Wish coding b4x in vscode?

[abedcode]

Hi, @Erel i got back to mobile dev(B4A) after a while. been doing web dev in IDEs like vscode. i know how awesome b4x is, but the IDE doesn't feel like a modern tool. can we not code b4x in vscode with autocompletion, linting & formatting? just like how flutter does it?
when i change a layout, git just tracks it but can't show diff because it is binary. it would be great if we could code layouts like flutter/html.

or if it is hard or takes time we could have vscode shortcuts?
like opening a module with ctrl+p,
searching in a file context separate from all project,...

i know this isn't something small to ask for, so again, thanks for everything

 

[Sandman]

I know that Erel isn't very open to this idea (it has been suggested several times), but I still imagine we will go that way in a year or two, together with Erel making a full-featured LSP functionality. It just makes so much sense, especially in the age of AI.

 

[aeric]

There are already some vscode extensions for B4X with syntax highlighting, etc.
For text based layout, both B4A and B4J already support json layouts that can sync to binary format.

 

[Sandman]

There are already some vscode extensions for B4X with syntax highlighting, etc.

That just makes it more likely that I am correct. I'm certain that Erel sees the interest and pressure from the community here, and the only way for him to control where we end up is by getting in front of it. If he does nothing, he just risk causing a parallel universe of solutions that interact with b4x - better to decide on his terms and do a clean solution that will help the platform from a bigger perspective.

 

[aeric]

I think this is more of personal preference.
I still prefer to use B4X IDE. It is actually more powerful, lightweight, familiar and user friendly. I don't think it is outdated but if new feature will be introduced in the future, I am happy with it.
I don't understand why so much developers are so hype with vscode. I just use it like using notepad or sublime text. I don't feel productive using it. Maybe people like the AI auto completion but I really don't like it. It costs copilot credits.
I think many B4X developers have not fully explore the powerful features of B4X IDEs.
I don't see much developers create macros, templates and libraries to share out to the community.
Nowadays, I use AI agent i.e OpenCode for vibe coding some experiments. I still don't like vscode. I won't recognize it being an IDE but for me it just a text editor.

 

[mcqueccu]

[VS Code B4X IDE Companion]: Supercharging VS Code for B4X - How It Works & Why I Need It, You Might Too

Hello Fam!👋 Let's unbox (and perhaps build together) this monster to be, the B4X IDE Companion Quickly get it from your VS Code Extensions This has been generated with AI. Source Code in GitHub I've had myself into a pickle, I find myself using VSCode more with AI to work on my...

www.b4x.com

 

[Sandman]

[VS Code B4X IDE Companion]: Supercharging VS Code for B4X - How It Works & Why I Need It, You Might Too

Hello Fam!👋 Let's unbox (and perhaps build together) this monster to be, the B4X IDE Companion Quickly get it from your VS Code Extensions This has been generated with AI. Source Code in GitHub I've had myself into a pickle, I find myself using VSCode more with AI to work on my...

www.b4x.com

It really helps if you add a comment so we understand why you posted a link.

 

[Mashiane]

when i change a layout, git just tracks it but can't show diff because it is binary. it would be great if we could code layouts like flutter/html.

In the latest version of b4x, there is a codebundler that can export your complete project and also export layouts to json to be edited outside the IDE.

This is useful for AI tools and it will bridge the gap between when you were away and coming back.

A couple of months ago I started coding a UI Framework completely with AI. Its called B4XDaisyUIKit. As I was seldom using the B4X IDE during that process, it was important for me to develop a VS Code IDE Companion to suit my needs at the time and later made it available here to the forum. Its not a B4X IDE replacement but just a companion to do this and that intergrated with some AI tooling functionality. Some forum members have found it useful and then again, its a personal preference.

Im using the b4x IDE around 10% of the time right now as I just give AI agents instructions of what I need to do. Im developing an App completely using VSCode and AI at the moment. It might help you to check the AI is here to stay general forum and see what is happening on that front.

All the best...