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LiveCode Mobile Development Cookbook

Chapter 1. LiveCode Mobile Basics

In this chapter, we will cover the following recipes:

Setting up your mobile environment for iOS development
Setting up your mobile environment for Android development
Defining icons and images for iOS development
Defining icons and images for Android development
Configuring standalone application settings for iOS applications
Configuring standalone application settings for Android applications
Using the simulator
Saving a standalone mobile app

Setting up your mobile environment for iOS development

LiveCode enables us to create mobile applications for iOS devices such as the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. Before we can start developing for these devices, we need a few things from Apple, which is the creator of iOS. This recipe details how to accomplish this.

Getting ready

Before you can complete this recipe, you will need to be a certified Apple Developer and have your account information (username and password) available. See https://developer.apple.com for more information.

How to do it...

Once you have your Apple Developer account and LiveCode installed on your development computer, you are ready to get started with this recipe.

Log in to your Apple Developer account.
Download the iOS SDK.
Download and install Xcode.
Note
Xcode downloads are several gigabytes in size and can take a long time to download depending upon your Internet connection speed. Do not worry if the download takes longer than you anticipated.
Select Preferences... from the LiveCode drop-down menu.
Select Mobile Support from the left navigation pane of the Preferences window.
Use the Add entry button to navigate to the location of Xcode on your development computer. When this is done correctly, you will see version numbers listed under Available device SDKs and Available simulators.

How it works...

In this recipe, we used our Apple Developer account to download and install the latest iOS SDK and Xcode software. Next, we configured LiveCode so that LiveCode's IDE is linked with our iOS development SDK. This will now allow us to develop iOS applications with LiveCode.

There's more...

It is important to ensure that you do not have any conflicts with your computer's operating system, version of the SDK, or Xcode. For example, if you are running Mountain Lion or Mavericks on your Mac development computer, it is recommended that you use Xcode 5.0.2 and SDK 7.0. Consult the latest LiveCode release documentation for updated information.

Setting up your mobile environment for Android development

There are a lot of devices made by a multitude of mobile hardware devices that run the Android operating system. In order for us to develop for Android devices, we must have the Android SDK installed on our development computer. In addition, we must configure LiveCode so that it knows where the SDK is installed.

Getting ready

Unlike developing for iOS, you do not need a developer account to obtain the Android SDK.

How to do it...

Setting up your development environment so that you can develop Android apps using LiveCode is accomplished by the following steps:

Download the latest Android SDK from the following site:
http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
Note
You should only have to download the Android SDK once. The SDK Manager gives you the flexibility to install additional packages as well as future updates.
If you are using a Windows or Linux based computer to develop your Android app, you will also need to download and install the Java SDK from the following site:
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html
Double-click on the Android SDK compressed file (it will be named similar to adt-bundle-mac-x86_64-20140321.zip) to uncompress/unzip the package.
Install the Android SDK and, if you are using a PC, the Java SDK. On Mac, navigate to the newly installed Android SDK folder. Run the android program by navigating to sdk | tools. This loads the Android SDK Manager.
Using the Android SDK Manager, ensure that you have the desired tools and documentation installed. Most developers do fine with the defaults; your situation might be different. Also, you should install any available updates.
Ensure that you install the Android 2.2 (API 8) SDK platform tools. If you fail to do this, you will run into an error when trying to configure LiveCode for Android development. The Android SDK Manager will handle downloading, unzipping, and installing the tools and updates you select.
Select Preferences... from the LiveCode drop-down menu.
Select Mobile Support from the left navigation pane of the Preferences window.
Use the … button to navigate to the location of the Android SDK on your development computer. When this is done correctly, you will see your specific path listed after JDK Path on the Preferences dialog window.

How it works...

In this recipe, we downloaded and installed the latest Android SDK. Next, we configured LiveCode so that LiveCode's IDE is linked to our Android development SDK. This will now allow you to develop Android applications with LiveCode.

There's more...

If you run into any installation problems, as with any online software, it is a good idea to check the software documentation instructions. Typically, there is a readme text file in the directory with the installation files.

Configuring your computer for use with LiveCode is pretty straightforward when you are developing for iOS devices. This is true for Windows, Mac, and Linux machines. When developing for Android devices, the configuration process can be a bit more difficult on a PC running Windows than on a Mac. Please consult the LiveCode documentation if you run into any problems.

Defining icons and images for iOS development

When we develop apps for iOS devices, we must provide specifically formatted icon and splash screen images. Because of the different orientations (portrait and landscape) and screen sizes, several different versions of each image (icon and splash screen) are required.

Getting ready

You will require software to create the original graphics as well as to export them in the proper sizes.

How to do it...

The icons and images for iOS development are defined using the following steps:

Select the Standalone Application Settings... option from the File drop-down menu.
Click on the icon in the top row of the Standalone Application Settings dialog box.
Ensure that the checkbox next to the iOS build option is checked. Once you select this option, a checkmark will appear in the box and the remaining options will be editable. Until you select this option, all options are disabled. Also, once you indicate that you will be saving mobile versions, any selected desktop deployment options will be deselected automatically.
Use the … buttons to the right of each icon / splash screen entry to upload your images.
Ensure that your icon images have been exported with the following pixel dimensions:

Icon

Image size

iPhone

57 x 57

Hi-Res iPhone

114 x 114

iOS 7 Hi-Res iPhone

120 x 120

iPad

72 x 72

Hi-Res iPad

144 x 144

iOS 7 iPad

76 x 76

iOS 7 Hi-Res iPad

156 x 156

Ensure that your splash screen images have been exported with the following dimensions:

Splash screen	Image size
iPhone	320 x 480
Hi-Res iPhone	640 x 960
4 Inch iPhone	640 x 1136
iPad Portrait	768 x 1024
iPad Landscape	1024 x 768
Hi-Res iPad Portrait	1536 x 2048
Hi-Res iPad Landscape	2048 x 1536

How it works...

Pointing the file-selection window to each specific icon and splash screen is easy work. If you attempt to upload an image that does not have the correct dimensions, LiveCode will present you with an error message. The files you select are embedded in your app's binary and are used when uploading it to the App Store.

There's more...

If you only enable one orientation, you will not be required to upload images to support the other orientation. For example, if your mobile app only supports the portrait orientation, you do not need to upload landscape splash screens.

Defining icons and images for Android development

When we develop apps for Android devices, we must provide specifically formatted icon and splash screen images. Because of the different orientations (portrait and landscape) and screen sizes, several different versions of each image (icon and splash screen) are required.

Getting ready

External graphic creation and editing software is required to create the original graphics as well as to export them in the proper sizes.

How to do it...

The icons and images for Android development are defined using the following steps:

Select the Standalone Application Settings... option from the File drop-down menu.
Click on the icon on the top row of the Standalone Application Settings dialog box.
Ensure that the checkbox next to the Android build option is checked. Once you select this option, a checkmark will appear in the box and the remaining options will be editable. Until you select this option, all options are disabled.
Use the … buttons to the right of the Icon and Splash boxes to upload your images.
Ensure that your icon image is 72 x 72 and in the PNG format.
You only need to upload a splash screen image if you are using a personal or educational LiveCode license. If you are using a commercial license, you do not need to upload a splash screen image. If the image is required, it should be a 600 x 600 PNG file. This splash image will be displayed on the Android screen for 5 seconds when a personal or educational license is used to develop the app.

How it works...

Pointing the file-selection window to the icon and splash screen is easy work. LiveCode does not present you with an error message if you attempt to upload an image with incorrect dimensions. So, be careful to upload the properly sized images. The files you select are embedded in your app's binary and are used when uploading it to the Google Play and Amazon Appstore.

Configuring standalone application settings for iOS applications

There are several configuration settings to be considered when creating an iOS application. These settings are entered and recorded via the Standalone Application Settings dialog window. The dialog window is organized into seven sections: basic application settings, status bar, orientation options, requirements and restrictions, icons, splash screens, and custom URL scheme. This recipe addresses each setting with the exception of icons and splash screens, which are covered in other recipes in this book.

How to do it...

To configure standalone application settings for iOS applications, follow the given steps:

Select the Standalone Application Settings... option from the File drop-down menu.
In the top section of the dialog window, ensure that the checkbox labeled iOS (see the following screenshot) is checked.
Referring to the previous screenshot, select which device(s) your app will support. Your options are iPod, iPhone and iPad, iPod and iPhone, and iPad.
Referring to the previous screenshot again, select the minimum operating system that the target device(s) must have. At the time of writing this book, the options are as follows:
- 4.3 or later
- 5.0 or later
- 5.1 or later
- 6.0 or later
- 6.1 or later
- 7.0 or later
- 7.1 or later
Note
Selecting earlier iOS versions will expand your potential target audience, while selecting later iOS versions will restrict a portion of your audience pool but will give you access to advanced features and functions.
Using the following screenshot as a reference, configure the settings on the Basic Application Settings page:
The settings are explained as follows:
- Display Name: This is what is displayed on the SpringBoard (also referred to as the home screen) under the app's icon.
- Version: Your app's version number.
- Internal App ID: This is a universal and unique identifier that must match what you entered when you established the app's App ID in the Apple Developer portal. The format is com.company.appname.
- Profile: Select the provisioning profile you downloaded from the Apple Developer portal.
- Externals: Select any of the LiveCode externals (revZip, revXML, SQLite, MySQL, PDF Printing, and Encryption) based on the externals that your app requires.
Using the following screenshot as a reference, configure the settings on the Status Bar page:
The settings are explained as follows:
- iPhone Status Bar: You can have the status bar visible or hidden
- iPad Status Bar: You can have the status bar visible or hidden
- Status Bar Style: Your options here are Default, Black Opaque, and Black Translucent
Using the following screenshot as a reference, configure the settings on the Orientation Options page:
The settings are explained as follows:
- iPhone Initial Orientation: You can select Portrait, Portrait Upside-Down, Landscape Left, or Landscape Right as the orientation for your app to display
- iPad Supported Initial Orientations: Here, you have the same selections as the previous setting, but you are able to select any/all of the orientations
Using the following screenshot as a reference, configure the Requirements and Restrictions settings:
The settings are explained as follows:
- Select whether or not your app requires persistent Wi-Fi connectivity
- Select whether or not your app requires iTunes' File Sharing feature to be enabled
- Select whether or not your app can receive push notifications
Select Required, Prohibited, or n/a for each of the options shown in the following screenshot. Selecting Required for a function or feature means that that function or feature must be present in order for the app to launch. Selecting Prohibited means that if that function or feature is present, the app will not get launched.
Enter, if applicable, the name of your URL scheme that was used to uniquely reference your app. Custom URL schemes can be used to enable apps to communicate with one another in order to provide services. More information on this concept can be found in Apple's iOS Developer Library.

How it works...

Using the Standalone Application Settings dialog window, we can configure a large number of settings that are relevant to our mobile application.

Configuring standalone application settings for Android applications

There are several configuration settings to be considered when creating an Android application. These settings are entered and recorded via the Standalone Application Settings dialog window. The dialog window is organized into five sections: basic application settings, in-app purchasing, requirements and restrictions, application permissions, and user interface options. This recipe addresses each setting.

How to do it...

To configure standalone application settings for Android applications, follow the given steps:

Select the Standalone Application Settings... option from the File drop-down menu.
In the top section of the dialog window, ensure that there is a check in the checkbox labeled Android.
Referring to the following screenshot, determine the appropriate values for each setting:
The settings are explained as follows:
- Label: This is what is displayed on the launcher screen under the app's icon.
- Identifier: This is a universal and unique identifier that uses the reverse domain name format (com.company.appname).
- Version Name: This is your app's version number.
- Version Code: This code is for internal version validation.
- Icon: This is the path to the app's icon image.
- Splash: This is the path to the app's splash screen image.
- Signing: This is where you tell LiveCode whether the APKs are to be signed with your personal key, are signed with your development key, or not at all.
- Key: When using the Sign with my Key signing option, this Key field points to the key-store file.
- Install Location: Here, you select how the app is installed on a mobile device. The options are Internal Storage Only, Allow External Storage, and Prefer External Storage.
- Externals: Select any of the LiveCode externals (revZip, revXML, SQLite, MySQL, and SSL & Encryption) based on the externals your app requires.
- Custom URL Scheme: If applicable, enter the name of your custom URL scheme that is used to uniquely reference your app.
- Push Sender ID: This is a unique project number associated with your app. This ID is used when you are using push notifications.
- Status Bar Icon: Here, you will upload your status bar icon.
Select whether your app will use in-app purchasing by selecting the In App Purchasing checkbox. If you select this option, you must identify which in-app purchasing store your app uses: Google, Samsung, or Amazon. There is additional data required if you are using Google (Public Key) or Samsung [Item Group ID and Mode (Production, Test Success, or Test Failure)].
Select what the minimum operating system the target device(s) must have. At the time of writing this book, the options are as follows:
- 2.2 – Froyo
- 2.3 – Gingerbread
- 2.3.3
- 3.0 – Honeycomb
- 3.1
For our example, we have selected 2.2 – Froyo.
Note
Selecting earlier Android versions will expand your potential target audience, while selecting later Android versions will restrict a portion of your audience pool but give you access to advanced features and functions.
Select Required, Used, or n/a for each of the options shown in the following screenshot. Selecting Required means that that function or feature will be visible to users with devices that support the feature or function. Selecting Used will inform the user that your app uses the function or feature.
Select which permissions your app requires regarding the mobile device.
Select Portrait or Landscape as an initial (on launch) orientation.
Select whether you want the status bar to be visible or hidden.

How it works...

Using the Standalone Application Settings dialog window, we can configure a large number of settings relevant to our mobile application.

If you are a LiveCode mobile developer looking to improve your existing skills, add efficiencies to your code, or want a better understanding of LiveCode’s capabilities, then LiveCode Mobile Development Cookbook is a must-have for you. The reader should at least have a basic understanding of LiveCode and mobile application development.

What you will learn

Build humancomputer interfaces that result in immersive app experiences

Set up and configure your development environment for iOS and Android OS

Use loops and timers to make your mobile apps more robust

Manipulate and manage text to supercharge your apps

Integrate social media into your mobile applications

Read, write, and edit external data to extend the capabilities of your mobile apps

Understand how to use LiveCode externals and plugins to leverage their power in your apps

What do you get with Print?

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Paperback book shipped to your preferred address

Download this book in EPUB and PDF formats

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DRM FREE - Read whenever, wherever and however you want

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LiveCode Mobile Development Beginner's Guide

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Engr. Stephen ezekwem Jan 05, 2015

This is one of the better books on LiveCode and how to quickly script functionalities with it, having said that, this is definitely for those who already have a basic knowledge of writing codes (scripting) in LiveCode. New comers to the platform will stumble about a bit, but this will set such comers right if you backed it up with the online tutorials available on LiveCode website.This book also mentions about third party plugins(externals) I.e. MobGUI and animationEngine, both do have free trial versions with a trial window(or GPL license which side steps the trial windows), you should have a knowledge of installing externals (plugins) in LiveCode IDE in other to use these tools mentioned in the book, hence my point on it being a better fit for people who already have a basic working knowledge of LiveCode platform.Other than the above, well written and with guides on how to set up and script all examples used in the book, literally a watch me do it and do like I do approach which is invaluable to newcomers.

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Jeffrey H. Feb 26, 2015

Well written book with many examples

Jean Marc QUERE Oct 17, 2014

I use LiveCode since it’s open source. It’s a great programming tool to do every type of applications for desktop or mobile environment. But you don’t handle both the same way. So you will have to investigate the available documentation for hours to make the good choices… or speed up the process with this Cookbook.You can read it from the beginning to the end (and learn LiveCode) or pick up some knowledge to do a particular task (if you’re already skilled). The author explains how to set up a productive environment to build applications for iOS and Android devices. The samples are complete and include a precise description of each device (phone, tablet) to manage it the better way. You will find useful informations : screen resolutions, how to access of all features (use of the camera in less than 6 lines of code).The chapter 8 is dedicated to MobGUI, the famous LiveCode library dedicated to the user interface management. With it you can build professional looking apps. There ‘s always a subject to explore. Personally, I discover the Animation Engine (chapter 9) and how to easily move item on the screen using paths (without having to program everything by hand).The samples are simple enough to be comprehensive but complete and well documented. They are really useful and their code can be used as snippet.Beginners will find in this book a smart way to learn LiveCode, experimented developers will use it as a reference book. In a word: helpful.

Michael Mandaville Oct 16, 2014

The Live Code Mobile Development Cookbook is a great start for the aspiring Live code programmer. I have been working with Live Code on and off for a few years. The challenge is that I am not a professional coder. Live Code is allowing me relatively easy access with a sophisticated response. In the tech world (like film and video), the coding process is becoming more and more accessible so that the hard coders of C+++, etc., are becoming a pretty unique breed. For people like myself who transit a couple worlds, Live Code and its constant updates don't always require me to play catch up, especially with this Cookbook.The book is organized in solid categories where I can easily build up skills. In addition, the layout of the book allows me to drill down into what I'm trying to accomplish to find the right task. That's essential to get up and running fast. I think that any Live Coder will certainly want this book on their virtual shelf to find the right 'recipe.'

John Iglar Nov 23, 2014

LiveCode is an easy and very useful program for developing both mobile apps and computer programs. As an open source project, it's free to download and use and works on any computer system, producing programs for Windows, Macintosh OSX, Linux or Android or iOS.This cookbook provides a number of easy to follow and helpful "recipes" which take you step by step through many common tasks. As an intermediate LiveCode programmer, I found it a very useful book. It would be good for any beginner, although I would recommend that an absolute beginner supplement this cookbook with a more traditional beginner's guide (there are free ones on the LiveCode website) to provide a more holistic overview of what LiveCode is and how it works.The book is organized very well, starting with installation & setup and working from basic tasks up to more advanced topics. I found it easy to read all the way through, as well as being able to skip around to pick recipes for tasks that I wanted to accomplish. The chapters on MobGUI and Animation Engine, extensions to LiveCode, were particularly interesting to me as they are very useful in building for mobile devices but since they are extensions their workings aren't typically found in LiveCode references.I found this to be a very useful book, and one which I will use repeatedly.

LiveCode Mobile Development Cookbook: 90 practical recipes for creating cross-platform mobile applications with the power of LiveCode

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