Author: George Henne

We’re pleased to announce that AppStudio 9 has been released. It features improved VoltBuilder integration, Bootstrap 5, an AI Coding Assistant and more.

We’re taking this opportunity to revise and simplify our pricing. Here’s what’s changed:

1. VoltBuilder Indy is now included with an AppStudio Essential subscription. You won’t need to pay for VoltBuilder separately.
2. All pricing is now subscription based.
3. If you currently have a subscription, you will be licensed for Version 9 automatically.
4. If you have a one time license for an older version, your license will continue to be valid for that version.
5. To get Version 9, you’ll need a subscription.
6. The current $9.95 Upgrade rate for AppStudio Essential will increase to $15.00 (but remember, VoltBuilder Indy is now included)
7. One time licenses (including for Classrooms) will be no longer be available.
8. Existing users can use the AppStudio 9 for 10 days, as a demo.

This completes the transition to subscription billing which we started several years ago. For our users, it simplifies the options for getting AppStudio. For us, it provides a steady stream of revenue to fund new development, support, and all the subscription services we ourselves have to pay for.

Please email us at support@appstudio.dev if you have any questions.

We’re pleased to announce that 9.0.0 has been released.

Major New Features

• AI Coding Assistant to help you with your code
• Bootstrap 5 support added
• SQL WASM support added
• VoltBuilder integration improved.
• Online Wiki – server reconfigured for faster response

You can download the new release from within AppStudio or from our site.

Important! There are changes in how we license AppStudio 9. Please read this to understand how it affects you. Let email us at support@appstudio.dev if you have questions.

Here are the changes in detail…

IDE

General

1. AppStudio icon updated to a modern squared circle.
2. Registration and validation now uses new backend stem.

Code Window

1. New AI Coding Assistant icon added.
2. Code formatting updated to use Prettier instead of jsBeautifier
3. Switching between tabs is now faster.
4. Format Code is now in sync with Check Syntax.
5. Format Code now uses the latest JS best practices.
6. Changed indent preference takes effect immediately.
7. Using the Functions window to navigate code has been improved.
8. eslintRules can be used to fine tune syntax checking.

Design Screen

1. Stability of dragging controls improved.
2. Avoid adding control to container it already is in.
3. Fix underlining and reporting of syntax errors in code.
4. Design Screen: Add warning for mixed frameworks (like BS4 and BS5 in same project)

ToolBox

1. SQLite WASM added
2. Bootstrap 5 controls added

Runtime

1. Change delays in startup to improve import of SQLite databases.
2. SQLite error messages improved.
3. Option to use SQLite WASM added to libraries.

Deploy Methods

Local Deploy

1. Deploy: fix error on Windows local deploy when using Hebrew.

VoltBuilder and Cordova

1. Cordova: remove option from Run menu.
2. VoltBuilder: Rename “VoltBuilder and Cordova” to “Cordova”
3. VoltBuilder: Remove “Cordova command” property.
4. VoltBuilder: Add “Release” and “Platform” properties.
5. VoltBuilder: properties renamed to be consistent with VoltBuilder docs.
6. VoltBuilder: Use utf-8 encoding to handle extended characters in Arabic, Hebrew, etc.
7. VoltBuilder: Improve handling of special characters in “description” property.
8. VoltBuilder: Update “config.xml” property template for latest requirements.
9. VoltBuilder Status: Works gracefully if job not submitted yet.

Electron

1. Packages listed in package.json are now deployed with your project.
2. isElectron set earlier in startup – fixes possible runtime error
3. Updated to latest version.

ToolBox

1. SQLite WASM added

PhoneGap

1. PhoneGap dropped – no longer in business.

Frameworks

Bootstrap 5 has been released. The developers continue to support Bootstrap 4 as well: both are supported by AppStudio.

Bootstrap 3 is no longer supported. We recommend converting to Bootstrap 4 or Bootstrap 5.

jQuery Mobile is no longer supported. While the controls still work, for the most part, they throw error messages in Chrome for using insecure libraries. We recommend converting to Bootstrap 4 or Bootstrap 5.

Bootstrap 5

1. Complete new framework. Read about Bootstrap 5.

Bootstrap 4

1. Select: name and required properties are now implemented.
2. New themes: morph, quartz, vapor, yeti and zephyr.
3. Toast – Add z-index property

Common

1. Forms: iScroll no longer used – use native scrolling instead.
2. QRCode: setValue added to autocomplete in Code Window

Bootstrap 3 (Obsolete)

1. Now marked as Obsolete in the Toolbox and Samples.

jQuery Mobile (Obsolete)

1. Now marked as Obsolete in the Toolbox and Samples.

Samples

1. BootStrap 5 samples added.
2. SQLSample1, 2 and 3 updated to use SQLite WASM
3. Add missing descriptions to some samples.
4. Fix JS Northwind sample.
5. HeaderBodyFooter: Add comment to app describing what it is for.
6. Splitview: Add comment to app describing what it is for.
7. PictureBox – fix image not showing
8. StudentsLocalStorage – Add a message if record not found

Installer

1. Windows installer now shows 9.0.0.0
2. Windows Installer: use new icon

Internals

1. jQuery updated to 3.7
2. Python updated to 3.8.10.
3. Node updated to 20
4. Many, many internal libraries updated.
5. PDFMake updated to fix unsafe-eval issue.

Breaking Changes

1. Calling Cordova to build your project locally is no longer supported. Use VoltBuilder instead – it’s much easier and is mult-platform. (If you need to build locally, you can use the files in the VoltBuilder folder which is created on a deploy to VoltBuilder)

We’re pleased to announce that 8.5.8 has been released.

It resolves a few issues with 8.5 and updates a number of underlying libraries.

1. Bootstrap 4: Fix padding on Label
2. Bootstrap 4: Modals – fix bug with 2 modals
3. Design Screen: Improve selecting controls on newer versions of MacOS.
4. Design Screen: Improve stability by fixing internal error
5. Licensing: Use new ALS licensing system
6. Samples: Fix how video source works
7. Samples: Remove whitelist plugin
8. Samples: Update Camera Sample permissions for VoltBuilder
9. SQLImport: Fix initialization of SQL on VoltBuilder jobs
10. SQLImport: Fix timing issue when importing
11. VoltBuilder: Add flag to build for Xcode 13
12. VoltBuilder: Add support for Android 12
13. VoltBuilder: Add verbose property
14. Copyright updated to 2023
15. Libraries: Many updates to dependent libraries.

You can download the new release from within AppStudio or from our site.

We’re pleased to announce that 8.5.7 has been released.

It resolves a few issues with 8.5 and updates a number of underlying libraries.

1. Bootstrap: update Slider to 11.0.2
2. Electron: Fix Slider
3. Obfuscation: fix missing parameter and improve docs
4. Translater: fix bug in Fix()
5. EULA: Fix agreed EULA not being recognized
6. Samples: Fix Delete in IndexedDB sample.
7. Samples: Overhaul IndexedDB sample.
8. Installer: fix problem in Windows signing
9. Installer: Update Windows certificate
10. IDE: Change copyright to 2022
11. Libraries: Many updates to dependent libraries.

You can download the new release from within AppStudio or from our site.

We’re pleased to announce that 8.5.6 has been released.

It resolves a few issues with 8.5 and updates a number of underlying libraries.

Here is what is new and changed in 8.5.6:

1. Electron: Fix problems caused by updated libraries
2. EULA: Encode newlines properly
3. QRCode: Update library to 1.5.0
4. QRCode: add new options argument to setValue
5. QRCode: add new options property in Design Screen
6. Libraries: Update to current versions
7. Windows 11: Now fully supported
8. SQLite: Fix bug in empty tables test (Windows only)
9. Bootstrap: Update to 4.6.1
10. Libraries: Update to current versions
11. VoltBuilder: fix ‘Cannot find googlePlayKey’ message
12. Electron: Fix ‘isElectron not defined’ by adding contextIsolation: false, enableRemoteModule: true to webPreferences.
13. Electron: Update electron-build to 22.13.1
14. Node: Update to 16.13.1
15. IDE: Fix drag and crash when moving Help panel.
16. IDE: Fix link to VoltSigner on Run menu.
17. Navs: Navs.value returns the correct value.
18. Code Window: Lint button fixed.
19. Update copyright to 2022.
20. Eslint: Update to use latest version and API
21. MacOS Installer: simplify notarization.

You can download the new release from within AppStudio or from our site.

We’re pleased to announce that 8.5.5 has been released.

It resolves a few issues with 8.5. It also cleans up the interface with VoltServer – it should be easier to log in and use.

Here is what is new and changed in 8.5.5:

1. Project Properties: New androidPackageType to build .aab files
2. BS4: Fix problem with icons and i18n.
3. Installer: PyInstaller updated to 4.5
4. Libraries: lots of updates!
5. Runtime: Don’t output anything if no fontfamily on body.
6. Runtime: Javascript ValueOf was calling a BASIC function.
7. Runtime: remove redundant line in asStyle.css
8. Runtime: remove some unneeded debugging
9. Samples: update Barcode sample.(Thanks, LotsOfCows!)
10. SQLImport: fix NSB.overwriteNever when using SQLite plugin.
11. SQLite: fix error in error trapping function.

You can download the new release from within AppStudio or from our site.

We’re pleased to announce that 8.5.4 has been released.

It resolves a few issues with 8.5. It also cleans up the interface with VoltServer – it should be easier to log in and use.

Here is what is new and changed in 8.5.3:

1. BS4 Input: Add new Datetime-local input type.
2. Code Window: fix ‘async function’ in function list
3. Code Window: fix error in building function list
4. Cordova: Improve some descriptions.
5. Electron: Start app issue on Mac OS fixed.
6. Local Deploy: Skip the confirm message.
7. MacOS: Notarization now works – New installs should be much more smooth.
8. Node: Updated to 14.16.1
9. Preferences – VoltServer: Default email to registered email.
10. Preferences – VoltServer: Disable unusable buttons.
11. Preferences: Create new VoltServer account goes to correct page
12. Preferences: Put VoltBuilder and VoltServer tabs in order.
13. Runtime: Import large SQLite databases fixed on iOS web apps.
14. Samples: Fix TwoForms sample
15. VoltServer – clear voltID and voltDomain when loading samples.
16. VoltServer – Dashboard: Update to Bootstrap 4.
17. VoltServer: Default email to registered email if not set up in Prefs.
18. VoltServer: Erase account information when license is deactivated.
19. VoltServer: Give a better message if account not set up properly.
20. VoltServer: Pass email address to Forgot Password dialog.
21. Windows: Window 10 is now required. (Windows 7 is EOL by Microsoft)

Breaking change: Windows 7 is no longer supported. Microsoft dropped support for Windows 7 a while ago. Now, the libraries we use to build AppStudio are dropping support for Windows 7.

You can download the new release from within AppStudio or from our site.

We’re pleased to announce that 8.5.3 has been released.

It resolves a few issues with 8.5. Plus, Volt is now called VoltServer, which should be less confusing now that VoltBuilder and VoltSigner are real products.

Here is what is new and changed in 8.5.3:

1. IDE: Python updated to 3.9
2. IDE: Translation files updated.
3. IDE: Add a ctrl+p shortcut to open older projects.
4. IDE: Change “Volt Server” to “VoltServer”
5. Design Screen: fix jqWidgets controls not appearing, caused by IE11 ECMAScript incompatibilities. (Windows)
6. Design Screen: Drag handles disappeared sometimes (MacOS only)
7. Installer: Sign some additional libraries (MacOS), update for Python 9
8. Runtime: Body should inherit color and background-color (Dark mode)
9. Translation: Clean up some text strings for better translation.
10. Node: Updated to 14.16.0.

Breaking change: Windows 7 is no longer supported. Microsoft dropped support for Windows 7 a while ago. Now, the libraries we use to build AppStudio are dropping support for Windows 7.

You can download the new release from within AppStudio or from our site.

We now have a place for AppStudio users to hang out and discuss what they are interested in.

Got an idea for a project you want to kick around?

Looking for people who can help you with your project?

Want to discuss the general state of the industry with other AppStudio users?

Feel free to post what you want – the only rule is that it be somewhat relevant or of interest to other AppStudio users.

https://discuss.appstudio.dev/c/community

Come join in!

We’re pleased to announce that 8.5.2 has been released.

It resolves a few issues with 8.5. Plus, Volt is now called VoltServer, which should be less confusing now that VoltBuilder and VoltSigner are real products.

One thing to look out for: there are changes to how SQLite works in native apps. Read "Breaking Changes" below.

Here is what is new and changed in 8.5.2:

1. SQLite: Does not execute SqlImport until initialization is complete.
2. SQLite: If a Cordova SQLite plugin is specified in config.xml, it will override the native WebSQL. (possible breaking change!)
3. VoltServer: Deploy without an account disabled in demo.
4. VoltServer: Volt and Volt server are now called VoltServer
5. Demo: Period shortened to 10 days due to abuse.
6. IDE: Node updated to version 14.16.

Breaking change : When running as a native app, the Cordova library is used instead of the browser's. That means the database data will be saved in the file system and not in the browser's sandbox. Please check where your app is saving the data: you may have to consider a migration strategy if you are affected. Please contact support@appstudio.dev if you need help. The need for this changed comes from Safari changing support for WebSQL. This does NOT affect web apps.

You can download the new release from within AppStudio or from our site.