getting android source code onto eclipse in a way that it can compile

I am trying to write an app that uses the native android messaging app and adds modifications to it, can you give me, a windows 7 eclipse indigo user, an explanation of how to get the source to my machine and have it be able to compile? I already tried: going to android.git.kernel.org and getting the snapshot of the mms app project; getting the android source code in .zip format and importing it as an exte开发者_运维技巧rnal JAR to my referenced libraries (there was something wrong with that though...the package icons were transparent as opposed to the ones in the Google API's which were brown); importing the project using Git

I am trying to write an app that uses the native android messaging app and adds modifications to it, can you give me, a windows 7 eclipse indigo user, an explanation of how to get the source to my machine and have it be able to compile?

The "native android messaging app" is not a standalone application, designed to be build with the Android SDK. It can only be built as part of building the entire firmware.

If your objective is to build replacement firmware for a device, visit http://source.android.com/source/index.html and follow the instructions in the "Getting Started" heading on the left, plus perhaps the "Using Eclipse" page.

If your objective is to build a standalone app, you will need to not only modify "the native android messaging app" with your "modifications", but also get rid of all its other internal dependencies. This may take weeks to months for you to accomplish.