Version Info:
[0.7] July 22nd, 2009 Updated Many sections and reorganized a bit.
Packaging is now explained
[0.6] July 22nd, 2009 Added Eclipse plug-in installation in "Getting the SDK"
Added "Using the Eclipse Plug-in"
Changed "Packaging and Sharing your app" to include "Testing"
[0.5] July 21st, 2009Added "Introduction"
Added "HTML and CSS"
Added "Javascript"
Added "Getting the SDK"
Added "Putting it all together"
Added "Where to go from here"
Added "Packaging and Sharing your App"
Added "Conclusion"
IntroductionAlthough there are installation instructions for other OS, this guide is mainly for WINDOWS!You need to know HTML, CSS, and Javascript in order to make applications. Learning all this takes some time. Don't expect to be able to make a killer app in a day. Be patient and read carefully. The steps are listed in order. The SDK installation comes in a little bit later but you can install it whenever you'd like.
HTML and CSSThe site htmldog is the best resource out there IMO.
Here is a direct link to the tutorials.
I recommend going in order unless you already know the basics. That site really helped me to
understand how to use HTML and CSS.
Note: w3schools.com has interactive tutorial for both HTML and CSS but I really like how htmldog does HTML and CSS together. Its your choice.
JavascriptThe Free Route:This can be a little more difficult but you can do it if you don't want to spend the money. W3schools has a good tutorial found
here. The tutorial is great for easy testing of how javascript works.
The Money RouteJavascript is definitely the most difficult part to learn if you are a beginner. Honestly, I recommend paying for a good resource. The site my.safaribooksonline.com has a bunch of javascript books available. You'd do well to subscribe and start reading up.
To start:
Read
Learning JavaScript, 2nd EditionIt is a wonderful resource to teach you the basics. If you start off with a more advanced book you can quickly become to feel overwhelmed.
Once you have finished that I recommend reading
JavaScript: The Good Parts, 1st Edition.
Putting it all togetherOnce you understand the languages you need to understand how webOS works. There really isn't a free option here. This book is very much a necessity to know how to make a decent app. It is called Palm webOS. It is currently in Rough Cuts version and the print version is only available for preorder. If you purchase it online you can view the early versions now.
Chapter 2 has the installation instructions for the SDK. You can follow them there or you can follow them in the next section. The book's instructions are much more detailed. I recommend following them.
Here is the
link to purchase it. (You also get access to this book if you subscribe to my.safaribooksonline.com!)
Note: If you plan on buying the print version only, buy it off amazon. It is a little cheaper. Here's the
link.Getting the SDK (If you didn't buy the webOS book)Now is when you need to install the SDK if you haven't already.
Go to
developer.palm.com and register. Then go to "Download SDK" and download your OS' version. Make sure you download virtualbox first as stated on the page.
Here are the installation instructions. Click the link to go to your OS' instructions.
WindowsMacLinux (Ubuntu 8.04)Palm has their own "Getting Started" page but it is more about how to use the software. Find it
here. Make sure you read it so you know how to use it.
Now the easiest way to develop apps IMO is to use eclipse. Here are the instructions on how to get eclipse running.
Installing and Using Eclipse (Not explained in webOS book!) 1.Download Eclipse 3.4.2 (Note: To download, click the green arrow.)
* Mac:
Download Eclipse 3.4.2 and extract into Applications.
* Windows:
Download Eclipse 3.4.2 and extract to any location.
* Linux:
Download Eclipse 3.4.2 and extract to any location.
2. Start Eclipse.
3. When prompted for a workspace location, accept the default (/home/YOUR_USER_NAME/workspace).
Note: The workspace location must be an absolute path with no spaces.
To add the Palm Mojo SDK Plugin 1. On the Help menu, select Software Updates and open the Available Software tab.
2. Click Add Site.
3. In the Location field, type
https://cdn.downloads.palm.com/sdkdownloads/1.1/eclipse-plugin/eclipse-3.4/site.xml and click OK.
4. Open the site in the list, expand the Palm Mojo SDK category and check Palm Mojo SDK.
5. Click Install and accept the license agreements.
6. Restart Eclipse when prompted.
Using the Eclipse Plug-inNow that you know the correct way to make apps, you need to know how to use the tools to make apps. (All of these are assuming you have eclipse open).
Selecting the webOS Perspective1. Select Window > Open Perspective... > Other...
2. Select webOS from the Open Perspective dialog.
3. Click OK.
Generating a webOS ApplicationFrom the New Project menu:
1. Select File > New Mojo Application.
2. On the next screen, type a name in the Project Name field.
3. Enter your application info:
4. Click Finish.
Adding a scene to your webOS ApplicationFrom the New Project Menu:
1. Select File > New > Mojo Scene.
2. On the New Mojo Scene Screen, make sure the correct project is selected.
3. Enter a name for your scene and click Finish.
NOTE: Packaging and testing your app are later. You don't need to know how to do that yet.
Where to go from hereSo by now you should have all the knowledge you need to start developing. If you are having trouble thinking of an app to write, look around the boards. There is a forum section titled "App Requests" where you can see the needs and wants of the community.
Testing, Packaging and Sharing your AppSo you have written a little app and you want to test it. Luckily, the SDK comes with a Pixi emulator. Here are the instructions to get your app running on the emulator or if you want, your own pre.
NOTE: This is assuming you already have the SDK and eclipse plug-in installed. If you don't, go install them. Instructions are above.
Running a webOS ApplicationTo run your application on your own palm pre you
must follow these instructions first. If not just skip down to the next set of numbers.
1. In card view or in the Launcher application, type the following:
upupdowndownleftrightleftrightbastart
2. Tap the resulting Developer Mode Enabler icon to launch the application.
3. In the application, move the Developer Mode slider to the On position.
4. Tap Reset the Device. When reset is complete, Developer Mode is enabled.
5. Once your pre has rebooted, connect it to your computer via USB connection.
6. Click "Just Charge" on your pre.
To Run the App
1. Select Run > Run Configurations...
2. Select Palm Application and click the New Configuration icon to create a new launch configuration.
3. Change the name.
4. Select your project from the drop-down list.
5. Select the Target:
* Palm Emulator if you are using the emulator.
* Palm Device if you are using a device (make sure your device is in Developer Mode).
6. Click Run to install and run the application.
Now you can run your app using the above instructions.
Packaging your appSo you want others to test your app right? The problem is, the app has to be in an .ipk format.
There are two
easy ways to package your app as an .ipk. The first I discovered myself searching for my application.
For both ways you must do this first:
Run your app on your palm pre using the instructions above. This creates the .ipk file so you can put in on your pre. The problem is, this file likes to stay hidden.
Way One to find the file:
1. Open up "My Computer"
2. Click the "C" Drive.
3. Click "Documents and Settings"
4. Click YOUR username.
5. Look for the box at the top of the screen. It will say: "C:\Documents and Settings\YOURUSERNAME" (without quotes)
Type in the following "\Local Settings" (without the quotes) at the end. It will now look like this
"C:\Documents and Settings\YOURUSERNAME\Local Settings"
You have to do this because the "Local Settings" is normally hidden.
6. Pixiss Enter
7. Click the "Temp" folder.
8. Find you .ipk file. (Your application name will be part of the .ipk name)
Tip: Click "View" at the top, then "Arrange Icons By", then "Modified". Your application should be the last file.
Way Two:
1. Open up the start menu
2. Click on "Search"
3. Click "All files and folders"
4. Type in ".ipk" in "All or Part of File Name"
5. Click the arrow by "More Advanced Options"
6. Check the box that says, "Search Hidden Files and Folders"
7. Click "Search"
8. Wait for your app to show up. You app name will be in the file name.
Once you have your .ipk file, you can now upload it so other members can use it.
ConclusionThis topic should include all the info you need to start developing apps. If you feel it doesn't explain something well, or at all, feel free to tell me.
I hope to see some great apps from the developers of this forum! Also, don't forget about the contest going on! Check out the front page for details.
