Category: news

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.

We’re pleased to announce that 8.5.0 has been released.

The major change is that AppStudio is now using the latest wxWidgets library for its UI. The whole environment looks subtly better.

There are also tons of minor improvements, updates and fixes.

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:

1. IDE: wxPython updated to 4.1.1. Uses wxWidgets 3.1. Tons of fixes and minor improvements, and it just looks better.
2. BS4: Updated to 4.6
3. BS4: Bootswatch themes updated to 4.6
4. BS4: Input) password now has option to toggle plain text on or off.
5. BS4: Navs) – fix .clear() and .addItem() functions
6. BS4: Slider) – Add .hide() and .show() functions
7. Code Window: Improve function list to catch more JavaScript function formats.
8. Code Window: Improved function name find.
9. IDE: MacOS: control keys for copy and paste work in dialog windows.
10. Demo: Do not allow Cordova Build.
11. Deploy: Allow wasm files to be deployed.
12. Deploy: Some redundant code eliminated – may be quicker
13. Design Screen: Change "Add Component" to "Add Control".
14. Electron: Spaces are not allowed in Title
15. Electron: Updated to 9.4.0. (electron-builder and npm also updated)
16. IDE: Copyright is now 2021
17. IDE: MacOS: control keys for copy and paste work in dialog windows.
18. Installer: Windows signing certificate renewed.
19. Navigo: Updated to 8.4.3. Used by BrowserArrows (see sample)
20. Project Properties: Remove androidDname – replaced by VoltSigner
21. Project Properties: Signing filenames default to VoltSigner's values.
22. Run Menu: Add "Get Signing Certificate with VoltSigner" .
23. Run Menu: Change "Volt" to "Volt Server".
24. Samples: Change PhoneGap references to VoltBuilder.
25. Samples: Volt Services is now called VoltServer.
26. Samples: SQLSample1 updated.
27. Samples: Some samples would not open due to a PWA_manifest problem.
28. SQLite: SqlOpenDatabase now takes only 1 argument.
29. SQLite: When running as a native app, the Cordova library is used instead of the browser's.
30. VoltBuilder: Default key names to be same as VoltSigner defaults.
31. VoltBuilder: Remove reference to xmlns:gap in default config.xml
32. VoltBuilder/Cordova: Main() is now called on deviceready event.
33. VoltSigner: added to Run menu.

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.

We’re pleased to announce that 8.4.2 has been released.

The most important change is the addition of the Certificate Wizard. Part of VoltBuilder, it lets you create your Android and iOS certificates easily.

With the addition of the Certificate Wizard, AppStudio developers no longer need a Mac to create iOS applications.

Here is what is new and changed in 8.4.2:

1. Certificate Wizard: Make Android and iOS certificates easily.
2. BootStrap Input: minlength added as a property.
3. Common Grid: addCols() wasn’t setting cell ids properly.
4. Installer: Updated to the latest pyInstaller
5. Obfuscator: Updated to the latest version. stringArrayEncoding is now an array.
6. Samples: Update button on JavaScript NorthWind sample fixed.
7. Windows Installer: Fixed a problem with the certicate

The easiest way to get the update is on the Help menu – “Check for Updates…” or visit our Downloads page.

Important: If you’re using VoltBuilder, please update to 8.4.2. Builds using AppStudio 8.3 will no longer work.

We’re pleased to announce that 8.4.1 has been released.

There are a few new features. Uploads to VoltBuilder from AppStudio are now significantly smaller, making more apps eligible for the Free VoltBuilder plan. VoltBuilder can now upload your app to the Android and iOS app stores as part of the build. There are also some minor, but very useful changes.

Here is what is new and changed in 8.4.1:

1. VoltBuilder: Only generates images for platform being built.
2. VoltBuilder: Add properties for upload to Google Play Store.
3. VoltBuilder: Add properties for upload to iTunes App Store.
4. VoltBuilder: Add prompt before submitting build.
5. Deploy: Add confirm prompt to FTP/SFTP Deploy.
6. Runtime: Defer execution of SQLImport until after load completes.
7. Deploy: Content Security Policy is now output for all jobs.
8. Project Properties: Content Security Policy moved from VoltBuilder to General.

Items 2 and 3 are interesting. These get rid of a few steps posting builds to the app stores, a feature PhoneGap never had. More significantly, you can build and upload from a Windows box – no Mac is required for this step.

The easiest way to get the update is on the Help menu – “Check for Updates…” or visit our Downloads page.

Important: If you’re using VoltBuilder, please update to 8.4.1 Builds using AppStudio 8.3 will not work after October 25, 2020.

AppStudio 8.4 is about to be released. Since VoltBuilder is a build service operated separately from AppStudio, it is an additional cost. It has real variable costs, beyond just development. There is bandwidth, hosting, backup, support, 24/7 monitoring, and keeping all the software components up to date and working with each other.

Discounts are available for AppStudio users.

Here are the full details.

https://www.appstudio.dev/app/voltbuilder_for_appstudio.php/