B4J Tutorial B4J and Raspberry Pi boards

New tutorial based on Java 11: Raspberry Pi with Java 11

The first step is to download and run B4J-Bridge: Remote debugging with B4J-Bridge


Raspberry Pi is a low-cost Linux board:

B4J v1.50 adds support for these boards.

Here are two screenshots:

DBUtils:

Moving smiley:

Out of the box the default OS includes Java 7. However it doesn't include JavaFX libraries.
Non-UI applications will work with this version.

If you want to run UI applications then you need to install Java 8: https://jdk8.java.net/download.html
You need to download Linux ARMv6/7 VFP, HardFP ABI.
Copy it to the board and unpack it. There is no installation step. You should use the full path from the terminal.

For example:

/<path to jdk1.8>/jre/bin/java -jar DBUtils.jar

UI apps will run in a full screen mode. You cannot resize the window and there is no close button. Be sure to include one in your program. You can also kill it through SSH:

ps -A|grep java
kill <pid>

You will probably need to add more memory to the video card in the board settings, otherwise you will see all kinds of OpenGL errors.

The performance is quite bad. Especially the loading time. However it is usable.

I was a bit surprised to see that even the SQLite driver worked on the first time.

WebView and HtmlEditor nodes are not supported. MediaPlayer is also not supported.


You can also run server applications on these boards: http://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/server-building-web-servers-with-b4j.37172/

 

[Theera]

Can we change fonts by using linuxmint's fonts? (I need to be sure,it can use Thai fonts too)

 

[Erel]

I haven't tried it. Though I expect it to work.

 

[engvidal]

HI

Anyone tried it with beaglebone black ??

 

[JakeBullet70]

Is the program running from the command line or from the GUI?

 

[Erel]

I ran it from the command line. You can probably create a shortcut and run it from the GUI.

 

[JakeBullet70]

I am wondering if it needs the GUI or if it is providing its own graphic layer.
I mean, what if the GUI - desktop is not installed?

 

[Erel]

I haven't tested if, however I believe that it will work without the GUI desktop. It runs in a full screen mode that is not related to the desktop.

 

[salim safran]

very promising updates, will get one PI today and check it out, also will order OlinuXino and BBB, it is very exciting progress.
thank you.

 

[JakeBullet70]

Has anyone looked into the JavaFX slow startup?
I found this here as others have complained about it.
I do not have a PI yet and am still debating on buying one .

 

[Erel]

I guess that you are asking about slow startup on Raspberry Pis. JavaFX apps are not slow on other platforms.

The link you posted is not related to these boards.

 

[udg]

Hi all,

I'd like to give a try to this Rasperry stuff, so can you advice on what I should buy?
Its main use will be that of a B4J server visible to outside world to test websockets-based apps both web-based and B4A based.

I guess that I need as a minimum a Rev. B board (which OS?) and a power supply, but there are a few cheap options that sound promising to extend the board usability (SDHC card, 150Mbps wireless adapter, a case..).

So, what is your advice?

TIA,
Umberto

 

[Erel]

HDMI cable with DVI connector so you will be able to connect the device directly to a monitor.

 

[udg]

Thanks Erel,

I did forget to mention the cable..

Which OS would you recommend?
Any preference to an SDHC card size? The larger the better?

Is this a device we can leave on H24 or eventually should we worry about temperature issues or low-grade electronics?
Maybe I should ask that to the manufacturer, but here I'm just curious about your hands-on experience and feeling with the board.

Umberto

 

[MaFu]

Use the current Raspbian image from the Pi download site, it's the best solution except you would use it as media machine only.
And many use the Pi as 24/7 server, so no worries about heating.

 

[udg]

Thank you, Manfred.
Can't wait for my already issued order to be delivered...

 

[jcredk]

Hi all,
I am getting here from the 1st B4J page (https://www.b4x.com/b4j.html). But I was not able to find a post explaining with more detail how to setup the environment to implement applications for Pi.
Did I miss a link please?

PS: my Pi is the B+ version with Raspbian

 

[Michael1968]

hi jcedk,

search for raspberry pi or ...debugging b4j-bridge

there are very,very helpful tutorial's from Robert Linn : www.rwblinn.de

best regards
Michael

 

[jcredk]

Hi Michael,
According to your login name we are probably born on the same year!
I had a look to the url you gave: it seems very promising ...
I will dig there until I have new questions ... or not.

Thanks, and happy new year to all ... a bit in advance!

 

[Mark Turney]

Hi all fellow electronics hobbyists. It's been a while since I played with programmable boards, but as I build my B4j knowledge, just want to know if the link below would get me started. Specifically, the kit looks pretty complete and contains the raspberry pi v.2 board. Any insights are appreciated...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...mini_detail?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A30ZYR2W3VAJ0A

Thanks in advance!