PhoneGap IDE/editor - Web App Development

Hey!
I am starting with a project to develop a multiplatform app with phonegap. I have minimal experience about webapp development and I have been searching for an editor especially for phonegap projects. So far I have been getting suggestions between notepad++ to eclipse, but none has satisfied me so far. It would be nice to be able to open the project and browse the structure from the editor. Also something like ctrl-clicking to jump to javascript codes etc. Hopefully you get the idea what I am looking for.
These are some editors I have found so far:
- Brackets
- Chrome dev tools
- Intel XDK
I mainly am looking for something to edit the sources. Building and debugging can be done separately. These things are a good thing to have, but not necessary:
+ WYSIWYG
+ Possibility to build the project
+ Possibility to launch the project in a device
+ Device emulator
+ Debugging possibility
+ Free
Edit:
+ SVN
I am used to something like eclipse/netbeans for coding. What editors do you usually use for PhoneGap/web app projects? I am also taking suggestions for debugging environments.

Intel XDK is pretty neat IDE for Web App development.
You should try Ionic Framework (Build and manage project)
+ Ionic View App (Launch project in device)
+ Ionic Lab (Basic WYSIWYG/Building/Deployment)
Personally I use Notepad++ +CMD btw ....It suits my style...
Also I don't use any emulators. Testing in View or on live device.
Emulators are just painful ,though I have heard good stuff about genymotion.
Use Chrome dev tools for debugging...

I suggest you to try Atom Editor or Visual Studio code. Both are free.

I forgot to mention that I have to start working with an already existing project. I think Ionic does not work for this. It seems like I would use it for my personal projects however. I should add subversion feature to plusses also.
Atom Editor and Visual Studio code are maybe the best editors I have tried so far.

VilleI said:
I forgot to mention that I have to start working with an already existing project. I think Ionic does not work for this. It seems like I would use it for my personal projects however. I should add subversion feature to plusses also.
Atom Editor and Visual Studio code are maybe the best editors I have tried so far.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried phonegap for netbeans ?
https://netbeans.org/kb/docs/webclient/cordova-gettingstarted.html

karandpr said:
Have you tried phonegap for netbeans ?
https://netbeans.org/kb/docs/webclient/cordova-gettingstarted.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, I don't know why I did not realize there is a plugin for Netbeans for this. This is awesome.

I worked cordova (same with phonegap) in visual studio and netbeans. netbeans is better in autocomplete but visual studio is more feature than. All of them are both good ide.
Netbeans can run in linux, mac, visual studio code version can too.

Hi,
Visual Studio Code or Atom or WebStorm

Related

Simple Progrqamming Languages/environment ????

I want to program simple applications, one or two screens, a few input boxes, simple graphics, display the output. Compile to an .exe. I "sorta" program, I can do a lot in Excel VBA, can't do C++ never tried Java or others.
Are there any easy to use programing languages (and environments) that would do what I need?
I look forward to you insight.
Nick
.net IDE
maybe get a copy of visual studio, it's pretty easy to create a simple forms app in VB.net or c# with it.
Thanks for the reply...
Do you need "Visual Studio"? Or will Visual Basic 2008 work?
Are there free Visual Studio versions? If so, I haven't found the right link yet.
Nick
C++ and Java are similar and easy to pick up, and java is even based off c++, personally I use codeblocks as my IDE, but there are many others to choose from
nkemp said:
I want to program simple applications, one or two screens, a few input boxes, simple graphics, display the output. Compile to an .exe. I "sorta" program, I can do a lot in Excel VBA, can't do C++ never tried Java or others.
Are there any easy to use programing languages (and environments) that would do what I need?
I look forward to you insight.
Nick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There has been a lot of question on how to program lately.
Before asking, please:
1) Do a search on the forums
2) Look at the sticky in the front of the forum. There is plenty of information on programming in the Wiki pages.
Good luck!
nkemp said:
Thanks for the reply...
Do you need "Visual Studio"? Or will Visual Basic 2008 work?
Are there free Visual Studio versions? If so, I haven't found the right link yet.
Nick
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The free version is called Visual Studio Express
[Not allowed to insert links]
Go to: microsoft.com/express/Downloads
Search for Basic4PPC and try it. It has a similar interface to VS and much cheaper (there's a demo you can download so you can try out for yourself.) The language is similar to VB. The end result is an application written using Compact Net Framework.
Good luck
Thanks for the help folks ...
There area a lot of options listed in the sticky but the problem is that there is no evaluation of ease of use.
- I did download basic4ppc and it seems easy enough to use ... for a fee
- but you don't know that until you download (unless you click through to the wiki)
- I downloaded SharpDevelop but have not been able to figure out the code (poor documentation and dead links to things like the C# book)
- Next I'll try FBA Creator
Nick
Later ..... So I tried FBACreator and a lot simpler ... but no no way to graphically design the screen like basic4ppc or SharpDevelop.

Phonegap discussion/Q&A

I've just started using Phonegap to develop Android apps and found it ridiculously easy (for simple stuff). I've got a background in Windows development for many years, and also a long-standing history of web development, both client and server-side, so for me Phonegap is an answer to many prayers.
I thought this would be an ideal place to share ideas and thrash out problems for anyone that's developing using Phonegap.
If you're not familiar with it but you have web development skills then you really need to look into it...
http://phonegap.com/
I also currently use adobe builder at to build my apps...
https://build.phonegap.com/
That will change when I start integrating my own plugins, using Java and Eclipse, but for now it's awesome as it builds my app for 6 different platforms, including Android, iOS and WP.
I'm new to this so I'm hoping this will be a good place for us to learn together and pick up any tips from each other. There's also the most awesome stack overflow where help can be garnered, as they have a phonegap tag for asking questions. Between there and here we should be covered
I may also use phonegap for my next project. It's either that or Xamarin/Mono. I'd be more comfortable out of the box with the latter, but it's probably more "useful" for me to start prodding HTML5.
Have you taken a look at VSNomad? Lets you work in Visual Studio if you're already familiar with that.
jmbillings said:
I may also use phonegap for my next project. It's either that or Xamarin/Mono. I'd be more comfortable out of the box with the latter, but it's probably more "useful" for me to start prodding HTML5.
Have you taken a look at VSNomad? Lets you work in Visual Studio if you're already familiar with that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just had a look at VSNomad and it does look very interesting, but it's damn pricey! I'm certainly not used to paying subscription costs to develop software.
Some of the tools and tech I use to develop phonegap app
APTANA 3
GIT GUI
bootstrap.js
ADT
Dreamweaver CS 6
AppLaud - Mobile Developer Solutions
Best of all and universal tools to develop.
some other useful tools with phonegap
I usually develop applications with PhoneGap using the following tools:
Eclipse
ant scripts for packaging and javascript compression
jasmine for javascript module testing
karma for test in real time
I found very useful to use the last tool for testing on multiple browsers and mobile emulators because it allows to detect possible errors in real-time.
salamanred said:
I usually develop applications with PhoneGap using the following tools:
Eclipse
ant scripts for packaging and javascript compression
jasmine for javascript module testing
karma for test in real time
I found very useful to use the last tool for testing on multiple browsers and mobile emulators because it allows to detect possible errors in real-time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Karma sounds great for compatibility and debugging. I searched online and there are tons of results. Could you share more info so I can find it?
I currently use Eclipse with the Phonegap plugin and Firefox for basic debugging until I near final production.

How to create an Android app using HTML, CSS and JavaScript

Hello, I have a question on Android development. Personally, I know web development but I do not know JAVA programming because I am not into software development.
I want to develop an android app by using HTML5, CSS3 and JQuery Mobile. The app will be simple, it will be just an app on poetry where users will click some categories and read poems, and also search. That's all. It will be free, no registration, no ads and no server side. I want to use JQuery Mobile for this or even pure HTML5 and CSS3. In fact, HTML and CSS will be used of course.
Bear in ind that I am NOT converting an existing website into an app, but rather creating an app through HTML, CSS and JavaScript. So, the Web View tool is not appropriate here.
My questions are:
1/ Can we really create an APK with obly HTML, CSS or JavaScript?
2/ If we can create, what software (which is free) can I use to create the APK by compiling/converting my web pages?
Thank!
ali20142014 said:
Hello, I have a question on Android development. Personally, I know web development but I do not know JAVA programming because I am not into software development.
I want to develop an android app by using HTML5, CSS3 and JQuery Mobile. The app will be simple, it will be just an app on poetry where users will click some categories and read poems, and also search. That's all. It will be free, no registration, no ads and no server side. I want to use JQuery Mobile for this or even pure HTML5 and CSS3. In fact, HTML and CSS will be used of course.
Bear in ind that I am NOT converting an existing website into an app, but rather creating an app through HTML, CSS and JavaScript. So, the Web View tool is not appropriate here.
My questions are:
1/ Can we really create an APK with obly HTML, CSS or JavaScript?
2/ If we can create, what software (which is free) can I use to create the APK by compiling/converting my web pages?
Thank!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'll need to go through the (sometimes painful) installation of Eclipse/Android Developer Tools and the Android SDK...
https://developer.android.com/sdk/installing/bundle.html
After that you can then do exactly what you are asking for with this...
http://cordova.apache.org/
I'm using that technology to create professional apps (as in, commercial apps for customers) using HTML5 & CSS, Javascript, jQuery and I opt for Bootstrap over jQuery Mobile as it's a lot lighter, but jQuery Mobile works fine with it too.
There's also PhoneGap, but that's just a rebranding of Cordova at the moment. They may branch out in different directions at some point, but at the moment there's no difference. The only advantage to PhoneGap is that you can point it at your source on GitHub and it will build online for you. Very handy if you want to do pure online development, but a bit messy.
Thank you for replying. I think I will try with the PhoneGap and Eclipse as you suggested. I have other questions:
1/ Even the APK will be developed using just HTML, CSS and JavaScript, how to notify the user an update is available through a notification method? I am not asking for tutorials, but just the steps.
2/ As you know, to view the source code of a website, a user will right click and view. As the APK will be developed using client side languages, will they be able to view the source codes in any other way apart decompiling?
ali20142014 said:
Thank you for replying. I think I will try with the PhoneGap and Eclipse as you suggested. I have other questions:
1/ Even the APK will be developed using just HTML, CSS and JavaScript, how to notify the user an update is available through a notification method? I am not asking for tutorials, but just the steps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your best bet is to let Google Play Store do all that for you. It means paying for a developer account, but it's not expensive and it means that people can get your app from the Play Store, which looks a lot more credible than a link and instructions how to allow 3rd party apps. Also, you push an update to the Play Store, and that pushes the update to all your users. You can't really ask for better than that.
ali20142014 said:
2/ As you know, to view the source code of a website, a user will right click and view. As the APK will be developed using client side languages, will they be able to view the source codes in any other way apart decompiling?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They can't do anything as simple as "View source" as all the files are embedded in the application, but they can decompile it and get at your source that way, but there's nothing to stop someone doing that with an APK anyway. They best thing would be to develop your app till your happy with it, and then obfuscate the crap out of the html, css & js files. Sure someone could decompile the app and get your source, but they'd really struggle to do anything with it.
Have a play with it and see if it's any good for you. It really does make it simple for a developer with web experience to make apps.
Also, if this is of any use, I made a guide for developing and building Phonegap Android apps purely online, without any SDK or IDE installation. It's not ideal as debugging would be a nightmare. I mostly made it as reference for myself, but check it out anyway...
http://johncmolyneux.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/how-to-build-android-apps-online.html
Sorry for the late reply. Can I know where is the APK file is stored?
ali20142014 said:
Sorry for the late reply. Can I know where is the APK file is stored?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
/data/app/packagename-1.apk
You tube is your friend
Just do a youtube search with these key words "html5 webview android" and you should be able to find everything you need to know on how to build your html5 powered app
Google offers a "ProGuard" solution on how to mask your code by obfuscation. Good luck!
You can also use phonegap build to build your web apps without using eclipse.
You can't make an app using HTML and all these web developing languages but you can simply make a responsive website (I hope you know that) and then integrate that website into the android app. You may also add something like that once a user opens app once his app will connect to your website and then download the files offline for future offline use.
You can make fully functional games and apps with HTML + Javascript. Once you learn a the basic's you can use the framework I posted here to make a quiz game. As you learn more you can make small puzzle games and action games but that takes time to learn. Start by using this framework to build a game.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2785378
And if you dont know how to use eclipse then use phonegap build it will build the game for you and the 1st game is free with their service.
Sorry, just saw this now... i could have saved you a bit of hassle
If you really dont want to make a deep dive and stay with your current skills theres a really great way to do so (no, im not involed in the project and wanna advertise it i just use it and love it).
Theres really great tool from Intel, named Intel XDK. This thingy lets you easyly use either the Intel based framework (thats really fast and depending on how you "build" the app at the end you get native code, not just an simple AKP that displays content in a webview.).
The above mentioned Cordova is also a build option, so if you already learned about that, you can still use it in here. You can also make the userinterface of your app in a drag&drop IDE that saves you TONS of time.
Check here for some easy examples:
http://app-framework-software.intel.com/components.php
The very best comes at the end, you dont have to care ONE BIT about installing anything on your machine, all build stuff is done on Intel servers. You code the app, decide on a way to build it (Cordova, Android, iOS or whatever) and you get an APK out of it. Whats more, you can test/debug directly on device, in browser or any other possible way.
If you dont want to learn the appfraework (whats is basically just like jquery, you dont really have to "learn" it if your familiar with javascript) or use other known frameworks like jQuery mobile. Best is, you can still use the IDE-Designer even with jQuery. So you can for example choose jquerymobile framework and but in a nvigation layout just with drag&drop. Of course you als have a standard Code-View with autocompletion and all if you want.
Take alook, its awesome...
The reason why i post this here that tere is one flaw (in my opinion), the documentation is not the best (its there of course, full API guides and all) and the Intel foum is not really active, since noone really knows about it it seems. If more ppl use it the community could be great and starters have a really easy tool at hand to get into the world of mobile-development.
Hi,
You can create an Android app using the HTML, CSS, JavaScript by PhoneGap. PhoneGap is a free and open source framework that allows you to create mobile apps using standardized web APIs for the platforms you care about. You can learn it at: phonegap.com
Good luck!
Website 2 APK Builder
The all new Website 2 APK Builder for Windows is now available at sourceforge.
as i'm new and can't post external links,
so i'm unable to provide a link of it,
try searching "Website 2 APK Builder" on Google.
Just Launched Yesterday,
that's all.
Easy to use,
Generates ad-free apps.
and available for offline use.
Give it a try.
Oboy
oboy
If you're planning on making a update thingy like that basically use github for that where you have a text file and test for the version every time the app launches with window.onload in JS
ali20142014 said:
Hello, I have a question on Android development. Personally, I know web development but I do not know JAVA programming because I am not into software development.
I want to develop an android app by using HTML5, CSS3 and JQuery Mobile. The app will be simple, it will be just an app on poetry where users will click some categories and read poems, and also search. That's all. It will be free, no registration, no ads and no server side. I want to use JQuery Mobile for this or even pure HTML5 and CSS3. In fact, HTML and CSS will be used of course.
Bear in ind that I am NOT converting an existing website into an app, but rather creating an app through HTML, CSS and JavaScript. So, the Web View tool is not appropriate here.
My questions are:
1/ Can we really create an APK with obly HTML, CSS or JavaScript?
2/ If we can create, what software (which is free) can I use to create the APK by compiling/converting my web pages?
Thank!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure if it's still a question for you but maybe try to search some helpful articles on this subject? They are usually easy to read and you'll an understanding of what you need to do.
we can create an APK with only HTML, CSS or JavaScript through new frameworks
CODENAME ONE
This cross platform framework enables in growing industry-based totally applications. The level underpins fast application development. The designer can compose code in Java and the software may be attempted and showed with Codename One’s test system devices and check mechanization devices. The system bolsters well known IDEs like NetBeans, Eclipse, and IntelliJ idea. The maximum captivating detail about its collect server is that the designer can fabricate local iOS applications simply as nearby windows packages with out a Mac gadget or windows pc. The degree is usually recommended for creating iOS applications.
You may ask your suggestion from App Development Company in Bangalore which helps in developing innovative apps according to your ideas

android 2.1 app dev environment

i find that i prefer using my nst more & more.. in fact, my swanky but gas-guzzling tablet has been all but discarded, except for watching movies in bed.
i am going to find open-source apps, and recompile the latest sources specifically for android 2.1 eclair, as i find that most devs and google market are removing eclair from their horizons. i am particularly interested in small-sized efficient apps. i do use quite a lot of them, but mostly very old versions.
for this purpose, i want to setup a eclair-dedicated dev environment. i am happy to share all apps that i compile & use myself. hopefully, many others might find useful too.
where i need your help is with advice on how best to setup a tiny/efficient (not bloatware) dev environment, bearing in mind that it will only be used to recompile apks for eclair on b&w eink. i notice that some of you are very efficient in creating extremely small apk, and this is what i want to do.
platform:
on my debian wheezy host, i installed virtual box and created a debian wheezy minimal guest. virtualbox guest additions has significantly altered my perception of virtualbox. i had been using kvm previously.
pre-requisites:
install openjdk-7-jdk
dev environment:
google lists android studio as the only official one. it is huge, bulky, cumbersome bloatware imho. i think this is targetted at the new kids on the block not used to terminal environments. but this seems to be my only option for now, till i hear from you lot of some simpler dev tools.
my requirement is very simple, all i need to do is, change some code somewhere and compile.
so i downloaded android studio, and unpacked it in a directory reserved for my android development. loading it is like watching windows booting up! and then it downloads android sdk, which is another huge bloatware, particularly since it insists on downloading all the crap-lollipop-ware which i have no intention of using.
so my dev environment is almost ready! if anyone has suggestions or tips, or want more detailed instructions/commands, please comment..
Don't forget that the NST only runs 2.1 Éclair apps, as its OS is 2.1 Éclair.
This sounds like a great project - I also prefer my NTG (in fact, I'm on it right now!).
veloo said:
for this purpose, i want to setup a froyo-dedicated dev environment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check requirements for compiling Eclair/Froyo itself, SDK version doesn't matter since it supports all API versions.
Personally I'd use a virtual machine with oldest supported 32-bit *buntu release- better chance that required packages versions will be present in official repos.
EDIT:
This may help, discussion was related to kernel compilation however there should be link to quick tutorial about CM6 (Froyo) compilation- http://forum.samdroid.net/f28/setup-kernel-build-environment-using-virtualbox-windows-7-64-bit-4007/ (sorry if 10-sec advertisement pops up)
thanks folks.. my bad! indeed it is eclair, and not froyo. i have updated my op above.
gen_scheisskopf said:
EDIT:
This may help, discussion was related to kernel compilation however there should be link to quick tutorial about CM6 (Froyo) compilation- http://forum.samdroid.net/f28/setup-kernel-build-environment-using-virtualbox-windows-7-64-bit-4007/ (sorry if 10-sec advertisement pops up)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that discussion seems to be about iphone development
veloo said:
that discussion seems to be about iphone development
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, it's for Samsung i5700 Spica (latest official firmware- 2.1)
all that talk about crosstool toolchain arm-iphone-linux-gnueabi got me confused.. sorry!
No problem. Back then we had to use whatever was available and compiling Crosstool-NG was easier option than to get precompiled Android toolchain.
Anyway check links in the thread, there were tutorials about compiling Froyo from scratch (note: samdroid's wiki is down) and IIRC Eclair had about the same requirements
thx but my objective atmo is not compiling froyo or eclair or any roms. it is purely to compile apps for use on the nook.
I'm aware of that. IMO link provided can help you in preparation of build environment
At work I use Android Studio to build apps, but at home I still just use Notepad++, the Windows tools in the Android SDK and the (ancient) Borland make.
I probably will migrate to Android Studio at home eventually.
Still, coding by hand you learn a lot about things.
In the old days for text editing very large data files I used VE & Vedit plus the old Norton commander file manager, I could select any sort of columns within a text file in VE, hex, plus grep commands. Or ms-word macros with VB APIs if needed too. But these were for huge files from publishers. For most things though I had been using Notepad++ or UltraEdit for years. In recent past I hardly use them, instead I use Sublime Text Editor for almost everything, I like the recent portable version which launches fast. Also if I'm debugging live with breakpoints & watches & changing code in PhpStorm, the open instance of Sublime updates code as I work in PhpStorm. I tried a few modern text editors in the same league which supposedly have bested Sublime, but I keep going back to it for most coding or text. Apart from php and various text formats, Sublime handles & color codes for other types too like html, JavaScript etc. Interesting discussion on modern text/code editors & IDEs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K-TalfLFas
Hey a nice effort to build apps optimized for Nook Simple Touch.
Renate, Marspeople, have already created some nifty apps for our device.
How about you update the OP with links to their apps(with due credit to them and express permission for the same) besides sharing your own collection of NST optimised apps ?
I'm totally noob at this, My little dream it's develope a clock app for the nook but I'm stuck in "hello world" when I try to compile my app in Android Sudio 2.1.3 it throws this error: "uses-sdk:minSdkVersion 7 cannot be smaller than version 9 declared in library" Can somebody help me?
I
Use SDK suite ver. 9 and higher or declare in library, that you're using ver.7.
Necropost, I know, but do you hhave links to posts by the people mentioned, with the apps they've developed?
aiamuzz said:
Hey a nice effort to build apps optimized for Nook Simple Touch.
Renate, Marspeople, have already created some nifty apps for our device.
How about you update the OP with links to their apps(with due credit to them and express permission for the same) besides sharing your own collection of NST optimised apps ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

[Q] Developing app with visual interface

Hi everyone. I'm new to developing apps. I want to create a simple app, and I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the options that I have .
I am looking for software / language that:
- Has a visual interface so that I can add buttons, lists, textbox, checkbox, etc, and then program the actions of each.
- Can test the result with my android device, or with an emulator.
- Can create a final apk
- Optional: Can migrate to IOS and Windows phone. This isn't quite necessary though.
- Is free / opensource. If this is impossibe to find, then I'll take a look at commercial ones.
What do you recommend? I tried App inventor, the idea is awesome, but it is quite buggy and pretty basic. I'm looking at Montage Studio and Mosync, but even though they can show me a preview on my phone, they don't have a visual interface in wich I can drag and drop components (Yes, my first steps in programming where with visual studio, that's why I love this).
What do you suggest? I have no problem to start learning to code, but at least I want to create the visual aspect of the app, in a visual way.
Any help will be much aprecciated! :/
Android Studio, which is the official android IDE, and also Eclipse IDE have a visual editor, in which you can add layouts, views, buttons etc.
serknor said:
Hi everyone. I'm new to developing apps. I want to create a simple app, and I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the options that I have .
I am looking for software / language that:
- Has a visual interface so that I can add buttons, lists, textbox, checkbox, etc, and then program the actions of each.
- Can test the result with my android device, or with an emulator.
- Can create a final apk
- Optional: Can migrate to IOS and Windows phone. This isn't quite necessary though.
- Is free / opensource. If this is impossibe to find, then I'll take a look at commercial ones.
What do you recommend? I tried App inventor, the idea is awesome, but it is quite buggy and pretty basic. I'm looking at Montage Studio and Mosync, but even though they can show me a preview on my phone, they don't have a visual interface in wich I can drag and drop components (Yes, my first steps in programming where with visual studio, that's why I love this).
What do you suggest? I have no problem to start learning to code, but at least I want to create the visual aspect of the app, in a visual way.
Any help will be much aprecciated! :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I work for Kinetise.com, a web-based mobile app creator. Here's what it has for you:
- visual interface - check
- Can test the result with my android device, or with an emulator - double check
- Can create a final apk - check
- Optional: Can migrate to IOS and Windows phone. - check, Kinetise compiles to Android and iOS at once, Windows coming soon.
- Is free - the editor, emulator and 24h test apps are free, but in the end, Kinetise is a commercial solution.

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