-
I'll be honest, I've always been self taught and all languages are the same - its just the syntax and methodology that changes.
I.E. An array is an array, a string is a string (or sequence of chars, or a sequence of integers leading to ascii chars as stored in ram), and a function is a function.
Just start at the top link, pick the language that suits your needs, and follow the RIM tutorials.
Every language, the logic code is the same.. (or a feature is not supported)
I.e.
function main():null {
var myString:String = ”helloworld";
showText(myString);
}
private function showText(inString:String):void {
trace(”Input: ”+ inString);
}
Is similar to:
Sub Main
Dim myString as String
myString = "Hello World"
showString(myString)
End Sub
Function showString(inString as String)
msgbox inString
End Function
It just has a different format and syntax. But the logic is unchanged.
So pick a language and a goal, and start learning as you go. No sense worrying about how to read/write to a .text file until you need to do so in your code. Then grab a sample somewhere and learn from it. Will get you going much much faster.Last edited by KermEd; 04-03-12 at 08:52 PM.
04-03-12 08:49 PM - Oh no, its a frightening experience and quite ovverwhelming for sure.
When I do one-on-ones with people to get them started with mobile development, I make sure they know they need to:
Day1 - Look at the options, see code samples, pick the best language for you longterm
Day2 - Install all the software - can take hours
Day3 - Build a Hello World app
Day4 - Build a multi-touch app that draws circlez
Day5 - Build a text box that saves to a txt file
Day6 - Draw boxes that resize on rotation, etc.
Day7 - Build a simple web-app
Day8 - Build an app tht loads gfx and shows pictures
Day9 - Build an app that plays sfx
Day10 - Build an app with a log function to log info to a file.
Day11 - Merge all to create your full bodied development engine
But its hard ti explain it all over Crackberry. If you guys install the Flash Builder route and go down that path I would be happy to help yaall. NDK I can do but its slower for me. And there is the webkit too. But Flash Builder is the easier one for me (its what I build Secure Browser in).
Developing for PB can be toug because you dont have as many resources as you want for one-on-one chats. But make friends on here with other devs and use the supportnforums on the blackberry forums for developers.
Ed04-03-12 10:02 PM - Flex aka AS3 aka Flash Builder.
Flex is the straightup easiest way to program for the PB for that type of thing (in my opinion). Andthere are lots of good youtube examples of flex for mobile devices.
I bet a good flex dev could make a simple app with those settings in probably 30 lines of code. An AS3 dev (thats me) would take about 60.
Flex is essentially a way of using container-like template commands to create and populate a layout. So creating a textbox with some text in it and putting it st the top of the page is only 1 line of code.
That one is built into Flash Builder04-03-12 10:33 PM - Adobe has a program to get the app for free
. And you can also install an eclipse version of Flash Builder for free from RIM as well - unless they removed it?
But it is a crazy long trial. You could even setup a VM box and recycle it ever expire if you wanted. But the free copies from Adobe make more sense.
I find AS3 intuitive enough for me. Some things are cumbersome but it works and thats what matters when learning. But I agree with you, Flash is a risk, but it will take a long time to dissolve. People will be reluctant to move from Flash to HTML5 because there is no authority insisting on the change and because it makes no sense to rebuild a working system. You know the old saying, if it aint broke (from the view of a business user), dont fix it.
Over the next 3 years I think it will start to improve though.04-03-12 11:54 PM - Sure, but flex/air isn't really the same as flash.Adobe has a program to get the app for free. And you can also install an eclipse version of Flash Builder for free from RIM as well - unless they removed it?
But it is a crazy long trial. You could even setup a VM box and recycle it ever expire if you wanted. But the free copies from Adobe make more sense.
I find AS3 intuitive enough for me. Some things are cumbersome but it works and thats what matters when learning. But I agree with you, Flash is a risk, but it will take a long time to dissolve. People will be reluctant to move from Flash to HTML5 because there is no authority insisting on the change and because it makes no sense to rebuild a working system. You know the old saying, if it aint broke (from the view of a business user), dont fix it.
Over the next 3 years I think it will start to improve though.
and can you link to these free plugins/copies of flash builder? Or are you talking about the trial?04-04-12 12:13 AM - I read up on flash and Adobe Flex builder and that is far too complex for me and what I plan on doing. I looked into html and based on someone's earlier suggestion downloaded Construct 2 by Scirra. Graphic based with little code writing if at all. However, the problem is poor documentation and weak tutorials. I haven't been able to get an answer on how to package and install an app on my playbook. Their forums aren't much help either.I agree with KermED, Flash or HTML are the easiest options for beginners... C++ is way more complex and can be overwhelming for some, take slow steps and eventually you will get the hang of it!
Sent from my BlackBerry 9800 using the CrackBerry Forums Application
Too bad because this could have been the ideal solution for the casual, part-time developer who just wants to create simple apps or use it as a learning tool.04-06-12 09:34 PM
