B4A Library [Tool] Simple Library Compiler - Build libraries without Eclipse

Erel · Jun 4, 2013

The purpose of Simple Library Compiler (SLC) is to make it easier to build libraries. SLC is responsible for taking the Java source code files and generating the Jar and XML files.

As I see it, it can be useful in two cases:
- Creating wrappers for 3rd party SDKs.
- Modifying and extending existing open source libraries.

Do note that you still need to provide the source code. This tool only helps with the building steps.

How to use

Using SLC is quite simple. The main project folder should include a folder named src and optionally a folder named libs.
The Java source code files should be under the 'src' folder. Java files are saved based on the package name. So if the package is com.example then the structure will be:

Under 'libs' folder you can put any additional libraries that should be referenced during compilation.
The 'bin' folder will be created during the build.

When you press on the Compile button the code will be compiled and the Jar file and XML files will be outputted to the "additional libraries folder" that is set in Basic4android configuration.

Wrapper example

The attached zip file includes a very simpler wrapper that wraps Flurry Analytics library.

The source code:

In order to compile it (and use it) you should download their SDK and copy FlurryAgent.jar to the project 'libs' folder and to the 'additional libraries folder'.

Tips

- A simple example is included in the package (FirstLib). It is recommended to start with it.
- You can use a text editor such as Notepad++ to write the Java code.
- Tutorials about libraries development are available in this forum: http://www.b4x.com/android/forum/forums/libraries-developers-questions.32/
- There is no installer. You should just unzip the package and run the program.
- If you need to include any additional files, such as .so files, in the jar then you can create a folder named 'additional'. Any file or folder inside this folder will be added to the jar file.
- Command line mode - You can also run this tool from the command line. It expects two arguments: library name and project path.

- B4J_SimpleLibraryCompiler is included in the zip file. It creates B4J libraries.
- In order to write the library code with Eclipse you need to reference Java 7 and also reference jfxrt.jar:

V1.14 - Fixes an issue with running SLC from command line.
V1.13 - Added a field to set the path to Java 8 compiler (javac.exe). Should be similar to: C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_211\bin\javac.exe
V1.12 (B4A) - source and target raised to Java 8.
V1.11 - SLC tools compiled with .Net Framework 4.
V1.10 - Adds support for the new structure of Additional libraries folder.
March 2018 - New zip with doclet v1.07.
V1.06 - Fixes the missing "bin\classes" issue.
V1.05 - Fixes an issue with old compiled class files not being deleted.
V1.03 - Fixes an issue related to B4A v5.
V1.02 - Allows usages of Java 7 features.
V1.01 - Fixes an issue with ignore field.

Download link: www.b4x.com/android/files/SimpleLibraryCompiler.zip

You should use Java 8 with SLC (at least when generating the XML).

Erel · Nov 20, 2014

How do you plan to use this executable? With Phone.Shell?

kiki78 · Nov 20, 2014

No, I have a java library and I made wrapper for B4A.
You can see it at https://github.com/guardianproject/android-ffmpeg-java

Regards

Erel · Nov 20, 2014

You need to find the Java code that actually accesses these binaries to understand where you can put them.

kiki78 · Nov 20, 2014

I can put them elsewhere.
Java code use String variable to found binaries.
For now, I extract binaries from assets of B4A app and I put it in File.DirInternal and this work.
But I don't found this really elegant. I expect to embed binaries in library.
My question is, if I embed binaries in wrapper library by putting it in "additional" path, how can I retrieve the path where it is extract at installation, if it is extract ?
If it is not automatically extract, is it possible to extract it ?
So sorry if my question is stupid

Erel · Nov 20, 2014

The additional folder was mainly created for .so (native) files.

For example:

In your Java code you call Sysyem.loadLibrary and it finds the libraries automatically.

You can however embed other files and use ClassLoader.ResourceAsStream: https://docs.oracle.com/javase/6/do...er.html#getResourceAsStream(java.lang.String)

Open the jar file with 7zip to see where the files are stored.

kiki78 · Nov 20, 2014

Thank you Erel, I better understand now.

kiki78 · Nov 21, 2014

Finally I not succeed to access embedded files with ClassLoader.
Instead I put my needed files in /additional/assets/ of my wrapper class, then I add and use BA.applicationContext.getAssets() to get it.
If this can help someone with similar problems...

tchart · Dec 4, 2014

Does anyone know how to capture the output from SLC from the command line?

Ive got a batch file at the moment like this;

@echo off

SET Lib_Name=LibraryName
SET Lib_Source_Dir="%CD%"
SET B4A_SLC=D:\Basic4android\SimpleLibraryCompiler\LibraryCompiler.exe

%B4A_SLC% %Lib_Name% %Lib_Source_Dir%

This outputs the tools output to the console but for the life of me I'm unable to redirect the SLC output to a log file.

Anybody know how to do this? I'd like to write the output to a log file and then scan for errors.

Erel · Dec 4, 2014

It writes to the standard error / output in command line mode.

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1420965/redirect-stdout-and-stderr-to-a-single-file

tchart · Dec 4, 2014

Thanks Erel but its not working. I'm pretty proficient in batch files but just cant figure this one out.

I've tried;

LibraryCompiler.exe MyLib E:\Java\MyLib > output.txt
LibraryCompiler.exe MyLib E:\Java\MyLib 1> output.txt
LibraryCompiler.exe MyLib E:\Java\MyLib 1> output1.txt 2> output2.txt

But nothing works.

Thanks

Erel · Dec 4, 2014

I see it too. It is probably because SLC is not a real console application. Note that the exit code should be 0 for successful compilations. Maybe you can use that.

tchart · Dec 4, 2014

Ok, I will try and capture the return code. Thanks Erel

tchart · Dec 4, 2014

Thanks Erel, that works. I'll incorporate that into my script and share when Ive tested it.

tchart · Dec 4, 2014

All, thanks to Erel here is a modified batch file that I use to compile my libraries. I use Notepad++ to edit my libraries and then just run the batch file.

Instructions

To get it to work create a new batch file in your library folder (the folder above the "src" folder).
Copy the code below into your batch file.
Edit the path to the Simple Library Compiler (ie update B4A_SLC variable).
Update the Lib_Name variable with your library name.
The library source will be picked up from the directory in which you placed the batch file. This is why placing the file in the correct directory is important.
Run the batch file.
If successful the batch file will terminate once complete.
If an error occurs the batch file window will change colour (red/white) and stay visible for 60 seconds.

Hopefully this helps someone.

B4X:

@echo off

SET Lib_Name=LibraryName
SET Lib_Source_Dir="%CD%"
SET B4A_SLC=D:\Basic4android\SimpleLibraryCompiler\LibraryCompiler.exe

echo Library Name = %Lib_Name%
echo Library Source Directory = %Lib_Source_Dir%
echo B4A Library Compiler = %B4A_SLC%
echo.

REM ------------------------------------------
REM Compile library
REM ------------------------------------------
echo.

set errorlevel=
%B4A_SLC% %Lib_Name% %Lib_Source_Dir%

IF "%errorlevel%"=="0" GOTO OK
IF "%errorlevel%"=="1" GOTO ERRORS

:OK
GOTO EXIT

:ERRORS
color FC
echo.
echo ******************************************
echo There were compile errors!
echo ******************************************
timeout /t 60 /nobreak

GOTO EXIT

:EXIT
cls
echo.
echo Done!
echo.

mikeeepe · Dec 16, 2014

Being new to Java, I am not sure how to use the SLC to wrap third-party JAR files. I want to use the attached jar file to access a Pervasive database but I am not sure how to generate the xml file needed to expose the functions. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Erel · Dec 17, 2014

SLC will only help you with compiling the Java code you wrote. You will need to first write the wrapper.

If the library is simple then you can access it directly with JavaObject and #AdditionalJar attribute.

Luk · Dec 23, 2014

Is it possible to add an option to SLC : -target 1.6 ? Or is there another way to tell the compiler to create 1.6 compatible java files ?
(I'm using java 1.8. )
Thanks.

Erel · Dec 24, 2014

You can "abuse" the ignore field for this.
Set it to: aaa -target 1.6

Johan Schoeman · Jan 7, 2015

Hi Erel

Getting this error when I trying to compile a project with SLC. It compiled successfully yesterday but refuses to do so today. Cannot see any strange characters in the file at line 1. Any idea how to solve this?

java:1: illegal character: \65279

Erel · Jan 7, 2015

The text file probably starts with UTF8 BOM.

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