Solution to App Catalog Installation Limit
Based on rwhitby's findings that temporarily moving /var/usr/palm/applications will allow installing apps from the App Catalog, here's a permanent way to keep the apps on (much larger) /media/internal by using links. This will permanently save space on /var.
It's unfortunate that Palm has not resolved the issue in the 1.2 update. This is a tactical workaround that could potentially work long term, also saving space on /var, but this needs support by the homebrew community to add in the homebrew installer apps.
Overview
This solution involves creating a (hidden) directory in the /media/internal area, moving selected applications to the newly created directory, and then creating a symbolic link in the /var/usr/palm/applications directory pointing to the new location. This frees up the disk space from the relatively limited /var volume to the larger /media/internal. The included script (which must be created) will move the files and create the appropriate link. It will also provide information on the size of the applications stored in the /var/usr/palm/applications directory.
Solution (symbolic link method)
Create a script to move apps to new home and create link. You can use an editor or use the following cat command to paste the code, for those not familiar with editors.
Here's how to do it for those comfortable with accessing Linux...
- Enter Linux mode on Pre through a computer (linux commands are in bold)
- Set read/write to allow creating script
mount -o remount,rw /
- create a script using cat command, paste the code below and then do 'ctrl c' on the keyboard to break out.
cat >/usr/bin/mvapp
- paste the code below here, press ctrl-c on keyboard to exit after pasting the code.
- when you see a linux prompt, set command to be executable
chmod 755 /usr/bin/mvapp
code:
#!/bin/sh
# This code is open for re-use with no restrictions. xorg
# This is a working proof of concept script still in development.
# Intent is for someone to port to a webOS app.
# Use at your own risk.
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
# versions:
# 0.1.0 - original (xorg)
# 0.1.1 - added unlink and clean functions (daventx)
# 0.1.2 - added bulkmv function, allows moving many apps (xorg)
# 0.1.3 - added option for tar backups (xorg)
# 0.1.4 - added listmoved function to show apps already moved (xorg)
# 0.1.5 - added restoreall function, couple cleanup items (xorg)
# 0.1.6 - fixed to show usage if no appname supplied to link/unlink (xorg)
# 0.1.7 - added cleanexit (w/mount ro /)
# - added exit code documentation for javascripts calling this (xorg)
# 0.2.0 - will not move apps that would have permission issues (xorg)
# - will not move apps that have no json file
# - improved error handling, improved listing shows actual app names
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
# variables: these are globally available to all functions
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
COMMAND=$1
APP=$2
MEDIA=/media/internal/.apps
VAR=/var/usr/palm/applications
# Backup keeps file attributes but uses more /media space. Recommend doing backups.
BACKUP=1 # set to 1 for tar backups, 0 to disable
BACKUPDIR=/media/internal/.appbackups
# This should be turned on. Only turn off if javascript is calling this script.
PROMPTS=1
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
# exit codes for javascripts:
# function usage:
# 1 - normal usage error
#
# function cleanapp:
# 0 - normal exit
#
# function linkapp:
# 10 - app name not supplied
# 11 - link already exists
# 12 - app does not exit in VAR
# 13 - copy failed from VAR to MEDIA
# 14 - removing app from VAR failed
# 15 - APP needs permissions not supported on FAT, did not move to MEDIA
# 16 - APP has no json file, did not move to MEDIA
#
# function unlinkapp:
# 20 - app name not supplied
# 21 - app doesn't exit on MEDIA
# 22 - tar restore failed
# 23 - copy failed
# 24 - remove failed
#
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
# function: cleanexit - exit with cleanup items
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
cleanexit () {
code=$1
# put / back to read only
# mount -o remount,ro /
# Uncomment if you want verbose exit codes
# echo "exit code: $code"
exit $code
}
# end of cleanexit function
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
# function: usage - show command usage options
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
usage () {
exitcode=$1
if [ ! $exitcode ]
then
exitcode=1 # default exit code for usage, otherwise exit with incode
fi
echo "Usage: mvapp link domain.appname - move app to media and link"
echo "Usage: mvapp unlink domain.appname - restore app to var, remove link"
echo "Usage: mvapp clean domain.appname - remove app dir and links"
echo "Usage: mvapp list - list all apps sorted by size"
echo "Usage: mvapp bulkmv - move/link bulk apps"
echo "Usage: mvapp listmoved - list apps that have been moved"
echo "Usage: mvapp restoreall - restore all apps to original"
cleanexit $exitcode
}
# end of usage function
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
# function: cleanapp - removes symbolic links and folder in media and var
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
cleanapp () {
mount -o remount,rw /
# exit to usage if no app name supplied
if [ ! $APP ]
then
usage 1
fi
# Continue on if PROMPTS turned off (call from outside app)
if [ $PROMPTS ]
then
echo "This will remove $APP from both $VAR and $MEDIA."
echo "You should first attempt to remove the app using the official Pre methods."
echo "Are you sure you want to remove $APP? [y/N]: "
read answer
case $answer in
[Yy]*) continue;;
*) cleanexit 0;;
esac
fi
if [ -h $VAR/$APP ]
then
echo "Removing all traces of $APP."
else
echo "$APP does not exist..."
usage 10
fi
echo "Size of $VAR before cleanup... "
du -sh $VAR
if [ -d $MEDIA/$APP ]
then
rm -r $MEDIA/$APP
echo "Removed directory" $MEDIA/$APP
fi
if [ -d $VAR/$APP ]
then
rm -r $VAR/$APP
echo "Removed directory" $VAR/$APP
fi
if [ -L $VAR/$APP ]
then
rm -r $VAR/$APP
echo "Removed link" $VAR/$APP
fi
if [ -f $BACKUPDIR/$APP.tgz ]
then
rm -r $BACKUPDIR/$APP.tgz
echo "Removed tar backup" $BACKUPDIR/$APP.tgz
fi
# rescan luna in case it's needed
luna-send -n 1 palm://com.palm.applicationManager/rescan {} >/dev/null 2>&1
echo "$APP directories and links removed."
echo "Size of $VAR after cleanup... "
du -sh $VAR
cleanexit 0
}
# end of cleanup function
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
# function: listapps - list the size of each app, sort showing largest last
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
listapps () {
cd $VAR
for i in `du -s * | sort -n |cut -f 2`
do
APP=$i
SIZE=`du -s $VAR/$APP |cut -f1`
TITLE=""
if [ -f $VAR/$APP/appinfo.json ]
then
TITLE=`grep title $VAR/$APP/appinfo.json |cut -d: -f2 |cut -d\" -f2`
fi
echo "$SIZE - $APP - $TITLE"
done
cleanexit 0
}
# end of listapps function
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
# function: listmoved - list apps moved/linked, sort showing largest last
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
listmoved () {
#du -sk $MEDIA/* | sort -n #doesn't show proper size on FAT fs, removing
cd $MEDIA
for i in `du -s * | sort -n |cut -f 2`
do
APP=$i
# Not sure why du reports incorrectly on FAT fs
#SIZE=`du -s $MEDIA/$APP |cut -f1`
SIZE=""
TITLE=""
if [ -f $MEDIA/$APP/appinfo.json ]
then
TITLE=`grep title $MEDIA/$APP/appinfo.json |cut -d: -f2 |cut -d\" -f2`
fi
echo "$SIZE - $APP - $TITLE"
done
cleanexit 0
}
# end of listmoved function
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
# function: linkapp - move the app to media and create symbolic link
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
linkapp () {
if [ ! $APP ]
then
echo "No application supplied..."
usage 10
fi
if [ ! -f $VAR/$APP/appinfo.json ]
then
echo "$APP has no json file. Will not be moved."
code=16
return 16
fi
if [ ! -d $MEDIA ]
then
mkdir $MEDIA
fi
if [ -h $VAR/$APP ]
then
echo "Link already exists for... ${APP}"
cleanexit 11
fi
TITLE=`grep title $VAR/$APP/appinfo.json |cut -d: -f2 |cut -d\" -f2`
mount -o remount,rw /
if [ -d $VAR/$APP ]
then
echo "Moving $APP $TITLE to $MEDIA..."
else
echo "$APP does not exist..."
usage 12
fi
# Backup using tar if enabled
if [ $BACKUP ]
then
if [ ! -d $BACKUPDIR ]
then
mkdir $BACKUPDIR
fi
echo "Backing up $APP $TITLE to $BACKUPDIR..."
tar czf $BACKUPDIR/${APP}.tgz $VAR/$APP
fi
mount -o remount,rw /
echo "Size of $VAR before move... "
du -sh $VAR
# move over to USB drive
cp -rp $VAR/$APP $MEDIA >/tmp/cpresult.out 2>&1
if [ $? != 0 ]
then
grep "cannot preserve ownership" /tmp/cpresult.out >/dev/null 2>&1
if [ $? = 0 ]
then
echo
echo "$APP cannot be moved as it requires special permissions."
echo "Leaving app in $VAR."
code=15
return $code
else
echo "Copy failed. Leaving app in $VAR."
code=13
fi
rm -r $MEDIA/$APP
rm /tmp/cpresult.out
cleanexit $code
fi
rm -r $VAR/$APP
if [ $? != 0 ]
then
echo "Remove failed. Leaving app in $VAR."
rm -r $MEDIA/$APP
cleanexit 14
fi
# create the symbolic link
ln -s $MEDIA/$APP $VAR/$APP
# rescan luna in case it's needed
luna-send -n 1 palm://com.palm.applicationManager/rescan {} >/dev/null 2>&1
echo "$APP moved and linked."
echo "Size of $VAR after move... "
du -sh $VAR
}
# end of linkapp function
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
# function: unlinkapp - restore the app to var and remove symbolic link
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
unlinkapp () {
if [ ! $APP ]
then
echo "No application supplied..."
usage 20
fi
mount -o remount,rw /
if [ -d $MEDIA/$APP ]
then
echo "Restoring $APP..."
else
echo "$APP does not exist..."
usage 21
fi
echo "Size of $VAR before move... "
du -sh $VAR
# remove the old symbolic link
rm -r $VAR/$APP
# move to original location or restore from tar if it exists
if [ -f $BACKUPDIR/$APP.tgz ]
then
cd /
tar xzf $BACKUPDIR/$APP.tgz
if [ $? != 0 ]
then
echo "Tar restore failed. Remove and restore app using official webOS/Pre methods."
cleanexit 22
else
rm -r $BACKUPDIR/$APP.tgz
fi
else
cp -r $MEDIA/$APP $VAR
if [ $? != 0 ]
then
echo "Copy failed. Leaving app in $MEDIA."
cleanexit 23
fi
fi
rm -r $MEDIA/$APP
if [ $? != 0 ]
then
echo "Remove failed. Leaving app in $MEDIA."
rm -r $VAR/$APP
cleanexit 24
fi
# rescan luna in case it's needed
luna-send -n 1 palm://com.palm.applicationManager/rescan {} >/dev/null 2>&1
echo "$APP moved and unlinked."
echo "Size of $VAR after move... "
du -sh $VAR
}
# end of unlinkapp function
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
# function: bulkmv - move/link many apps
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
bulkmv() {
echo
echo
echo "This allows moving many apps, asking which you'd like to move."
echo "Starting with the largest apps."
echo
mount -o remount,rw /
cd $VAR
for i in `du -s * | sort -nr |cut -f 2`
do
export APP=$i
SIZE=`du -sh $APP |cut -f 1`
TITLE=`grep title $VAR/$APP/appinfo.json |cut -d: -f2 |cut -d\" -f2`
echo "Size of $APP - $TITLE is $SIZE."
echo "Would you like to move and link... $TITLE? [y/N/q]: "
read answer
case $answer in
[Yy]*) linkapp;;
[Qq]*) cleanexit 0;;
*) echo "$APP not moved."
continue;;
esac
echo
done
}
# end of bulkmv function
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
# function: restoreall - restore all apps, back to /var
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
restoreall() {
#Only confirm if PROMPT turned on. (allows outside app to call)
if [ $PROMPT ]
then
echo "This will restore all applications back to original location"
echo "and remove the links. Are you sure you want to continue? [y/N]:"
read answer
case $answer in
[Yy]*) continue;;
*) cleanexit 0;;
esac
fi
ls $MEDIA | while read APP
do
echo "Restoring $APP and unlinking..."
unlinkapp
done
}
# end of restoreall function
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
# main - begins here
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------#
case $COMMAND in
"clean")
cleanapp
;;
"list")
listapps
;;
"listmoved")
listmoved
;;
"link")
linkapp
;;
"unlink")
unlinkapp
;;
"bulkmv")
bulkmv
;;
"restoreall")
restoreall
;;
*)
usage 1
;;
esac
cleanexit $code
- Be sure to set execute permissions if you missed the step above...
chmod 755 /usr/bin/mvapp
Precautions
So far, no one has reported an app that has issues due to linking. These are best practices to avoid issues.
- Be selective about what you move. You may not want to move apps that store important information to you such as password lockers, memo apps, EverNote, Agenda, etc. Games, web content apps and information viewing apps should be safer to move as there is no data at risk.
- Close apps before moving them. Do not move an app while it is open and running. I actually tested this and figured some apps would break but none have yet. It is still not wise to move apps while they are open and running.
Commands
To find the largest apps in /var/usr/palm/applications
mvapp list
It shows the largest apps last... IE....
8352 com.apnews.webos
8512 com.fandango.app.fandango
8672 com.palm.app.musicplayerremix
10304 com.shortcovers.palm.pre
10432 com.fusioncreativestudios.deadman
10656 com.ulocate.app.where
To move and link an app to /media
mvapp link domain.appname
Example: mvapp link com.ulocate.app.where
The app should now work in the new location thanks to the link. Test each app to make sure it works before doing another. Looping the script to do every app in the dir or to link the entire app dir is not recommended. File attributes are lost on the move, which some apps may need. You need to test each app after a move.
Continue moving apps until it reports that /var.../applications is about 25MB or less.
There is an option to turn on/off tar-based backups. See the BACKUP variable in the script. If set to 1, it will perform a tar backup. This takes up more space on /media but if you need to restore, it puts it back with full file attributes. Recommend keeping this on.
To move and link many apps
mvapp bulkmv
This will show largest app first, ask if you want to move/link and then moves on to the next largest app. If you answer no to an app, it will skip to the next. Answer 'q' to quit. Is easiest to use this method directly on a device using the Terminal app.
To revert the move and delete the link
mvapp unlink domain.appname
The application will be moved back to the original directory. File attributes are lost on the move if tar backup is turned off, which some apps may need. You need to test each app after a move. If tar backup is turned on (default - see BACKUP variable in script), file attributes will be restored.
To list apps that have been moved and linked...
mvapp listmoved
This shows a list of apps that have been moved and linked to /media.
To restore all moved apps back to original location
mvapp restoreall
If backup was turned on, this will restore ALL applications that have been moved/linked, back to the original location in /var with original attributes (using tar). If backup was not turned on, it will still attempt to move the applications back to /var using the files in /media, but without original file attributes. This may take several minutes to complete. It will show each application progress.
To cleanup and remove directories and symlinks
mvapp clean domain.appname
If you have any issues, first attempt to remove the app from the App Catalog or Homebrew app installer. Then issue the 'clean' command to remove the applications directories at both locations and also the symlink. You can then reinstall the app from the App Catalog or any Homebrew App installer.
Contingency Plan
If you have problems with an application, follow these steps...
-- Close the application if open
-- mvapp unlink domain.appname
-- Try using the App
If the application still does now work correctly...
-- Remove the App using official methods
-- mvapp clean domain.appname
-- Reinstall through the App Catalog or Homebrew installer app
Proposal to Dev Community
This is a formal proposal to the Dev Community suggesting that PreWare, WebOS Quick Install and other Pre installer apps provide an option to move any app in /var to the /media fs and create a link similar to the code above.
The Homebrew Community somewhat created part of the storage problem so needs to come up with their own solution. The symbolic link proponents propose that Homebrew apps be moved with a link to /media/internal by default and physically use /var only if needed (per conditions stated below). The developer would put a flag in the package (or some other method during submission) to state their app is able to run linked to /media or if it specifically needs to physically be on /var. Will propose additions to Packing Standards to support /media links. The homebrew installer apps could then automatically do the move/link if the package is flagged for it.
Candidate apps for moving to /media
- apps that do not depend on file attributes (such as executable bit)
- apps that do not perform data operations to home app directory when device is USB mounted
Exceptions for maintaining apps on /var
- apps that depend on file attributes
- apps that won't work well when device is USB mounted, such as performing data or DB operations in home app directory
(Please update with other known candidates/exceptions)
Benefits over other methods
Resizing /var
One challenge with resizing /var is that it will still have a fixed static limit - how do you decide how much to increase it? Many will still probably hit the limit or waste space if setting too high. There is also the warning from Palm that resizing var may interfere with future updates. The link method allows to dynamically use the /media partition, so there is no need to set a specific size dedicated to apps. If the USB drive is filled, users can decide if they use the space for media or apps on the fly.
AppPath in /etc/luna.conf
I proposed a while back adding an AppPath to luna.conf to include apps stored on /media. Some apps would not work because some apparently reference /var. IE, the vampire/mafia/quest series could not access graphics. The symbolic link fixed this because apps think they are in /var.
Link/mount all of /var/usr/palm/applications/ to /media/internal
If some apps rely on file attributes this won't work since file attributes are lost when moved to FAT fs. While this is rare, it probably isn't wise to force all /var apps to /media. Selectively moving apps one at a time is less risky. Update: Have found that "PDF View" app does not allow to be linked, so it appears that selectively moving apps is necessary.
Creating a loopback filesystem to a virtual file located on /media/internal
This has been worked on here and still has potential. Unfortunately it locks out USB mount and media sync altogether. If a workaround can be found with low risk, this may be the most ideal solution.
Risks, Issues, Dependencies
- File attributes of linux fs are not copied over to fat fs. May not work with apps that rely on file attributes. In general, javascript apps will likely work fine located on /media. No one has reported an app (yet) that does not work.
- Some apps may not behave well if USB drive is mounted to computer, though I've tested several that behaved fine. Linux type background services probably would not work well so probably should not be moved. Apps that do IO to the home directory of the app while USB mounted may have issues when located on /media.
- Jason Robitaille has indicated that a future version of WebOS Quick Install will include a routine to resize the /var partition. He has also indicated that doing so will wipe the /media/internal area, so any applications stored there would need to be backed up first. It might be good to be able to reverse the process of this solution. This could be done either by adding to this mvapp script, or creating a new one.
Future Versions
Plans for future versions...
- The script will soon be modified to be friendly for javascript calls... no prompting and no output, just result codes. Will still maintain user interaction capability as well.
Confirmed Apps
Apps Confirmed Not to Work
com.palm.app.pdfviewer (script properly handles this, won't allow it to move)
Discuss
Discuss in the Discussion tab or PreCentral...
Your Experiences
Please post your experiences, good or bad. I'd like to get any kinks worked out before attempting to turn this into a webOS app.
- How many apps did you move?
- Did you find an app that won't work linked?
- Did you move any back? (please test)
- How far down did you have to get /var.../applications down in MB before you could start adding apps from the App Catalog?
Credits
xorg - initially developed script and proposal. maintainer of this page.
daventx - added unlink and clean functions.