Can Android execute a classes.dex (or .jar converted from classes.dex) without a manifest, drawables, etc?

Question

I have a bunch of DEX files but were not extracted from an APK by myself so I do not have the manifest, drawables, plus the rest of the resources/etc that are typically wrapped inside an APK. Is it possible to execute these in Android? I have tried dalvikvm to run the .dex itself as well as the .dex contained inside a .jar. I have also found what I believe to be the main activity to call but still no luck. Is this even possible?

Answer 1

It is not possible to run an Android application like that. It must be packaged into an apk with an AndroidManifest.xml, etc.

Using dalvikvm with a dex/jar from the terminal like what you describe only works for a public void main(String[] args) style command-line java application.

Answer 2

You can run only a jar(contains a classes.dex) or a dex file in the command line mode. dalvikvm works like the java in the command line.

Here is an Example: How to execute the dex file in android with command?

Answer 3

Nope is not possible...just go through how it is done!!

For more details check out: http://www.alittlemadness.com/2010/06/07/understanding-the-android-build-process/