3/21/2023 0 Comments Xojo softwareWhile it’s extensibility is a pro, it can also be a con when some basic features don’t work as expected and require extending to provide basic functionality. Because it’s a cross-platform solution, like many other similar options, it can lag behind OS vendors when they roll out new features. Xojo’s greatest strength is also one of its biggest weaknesses. This can be frustrating for a developer waiting on a new feature or bug fix, only to see it deployed in the version immediately after their upgrade license expires. Even after a license expires, developers can use and compile software with their license indefinitely, but they will not be able to upgrade to newer versions without renewing their license. While it’s free to use for learning and development, a paid plan is required to compile and distribute an app. Ironically, some of these cons are directly related to the platform’s pros. Xojo Consĭespite its many advantages, Xojo does have a few disadvantages. This can be a big factor in helping new developers learn the language and get up-and-running. Active Communityīecause Xojo has been filling a niche since the late ‘90s, it has a vibrant user base and developer community. Classes can be extended, new classes created and third-party code can be integrated to improve function. Xojo supports extending the platform’s functionality. Windows, buttons, dropdown menus, web browser elements, checklists and more can all be used to design the application’s interface. Xojo has a drag-and-drop interface for designing the visual aspects of an application. That means it is one of the easiest programming languages to learn. Easy to LearnĪlthough the current name is designed to take focus away from its BASIC roots, the Xojo language is BASIC-esque. Xojo is a true object-oriented programming (OOP) language, with classes, methods, inheritance and everything one would expect from a modern OOP language. This can provide an added layer of security over traditional options. Since Xojo compiles web applications as binaries, the source code is not stored on the server. One of Xojo’s selling points, when it comes to web applications, is its security. In addition, Android support is in the works. Platform SupportĪt the time of writing, Xojo can target macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, iPadOS, Raspberry Pi and web-based applications, all from a common codebase. Xojo ProsĪs a language that has focused on cross-platform development for over two decades, Xojo has a number of advantages. At the same time, as platforms evolved and gained in importance, Xojo has continued to expand its support for many of them. In time RB received another name change to Xojo in an effort to distance itself from its BASIC roots. Unlike VB, which created apps that had a number of Microsoft dependencies, RB was able to create fully standalone apps that could run on both macOS and Windows. In fact, early versions were so similar that tools existed to port code from VB to RB, making it a popular option for developers that did not want to move to Visual Basic.NET. Shortly after the change of hands, the name was also changed to REALbasic (RB).Īs the name indicates, the development environment used a flavor of BASIC, similar to Microsoft Visual Basic (VB). While it originally targeted the Mac and Java Virtual Machine (JVM), JVM support was dropped in favor of Windows. Originally called CrossBasic, the development environment was acquired by its current owner in 1997. While not one of the more popular development options on the market, Xojo has a long-standing history as a cross-platform development tool. Xojo: Cross-Platform Development Before It Was Cool Even Microsoft, once staunchly protective of their Windows OS, recognized this trend and shifted their focus to providing their services and software on any and all available platforms. Still others, while having a desktop or laptop, needed to be able to move their work from workstation to phone to tablet to home computer.įor vendors to take advantage of these trends, cross-platform development suddenly became more important than ever. Instead, many individuals were using mobile phones and tablets as their primary devices. Suddenly it was no longer a two-horse race between macOS and Windows, or even a three-horse race once Linux joined the fray. Similarly, the rise of mobile computing and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trends helped emphasize the importance of cross-platform development. Rather than a focus on an individual platform or operating system (OS), cloud computing shifted the focus to data, applications and services. Cloud computing has been one of the biggest. Numerous factors have led to the shift toward cross-platform development. Gone are the days when platform vendors engaged in turf wars, refusing to provide compatibility with competitors just to retain customers. In the modern world of software development, cross-platform is king.
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