Other [new feature] b4xlib - a new type of library

Erel · Dec 13, 2018

As B4X matures, more and more reusable components are written in B4X directly.
In most cases it is simpler to implement the logic in B4X directly and the code can be cross platform. Especially with the relatively new XUI library.

Standard libraries will never be cross platform as they are compiled to the platform native binary / bytecode. They also have other restrictions related to them being compiled.

Starting with B4A (8.80), B4i (v5.50), B4J (v7.00) and B4R (v3.50), a new type of libraries is available - b4x libraries.

A b4x library is a simple zip file with:

- Code modules. All types are supported including activities and services.
- Files, including layout files.
- Optional manifest file with the following fields:
Version, DependsOn (list of required libraries), Supported Platforms. Fields can be shared between the platforms or be platform specific. For example:

B4X:

Version=2.00
B4J.DependsOn=jXUI, jDateUtils
B4A.DependsOn=XUI, DateUtils
B4i.DependsOn=iXUI, iDateUtils

Files and code modules can also be platform specific.

Creating a b4x library is very simple. You just need to create a zip file with these resources. The zip file extension should be b4xlib. That's all.

Note that the source code can be extracted from a b4x library.

b4x libraries appear like all other libraries in the Libraries tab.

Example of AnotherDatePicker custom view packaged as a b4x library is attached. It is cross platform and using it is a matter of clicking on the library in the list of libraries.

moster67 · Mar 12, 2019

You're full of surprises.

moster67 · Mar 12, 2019

What about:
Reserved modules = [B4A: ViewerNetworkService.bas]

In this way, the IDE knows what to load according to platform and we can use one B4XLib to distribute the library.

Erel · Mar 12, 2019

moster67 said:
In this way, the IDE knows what to load according to platform and we can use one B4XLib to distribute the library.

It is already possible. You have two options:
1. Use conditional compilation in your code:

B4X:

#If B4A
 ...
#end if

2. If you want to add platform specific modules then put them in the platform specific folder. See XUI Views.b4xlib as an example. B4JTextFlow class is only included in the B4J folder.

You should create a single b4xlib. Don't create multiple versions.

moster67 · Mar 12, 2019

Well, I was aware of the first option (which I am already using but was unable to get it working with a B4A Service module.) but did not know about the 2nd option with specific platform modules.
Will try that out. Thanks.

Beja · Mar 12, 2019

Erel said:
As B4X matures, more and more reusable components are written in B4X directly.
In most cases it is simpler to implement the logic in B4X directly and the code can be cross platform. Especially with the relatively new XUI library.

Standard libraries will never be cross platform as they are compiled to the platform native binary / bytecode. They also have other restrictions related to them being compiled.

Starting with B4A (8.80), B4i (v5.50) and B4J (v7.00), a new type of libraries is available - b4x libraries.

A b4x library is a simple zip file with:

- Code modules. All types are supported including activities and services.
- Files, including layout files.
- Optional manifest file with the following fields:
Version, DependsOn (list of required libraries), Supported Platforms. Fields can be shared between the platforms or be platform specific. For example:

B4X:

Version=2.00 B4J.DependsOn=jXUI, jDateUtils B4A.DependsOn=XUI, DateUtils B4i.DependsOn=iXUI, iDateUtils

Files and code modules can also be platform specific.

Creating a b4x library is very simple. You just need to create a zip file with these resources. The zip file extension should be b4xlib. That's all.

Note that the source code can be extracted from a b4x library.

b4x libraries appear like all other libraries in the Libraries tab.

Example of AnotherDatePicker custom view packaged as a b4x library is attached. It is cross platform and using it is a matter of clicking on the library in the list of libraries.

I am not a prophet but I can see b4x is going to be a single IDE language. How? Erel knows : )

AnandGupta · Mar 12, 2019

Beja said:
I am not a prophet but I can see b4x is going to be a single IDE language. How? Erel knows : )

That is the final goal and I also have this feeling

Regards,

Anand

Beja · Mar 12, 2019

AnandGupta said:
That is the final goal and I also have this feeling

Regards,

Anand

Nothing prevents (I believe). Now we have B4X libraries.. Cross platform classes..
Most of the b4x language syntax are almost the same.. IDE interface is the same.
If the prophesy is realized the all needed is to select (before start coding) the output target and compile. When select the target then all libs, including internal libraries, that are not supported can be muted or disabled.

Erel · Mar 12, 2019

You can share most of the code between the platforms. This is especially true with XUI library.

The three platforms are quite different and I don't see it as a positive progress to limit developers from being able to use the native features. The current situation is better. You can share code and also write platform specific code.
There is place for improvements. For example, it should be easier to port layouts between the platforms.

moster67 · Mar 12, 2019

Erel said:
2. If you want to add platform specific modules then put them in the platform specific folder. See XUI Views.b4xlib as an example. B4JTextFlow class is only included in the B4J folder.

Works!

Erel said:
You should create a single b4xlib. Don't create multiple versions.

Done!

Deleted member 103 · Apr 15, 2019

Yesterday I created my first b4xlib, it's just awesome how easy that is.
Finally, resources can be easily integrated into a library.

Alberto Iglesias · Jul 6, 2019

Is possible to embed .jar and .a files to create a .b4xlib with native libraries for B4i and B4A?

If yes, anyone have some example?

Thank you

Erel · Jul 7, 2019

Currently no.

Vader · Aug 23, 2019

FYI - B4X Browser doesn't work with these libraries. The next version should. No timeline yet though.

klaus · Aug 23, 2019

It is possible to create an xml file from a b4xlib file with this tool: [Tool] b4xlib - XML generation.
The xml file can be read by the browser.
For all b4xlibs I have published I provide the xml file.

Vader · Apr 23, 2020

klaus said:
It is possible to create an xml file from a b4xlib file with this tool: [Tool] b4xlib - XML generation.
The xml file can be read by the browser.
For all b4xlibs I have published I provide the xml file.

I have to re-create this for my B4X Browser. I'm starting on it now, but to do it properly will take a while.

Jorge M A · Apr 23, 2020

I want to share my temporary solution, while @Vader has the time to offer us a definitive one.

I organized my folders similar to how @Erel recommends it here:
[B4X] Additional libraries folder
Additionally I added the XMLs folder
I take any of the new .b4xlib libraries and place them in the B4X folder.
I generate the XML as indicated by @klaus, and place it in the XMLs folder.
In B4x Object Browser I configure the paths by adding the folder where the XMLs of the new libraries reside.

It works very well for me.

Disadvantage:
B4x Object Browser doesn't know if the .b4xlib is developed for a specific platform. It's up to us to know if it's really cross-platform or not.

Vader · Apr 23, 2020

I also picked up on the fact that we now have cross-language libraries that I need to cater for. I guess you could put the path to the cross-language XML files in each of the property pages? Hmm but then you would think that library is available for all languages

I can see another tab in that dialog (Shared?), plus I have to take note of the language (as Erel points out here) and only show that class in the appropriate language "view".

Jorge M A · Apr 23, 2020

Just as a thought:
Read the Manifest file and interpret the line "Supported Platforms"

Manifest.txt:

Author=Alexander Stolte
Version=1.00
Supported Platforms=B4a,B4j,B4i
B4j.DependsOn=ASTabMenu,ASViewPager
B4a.DependsOn=ASTabMenu,ASViewPager
B4i.DependsOn=ASTabMenu,ASViewPager

Edit: Sorry, that's the same thing you said above.

ilan · Jul 12, 2020

Erel said:
Encryption might be added in the future. It cannot be encrypted with a global key. Each encrypted library will have its own password.

any news on this point?
it could be very useful, specially for b4i libs. it will save the uploading to hosted builder procedure. like this user can immediately test the lib after an update. less headache for erel

Erel · Jul 12, 2020

No news.

I don't think that you really need to worry about it. You can sell the library to developers. It is not very likely that someone will distribute the source code.

Other [new feature] b4xlib - a new type of library

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