B4X

I've been using B4X since before it was called B4X. Being a self employed software developer, I myself find it extremely time consuming to learn multiple development platform languages, and this is where the B4X suite of RAD tools from Anywhere Software come into their own. All four IDE's are based on one development language called B4X. To me the B4X language is more like a cross between BASIC and Python, but with its own great quirks and features including shared XUI libraries and also shared code modules.

There are four B4X development RAD IDE tools, B4A (Android), B4J (Multi platform desktop solutions), B4R (Microcontrollers) and B4i (iOS). I've personally used both B4A and also B4J to develop real world solutions for companies up and down the UK with great success and excellent feedback from my clients.

You can easily share 90%+ of your code via shared code modules between B4A, B4J and B4i if you want to create cross platform solutions. If you are creating Android and iOS mobile applications, then you should visit b4x.com and start with downloading B4A as it's free. It will take you only minutes to create and deploy your first 'Hello world' app onto your Android device, then you can quickly move onto B4J or B4i. There are a huge selection of libraries that can help you make a wide range of applications for all platforms. The crème de la crème are the XUI libraries which are cross platform libraries that help you to easily create cross platform solutions. For example the xCharts, XUI Views, XUI2D and many many more XUI libraries allow you to use the same library but for multiple platforms, this is accomplished by using shared code modules. Using shared code modules allows you to share 90%+ of the same code throughout multiple platforms, thus cutting down on development time if for example you are creating the same app for both Android and iOS.

I must admit that the B4X forum is second to none when it comes to support and active users online. Whenever a user asks a question it's usually answered within an hour or two, but on plenty of occasions I've seen multiple responses within minutes. The community of developers really do enjoy being part of the b4x.com forum and Anywhere Software (the creators of the B4X suite of RAD tools) must be commended for their hard work and dedication for what they have created on b4x.com.

Are the B4X suite of RAD tools perfect, no not at all. I can think of a few things that I would like to see added to the IDE, but I can say that about Visual Studio as well as other code editors too. The B4X IDE is nice and clean and not over cluttered. The IDE does have plenty of features that I do enjoy using, way too many for me to mention in this review post. Another great feature which I like is the designer, it's extremely simple to use and has some really nice touches like the built-in views layout checker and its own views code editor which I hardly ever need to use, but it's there if I do need it. I could go on about the simple to use debugger, the live hot swappable code feature, live designer view on your actual phone or tablet devices, debug watch feature, 'Smart String Literal' which I really do like, using the Wait For or Sleep features, the list goes on and on and on blah blah blah.

I highly recommend that developers of all levels GOTO b4x.com and download B4A and also B4J as they are both 100% free to download and use. I've personally donated multiple times to Anywhere Software for both these packages to help support the development of their products. I use their products, I make money from their software so I'll keep donating even though I clearly DO NOT HAVE TO, but I will keep doing so. Actually, I donate to all the 100% free product that I use on my development machines, that's if they have a donate button in their products.

Oh yes by the way, unlike some other development IDE's, Anywhere Software are constantly releasing updates to their RAD tools (twice this year already for all their packages and we are currently in May).

Peter...