Android Tutorial B4A Beginners Guide

This guide is obsolete ! It is no more updated.
Please use the B4X Booklets.

Here is a Beginner's Guide in pdf format.
The source code for the example programs is included.

All suggestions, remarks and typo reports are welcome.

To know what vesion you have, look at the lower right corner of the cover page there is an Edit number.
Latest version Edit 3.3

Best regards.


EDIT 2016.10.26 Edition 3.3
Updated with the new B4A V6.30 features.
A big thank you to widget who sent me a complete review with suggestions and typos.
Almost all suggestions have been added.

EDIT 2015.12.08 Edition 3.2
Updated with the new B4A V5.50 features.

EDIT 2015.10.14 Edition 3.1
Updated with the new B4A V5.20 features.

EDIT 2015.07.26 Edition 3.0
Updated with the new B4A V5.02 features.

EDIT 2014.06.04 Edition 2.9
Updated with the new B4A V3.80 features.
Amended some typos.

EDIT 2014.05.07 Edition 2.8
Updated with the new B4A V3.50 features.
Amended some typos.

EDIT 2014.02.05 Edition 2.7
Updated with the new B4A V3.20 features.

EDIT 2013.10.13 Edition 2.6
Updated with the new B4A V3.00 features.

EDIT 2013.05.19 Edition 2.5
Updated with more recent Android SDKs.
Updated to Basic4Android Version 2.70
Added some code snippets to B4A Code Snippets.

EDIT 2013.01.20 Edition 2.4
Minor update with the changes of B4A Version 2.5

EDIT 2012.12.27 Edition 2.3
Updated to Basic4Android 2.3
Updated some chapters

EDIT 2012.08.30 Edition 2.2
- Updated to B4A 2.02
- Removed chapters Keywords, Views and Collections moved them in a separate guide Keyword_Views.pdf
- Added Chapter 12. Tools
- Chapter 12 Example Programs becomes 13
- Chapter 13 Basic Language becomes 14
- Chapter 14 Basic Graphics / Drawing becomes 15
- Chapter 15 Keywords removed
- Chapter 16 Views removed
- Chapter 17 Collections rmoved
- Chapter 18 VB6 versus B4A becomes 16
- Chapter 19 FAQ's becomes 17
- Chapter 20 Glossary becomes 18
- Added new chapters to FAQ'schapter
- Chapter 17.39 not yet finished

Two new Guides have been added:
- Keyword / Views / Collections these chapters were in the Beginner's Guide before
- B4A Code Snippets, it's a collection of code snippets I took from the forum.

EDIT 2012.04.11 Edition 2.1
- Added chapter 5.3 Screen Orientations
- Added chapter 6.4 Exchanging files with PC
- Added chapter 8.9 Designer Script
- Added chapter 13.5.3 Calling a Sub from another module
- Added chapter 13.11 Lists
- Added chapter 13.12 Maps
- Added chapter 17 Collections
- Chapter 17 becomes 18
- Chapter 18 becomes 19
- Added chapter 19.25 Detect screen orientation
- Added chapter 19.26 Some functions don't work in Activity_Pause
- Added chapter 19.27 Calling internal Calculator
- Added chapter 19.28 Get the Alph / Red / Green / Blue values

EDIT 2012.03.11 Edition 2.0
- Amended some errors
- Updated to B4A version 1.8
New chapter
- Working with different screen sizes / number of layouts

Removed chapters
- SQL moved to the User's Guide
- GPS moved to the User's Guide

EDIT 2012.01.01 Edition 1.6
- Added the Widget tutorials.
- Amended some errors.

EDIT 2011.12.25 Edition 1.5
- Added the GPS Example program with some explanations of the code.
- Added some subchapters inspired by forum questions.

Edit: 2011.11.01 Version 1.4
New chapters:
- 8.7 The Abstract Designer
- 8.8 Adding views by code
- 12.5 GPS (a new GPS program will be added in the next update)
- 13.7 Basic Language / Events
- 13.10 Basic Language / Files
- 18.xx some new FAQ's

Edit: 2011.08.29 Version 1.3
New chapter:
- 18 FAQ's

Edit: 2011.08.15 Version 1.2
Above chapters have been added.

Edit: 2011.06.12 Version 1.1
Still missing chapters:
Modules
Example Programs
- ScrollView example
- Database example
Basic Language
- String manipulations
- Timers
Graphics

 

[gordon]

Yes very useful, especially the code snippets.

 

[Roger Garstang]

I like the split for the quick search type items often searched for so the whole guide isn't needed just for a reference to a view/data type.

 

[oldeast]

:sign0098:Thanks very much for the walk through guys, it's been a pleasure to get started.
I can't imagine how much time and effort you have put into the product - its very impressive.
Best wishes to all the team.

 

[Theera]

the contents addition

Hi Klaus,
I have donwload your Guide.It 's useful.But I need you add the contents belows
1.How to create own Library?
2.Talk about UTF without BOM encoding for non-english developler,someone have my same problem.

P.S. I would like someone who is good at English help me to translate your guide to Thai

Best Regards
Theera

 

[klaus]

1.How to create own Library?

This is far beyond a beginners level.

2.Talk about UTF without BOM encoding for non-english developler

I will add it to the Text encoding chapter.

Best regards.

 

[Theera]

Still wish add How to create Library

This is far beyond a beginners level.

I will add it to the Text encoding chapter.

Best regards.

Hi Klaus,
I like your technique and your programming. I follow your codes every threads.
I wish you add How to create Library only simple example. I think that help my stupid me to clever.
P.S. If you don't write this, I think that no one write this.This Knowledge is lost.
I forget,Please add How to create Help document in the program and How to print out via bluetooth printer with give example too.
Best Regards
Theera

 

[melmac3r]

Thx, and a few quirks

Hi Klaus,

Thank you very much for this great guide. I just go thru it the first time, so I will take the chance to give some first read comments:

On page 7 you are writing about Java 7 64-Bit:
Android SDK doesn't work with Java 64bit JDK.
You should install the regular JDK for 64-bit computers as well.

In the same directory?

Later on (page 9 under common errors) you mention that Android SDK does only work with Java 6. So should I install v6, too or instead?


Page 9:
Screenshot and path sample is:
C:\Android\android-sdk-windows\platforms\android-8\android.jar

The windows is by default no longer in the path. So it will be:
C:\Android\android-sdk\platforms\android-8\android.jar

Thank you,
Renate

 

[Roger Garstang]

Later on (page 9 under common errors) you mention that Android SDK does only work with Java 6. So should I install v6, too or instead?

I have JAVA 7 installed and it works fine. I think the JAVA 6 stuff is for people developing libraries.

 

[klaus]

Hi melmac3r,
Welcome to the Basic4Android community and thank you for your comments.

Later on (page 9 under common errors) you mention that Android SDK does only work with Java 6. So should I install v6, too or instead?

This is no more valid. I have removed it for the next update.

Concerning the screenshot with the Path configuration it depends on what version is installed.
It can be:
C:\Android\android-sdk-windows\platforms\android-8\android.jar
or
C:\Android\android-sdk\platforms\android-8\android.jar

I will check it and adapt the text.

Best regards and thank you again.

 

[nl1007]

Typo spotted in PDF..

I've recently bought B4A, and after trying "Hello World", started going through the guide.
On page 61 (v.2.2), it says:

Modify 'EventName' to the EventName of the button, 'bntOK' in our case.

- should be 'btnOK'.
Also, on page 79 it says:

PerXToCurrent(50) means 50% of the Activity widht.

Thanks for the guide. I've been using B4PPC for a while, so some parts are familiar, but there's plenty of new things to learn about Android..

 

[klaus]

Thank you for reporting these typos.
They will be amended in the next edition.

Best regards.

 

[nguyengc]

Thank you very much

 

[klaus]

New updated versions of :
- Beginner's Guide Edition 2.3
- Keywords / Views / Collections Edition 1.2
- B4A Code snippets Edition 1.1
are available (link below).

Updated to Basic4Android 2.3 and updated some chapters.

Best regards.

 

[klaus]

Beginner's Guide New Edtion 2.4
Minor update with the changes of B4A Version 2.5

Best regards.

 

[Erel]

Thank you Klaus!

:sign0188:

 

[Vader]

Klaus/Erel,

I am working on a new set of documentation for the Core Keywords, and would like to know your opinion.

The differences with this documentation is that each keyword will have the same level of information. In addition, each keyword is on it's own page. The plan is to put all of this information into the Wiki in exactly the same format.

Here is what I have for Abs:

Abs

Description
Returns the absolute value of a double-precision floating-point number.

Syntax
Abs(Value As Double) As Double

Parameters
Value
Type: Double

Return Value
Double

Remarks
The absolute value of a Double is its numeric value without its sign. For example, the absolute value of both -123.45 and 123.45 is 123.45.

Example
Dim Value As Double
Dim Result As Double

Value = -123.45

Result = Abs(Value)

' Result will equal 123.45

See Also

What do you think?

Dave

 

[Erel]

The official documentation is generated automatically from the Java libraries. This makes it easier to keep the documentation and the code up to date.

 

[Vader]

Ok, so no interest?

 

[klaus]

I find that you would spend a lot of time to reproduce something already existing.
I agree with Erel that the maintenace of the documentation will be a problem.

Did you have a look at this program B4A XML file help viewer ?
Advantage, the source is the official documentation and it's off line.
On my computer this program runs all time when I do any programing.

Best regards.

 

[Vader]

To be honest, I don't like the formatting for the official documentation.

However as I know and understand that criticism is usually viewed negatively, someone offering help or at least constructive criticism is usually viewed more favorably.

So, in line with the above, I was offering to put new documentation together, both in a downloadable and also online manner.

But it looks like it is in vain. I agree that documentation created from the Java files is better, however, how often is there a point release? Not that often that the documentation couldn't be updated in a timely manner (I would think anyway).

If Erel doesn't want to change things that's cool. I will just finish it and keep it to myself.