Build layout with XML

[balistreri1]

I am interested in generating layout files without the designer..
or
I would like to load into a Basic4Android APP a standard XML layout file
generated automatically by a web based method that writes text files.

If there is another way,please help.

My goal is to create layouts with on a website and generate an XML
or BAL file that will be loaded by a Basic4Android APP..

 

[Erel]

My goal is to create layouts with on a website and generate an XML

Not sure that I understand what you mean here.

 

[warwound]

You can load XML layouts if you create a Java based library but not directly from B4A.

Layout files (set as read only) in your project's Objects\res\layout folder are compiled into your project and accessible via Java using a String identifier.

BUT an XML layout file downloaded at runtime will not be so 'easily' accessible.
It won't be compiled into the project and not accessible by a String identifier from Java.

The native Android LayoutInflater class is what you might be able to use to dynamically create a layout from a downloaded XML file.

I'm not sure if what you want to do is possible even in a library - a search on Google shows a few similar questions so i'd say take a look at the LayoutInflater class and google for possible code examples.

Martin.

 

[balistreri1]

Thanks warwound,

I can also load the layout attributes from a SQL DB or a MAP file, however, it seems alot more practical to simply modify the layout. LoadLayout, versus a whole series of loading button attributes...

 

[balistreri1]

Warwound, my goal is to modify and update the layout file and then have it loaded when the APP itself is run.

 

[Erel]

Do you want to download the layout from a server?

I guess that you only need to change some of the views properties (there is no real use to creating completely new views as your code will not access those). In that case you can easily build a data file that will hold the new layout.

 

[balistreri1]

Thanks Erel,

Regarding a data file, are you referring to the map file method?
That does work, I have been using it so far.

However, I am not sure where the resulting MAP file is saved to. After I compile and run
it on the emulator, I check the project folders, and I do not see it. Do you know how I can declare this MAP file name and location?

Sub Activity_Create(FirstTime As Boolean)
' Save Button attributes
Map1.Initialize
Map1.Put("B1_Text", "Hello World" )
Map1.Put("B1_Width", 150 )
Map1.Put("B1_Height", 150 )
Map1.Put("B1_Left", 50 )
Map1.Put("B1_Top", 50 )
Map1.Put("B1_Enabled", True )
Map1.Put("B1_Visible", True )
Map1.Put("B1_Text_Size", 20 )
Map1.Put("B1_Text_Color", Colors.Yellow )
Map1.Put("B1_Color", Colors.Blue )
Map1.Put("B1_Bitmap_Enable", False )
Map1.Put("B1_Bitmap_File", "75x75_grey.PNG" )
Activity.LoadLayout("Layout1")
' Go to set button attributes

Set_Button1_State

End Sub

Sub Set_Button1_State

' Get Button1 ENABLED STATE
' If Button1 is ENABLED then load settings
If Map1.Get("B1_Enabled") = True Then
Button1.Text = Map1.Get("B1_Text")
Button1.Enabled = Map1.Get("B1_Enabled")
Button1.Visible = Map1.Get("B1_Visible")
Button1.TextSize = Map1.Get("B1_Text_Size")
Button1.Height = Map1.Get("B1_Height")
Button1.Width = Map1.Get("B1_Width")
Button1.Top = Map1.Get("B1_Top")
Button1.Left = Map1.Get("B1_Left")
If Map1.Get("B1_Bitmap_Enable") = True Then
Button1.SetBackgroundImage(LoadBitmap(File.DirAssets, Map1.Get("B1_Bitmap_File")))

Else
Button1.TextColor = Map1.Get("B1_Text_Color")
Button1.Color = Map1.Get("B1_Color")
End If

Else
' Button1 DISABLED Warn USER
Msgbox("WARNING", "Button1 DISABLED")
End If

End Sub

 

[Erel]

However, I am not sure where the resulting MAP file is saved to.

The map is saved to wherever you specified. See this link: Text files