Android Tutorial Custom WebSocket Based Push Framework

Erel · Apr 24, 2014

The online example is currently disabled due to spam

Now that both B4A and B4J support WebSockets it is possible to implement a full push framework solution.
The solution is made of two components. The client app (B4A) and the server WebApp (B4J).

The client opens and maintains a WebSocket connection with the server.

In the browser you can see the number of active connections and the total number of users (which includes inactive users). You can send a message to all users.

The message is queued in a database and will be delivered to the devices when they connect.

A similar process happens on the device. If the activity is paused then the message is stored with the help of KeyValueStore and a notification is shown. Later when the activity becomes visible the messages are listed on the device.

Note that the device can also send messages to the server (it is not implemented in the demo interface).
It is also possible to send messages to specific ids.

Please give it a try. You need to first download WebSocket library (v1.01+): http://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/40221/#content
Run the program and then go to the online console to send a message: http://basic4ppc.com:51042/push/index.html

You can also download the compiled apk and install it.

The server code is available here: http://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/webapp-web-apps-overview.39811

B4J client implementation: http://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/jwebsocketclient-library.40985/

Edit: Both the server code and device code were updated.
This example can be the base for many types of solutions that require a persistent server connection.

vfafou · Mar 10, 2016

Hello!
I would like to ask you if it is possible to make a class at the server application (B4J), running in its own thread and do the following work:
Fetch from the database some records and send to the clients (tablets) some information.
Having a timer (or is it any other and better way???), looking for changes to these records and resend to the clients the new information.

Thank you in advance!

tigrot · Mar 10, 2016

Ciao,
at present I'm busy, but we'll see

Erel · Mar 10, 2016

Yes. You can use a timer for that. For further discussion please start a new thread.

vfafou · Mar 11, 2016

Hello Mauro!
Thank you for your reply!
I have opened a new thread for my issue:
https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/t...ty-for-custom-websocket-push-framework.64511/

victormedranop · Mar 26, 2016

Cant find library reference for
"SecureRandom" Please HELP !!!

Erel · Mar 27, 2016

It is B4A Encryption library (which is compatible with B4J as well).

Jerez · Apr 7, 2016

I've a little problem. I've implemented this awesome piece of code and it work at home. But when I run this solution in another "internet provider" (my office) does not work!!

Can the internet provider or router lock push messages? I've solved the problem adding a router B to the router A (my internet provider).
At this time I can't sell my app with this problem. Any tip or solution?

I'm using the port 51042 "ws://myipaddress:51042/push/myservice" could be the problem?

Use port 80 cloud be possible?

Erel · Apr 8, 2016

You can use any port you like.

Is the server firewall configured to allow incoming connections on the relevant port?

Jerez · Apr 9, 2016

Erel said:
You can use any port you like.

Is the server firewall configured to allow incoming connections on the relevant port?

Hi Erel:

The B4J App is running in a Raspberry Pi board. The board is connected with RJ45 to a router from the internet provider. And the Android phone need to be connected outside home with the public ip of the Raspberry pi.

The Android phone has the raspberry pi public ip and port.

What can I do if the router (provider) block all ports and just have open the standard ports such as 80, 21, 443, etc?

Think in a client that don't know what is a "firewall" and don't have access to the router settings. What can I do in this case?

You say:You can use any port you like.

I've tried the port 80 but Error:

B4X:

srvr.Initialize("srvr")
    srvr.Port = 80  '51042
  
    PushShared.Init
    srvr.AddWebSocket("/push/myservice", "PushB4A")  
    srvr.DebugNetworkLatency = 200
    srvr.Start

java.net.BindException: Address already in use: bind

Erel · Apr 10, 2016

Please start a new thread for this in the B4J forum.

Jerez · Apr 10, 2016

Erel said:
Please start a new thread for this in the B4J forum.

Sorry Erel. but you make this thread based in an example framework with B4J server and B4A client code. My question is not about code! just setup! The solution could help to others in same problem. so?

Erel · Apr 11, 2016

Exactly. For it to be helpful to other developers who deploy B4J servers it should be posted as a new thread in B4J forum.

cbal03 · Jun 2, 2016

Erel said:
Exactly. For it to be helpful to other developers who deploy B4J servers it should be posted as a new thread in B4J forum.

was a new thread started for this question?

Jerez said:
I've a little problem. I've implemented this awesome piece of code and it work at home. But when I run this solution in another "internet provider" (my office) does not work!!

Can the internet provider or router lock push messages? I've solved the problem adding a router B to the router A (my internet provider).
At this time I can't sell my app with this problem. Any tip or solution?

I'm using the port 51042 "ws://myipaddress:51042/push/myservice" could be the problem?

Use port 80 cloud be possible?

Were you able to solve this problem? I couldn't find thread for this problem.

Roberto P. · Oct 20, 2016

Hi to all
I made a simple solution (client / server) test. I found that when the device is inactive for some time, it lose the connection and bring no more messages.
There is a way, as other applications (email, WhatsApp) to force sending messages?

thank you

tigrot · Oct 21, 2016

You have to keep on sending keep alive messages to keep the connection active. After some time of inactivity the connection is ended(the only way to know if the connection is dropped)...

Ciao

Roberto P. · Oct 21, 2016

Hello (ciao) Tigrot
there is the risk of creating too much traffic to the server (if you have many apps) and consume too much battery of the device?

Possible that there is another way to keep alive the connection and allow you to send push messages to the app when there is an event?

thank you

p.s. piacere di conosceti...

Erel · Oct 23, 2016

Roberto P. said:
There is a way, as other applications (email, WhatsApp) to force sending messages?

Yes. Use GCM or FCM (firebase push notifications service).

Roberto P. said:
there is the risk of creating too much traffic to the server (if you have many apps) and consume too much battery of the device?

It will not generate too much traffic. Hard to say about the battery. However if you are looking for a simple push framework then you should use Firebase Notifications.

Roberto P. · Oct 23, 2016

Erel said:
Yes. Use GCM or FCM (firebase push notifications service).
It will not generate too much traffic. Hard to say about the battery. However if you are looking for a simple push framework then you should use Firebase Notifications.

ok, I'll try this solution, even if it costs me a job rewriting code.

I take this opportunity to ask you if this system also works to launch the procedures for exchanging data automatically between the app and the server?
Thank you

Erel · Oct 23, 2016

Your app will start when a push messages is received. You can do whatever you like at that point.

Roberto P. · Oct 23, 2016

Erel said:
Your app will start when a push messages is received. You can do whatever you like at that point.

Erel
thanks you for the answer, but I do not understand why an external message can reactivate the connection and not the example timer?
Possible that there is no other way to start the messages with the service timer?

Android Tutorial Custom WebSocket Based Push Framework

Attachments

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

B4X founder

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

B4X founder

Active Member

B4X founder

Active Member

B4X founder

Active Member

B4X founder

Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

B4X founder

Well-Known Member

B4X founder

Well-Known Member

Similar Threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency