Idea: Bidirectional converter between B4X layouts and a text DSL (.bal / .bjl / .bil)

[Tyavkin]

Hello everyone, I would like to share an idea and get feedback from the community.

Idea​

The idea is to create a bidirectional converter between:

B4X layout files (.bal / .bjl / .bil) ↔︎ a simple, human-readable text DSL

The goal is to make working with layouts more convenient outside of the visual designer.

A similar transition has happened in the past in other environments.
For example, Delphi layout files (.dfm) were originally binary and later also supported
a text-based representation, which made version control, diffing and manual editing much easier.

A text-based representation for B4X layouts could make it easier to:

• edit layouts in a structured and predictable way
• review changes and track history in version control systems
• share and exchange layouts between developers
• generate or refactor layouts programmatically

The DSL would describe layouts as a hierarchical structure of views with properties,
while remaining close enough to the original model to allow round-trip conversion.

Panel root {
  width = 100%
  height = 100%

  Label lblTitle {
    text = "Settings"
    textSize = 20
    textColor = #222222
    top = 10
    left = 10
  }

  TextField txtUser {
    promptText = "User name"
    width = 200
    top = 50
    left = 10
  }

  CheckBox chkNotifications {
    text = "Enable notifications"
    checked = true
    top = 90
    left = 10
  }

  Button btnOk {
    text = "OK"
    width = 80
    top = 130
    left = 10
  }
}

Scope​

• Support all B4X layout types:
  • .bal (B4A)
  • .bjl (B4J)
  • .bil (B4i)
• A single DSL format for all platforms (with little diffs)
• Conversion in both directions: Layout ↔︎ DSL

Layout ↔︎ DSL

I’ve started experimenting with this idea using B4J (still at a very early stage).
I’m currently exploring different approaches, including analyzing layout files
and working with layouts loaded via LoadLayout.

At this point I’m mainly interested in feedback on the idea itself
and whether something like this would be useful to the B4X ecosystem.

Any thoughts are welcome.

 

[AnandGupta]

See

[B4X] JsonLayouts - synchronize json and binary layouts

The purpose of this tool is to automatically generate json layout files, and synchronize them as they are updated. This can be useful when working with a source control and especially when multiple developers work on the same project. Usage: 1. Download jar and put in additional libraries...

www.b4x.com

 

[Tyavkin]

See

[B4X] JsonLayouts - synchronize json and binary layouts

The purpose of this tool is to automatically generate json layout files, and synchronize them as they are updated. This can be useful when working with a source control and especially when multiple developers work on the same project. Usage: 1. Download jar and put in additional libraries...

www.b4x.com

Thanks for the link!
I somehow didn’t come across this thread before.
It’s good to know there is already an official tool in this area, and hopefully this topic will also help make JsonLayouts more visible for others.

Working on this idea has also been a good opportunity for me to practice B4X and better understand how layouts and UI are handled internally.