With Nexacro Platform, you can develop applications to support a variety of operating systems and user environments using a single set of code. However, when distributing applications, some functions and distribution can vary depending on the user environments.
This chapter covers information developers and system administrators will need for the iOS and Android operating systems for smartphones and tablet PCs.
Technology Components
Applications distributed to iOS and Android operating systems can run even when devices are in motion. They can utilize a variety of equipped sensor functions. In the case of smartphones, the applications can be connected to functions such as call or SMS. Therefore, it is necessary for you to understand device APIs, development, execution and distribution.
Device APIs
The device APIs provided on the Nexacro Platform are listed in the following table.
Device API | Contents of Function |
---|---|
System | Basic terminal information Making calls Playing simple-sound files Objects > Misc. Objects > System |
Acceleration | Terminal acceleration information by using the accelerometer sensor |
LiteDB | Local DB usage |
VirtualFile | File input/output |
AudioPlayer | Sound file play control |
AudioRecorder | Audio recording |
Camera | Built-in camera |
ContactSet | Address book inquiry/add/delete/edit |
ExternalAPI | Access/connection to external devices |
GeoLocation | Terminal location information by using GPS and WPS:
|
ImagePicker | Terminal album access |
Map | Map component for map marking |
Network | Terminal network status check (No Network, 3G, Wi-Fi) Available communication check with certain sites |
Sms | SMS transmission SMS reception detection Received SMS storage check/delete |
Vibrator | Vibration generation |
Provided functions can be added or changed depending on versions. Which functions are supported depends on the device operating system. Please refer to the reference guide included in Nexacro Studio for details.
Development
The way to develop screens and services is the same in both versions. The difference is that device APIs which are used in the iOS and Android operating systems can be utilized as additional components. The basic test for newly created applications can be done on Nexacro Studio, but the actual operation of device APIs should be tested by distributing the applications to the devices.
In both iOS and Android, unverified applications cannot be executed, and only app-type applications can be executed. For these reasons, applications developed on Nexacro Platform should be developed and distributed as apps so that they can be directly executed on devices, not on web browsers.
Nexacro Platform provides libraries needed for Android and iOS development environments to make it easy to develop apps. Applications based on packaging (archive file creation) can also be distributed.
Nexacro Platform-based apps operating in iOS and Android are developed using the following process.
Nexacro Studio does not support developing apps that can be directly distributed to markets or tested on simulators.
Execution
An application developed on the Nexacro Platform can be installed and run by downloading the required file specified in the start_android[ios].json file in the designated deploy server, or by updating a previously modified file.
The web server and the deployment server do not need to be physically separated. You can adjust equipment deployment, if necessary, as long as you designate a path for each server.
Distribution Environment
Distribution reflects creating archive files to a deployment server and installing Nexacro Platform applications on devices.
Apps are distributed through markets supported by each device's operating system.
For example, for Android, apps are distributed through various markets run by Google, device manufacturers and telecommunications service providers. Apps can be distributed through servers.
In the case of iOS, the APP Store is used for distributing apps. For apps to be distributed only for the internal use at companies, the Enterprise Program among iOS developer programs can be utilized.
Apps can be distributed on Android and iOS as follows.
OS | Method | Market | Description | Operator |
---|---|---|---|---|
Android | Market | Google Play | Run by Google which developed Android. The largest number of apps are distributed in the market. | |
Samsung Apps | Run by Samsung Electronics, a device manufacturer | Samsung Electronics | ||
Self-distribution | Apk files are located in private web servers and distributed through the corresponding URLs | Self-operation | ||
iOS | Market | Apple Appstore | Run by Apple Private servers are not available | Apple |
Self-distribution | Available by joining the Enterprise Program | Self-operation |
Available markets for the Android operating system can be different from countries providing the service. The table above specifies the major markets available in Korea.
Development Process
Major Components
Nexacro Platform apps are mainly composed of the following elements.
The following table describes the main components of Nexacro Platform apps.
Component | Detail | Time of Inclusion |
---|---|---|
nexacro platform Library (Native Code) | Included when an app is developed by the library. Provided as:
The composition of the library is as follows:
※ Note
| Build includes Nexacro Platform application projects on Android Studio or Xcode |
start_android.json start_ios.json | Includes path information of the following files and reads the information by accessing the designated path when building an app:
※ Note
| Downloaded into Nexacro Platform apps by loading or updating it at the time of execution. |
Base Library | It provides Nexacro Platform frameworks by compressing them. It uses the nexacro14lib.zip file which includes components realized by Java Script. ※ Note
| |
Run Archive File | It contains the information about components to be used on Nexacro Platform and a path of an ADL Java Script file to be executed for the first time. ※ Note
| |
Project Archive File / Project File | A Nexacro Platform HTML5 project file developed on Nexacro Studio ※ Note
| |
Theme Archive File / Theme File | It is a theme file of a Nexacro Platform HTML5 project. ※ Note
|
Development and Execution Process
The development and execution process is listed in the following table.
Phase | Detail |
---|---|
Project Development | Nexacro Platform applications are developed on Nexacro Studio. |
Deploy Server Reflection | Required archive files are created and distributed on Nexacro Studio and then reflected to the server. |
App Project Creation / Build | Application projects are created on Android Studio(Android) and Xcode(iOS). The provided Nexacro Platform Library is referred after the projects are created. After configuring the project settings, apps (APK/APP) are built on Android Studio(Android) and Xcode(iOS). ※ For iOS, an Apple developer account is needed to build the apps for the devices. |
Execution | After connection to devices, apps are executed from Android Studio(Android) and Xcode(iOS) to the devices. ※ For iOS, an Apple developer account is needed to execute the apps on the devices. |
Distribution Process and Method
Archive files and apps are distributed separately on Nexacro Platform as illustrated in the following graphic.
Archive files, composed of base libraries, project archives, theme archives, run archives and etc, are packaged on Nexacro Studio and delivered through the deploy server.
Apps are created in the created projects, including Nexacro Platform libraries, and are distributed to markets or private servers (only in case of Android) as files available to be distributed. When a user runs a smartphone and executes an app that has been downloaded from a market or a private server, the app loads the required information from the deploy server and displays the app on the screen.
Nexacro Platform hybrid apps (APK/APP) are distributed through markets as follows (details vary depending on markets - refer to the manuals related to each market):
Developer account creation
App creation for distribution
Inspection registration
Inspection completion
Service start
Specifications for App Development and Execution
This section lists specifications for devices and SDK versions for Android and iOS.
Use the latest version of tools and SDK for distribution.
Android
Section | Item | Description |
---|---|---|
Development | OS | Window/Mac/Linux are available |
Android Studio | The installation file of Android Studio basically includes an SDK (software development kit). | |
Developer Account | A developer account for each company is needed to distribute apps to Google Play. The costs are different depending on companies. | |
Device | Device OS | Android OS 2.3 or later ※ However, other operating systems will be examined. |
iOS
Section | Item | Description |
---|---|---|
Development | OS | Apps can be developed/distributed only on Mac OS X Minimum : Mac 10.6.8 or later |
Xcode | Tool to develop apps for iOS (free download) | |
iOS SDK | Installed when Xcode is installed (free download) Apps can be distributed to Appstore only when they are built with the latest version of SDK | |
Developer Account | When created on Apple iOS developer page, the cost will be charged annually (approximatly $99/year) | |
Device | Device OS | iOS 4 or later ※ However, other operating systems will be examined |
Devices capable of supporting Nexacro Platform are as follows:
The following devices have been verified by us and are supported without special request from customers
• Android Smart Phone
Samsung Electronics
- Galaxy S3 (Android 4.1.2)
- Galaxy S4 (Android 4.2.2)
- Galaxy Note 8.0 (Android 4.1.2)
- Galaxy Note 10.1 (Android 4.1.1)
LG Electronics
- Optimus G2 (Andriod 4.2.2)
- Optimus Vu2 (Andriod 4.0.4)
SHARP
- Aquos Phone (Andriod 4.0.4)
• Android Tablet
Samsung Electronics
- Galaxy Tab 10.1 (Android 3.2)
Fujitsu Mobile
- Arrows Tab Wi-Fi FAR70A (Android 3.2)
• iOS
iPhone5 (iOS 6.0.1)
iPhone5s (iOS 7.1)
iPad2 (iOS 7.1.1)
iPad4 (iOS 7.1.1)
iPad mini (iOS 6.0.1, 7.1)