Android Tutorial [B4X] Documentation Booklets

The B4X documentation booklets are available in PDF format, Download Link.
All files are included in the zip file in the link above, pdf booklets and all the source code.

You can also download all the source code for al booklets, SourceCode.

These booklets cover the four B4X platforms.
Some don't cover B4R because the subject is not relevant for B4R like Visual Designer.

Example projects with source code are included.

All booklets can be accessed online with the links below.
The generic link is: https://www.b4x.com/guides/BookletName/?page=xx
In this example we reach the B4xCustomViews booklet page 59: https://www.b4x.com/guides/B4xCustomViews/?page=59
The booklet names must begin with B4x (the x is in lower case) and without blank characters.
The summary of the list can be found here: Documentation
To get the source code of the example projects you can either download the entire zip file with the pdf booklets or only the source codes with the SourceCode link on top or at the end in the list below.

General booklets:
B4X Getting started
This booklet explains how to start with each B4x product (B4A, B4i, B4J and B4R).
B4X Language
This booklet explains the language for B4A, B4i, B4J and B4R.
B4X IDE
This booklet explains the Integrated Developpment Environment for B4A, B4i, B4J and B4R.
B4X Visual Designer
This booklet explains the Visual Designer for B4a, B4i and B4J.
B4X Help tools
This booklet explains some help tools for B4X. In the previous editions, its content was a chapter in the four booklets above.

Specific booklets:
B4XPages Cross-platform projects
This booklet explains how to make cross-platform projects.
B4X Custom Views + CustomViews_SourceCode, specific code for this booklet.
This booklet explains the CustomView subject for B4A, B4i and B4J.
B4X Graphics
This booklet explains Graphics for B4A, B4i, B4J, XUI And BitmapCreator.
B4X XUI
This booklet explains the XUI library which makes it easier to share code between B4A, B4J and B4i projects.
B4X SQLiteDatabase
This booklet explains the use of the SQLite library
B4X JavaObject-NativeObject
This booklet explains the use of JavaObjects (B4A and B4J) and NativeObjects (B4i)

B4R ExampleProjects
This booklet explains some B4R example projects.

SourceCode
Zip file containing all the source codes.

The current editions are 2.5
All booklets have the same edition number, to avoid confusion.
They cover:
B4A version 12.80
B4i version 8.50
B4J version 10.00
B4R version 4.00

Future booklets:
None in the to do list.

Some of these booklets exist in Spanish:

Español, Spanish.
Translated by Manuel Martinez.

 

[klaus]

As already written somewhere, there isn't and there will never be a donate link.
I do this because I have pleasure doing it.
It maintains my brain and my english, I am retired. Programming has been a hobby for some decades now
If one day, I wouldn't have any pleasure doing it I would stop.

 

[Cableguy]

there is and there will never be a donate link.

That's it, you've started loosing it!
(Just kidding Klaus, keep them coming! )

 

[klaus]

Hi Cableguy, thank you for the bug report !
Sorry, it should have been there isn't and there will never be ...

 

[Mashiane]

Thanks a million for these books, learned additional things already. Kinda curious on

1. JavaObject
2. Wrapping third party libraries

Is there a plan for those as well

Ta!

 

[klaus]

These two subjects are not in my to do list.
Currently I am working on a SQLite booklet.

1. JavaObject / NativeObject
It is easy and complicated. The methods are easy to understand.
But the difficulty is to understand how Android, Java and iOS work, then study and understand the documentation.

2. Wrapping third party libraries
I have no experience in this filed, never wrapped a third party library.

 

[Cableguy]

Currently I am working on a SQLite booklet.

this one I need to read!

 

[SpaceAgent]

Hello Klaus, Erel,

I had big plans developing an app for a hardware project, and bought B4A in early 2017, still haven't written a line of code.
As we all know time goes by very quickly sometimes (specially when in the flow, realizing it is the next day and needing wc quickly, when coming out of the trance). Updates and new concepts seems to coming very frequently...well done Erel and your team!
As when deciding to clean up in the garage...I go in...and I go out again a few seconds later. Because i didn´t know where to start!

As Erel had said, just start, and of course it is true, just start taking one thing in the garage and decide to throw it out or keep it or make something new out of it! Simply just begin. But I am not 15 anymore, I would like to see documentation that explains concepts on top of just Hello Worlds.

Cableguy mentioned a new feature still not in your (Klaus, but I am writing to Erel and his team at the same time) documentation yet. it is on your ToDo list. It's these kind of small things I have been waiting for. A documentation that i can print out, I don´t care if it is a 1000 pages. But I would like to be able to create in my mind the possibilities available, not just simple get started projects, but also an explanation of the concepts, wrapping, code that doesn´t look like Basic to me any longer... and so on. Why I would like to be able to print it out is that i can not, or do not want to sit and read a 1000 page documentation on my computer or phone, but on the beach, Starbucks, waiting in the bank! Or where ever, i already spend too much time in front of the screen daily.

I looked at a B4A YouTube Tutorial, it was maybe in the beginning of the YouTubeTutorials. It was not very helpful, not being able to see the screen properly and generally it was not helpful. Perhaps it is better now. I have of course serched for tutorials on YouTube and they are several years old.

Just below my post, proves a bit my point with the software being devoled faster than the documentation. It say´s:
This thread is more than 59 Days old.
It is recommended to start a new thread for further discussion:
B4A Question | B4i Question | B4J Question | B4R Question
I am aware that this thread is rather old but I still want to make a reply.

59 days!!! That is two month´s. so this thread is already old school...see my point.

I would like to start using B4A tomorrow. Which would be the best document, book to buy, anything, that is up to date, so i can think big, start small.


Any help is useful!
SpaceAgent

 

[Paulo Rosa]

Hi, @SpaceAgent,

You can try this book, it's updated to the latest version B4A 8.3. I think it has all that is needed for a start on B4A. I started in B4A last August and the book has been very helpful for me.

https://www.pennypress.co.uk/b4a-book/

https://www.amazon.com/B4A-Rapid-An...3&keywords=B4A:+Rapid+Android+App+Development

The book is available in digital and in paperpack. I recommend a digital edition, because the book is always updated to the latest version of B4A.

Regards,

 

[SpaceAgent]

Thank you Paulo,
I followed your links...I have bought this book (ebook)!!! But in 2017, I will look into an update possibility. 2 years it said now when I looked. Must find my purchase details...I want
Late here in the night now. i will follow it up tomorrow.

Thank you Paulo!

 

[Paulo Rosa]

@SpaceAgent,

The author's website says that "Customers who purchase the ebook from Penny Press Store are entitled to a free upgrade to later editions for 2 years following their purchase."

I also bought mine ebook in 2017 (October), but I purchased from Amazon in kindle format. So far, Amazon is following up the author's updates. Amazon is not updating my eBook automatically, though, may that's because mine is a Brazilian Amazon account. Anyway, whenever I'm aware of an update, I contact Amazon support and they immediately update my copy.

BTW, my feeling is that this book has a comprehensive and formal approach to B4A.

Regards,

 

[SpaceAgent]

Now I found that, that is the ebook I already have! It has not been updated since 2017.

Anything more up to date?

Searching the forum for every second line of code to write, and not actually understanding any of the concept behind the code...I think the learning will be very slow, from just copy and paste and hope the code to work.

If Yin is the B4A, Yang is the documentation.

 

[Paulo Rosa]

The eBook is updated for B4A 8.3.

 

[SpaceAgent]

Not intending to be rude here now, but that means it has not been much change from V8.3 to V8.5...still people are thanking Erel for fantastic upgrades this year, so something must have been added, or is it bugs that has been found...from the B4A crowd it seems more like more features added.
Where to find the in-between documentation from V8.3 to V8.5. in the Forum searches?

 

[DonManfred]

Filling this thread with crap is not the right way to start programming with b4x.
As you already got told you should create a NEW THREAD in the questionsforum for any question you have. No matter if the Thread is one week or 10 years old.

It has to be started HERE. Posting to this thread is the wrong way.

 

[SpaceAgent]

I thought one of the criteria was to have nice tone here. I have been a member of this forum ONE day! Welcome to you too! DonManfred, before I start a new thread, can you please point out the crap i have added here.

So now I need to copy and paste all of it into a new thread...seems pretty pointless. But I will do it except for the crap you will help me to point out. Thanks.

 

[alwaysbusy]

Hi SpaceAgent, Welcome!

I don't think DonManfred meant to be rude, but was just pointing out how Erel tries to organize the forum. We found out that the continuous adding to the same post quickly deviates from the original post and people start to ask unrelated questions (I personally don't think yours about the releases was necessary so, but it could escalate fast ). The problem with adding to 'old' cases is that the question that is asked has been already answered elsewhere later. And moreover, it is a lot easier for other people who have the same question, to find the answer if the question is posted in a separated thread.

As to an answer to your question, I do a search like this: "B4A Change log", which brings me to this post (you may want to bookmark it for later reference):

https://www.b4x.com/android/forum/threads/b4a-change-log-versions-history.19332/

 

[SpaceAgent]

Thanks ABM!
I think you are the first one to Welcome me! Thanks!

I looked at the change log and it does not mean much to me at the moment.

When in a flow, searching in a Forum for an answer distracts the flow and it is lost. Back to reality...
It is why I would like a concurrent documentation with the latest compiler. To Study BEFOREHAND.
But I assume now from what I have researched, this is the shortcoming of B4X, the documentation.
I have so many potential customers, that i can not afford to get stuck in the mix of the Google changes and the forum, sorry answers, it is Google...

I will get through this, one thing worries me, all support answers, updates etc, everything comes from Erel, is Erel a very common name in your country, or does Erel never sleep? It kinds of worries me if just one person is behind all this and I write a commercial application...and Erel catches the flu...then what?
I guess we need to start another thread - What happens if Erel needs a months Holiday, in Thailand which turned out to be a three months holiday?

 

[SpaceAgent]

DONATE! Now I am going to make this thread even crazier! You who have Donate buttons on your posts, can I hire you for consultation, ABM, DonManfred and others I assume? I am wiling to pay to delegate away my time.

 

[udg]

Hi @SpaceAgent , welcome to our community.
The subject about Erel being alone or just a name used by a group of smart programmers was debated a few times in the past. What we all agree on is that in several years there was no single moment when we felt alone or when support was lacking. There are even plans for exceptional situations like Anywhere Software deciding to quit its business. So, in general, no worries.

About the Donate buttons. They are there to show a possible alternative way to say "thank you" to a member that was particularly helpful or that posted very useful code or for any other reason that suggests you to donate some money. Generally a "like" for useful posts will suffice.

To hire someone it's better to use the Job Offers section in the forum.
Or you could start a private conversation with a specific member (or even a small group) if you like so.

udg

 

[SpaceAgent]

Hi udg,

Thank you for your answers, my curiosities have been answered!
I will pay more attention to the topics and stay with the topic. Ope a new topic if deviation.

Thank you All!