How to Create Stunning iOS Apps with Xojo 2019 Release 3
Xojo 2019 Release 3: What's New and Why You Should Try It
If you are looking for a powerful and easy-to-use tool for creating cross-platform applications, you might want to check out Xojo. Xojo is a rapid application development (RAD) environment that lets you create native apps for desktop, web, mobile, and Raspberry Pi using a single code base. With Xojo, you can design your user interface with drag-and-drop controls, write your logic in an object-oriented language, and compile your app for multiple platforms with just one click.
Xojo 2019 Release 3
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In this article, we will explore the latest version of Xojo, which is Xojo 2019 Release 3. This release was launched on December 11th, 2019, and it comes with over 100 changes and improvements. The main focus of this release is on iOS development, as it introduces several new features and enhancements that make it easier and more fun to create iOS apps with Xojo. We will also cover some of the other improvements and bug fixes that affect other platforms.
By the end of this article, you will have a good overview of what Xojo 2019 Release 3 has to offer, and why you should give it a try. Whether you are new to Xojo or an experienced user, you will find something useful and interesting in this release. So let's get started!
iOS 13 Dark Mode Support
One of the most noticeable changes in Xojo 2019 Release 3 is the support for iOS 13 Dark Mode. Dark Mode is a feature that allows users to switch their device's appearance from a light theme to a dark theme. This can help reduce eye strain, save battery life, and provide a more comfortable viewing experience in low-light environments.
As an app developer, you want your app to look good and consistent in both light and dark modes. That's why Xojo 2019 Release 3 introduces a new feature called Color Groups. Color Groups are collections of colors that automatically adapt to the current appearance mode of the device. You can use Color Groups to assign colors to your views and controls, and they will change accordingly when the user switches between light and dark modes.
To use Color Groups, you need to create them in the Xojo IDE. You can do this by going to the Project menu and selecting New Color Group. You can then name your Color Group and add colors to it. You can choose from predefined system colors, or create your own custom colors. You can also specify different colors for light and dark modes, or use the same color for both.
Once you have created your Color Groups, you can use them in your code or in the Inspector. For example, you can set the BackgroundColor property of a view or a control to a Color Group, and it will automatically update when the appearance mode changes. You can also access the colors in a Color Group programmatically using the ColorGroup.Value method, which returns the appropriate color for the current appearance mode.
To test and debug your app in Dark Mode, you can use the Xojo Simulator or a real device. You can change the appearance mode of the Simulator by going to the Settings app and selecting Display & Brightness. You can also use the DebugAppearanceMode property of the iOSApplication class to force your app to run in a specific appearance mode, regardless of the device settings. This can be useful for testing purposes, but you should remove it before deploying your app.
iOS Blur Effects Using iOSRectangle
Another new feature in Xojo 2019 Release 3 is the ability to apply Blur Effects to your views and controls using iOSRectangle. Blur Effects are visual effects that create a blurred version of the content behind a view or a control, creating a sense of depth and transparency. Blur Effects can enhance your app's appearance and make it more consistent with the iOS design language.
To use Blur Effects, you need to use iOSRectangle as a container for your views and controls. iOSRectangle is a subclass of iOSView that allows you to set properties such as border color, border width, corner radius, and blur effect. You can add an iOSRectangle to your layout using the Library or by dragging an existing view or control onto it.
To apply a Blur Effect to an iOSRectangle, you need to set its BlurEffect property to one of the predefined constants: None, ExtraLight, Light, Dark, Regular, or Prominent. These constants correspond to different styles and intensities of Blur Effects. You can also adjust the Alpha property of the iOSRectangle to control its opacity.
When you use Blur Effects, you should keep in mind some best practices and guidelines. For example, you should avoid using Blur Effects on text or other elements that require high readability, as they might become hard to see. You should also avoid using too many Blur Effects on the same screen, as they might create visual clutter and performance issues.
iOS SF Symbol Image Access
Xojo 2019 Release 3 also adds support for SF Symbols, which are a set of over 1,500 icons that are designed to work seamlessly with Apple's system fonts. SF Symbols are vector-based and scalable, meaning they can adapt to different sizes, weights, and scales without losing quality or consistency. SF Symbols can improve your app's iconography and make it more compatible with the iOS design system.
To access and use SF Symbols in your app, you need to use the iOSSFSymbol class. This class allows you to create an iOSSFSymbol object from a symbol name or a system image name. You can then assign this object to the Image property of an iOSImageView or an iOSButton.
To find out the names of SF Symbols, you can use the SF Symbols app that is available from Apple's developer website. This app lets you browse and search for SF Symbols by category or keyword. You can also copy their names or export them as images.
To adjust the size, weight, and scale of SF Symbols, you can use the properties and methods of the iOSSFSymbol class. For example, you can set the Size property to one of the predefined constants: Small, Medium, Large, or Custom. You can also set the Weight property to one of the constants: Ultralight, Thin, Light, Regular, Medium, Semibold, Bold, Heavy, or Black. You can also set the Scale property to one of the constants: Small, Medium, or Large. Alternatively, you can use the Configure method to set all these properties at once.
When you use SF Symbols, you should follow some best practices and guidelines. For example, you should use SF Symbols that are appropriate and relevant for your app's functionality and context. You should also avoid modifying or customizing SF Symbols, as they might lose their clarity and consistency.
iOS Text Area Border Settings
Another improvement in Xojo 2019 Release 3 is the ability to set the border color, width, and corner radius of Text Areas on iOS. Text Areas are controls that allow users to enter and edit multiple lines of text. By setting the border properties of Text Areas, you can make them more visible and attractive in your app's UI.
To set the border properties of Text Areas, you need to use the iOSLib module that is included in Xojo. This module contains several extensions and classes that enhance the iOS framework. You can find the iOSLib module in the Examples/iOS/ folder of your Xojo installation.
To use the iOSLib module, you need to drag it into your project. You can then access its methods and properties from your code or from the Inspector. For example, you can set the BorderColor, BorderWidth, and CornerRadius properties of a Text Area using the Inspector. You can also use the iOSLib methods to handle Text Area events and properties, such as TextChanged, DidBeginEditing, DidEndEditing, KeyboardType, ReturnKeyType, and more.
When you use Text Areas in your app, you should keep in mind some best practices and guidelines. For example, you should provide clear and concise labels for your Text Areas, so that users know what they are expected to enter. You should also provide feedback and validation for user input, such as highlighting errors or showing progress indicators.
Other Improvements and Bug Fixes
Besides the iOS features and enhancements, Xojo 2019 Release 3 also includes several other improvements and bug fixes that affect other platforms. Here are some of the most notable ones:
SQLite Update
Xojo 2019 Release 3 updates the SQLite engine to version 3.30.1. This version introduces several new features and optimizations, such as generated columns, optimized queries, improved window functions, and more. You can read more about the changes in SQLite here:
ListBox Iterators
Xojo 2019 Release 3 adds two new methods to the ListBox class: RowIterator and ColumnIterator. These methods return an iterator object that allows you to loop through the rows or columns of a ListBox using a For Each loop. This can make your code more readable and efficient when working with ListBoxes.
String Improvements
Xojo 2019 Release 3 improves the performance and functionality of the String class. For example, it adds a new method called SplitAtGraphemeBoundaries that splits a string into an array of strings based on grapheme boundaries. A grapheme boundary is a position where a character or a sequence of characters can be split without changing its meaning or appearance. This method can be useful for handling complex scripts or emoji characters.
DateTime Improvements
Xojo 2019 Release 3 improves the DateTime class that was introduced in Xojo 2019 Release 2. The DateTime class is a replacement for the deprecated Date class that provides more accurate and consistent date and time handling across platforms. In this release, Xojo adds several new methods and properties to the DateTime class, such as TotalSecondsFrom1970, TotalSecondsFromGMT, TotalSecondsFromLocal, and IsDaylightSavings. These methods and properties can help you manipulate and compare DateTime values more easily and accurately.
System.VersionData Class
Xojo 2019 Release 3 adds a new class called System.VersionData that allows you to access the version information of the operating system and the Xojo framework. You can use this class to get the major, minor, bug fix, and build numbers of the OS and Xojo versions. You can also use this class to compare versions using the CompareTo method.
Deprecation Warnings and Replacements
Xojo 2019 Release 3 adds deprecation warnings for several items that will be removed or replaced in future releases. For example, it warns you about the use of the Date class, the Crypto module, the REALGetPropValueString function, and more. It also suggests the replacements or alternatives for these items, such as the DateTime class, the Xojo.Crypto module, the Xojo.Introspection module, and more. You should pay attention to these warnings and update your code accordingly to avoid compatibility issues in the future.
Miscellaneous Fixes
Xojo 2019 Release 3 also fixes several bugs and issues that affect various platforms and features. For example, it fixes a memory leak in the HTTPSocket class, a crash in the WebFileUploader control, a rendering issue in the WebCanvas control, and more. You can read the full list of changes and fixes in Xojo 2019 Release 3 here:
Conclusion
In this article, we have explored Xojo 2019 Release 3, which is the latest version of Xojo, a software development tool for creating cross-platform applications. We have seen some of the new features and enhancements that this release brings, especially for iOS development. We have also covered some of the other improvements and bug fixes that affect other platforms.
Xojo 2019 Release 3 is a significant update that makes Xojo more powerful, easy-to-use, and fun to work with. It also makes your apps more compatible, consistent, and attractive across different platforms and devices. If you are looking for a tool that can help you create native apps for desktop, web, mobile, and Raspberry Pi using a single code base, you should definitely give Xojo a try.
You can download Xojo 2019 Release 3 from the official website here:
You can also check out the documentation, tutorials, examples, forums, and blog posts to learn more about Xojo and how to use it effectively. You can find these resources here:
We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new and useful. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Xojo 2019 Release 3:
Q: How much does Xojo cost?
A: Xojo offers different licenses depending on your needs and preferences. You can choose from Desktop, Web, iOS, Raspberry Pi, Lite, Pro, or Pro Plus licenses. The prices range from $99 to $1,999 per year. You can also try Xojo for free with some limitations. You can compare the licenses and prices here:
Q: What are the system requirements for Xojo?
A: Xojo supports Windows 7 or later (32-bit or 64-bit), macOS 10.10 or later (64-bit), Linux (32-bit or 64-bit), iOS 11 or later (64-bit), and Raspberry Pi (32-bit). You also need an internet connection for activation and updates.
Q: What languages does Xojo support?
A: Xojo uses its own object-oriented language that is similar to Visual Basic but more modern and powerful. You can also use JavaScript for web apps and HTML/CSS for web styles. You can also use declares to access native APIs from other languages.
Q: What platforms does Xojo support?
A: Xojo supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Raspberry Pi, and web browsers as target platforms. You can create native apps for each platform using a single code base.
Q: How can I get help or support for Xojo?
A: Xojo offers several resources and channels for help and support. You can use the documentation, tutorials, examples, forums, and blog posts to learn more about Xojo and how to use it effectively. You can also contact the Xojo support team via email or phone, or submit a feedback case via the Xojo Feedback app. You can find all these resources and channels here:
This is the end of the article. I hope you enjoyed reading it and found it helpful. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading! dcd2dc6462