Together with running your app in a web browser, on any platform or device, you can compile the same app (the same application file/library code) into a mobile app for running directly on Android and iOS mobile devices including phones and tablets – you do this using the JavaScript Wrappers, which are available for Android and iOS. Such mobile apps can be uploaded to the Google Playstore or Apple Appstore for end users to buy and/or download, or you could distribute your app inside a company for private use. 

Using the JavaScript Wrappers to create a dedicated mobile app provides much greater integration with the features and OS on the phone or tablet (features that are not available when running your app in a web browser alone). Specifically, you can use the JS Device Control (embedded in the form) to access many features of the phone running the app, such as:

• Getting the location of the end user’s device using GPS,
• Retrieving the contacts information from the device, or
• Returning images from either the camera or photo library on the device – plus you can use the camera on the device to scan a Barcode or QR-code and return its encoded information. 

Alternatively, on iOS only, you can use the Omnis App Manager to test your mobile app and the functions of the Device Control, prior to compiling it into a standalone app using the iOS JavaScript Wrapper.

Download the Wrappers

We have just released a new version of the JavaScript Wrappers for Android and iOS, that are compatible with Omnis Studio 10.2 (Rev 31315 – Nov 2021) or higher. We provide the project files for each platform, full details on how to configure your project and a step-by-step guide to building your app for Android and iOS.

Please visit the Omnis Developer site: omnis.net/developers/resources/download/jswrapper.jsp

More info…

For more information about the Device control, please look at the online docs: omnis.net/developers/resources/onlinedocs/WebDev/03jscomps.html#device-control

More information about using the Omnis App Manager on iOS, which has also been updated for Studio 10.2, is available here: omnis.net/developers/resources/onlinedocs/WebDev/07Deployment.html#omnis-app-manager

The post Create Mobile Apps for Android and iOS using the JavaScript Wrappers appeared first on Omnis.

One of the many strengths of Omnis Studio is that you can extend its power & flexibility by adding many other third-party tools as external components, or by integrating with other technologies via their APIs or lower level communications. In this blog post we provide an outline of some of these externals & tools, but we also urge you to check out the online docs to see the full range of functionality you can add to or integrate with Omnis Studio – there’s a whole manual about Extending Omnis.

• REST – Omnis Studio contains a Web Services component and associated support in the Studio Browser that provides access to third-party RESTful web services: you can connect to Web Service clients via their published APIs or you can expose your Omnis code & objects as your own Web Service Server. There is comprehensive info about using REST in the online docs, and there are several Tech notes with example code and downloads (e.g. how to access Mailjet using REST), and we have a special ‘Web Services’ session in our FREE online training, in the Omnis Academy (to register, choose your language/location, the REST course & date), to help you get started with REST. Please check out all those links – REST in Omnis is so powerful & useful!
• OJSON – the Omnis OJSON external component allows you to manipulate JSON based content in your Omnis applications, specifically any content returned by REST based Web Services. JSON is a text format that allows you to transmit structured data objects between clients and servers, and is used throughout Omnis itself in our REST support, in the export/import library feature (for storing projects in GIT, for example), and in numerous configuration files, such as the main Omnis configuration file (config.json). The OJSON component maps an Omnis list or row variable to JSON using static methods, or there is a JSON object which can be instantiated. Read all about JSON here. We also provide an OXML external component for manipulating XML documents.
• OW3 Worker Objects – using the powerful ‘Worker Objects’ in Omnis Studio you can integrate numerous Web-based, Email and lower level Internet technologies and protocols into your web and enterprise applications – the possibilities are unlimited and there are numerous example apps in the Hub to demo these (they are prefixed ‘OW3’). The worker objects support the following:
  HTTP, allows you to POST data to a server, execute a RESTful request, or download a file from a server (supports curl, libssh2, mbedTLS)
  SMTP, allows you to send emails, including bulk emails via a mailshot.
  POP3 & IMAP, lets you send, receive & manage email messages on a POP3 or IMAP server.
  FTP & SFTP, allowing you to transfer files, and manage folders & permissions.
  JavaScript (Node.js), allows you to execute a vast array of JavaScript methods inside node.js.
  CRYPTO, allows you to perform encryption and decryption of data, including AES, Camellia, DES, and Blowfish.
  HASH, allows you to hash data using SHA1/2/3, MD5, or RIPEMD (used for signature purposes), while PBKDF2 is available for password hashing.
  OAUTH2 (added for Studio 10.2), provides a more secure authentication service over and above simple username and password schemes.
  You can read all about these in the online docs: OW3 Worker Objects.

In addition to the above, we have extensive support for displaying Graphs or Charts in Omnis, using our dedicated Graph2 external components, or by accessing third-party charting tools, as described in a recent Tech Note: ‘Integrating AmCharts into Omnis Studio‘ that uses JavaScript libraries provided by AmCharts (Chart.js).

Download and Try it

Having outlined some of the great ways you can integrate many technologies with Omnis Studio, we hope that you would like to try out some of them now! To allow you to evaluate Omnis Studio, we offer a free 90-day Trial registration, so you can try a fully working, unrestricted version of Omnis Studio 10.2 for up to 90 days, to prototype an application, or to try out some of the Example Apps in the Samples section in the Hub in the Studio Browser (visible when you start Omnis). So download it today and give it a try, and we’ll email you technical tips during the trial:

Download 90-day Free Trial: www.omnis.net/developers/free-trial/

Or you may want to try out some of these technologies in one of our FREE online training sessions in the Omnis Academy, so please take a look at what courses are available, and Sign up today: www.omnis.net/developers/online-training/

The post Build Powerful Apps by Extending Omnis Studio & Integrating Other Technologies appeared first on Omnis.

The JavaScript Components are available in the Component Store when you design a remote (web) form, from simple Edit controls to Buttons, Radio buttons to Tabs, as well as more complex controls like Data Grids, Maps, and Calendars. We provide a sample app for each of the components, so you can try them out and examine the code you may need in your app – these samples are provided in the Omnis IDE under the Hub in the Studio Browser, but we also provide them online in the JavaScript Components Gallery – here is the Map online sample app.

The Omnis website has a number of Example applications (Contacts, Holidays, etc) as well as the Components Gallery: go to the following link, and click on ‘Omnis Components’ to launch the gallery
https://www.omnis.net/platform/#jsgallery

or on a tablet or mobile device, you can type the shortcut:
tinyurl.com/jsgallery10

On each sample app window you can download an example library so you can examine the code and reuse it in your application. You will need Studio 10.0 or above, and if you’re new to Omnis you can download a 90-day free trial to run the example libraries.

And while your there on the Gallery page, you can look at a ‘Weather’ example app built using Web Services, or you can try out the Studio 10 which is just a fun way to explore the new features in Studio 10 – and you can then tweet your score using Omnis!

The post Omnis JavaScript Components let you create Web & Mobile apps in record time appeared first on Omnis.

We have just released Version 3 of the JavaScript Wrappers for Android 4.0 and iOS 9.0 (or later), that are compatible with Omnis Studio 10.x applications. We provide the project files for each platform, full details on how to configure your project and step-by-step guide to building your app for Android and iOS.

What’s New in this version of the Wrappers

The following new features apply to Android and iOS unless indicated:

• Most device functionality and general communications with Omnis has been pulled out of the wrapper, into a separate Omnis Interface Framework. Allowing custom apps to be developed around the framework, or the framework to be updated independently of the Wrapper project.
• Settings implementation has been rewritten. Custom native settings can be added, and settings can be read/changed at runtime using the ‘loadpref’ or ‘savepref’ $clientcommand.
• The UI and many parts of the code have been reimplemented in Kotlin for Android or Swift for iOS, using more modern APIs.
• evBarcodeFailed Device control event now receives pDeviceErrorText & pDeviceErrorCode params (fix for WR/WR/312).
• Android only: Now targets Android P, and supports newer platform features such as runtime permission checking, split screen mode and notification channels
• iOS only: Pull-down menu now has a link to Settings

Download and Docs

To download the JavaScript Wrapper files and read the documentation, please visit the Omnis Developer site:

https://developer.omnis.net/download/jswrapper.jsp

The post Create JavaScript Apps for Android and iOS with the JavaScript Wrappers appeared first on Omnis.

• Debugging the Omnis runtime in a client’s environment
  Have you ever run into a bug that only happens on a client’s computer or in the runtime environment? See how the new Remote Debugging feature in Omnis Studio 10.0 lets you use the full Omnis debugger against a runtime application, even when deployed behind a NAT and firewalls.
• Deploying Omnis Studio
  Learn how to build installers for Omnis Studio on macOS and Windows that make installing and updating your application rock-solid. Topics covered include branding Omnis as your own application, code signing, and updating existing deployments.

Already announced for our conference, we have Bob Mitchell, Omnis Software Engineering Manager, and Jason Gissing, Omnis Engineer, who will highlight the many new things in our recent Omnis Studio 10 release. The full conference agenda has not been finalised, but these are the confirmed topics for Bob Mitchell:

• V10 Overview and New Code Editor Demonstration
  An overview of the new features in Studio 10.0 and 10.0.1. As well as bug fixes, Studio 10.0.1 includes a number of significant enhancements.
• Omnis RoadMap
  An overview of our ideas for future versions of Omnis Studio
• Remote Objects
  A short presentation and demonstration, describing this new way to implement client-side objects for the JavaScript Client.
• New Workers (Crypto and Hash, SFTP and POP3)
  A brief overview of the new SFTP and POP3 workers. A more detailed presentation and demonstration of Crypto and Hash workers.

And here are Jason’s confirmed topics:

• Extending The JS Client Appearance & Functionality
  Using CSS to improve the appearance of, and JavaScript to add functionality to the JS Client
• Using oBrowser to Extend Omnis Thick Client
  Run modern web content or JS Client forms, or create self-contained controls based on web technology, in desktop apps.
• The General-Purpose Worker
  Using the new JavaScript Worker to do almost anything on a background thread.
• Accessibility In The JS Client
  A brief overview of the Accessibility features introduced to the JS Client in Omnis Studio 10.

We have one further special guest presenter, well known to the Omnis developer community, and we are hoping to confirm their attendance & topics for discussion very soon. The Early Bird pricing has been extended a little and now expires on March 15, so please get your registrations in fast.
For more information, and to register for the US Conference, please go to our website:
https://www.omnis.net/events/#denver

The post Announcing Speakers at the US Omnis Developer Conference appeared first on Omnis.

New Code Editor

Coding has never been easier and faster. The new enhanced Code Editor and the Code Assistant make coding much faster, eliminate errors and simplifies maintenance.

Accessibility

A comprehensive set of features has been added to Omnis Studio 10 to support the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) to help to make your applications more accessible, primarily for people with disabilities.

Remote Debugging

The excellent Omnis Debugger has been further enhanced by Remote Debugging, i.e. the ability to debug and test your code on a remote copy of Omnis. This allows you to debug your applications off-site, potentially saving you and your clients time and effort.

New JavaScript Controls

New JS Controls that let you develop beautiful apps with amazing UIs. A new Toolbar control for remote forms, and a new non-visual external component iCalendar, and hundreds of smaller enhancements to JS Comps, including Data Grids, Segmented Control.

Migrate your datafiles to SQL

There is a new tool in version 10 that enables existing Omnis developers to convert Omnis datafiles to SQLite or PostgreSQL.

Extend your apps

Omnis Studio 10 also includes support for several web & email protocols via an updated OW3 Worker Objects external package, including POP3, CRYPTO, HASH, and SFTP.
 
For more information about this release, and to download Omnis Studio 10, from our brand new website, go to: https://www.omnis.net/platform/omnis-studio-10/
 

The post Omnis Studio 10 is here! appeared first on Omnis.

What else is in the BETA?

The following features were included in the first BETA, and most of these have received further updates and enhancements which are now included in this latest BETA release:

• A new enhanced Code Editor
  allows you to enter Omnis code directly into each command line in a method, and the Code Assistant will help you enter parameter and variable names.
• New Accessibility features
  to enable your apps to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0) supported by many governments and public bodies and fast becoming a mandatory requirement.
• Omnis datafile to SQL Conversion
  a new tool to convert Omnis datafiles to SQLite or PostgreSQL; following conversion the Omnis DML commands in your old library will be retained, but will execute against the selected database, seamlessly and automatically.
• New JavaScript Controls to enhance your apps
  a new Toolbar control for remote forms, and a new non-visual external component iCalendar for managing calendar events in remote forms, and many enhancements in Data grids and other JS components.
• Remote Objects to streamline your code
  a new Remote Object class to allow you to run code entirely on the client in a client-executed method in a remote form; this will allow you to make your apps more agile and efficient on web & mobile clients.
• Web and Email Comms to extend your apps
  an updated OW3 Worker Objects external package, including support for POP3 email, CRYPTO (for encryption or decryption),HASH for hashing (scrambling) data, and SFTP support for file transfer.

Apply for the BETA

If you are a supported Omnis developer (on ODPP) and would like to test the BETA 2, please contact our BETA Program manager by filling out the form on our website.
www.omnis.net/support/odpp/beta.jsp
If you are not a supported developer (on the ODPP), but have a special interest in any of the new features in Studio 10 and would like to test the BETA, then please register giving any reasons for your interest in the Comments section of the form and we would be happy to consider your application.

The post Remote Debugging & JavaScript Worker added to Studio 10 Beta 2 appeared first on Omnis.

• Code Editor and Remote Objects
• Using Omnis with GitHub
• Accessibility in Omnis applications
• Omnis Product Roadmap
• Performance of Omnis apps and Worker Objects
• Deployment of mobile apps
• Integration of Omnis with WordPress
• Omnis Flash Sessions tech tips & field reports by conference attendees
• Introduction of new initiatives by Omnis Software

With so many new features and exciting initiatives happening in Omnis, you really should attend the conference to hear and see it all first-hand, and to meet all the key Omnis management and technical staff.
If there is a topic you would like to be covered in the conference, please let us know! (You can include your suggestions and any special requests on the registration form.)

Conference info and Registration

For more information about the conference programme, details of the hotel and accommodation, and for registration, please go to the Omnis website (conference information is in German and English):
www.omnis.net/news/events.jsp
Alternatively, connect to the language pages directly:
Auf Deutsch: www.omnis.net/news/conference_de.jsp
In English: www.omnis.net/news/conference_en.jsp
Note there are discounted Early bird prices until 8th April, so we urge you to sign up as soon as possible. We look forward to seeing you in Wesel in May!

The post See the Future of Omnis at Regional Developer Conference appeared first on Omnis.

• https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/omnis-app-manager/id1363201483?ls=1&mt=8
• Or type bit.ly/omnis-app-manager in the browser on your iOS device.
• Or you can search for ‘omnis’ or ‘omnis app manager’ in the iOS app store on your device.

Once you download and install the App Manager, you can create a new configuration to access your Omnis app running on the Omnis App Server. You will need to provide the usual app and server information.
If you wish to deploy your Omnis application as an iOS app, you should download the Omnis iOS ‘wrapper’ project from our website, and build a stand-alone branded iOS app for your particular app. The wrappers and docs are available here (including source for iOS, Android and Windows 10):
www.omnis.net/download/jswrapper.jsp

Advantage of creating standalone apps

You can run any Omnis JavaScript app in a standard browser on a macOS desktop or any iOS device including MacBooks, iPhones, and iPads (as well as Android and Windows desktops and mobiles). However, there are many advantages of creating ‘fully-fledged’ native apps on iOS using the wrappers we provide. For example, when running in an iOS app, applications can access additional features, such as:

• Local SQLite database support.
• Data synchronization with any supported backend DB.
• Photo Stream & Camera access.
• Barcode scanning.
• Access Contacts on the device.
• Run the app offline.

Our new App Manager tool will help you test your iOS apps more easily, and allow you to complete your iOS app project that little bit quicker!

The post New Omnis App Manager Helps iOS App Developers appeared first on Omnis.

• Performance of Omnis apps and Worker Objects
• Version control with Git
• Accessibility in Omnis applications
• Deployment of mobile apps
• Integration of Omnis remote forms in WordPress
• Omnis Flash Sessions tech tips & field reports by conference attendees

If there is a topic you would like to be covered in the conference, please let us know! (You can include this on the registration form.)

Looking to the future

We are also looking forward to telling you about several new developments in the product itself and in the company, all designed with the goal of making it easier for you to create web and mobile apps using Omnis Studio, and to succeed in your business or organisation.

• Features in Omnis Studio 8.2
  A first glance at the new features in the next version of Omnis Studio including ‘the new code editor’
• Exclusive: A very first glance at a new Omnis product
  For a new generation of developers
• Omnis Product Roadmap
  Outlook into the future: Studio version 9.0 and beyond
• Introduction of new initiatives by Omnis Software
  Omnis Technical Committee, Omnis Ambassador Program, Online Academy, renewed Omnis Marketing, and more

With so many exciting initiatives happening in Omnis, you really should attend the conference to hear and see it all first-hand, and to meet all the key Omnis management and technical staff.

Conference info and Registration

For more information about the conference programme, details of the hotel and accommodation, and for registration, please go to the Omnis website (conference information is in German and English):
www.omnis.net/news/events.jsp
Alternatively, connect to the language pages directly:
Auf Deutsch: www.omnis.net/news/conference_de.jsp
In English: www.omnis.net/news/conference_en.jsp
Note there are discounted Early bird prices until 8th April, so we urge you to sign up as soon as possible. We look forward to seeing you in Wesel!

The post Omnis Regional Conference, Wesel: 15 + 16 May appeared first on Omnis.