B4J Question New user question: Is B4J for me?

[AndrevH]

Hi! I have been programming for years in Filemaker and after that in Xojo and after having trying to finish my desktop MacOS app now for 3 years, I am getting tired that some things keep on going wrong, no matter what I try to fix. So I am looking around for another solution. The app I want to create is in basic a word processor that helps with constructing and writing stories and screenplays. Is B4J able to help me building this? Xojo does not have a build in Word processor object which forces me to create work arounds, does B4J have this?

 

[walt61]

Hi @AndrevH and welcome to B4X! B4J does indeed have a built-in view called 'HTMLeditor' (a rich text editor). I haven't used it myself, but you may want to check it out:
- Install B4J as per https://www.b4x.com/b4j.html
- Start a new project: File / New / UI (or B4XPages)
- Designer / Open Internal Designer
- In Designer: Add view / HTMLeditor
- In Designer: File / Save
- Back in the IDE: hit F5 to run the project and see what gives

And finally, hammer the forum with questions whenever you need and can't find a solution in its search results

 

[aeric]

Hi AndrevH,
Welcome to the forum and congratulations to you for finding B4X, an awesome programming language and tools.
Many reasons B4X is the tool you are looking for.
If you are talking about creating and editing MS Word document then there is already a library for you to use.

[XLUtils] Creating MS Word Documents

XLUtils v2.00 adds support for creating MS Word documents, and converting Word documents to PDF. It is done in a similar way to BCTextEngine, using custom BBCode. This works very nicely with B4X smart strings feature. Full example: Dim wd As WordUtils wd.Initialize Dim doc As WordDocument =...

www.b4x.com

 

[LucaMs]

that helps with constructing and writing stories and screenplays.

OpenAI

 

[AndrevH]

It seems that BJ4 does not run on Mac OS, is that correct? You can compile for it, but not program? In that case, I cannot use it, which is a pity. I do not have a Windows computer, only a Mac Studio.

 

[aeric]

It seems that BJ4 does not run on Mac OS, is that correct? You can compile for it, but not program? In that case, I cannot use it, which is a pity. I do not have a Windows computer, only a Mac Studio.

You can use Parallels Desktop, VirtualBox, Boot Camp or WINE.

 

[AndrevH]

You can use Parallels Desktop, VirtualBox, Boot Camp or WINE.

I see, that really complicates things; I don't like the idea of running apps inside another OS on my OS. Doesn't sound very stable way of working. Thanks.

 

[aeric]

I see, that really complicates things; I don't like the idea of running apps inside another OS on my OS. Doesn't sound very stable way of working. Thanks.

I run all the IDEs for B4X, i.e B4A, B4i, B4J and B4R.
Yes, I prefer to have Windows OS running on bare metal PC. I don't want my Mac heat up and use up too much of the RAM and CPU.
I would get a cheap one as long as it meets the requirements.

 

[peacemaker]

I am getting tired that some things keep on going wrong, no matter what I try to fix.

This is true for any development, regardless of OS, IDE, programming language, experience, or hardware. You need to identify what the root problem is, and rebuild everything with a new structure, without that problem, noting all the necessary requirements that need to be preserved from the old system.

 

[aeric]

and after that in Xojo and after having trying to finish my desktop MacOS app now for 3 years, I am getting tired that some things keep on going wrong, no matter what I try to fix.

One of the good things is, B4J is free while Xojo requires developers to pay for a license. The only requirement is to run the IDE on Windows.
Another good thing is B4X community is here to help.

 

[amorosik]

I believe that an active and lively community is an essential factor for the adoption of a programming development environment
And as far as B4X environments are concerned, we have a truly exceptional community
Furthermore, even if a programming environment runs natively on a certain operating system, the fact that you write
"..I am getting tired that some things keep on going wrong, no matter what I try to fix.."
makes me think that you are not fully satisfied with those systems
So why not try?
The development environments are exceptional, the community is spectacular
If you are lucky you also have the possibility to discuss with the designer of these systems
I would say that there are no excuses for not trying them