.Log;
import android.view.Menu;
import android.widget.TextView;

public class MainActivity extends Activity {

private boolean isCsvFileNeedToInitialize = true;
private static final int DIALOG_DOWNLOAD_PROGRESS = 0;
private DBHelper mDbHelper;
private ProgressDialog mProgressDialog;
private static int totalRowsUpdate = 0;

public static final String external_sd = Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory().getAbsolutePath();
public static final File sdCard = Environment.getExternalStorageDirectory();
public static final String sdcardBaseDir = sdCard.getAbsolutePath();
public static final String externalPath = "/Android/data/com.example/";
public static final String csvFileName = "appconfig.csv";

@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);

mDbHelper = new DBHelper(this);
mDbHelper.open();
totalRowsUpdate = 0;

// create empty directory if not exist
File appDir = new File(sdcardBaseDir + externalPath);
if(!appDir.exists())
appDir.mkdirs();

File externalResourceFile = new File(sdcardBaseDir + externalPath + csvFileName);
isCsvFileNeedToInitialize = externalResourceFile.exists();
TextView lableResult = (TextView) findViewById(R.id.showResult);

if(isCsvFileNeedToInitialize)
{
new InitializeCSVFileAsync().execute("");

lableResult.setText( totalRowsUpdate + " fetched from ‘appconfig.csv’ into database successfully.");

} else {
lableResult.setText("’appconfig.csv’ not found!");
PopIt("Exit Application", "’appconfig.csv’ not found!");
}
}

public static void setTotalRecord(int ctr) {
totalRowsUpdate = ctr;
}

private void PopIt( String title, String message ){
AlertDialog.Builder alertbox = new AlertDialog.Builder(this);
alertbox.setTitle(title);
alertbox.setMessage(message);
alertbox.setPositiveButton("Ok", new DialogInterface.OnClickListener() {
public void onClick(DialogInterface arg0, int arg1) {
finish();
}
});
alertbox.show();
}

@Override
public boolean onCreateOptionsMenu(Menu menu) {
// Inflate the menu; this adds items to the action bar if it is present.
getMenuInflater().inflate(R.menu.main, menu);
return true;
}

@Override
protected Dialog onCreateDialog(int id) {
Resources res = getResources();
String reader = "";
int ctr = 0;
try {
File f = new File(sdcardBaseDir + externalPath + csvFileName);
BufferedReader in = new BufferedReader(new FileReader(f));
while ((reader = in.readLine()) != null) { ctr++; }
setTotalRecord(ctr);
}catch(Exception e) {    e.getMessage();  }

switch (id) {
case DIALOG_DOWNLOAD_PROGRESS:
mProgressDialog = new ProgressDialog(this);
mProgressDialog.setProgressDrawable(res.getDrawable(R.drawable.initialize_progress_bar_states));
mProgressDialog.setMessage("Initializing…");
mProgressDialog.setMax(ctr);
mProgressDialog.setProgressStyle(ProgressDialog.STYLE_HORIZONTAL);
mProgressDialog.setCancelable(false);
mProgressDialog.show();
return mProgressDialog;
default:
return null;
}
}

// Display Initialize progress bar for uploading CSVFiles to database
class InitializeCSVFileAsync extends AsyncTask<String, String, String>
{
@Override
protected void onPreExecute() {
super.onPreExecute();
mDbHelper.deleteCongigTableOldRecord();
if(isCsvFileNeedToInitialize)
showDialog(DIALOG_DOWNLOAD_PROGRESS);
}
@Override
protected String doInBackground(String… aurl) {
try {
float total = 0F;
float fctr = 1F;
String reader = "";
int ctr = 0;
boolean skipheader = true;
File f = new File(sdcardBaseDir + externalPath + csvFileName);
BufferedReader in = new BufferedReader(new FileReader(f));

while ((reader = in.readLine()) != null) {
// skip header column name from csv
if(skipheader) {
skipheader = false;
continue;
}
String[] RowData = reader.split(",");
mDbHelper.insertDB(RowData);
total += fctr;
publishProgress(""+(int)total);
//publishProgress((int)(total*100/lenghtOfFile));
}
in.close();
} catch(Exception e) {
e.getMessage();
}
return null;
}
protected void onProgressUpdate(String… progress) {
//Log.d("ANDRO_ASYNC",progress[0]);
mProgressDialog.setProgress(Integer.parseInt(progress[0]));
}
@Override
protected void onPostExecute(String unused) {

File f = new File(sdcardBaseDir + externalPath + csvFileName);
boolean result = f.delete();
if(isCsvFileNeedToInitialize)
dismissDialog(DIALOG_DOWNLOAD_PROGRESS);
mDbHelper.close();
//fillAllList();
}
protected void onDestroy() {
if (mDbHelper != null) {
mDbHelper.close();
}
}
}
}
[/sourcecode]

Example of  Helper class for sqlite database interaction:
Example of AbstractDbAdapter java

[sourcecode]
package com.example.csvdemo;

import android.content.Context;
import android.database.SQLException;
import android.database.sqlite.SQLiteDatabase;
import android.database.sqlite.SQLiteOpenHelper;

public abstract class AbstractDbAdapter {

protected static final String TAG = "ExampleDbAdapter";
protected DatabaseHelper mDbHelper;
protected SQLiteDatabase mDb;

protected static final String CONFIG_TABLE_CREATE =
"create table appconfigtbl (_id integer primary key," + "config_name text not null," + "config_value text," + " createdAt text, " + " updatedAt text);";

protected static final String DATABASE_NAME = "example";
protected static final int DATABASE_VERSION = 2;

protected final Context mCtx;

protected static class DatabaseHelper extends SQLiteOpenHelper {

DatabaseHelper(Context context) {
super(context, DATABASE_NAME, null, DATABASE_VERSION);
}
@Override
public void onCreate(SQLiteDatabase db) {
db.execSQL(CONFIG_TABLE_CREATE);
}
@Override
public void onUpgrade(SQLiteDatabase db, int oldVersion, int newVersion) {
db.execSQL("DROP TABLE IF EXISTS CONFIG_TABLE_CREATE");
onCreate(db);
}
}

public AbstractDbAdapter(Context ctx) {
this.mCtx = ctx;
}

public AbstractDbAdapter open() throws SQLException {
mDbHelper = new DatabaseHelper(mCtx);
mDb = mDbHelper.getWritableDatabase();
return this;
}

public void close() {
if (mDbHelper != null) {
mDbHelper.close();
}
//mDbHelper.close();
}
}
[/sourcecode]

Example of DBHelper java

[sourcecode]
package com.example.csvdemo;

import java.io.File;
import java.io.FileOutputStream;
import java.io.IOException;
import java.io.InputStream;
import java.io.OutputStream;
import java.sql.SQLException;
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.Date;
import java.util.Hashtable;
import java.util.Vector;

import android.content.ContentValues;
import android.content.Context;
import android.database.Cursor;
import android.util.Log;

public class DBHelper extends AbstractDbAdapter{

public static final String KEY_ROWID = "_id";
public static final String KEY_CONFIG_NAME = "config_name";
public static final String KEY_CONFIG_VALUE = "config_value";
public static final String KEY_POSTED_DATE = "createdAt";
public static final String KEY_EDITED_DATE = "updatedAt";
public int maxLevelOnCurrentMenu = 1;

public int getMaxLevelOnCurrentMenu() {
return maxLevelOnCurrentMenu;
}

public void setMaxLevelOnCurrentMenu(int maxLevelOnCurrentMenu) {
this.maxLevelOnCurrentMenu = maxLevelOnCurrentMenu;
}

public static final String DATABASE_TABLE = "appconfigtbl";

public DBHelper(Context ctx) {
super(ctx);
}

public long insertDB(String config_name,String config_value, String createdAt, String updatedAt) {
ContentValues initialValues = new ContentValues();
initialValues.put(KEY_CONFIG_NAME, config_name);
initialValues.put(KEY_CONFIG_VALUE, config_value);
initialValues.put(KEY_POSTED_DATE,createdAt);
initialValues.put(KEY_EDITED_DATE,updatedAt);
return mDb.insert(DATABASE_TABLE, null, initialValues);
}

public long insertDB(String[] RowData)
{
long result = 0;
ContentValues values = new ContentValues();
values.put(KEY_CONFIG_NAME, RowData[0]);
values.put(KEY_CONFIG_VALUE, RowData[1]);
values.put(KEY_POSTED_DATE, "");
values.put(KEY_EDITED_DATE, "");
result = mDb.insert(DATABASE_TABLE, null, values);
return result;
}

public boolean deleteList(long rowId) {

return mDb.delete(DATABASE_TABLE, KEY_ROWID + "=" + rowId, null) > 0;
}

public boolean deleteCongigTableOldRecord() {

return mDb.delete(DATABASE_TABLE,  null, null) > 0;
}

}
[/sourcecode]

Example of initialize_progress_bar_states.xml [Used to show progressbar UI %progress value]

[sourcecode]

<gradient
android:startColor="#98887b"
android:centerColor="#ddd7c9"
android:centerY="0.95"
android:endColor="#0d1522"
android:angle="270"
/>

<corners
android:bottomRightRadius="7dp" android:bottomLeftRadius="7dp"
android:topLeftRadius="7dp" android:topRightRadius="7dp"/>

<gradient
android:startColor="#74c43f"
android:centerColor="#4a9c14"
android:centerY="0.85"
android:endColor="#06101d"
android:angle="270"
/>
<corners
android:bottomRightRadius="7dp" android:bottomLeftRadius="7dp"
android:topLeftRadius="7dp" android:topRightRadius="7dp"/>

[/sourcecode]

How do I check if a file exists in AWS S3 bucket using Rails3

Posted on by Lipsa

Amazon_S3_Online_Service-123

Introduction

Amazon S3 provides a simple web services interface that can be used to store and retrieve any amount of data, at any time, from anywhere on the web. While uploading a file to S3 we need to check whether the file exists to avoid any data duplication.

Steps to check the presence of a file

Step#1

Add the below in your gem file,

[sourcecode]gem ‘aws-s3′[/sourcecode]

Then run the bundle,

[sourcecode]bundle install[/sourcecode]

Step#2

Modify your model as,

[sourcecode]require ‘aws/s3’

def  is_file_exist?
AWS::S3::Base.establish_connection!( :access_key_id => ‘S3_KEY’, :secret_access_key => ‘S3_SECRET’)
return AWS::S3::S3Object.exists? attachment_id, “<YOUR_BUCKET_NAME>”
end[/sourcecode]

It is preferred to have the s3 credentials on the config folder and use it from the config file.

Step#3

Now modify your controller where you want to check the existence of the file,

[sourcecode]current_user.is_file_exist? #return true if exists[/sourcecode]

Easy method to avoid data redundancy in secured AWS S3.

Read Also: How to use Amazon S3 Bucket with Paperclip to store images in Rails3

I hope you find this useful. If you want to develop application in rails or want to deploy app in AWS cloud, then Andolasoft is the ideal and cost savvy option for you.  Have something to add to this topic? Share it in the comments.

AWS-Elastic Beanstalk VS Custom Environment Solution

Posted on by Lipsa

Amazon_S3_Online_Service-123 (1)

AWS has a beautiful feature named Elastic Beanstalk to deploy application in AWS cloud with minimal knowledge on environment setup. Currently it supports Ruby, Java, Node.js, python and PHP applications. But the question is, “should we use Elastic Beanstalk for a low/ medium traffic application?”

Advantage:

  • The Elastic Beanstalk is a fully automatic feature for application deployment and versioning
  • AWS has pre-setup templates that can be used like LAMP stack, Ruby Stack
  • Helps to provide single management interface to monitor the activity of your environments like EC2, ELB and S3

Disadvantage:

  • Since this does not support micro instance the cost of for Small instance or higher configuration instance to AWS is redundant
  • There are some limitations to customize the ELB after deployment.
  • AWS scales up and down the resources based on metrics. It supports Elastic Beanstalk on a single metric.
  • AutoScaling cannot be configured with CPU parameters and Network traffic.

Finally, it can be said that Elastic beanstalk is the best fit for application environments that require very little customization with heavy traffic. As it doesn’t support Micro instances, so it is advisable to use customizable environments for low traffic applications.

Top Reasons To Bring RoR Development On Board

Posted on by Lipsa

ror411-123

Rails is an innovation in development framework.  It encompasses all the necessary elements to boost a web application’s performance. This framework is designed to address agile development and deliver productivity as well as flexibility to RoR developers. Developed using Ruby programming language, it has transformed the world of web development through its practical approach.

Ruby on Rails is built upon two programming philosophies

  • “Convention over Configuration”: Developers only need to write codes for the irregular or unconventional aspects of the web application.
  • “Don’t Repeat Yourself”: The data is stored in definite place. It saves time and reduces code

Advantages of Ruby on Rails

  • Faster Development: Rails framework enables the developers to write concise and clear syntax and produces fewer codes than its competitors. Therefore it requires less time to code and generates fewer errors. On the other hand it facilitates the programmers to maintain much less code. It is also enabled to integrate numerous tools to automate repetitive tasks such as managing database errors, creating forms etc. it simplifies development process because the language is lightweight and easily readable, almost like the natural language.
  • Increases productivity: Rails framework is specifically featured to reduce the development aspects of applications, instead leveraging creativity and uniqueness of the web application. It empowers productivity by eliminating repetitive programming codes.
  • Assists development of creative interfaces: Rails includes numerous integrations to enable developers in creating rich, intriguing user interfaces. Integrated JavaScript framework is easier to activate and features elements like apparition progressive, drag & drop and many more to ease the designing aspects of the application.
  • Model View Controller design pattern: Rails is developed on MVC architecture that separates the development logics from the presentation layer. It provides a well-structured application to the developers and the code is maintained in a logical and coherent manner.  It encourages abstraction in the application and enables the team to work on separate modules without depending on each other. It focuses on the features rather than minute details. Rails framework delivers ease of project development, conciseness and faster deployment of application.

Rails Development makes web app development easier because it involves less coding while implementing new changes and updates into the development process. It enables the organizations to meet all the business requirements within the budget and schedule.

SwiftKey has unveiled its version 4 keyboard app for Android devices

Posted on by Lipsa

androidimg

To be completely honest, most android users are not satisfied with the android’s default keyboard. It can be fiddly for some users, who write languages other than English on a daily basis. After all it doesn’t cater to everyone’s typing style either. However “SwiftKey” has always proved to be the best keyboard app alternative for the android platform. This time the developers at SwiftKey have launched its version 4 for the android devices

One of the best features of this keyboard is its ability to gradually learn the user’s typing preferences. It studies how a user writes over time and generates predictive texts for him, which is surprisingly accurate and better than any other applications. SwiftKey has also included its swipe like feature called the SwiftKey Flow which lets the user type sentences without lifting finger from the mobile screen. SwiftKey now supports over 60 international languages.

Here are some of the most notable features in version 4 release:

  • SwiftKey Flow is a gesture typing feature that facilitates the users to write sentences simply by gliding over the keys. It also adds auto-correction ability as-well-as predicts the possible next words while typing.
  • It can also be blend with tap inputs and switching mid-word.
  • If the predicted word is correct then it can be inserted by simply lifting the finger off.
  • Flow through space lets the user type a complete sentence in one motion without lifting the finger, to give spaces between the words.
  • It supports word prediction for over 60 languages like Javanese, Sundanese, and Vietnamese etc with both auto-correction and word prediction abilities.
  • Easier correction and auto adaptability to users typing style.

According to reports Android application development with SwiftKey’s SDK now supports iOS, JVM, Linux, Mac OS-X, Windows, and C++ etc. SwiftKey had released its Flow feature in the last October and its Beta version was tested with a community of million users.  Being awarded numerous times for its keyboard application, it surely is one of the best android keyboard apps, plus it comes with a reasonable price.