Basic4android is a complete RAD (Rapid Application Development) tool that can create and compile native Android applications, which won’t need any other dependencies, add-ons, runtimes or software requirements. This RAD application is meant to reduce tedious and time-consuming Java / Eclipse programming to a minimum or even to eliminate it completely. Even so, the APK files that it creates will be similar to those created using only these sophisticated programming environments.
Even though it’s presented as a simpler and easier solution to develop Android applications than the common ones, I still had to take a look at the online tutorials before getting started with it. Happily, there are plenty of tutorials, examples and documentation online. With a little patience, everyone can eventually get the hang of it, and it will surely be easier than using Java or Eclipse for the same task. I’d say that its main advantage is being able to provide object oriented programming language with a syntax similar to MS Visual Basic. Another big plus is, in my opinion, the WYSIWYG visual editor that supports multiple screens and resolutions.
No one, including me, can ignore the large number of handy features that this tool offers. This is why I subscribed to the general opinion that Basic4android is a powerful and comprehensive application, worth of being tried by any Android developers, especially if they are already familiar with VB.
v3.8 [May 9, 2014]
I'm happy to release B4A v3.80. This version includes several major new features that make it easier to develop real-world solutions and reuse code between different projects.
New features and improvements:
Conditional Compilation & Build Configurations: http://www.basic4ppc.com/android/forum/threads/conditional-compilation-build-configurations.40746/
Shared code modules: http://www.basic4ppc.com/android/forum/threads/shared-code-modules.40747/
#AdditionalJar attribute - Allows adding jar files to the compilation. Together with JavaObject library it is now possible to use 3rd party libraries without a wrapper (not in all cases).
Project meta file - This file stores "dynamic" project state: modules visibility and order, collapsed nodes, bookmarks and breakpoints. This file should be excluded from source controls.
Bit.InputStreamToBytes - Reads all the data from an input stream and returns an array of bytes with the data. The input stream is closed automatically.
JSON generator supports arrays as well as lists.
Array keyword - The type can be omitted. In that case the array type will be Object. The Array keyword now supports creating empty arrays.
Spinner.DropDownBackgroundColor property
Debugger can optionally show hexadecimal values.
Add existing modules supports multiple selection.
New configurable color: ToolTipDefaultText (color of non-code tool tips text)
Other minor improvements and bug fixes.
