Other B4A v6.00 BETA has been released!

[Erel]

I'm happy to release B4A v6.00 BETA. This is an important update that advances B4A together with Google's latest innovations.

New features and improvements:

• Compilation of artifacts from Android SDK maven repositories. This allows the compiler to include only the classes and resources required by the referenced "feature".
  
• Firebase backend services. Currently the following services are supported (more will be added):
  • Analytics & crash reports: https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/firebaseanalytics-analytics-crash-reports.67708/
  • Notifications / Push messages: https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/t...-messages-firebase-cloud-messaging-fcm.67716/
  • Ads: https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/t...b-ads-integrated-with-firebase-backend.67710/
• Support for libraries that reference AAR libraries.
• Support for new format of Google Play Services (revision 30).
  
• Runtime permissions: https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/67689/#content
• Debugger works properly with applications with android:targetSdkVersion set to 23.
• CreateResourceFromFile manifest editor command: converts the Json file from Google services to a resource file.
• Activity_PermissionResult event: raised after a call to RuntimePermissions.
• Warning engine and debugger were improved.
• B4A-Bridge was updated to use runtime permissions: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=anywheresoftware.b4a.b4abridge&hl=en
  
• Bug fixes and other minor improvements including:
  • The B4A-Bridge indicator in the status bar is clickable. Toggles the connection state.
  • Find subs and modules (Ctrl + E) can also be used to jump to a line number. Click Ctrl + E, enter the line number and press enter.
  • Virtualization of TreeViews in the designer can be disabled by editing the INI file. It is a workaround for a .Net Framework issue that can cause the designer to freeze.

Android SDK repositories should be installed: https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/integrating-firebase-services.67692/

This is a beta version. Please make sure to backup existing projects.

Thank you for your help. Issues should be posted in the questions forum.

Users who are eligible for a free upgrade will receive an email with installation instructions.

 

[jamesnz]

Wow,
I guess you already know you are the man,
but boy do I appreciate it.

 

[kostas3001]

Great Job, Erel!!!
Then, if I have a library for Android (Interaxon MUSE EEG), and transform it to AAR Libary with the aim of Android Studio, can I use this library directly with B4A v6 BETA?

 

[Erel]

Not exactly. You can use it in the same way that you can use jars right now. With #AdditionalJar and JavaObject.

There is no magic, you will still need to create a wrapper for more complicated libraries. The wrappers can wrap aar libraries.

 

[dealsmonkey]

Thanks Erel, B4A is imho the best way to quickly create Android apps

 

[Bel]

Erel it is good changelog
Can you add Github or SVN advance?
what is AAR?

@Erel

 

[Alberto Iglesias]

Erel, can you post a simple sample using AAR library, this is a very important feature.

• Support for libraries that reference AAR libraries.

Thanks

Alberto Iglesias

 

[Erel]

Beta #2 is available for download from the same link as before.

It fixes several issues related to the mix of "old" and new libraries.

 

[corwin42]

CreateResourceFromFile manifest editor command: converts the Json file from Google services to a resource file.

Does this only work for the JSON file from Google services or are other file types (like png images) supported?

 

[Erel]

Currently it only works with Google services file.

 

[Vader]

I'm happy to release B4A v6.00 BETA. This is an important update that advances B4A together with Google's latest innovations.

New features and improvements:

• Compilation of artifacts from Android SDK maven repositories. This allows the compiler to include only the classes and resources required by the referenced "feature".
  
• Firebase backend services. Currently the following services are supported (more will be added):
  • Analytics & crash reports: https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/firebaseanalytics-analytics-crash-reports.67708/
  • Notifications / Push messages: https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/t...-messages-firebase-cloud-messaging-fcm.67716/
  • Ads: https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/t...b-ads-integrated-with-firebase-backend.67710/
• Support for libraries that reference AAR libraries.
• Support for new format of Google Play Services (revision 30).
  
• Runtime permissions: https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/67689/#content
• Debugger works properly with applications with android:targetSdkVersion set to 23.
• CreateResourceFromFile manifest editor command: converts the Json file from Google services to a resource file.
• Activity_PermissionResult event: raised after a call to RuntimePermissions.
• Warning engine and debugger were improved.
• B4A-Bridge was updated to use runtime permissions: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=anywheresoftware.b4a.b4abridge&hl=en
  
• Bug fixes and other minor improvements including:
  • The B4A-Bridge indicator in the status bar is clickable. Toggles the connection state.
  • Find subs and modules (Ctrl + E) can also be used to jump to a line number. Click Ctrl + E, enter the line number and press enter.
  • Virtualization of TreeViews in the designer can be disabled by editing the INI file. It is a workaround for a .Net Framework issue that can cause the designer to freeze.

Android SDK repositories should be installed: https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/integrating-firebase-services.67692/

This is a beta version. Please make sure to backup existing projects.

Thank you for your help. Issues should be posted in the questions forum.

Users who are eligible for a free upgrade will receive an email with installation instructions.

Does B4X Browser support all of it's features?

 

[Prosg]

Hello,

maybe a stupid question but... We could now use Firebase database instead of mysql database ? I see auth, facebook, ads but not database... in sample

Regards

 

[DonManfred]

instead of mysql database ?

no. There is no wrap for firebase database available as yet.

 

[Prosg]

really so why use firebase ?

 

[DonManfred]

really so why use firebase ?

Firebase FCM replaces Google GCM Messaging...
Additional you can use RemoteConfig already.
Probably more Firbasefeatures will be added in future.

 

[Erel]

really so why use firebase ?

Firebase offers a set of features. Some of them are currently supported and some aren't.

The currently supported features:
- Analytics + crash reports
- Authentication (Google + Facebook)
- RemoteConfig - Thank you Don!
- Ads
- Push notifications

If you need any of these services then use Firebase. If not then don't.

 

[fredo]

really so why use firebase ?

Beside the above mentioned arguments it's now far more easier to build cross platform apps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYImgId8lQY
(code for this example here).

The Firebase team seems to have collected all typical developer problems around cloudbased development and built easy to handle services with good documentation, libraries and sample code.

For a first impression of firebase have a look at this series of short videos.

 

[ilan]

hi

i noticed that the compiling time with b4a 6.0 Beta is taking much longer then previous versions.

Convert byte code - optimized dex. (15.88s)

sometimes the Convert byte code process takes 20sec.

is this normal?

 

[Erel]

The compilation time is the same as before (or actually faster as it doesn't need to reference all of google play services).

I guess that previously you didn't use any library that depended on google play services.

You can increase the optimized dexer memory (MaxRamForDex in the ini file). It will make it faster.

 

[yousif]

no. There is no wrap for firebase database available as yet.

Why firebase database take long time for wrap !!!!!!!!?

 

[DonManfred]

Why firebase database take long time for wrap !!!!!!!!?

No one stops you to do the job!!!!!!!!!!!!