Android Question [AI] For Anywhere Software, where are we now with the adoption of artificial intelligence systems?

[amorosik]

The continuous and super rapid improvements in artificial intelligence systems in the programming field are substantially changing the traditional operating procedures used in recent years
Many programming environments already include the ability to use the most popular LLMs both to provide code snippets and for reviewing and detecting any bugs
I would have expected specific features to be included in B4X systems as well, but so far, nothing concrete has been integrated into the development environment.
So the question, to ask the boss of Anywhere Software, is: something is coming for 'our' beloved development environments too?

 

[Mashiane]

So the question, to ask the boss of Anywhere Software, is: something is coming for 'our' beloved development environments too?

Its possible something is coming due to a big stride towards Erels' release of the awesome Code Bundler. That functionality helps one export source to be "interrogated by AI Agents"

Suprisingly Im using the B4A IDE about 10% of the time currently as Im mostly doing my coding via VS Code. It's been an interesting journey creating the B4X IDE Companion, yeah its not the real deal but it gets the job done so far partially with what im trying to achieve.

I guess developing such tools (B4A AI Agent), would require a lot of thought though. Do you create a MCP server? getting it connected to various models, which models do you "teach" b4x etc etc.

And some forum members have been amazingly exploring...

MCP Server for B4A

Hi! :) I was looking but I dont really know where I should post this, so really excuse me if do wrong in my first post! :-) I just want to share an MCP Server for B4A I made (well... Claude Code made, because I was just the director lol). Worked great for me this days with Claude Code. Its...

www.b4x.com

Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server using Stdio

B4J MCP Server using Standard Input/Output (stdio). It demonstrates a small inventory system storing data in an SQLite database. There are 2 tools available get_inventory: to list the available products add_product: add new product to inventory You can use Claude desktop as a client to test...

www.b4x.com

Let's wait and see.

#MyTwoCents

 

[Erel]

So the question, to ask the boss of Anywhere Software, is: something is coming for 'our' beloved development environments too?

Several things were done to make B4X more accessible and useful with AI assistants.

1. The forum data, including the zipped code, is mirrored on github: https://github.com/AnywhereSoftware/B4X_Forum_Resources/tree/main
This includes several indexes to help the bots find information.

2. Check the new CodeBundle tool added in B4J v10.5. It works quite good.

B4J v10.5 with integrated Code Bundle tool has been released

I'm happy to release B4J v10.5! Code Bundle is a tool that packs your project together with additional relevant information into a single json file, that can be provided to AI assistants for debugging, learning, refactoring and other tasks. The bundle is created with a click of a button...

www.b4x.com

 

[AnandGupta]

As far as I understand, maybe not directly using AI in B4X IDE, members here are using AI to create beautiful and working codes in B4X.

Using AI directly in IDE does saves time, but also increases privacy issue if the code involved is for client. I disabled Co-Pilot in VS for my C# development as I found it can scan/read my codes in another module and use it to fix in the module I requested.

But it depends and is/are different on situation and requirement of members here.

 

[amorosik]

.... directly using AI in B4X IDE....

This is what i mean

...Using AI directly in IDE does saves time, but also increases privacy issue if the code involved is for client...

Yes, privacy is a big issue, especially for those who process personal/sensitive data of other entities
But this doesn't prevent you from using new technologies to improve the projects you work on
There are several options, one of which is to use LLMs that run within (with powerful hardware) the company's area, another is the possibility of providing code for review without providing a complete project and there are certainly others

 

[amorosik]

Several things were done to make B4X more accessible and useful with AI assistants.

1. The forum data, including the zipped code, is mirrored on github: https://github.com/AnywhereSoftware/B4X_Forum_Resources/tree/main
This includes several indexes to help the bots find information.

2. Check the new CodeBundle tool added in B4J v10.5. It works quite good.

B4J v10.5 with integrated Code Bundle tool has been released

I'm happy to release B4J v10.5! Code Bundle is a tool that packs your project together with additional relevant information into a single json file, that can be provided to AI assistants for debugging, learning, refactoring and other tasks. The bundle is created with a click of a button...

www.b4x.com

I hadn't seen the latest features, but I tried them this morning, and being able to export an entire project in a format that's understandable to an LLM is a huge help
It would certainly be even more convenient if you could directly mark an area within the IDE and submit it to the chosen LLM for review
Or if you could create features and describe them in text form
Even something for testing a procedure would be very useful
Of course, I realize I'm writing about features that very few development environments currently offer, but they are highly valuable features that allow developers to take full advantage of the latest technologies, so I hope to see them and use them in B4X environments as well

 

[AnandGupta]

But this doesn't prevent you from using new technologies to improve the projects you work on

I did not say i am not using Co-Pilot or other AI. I am using all the free ones I get my hands on to get my job done.
But not directly in project. Separately I give them the part I need help on, or ask for something new.
Rest I use my knowledge and experience to fine tune it for my project.

And I am thankful to all AI out there for their help.

 

[Erel]

It would certainly be even more convenient if you could directly mark an area within the IDE and submit it to the chosen LLM for review

This is a good idea, to add the selection to the bundle.

Note that the json file includes the current editor position so the AI does know what the developer is seeing right now.