Android Question Signing apk

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I have read the user manual, searched the forums, and searched the Wiki...but the threads that came up make it seem as though I'm missing a Compile option in my IDE.

I have B4A version 3.00. I have created a Private Sign Key.

Under Tools, my options are:
Compile and Run Alt-1
Test Compilation Alt-2
Compile and Run Background Alt-3
Run Last Deployment Alt-4
Compile To Library Alt-5
Compile (without signing)

My app works great in debug, so I'd like to Compile it **WITH** signing. No such option.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[NJDude]

Have you created your Private Sign Key? (on the IDE click on TOOLS -> PRIVATE SIGN KEY), if you have then just select your key and compile normally.

 

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Have you created your Private Sign Key? (on the IDE click on TOOLS -> PRIVATE SIGN KEY)

Yes.

 

[Erel]

The regular compile method signs the APK.

 

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Right. During the regular Compile the message log indeed shows that the Private Sign Key is being used. You'd think that would be the end of it, but...

When I click on my app on my phone, the message comes up "Waiting for IDE Debugger To Connect".

And most of my app's users won't have the IDE debugger!

 

[klaus]

To distribute programs you should compile them in Release mode.
The message "Waiting for IDE Debugger To Connect" appers with programs compiled in Debug mode.

 

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Wow! That was easy. Thank you for the quick compile fix!

Do I just email the appname.APK file to another user for him to test my app, or do I need to export my project as a zip file and email the zip?

 

[klaus]

Only the apk file.
When you export the project as a zip file you export the whole B4A project including the source code.

 

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OK, so I probably don't want to send him my source code. However, my app reads .html files that I need to place onto his phone for offline work with the app. Just gmail the appname.APK file + the .html files to him so that he can install them from his phone?

 

[Erel]

You can add the html files to the Files tab (File.DirAssets). They will be included in the APK.

 

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Nice! Many thanks, gentlemen.

 

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OK, I added the .html files, but now in Release mode my App is no longer finding those .html files on the phone!

 

[klaus]

How do you access the files ?
Files in the File.DirAssets folder are read only !
If you need to modify them you must copy them to another folder in Activity_Create when FirstTime = True and the files don't already exist in that folder.
You might have a look at chapters 4.3.3 and 14.10 in the Beginner's Guide.

 

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Got it! As an update, everything worked. I gmailed the app.APK to my buddy. It installed and ran on his smartphone and he has been putting it through its paces in case there are any bugs. I hadn't anticipated the different file directory behavior from the debug to the Release environment, but that was easily remedied.

Thanks to everyone for your help! This is a nice forum. Honestly, I had anticipated a bunch of sneering newbie posts, but instead I got pro help pronto from y'all!

Nice. B4A seems comparable to my old VB 6. This is vastly better than Android Studio. Faster compiles. Easier testing. Fewer IDE errors.