Installing BlackBerry SDK with NetBeans IDE

As mentioned in a previous entry, now I will explain in detail, methods of installation BlackBerry SDK with NetBeans IDE. Things we need to prepare are:

• Java SDK, you can download here, and you can read a more complete documentation there, I suggest you use a stable version of Java SDK.
• Blackberry JDE, you can choose several versions that have been released by RIM there from version 4.x - 5.x, but most of the developers choose a stable version, until now the Blackberry JDE 5.0 has been released but still in the experimental stage (Blackbery JDE 5.0 Beta Version).
• NetBeans IDE, you can download here, I recommend looking for a stable version for this IDE
• Plugin with Mobility for BlackBerry, can be downloaded here, to learn more, its source code can be found here

The above plugin is to make BlackBerry JDE as if running concurrently with Netbeans IDE.

Because this plugin is only optional for RIM so did not rule out this method does not work as perfect as plugins that have been recommended or issued officially by RIM, which is plugin for Eclipse IDE. Here I explain how to install the plugin for NetBeans IDE.

First we install NetBeans IDE, next we install the Mobility plugin into NetBeans IDE by going to the NetBeans toolbar menu option and then select Plugins, select the Downloaded tab and then click the Add Plugins button and then browse for the plugin that we downloaded earlier. Next step is to make sure to tick the plugin to be installed and then click the Install button. Then, click the Next check the Agree to the plugin installation process and plugin will be installed. Next step is very important to collaborate Blackberry JDE with Netbeans IDE, the following documentation:

Select Menu on the toolbar and then select the Java Platforms, next choose Add Platform and select the Java ME MIDP Platform Emulator;

Next IDE Netbeans will automatically search Platforms what I have not or already installed into the IDE.

Next check what is necessary to integrate JDE into NetBeans IDE select the folder / directory where JDE is installed, see the picture above. Then select the button next to preparation for the JDE platform installation, and select Plotform which will be installed and then click Finish.

Now your NetBeans IDE has been integrated with the BlackBerry JDE, to ensure this, look back on the Java Platform Manager, if it is installed there is subplafform from J2ME:

After all the above then your Netbeans IDE is ready for BlackBerry Application development, the following is an example where the IDE is ready.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. Happy coding!

BlackBerry Java Application Structure

BlackBerry Java applications is coded using the Connection Limited Device Configuration (CLDC) Application Programming Interface (API) which is in the Java Micro Edition. Application for BlackBerry devices also can use the Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP) API that is built on top of CLDC and / or the BlackBerry APIs. For the terminology which is easier, then, "BlackBerry application using the BlackBerry API" will be called RIMlet, and, "Application using MIDP API" will be called a MIDlet.

The figure below illustrates the foundation of the BlackBerry application compiler. The top two blocks indicate that the BlackBerry application could be built on top of MIDP API or the Blackberry API. A BlackBerry application is only built on the MIDP API (commonly called a MIDlet) can not access the BlackBerry API, but not vice versa. By using BlackBerry API, you can create applications that are efficient, responsive, and more interesting because the BlackBerry API designed specifically for BlackBerry devices.

RIMlet and MIDlet have different life cycles. The life cycle of a RIMlet consists of initialization, an application entry point (with the function main()), and termination of application (with the function of System.exit()). For more details, please see the picture below.

MIDlet, in accordance with the specifications, has a life cycle as follows: inactive, active, paused, and Destroyed. Based on specific feedback, the code in the MIDlet application can tell the BlackBerry application management software to change the status of the MIDlet application. Some examples of feedback can be a user interaction on the BlackBerry device, change the date and time, boot up or shut down, and many more. MIDlet life cycle can be seen in thethe following figure.

BlackBerry Application Type

BlackBerry applications are basically divided into three:

1. the browser, 
2. Java application, and 
3. the MDS runtime application.

The browser application is web-based applications that can be accessed by the BlackBerry Browser. Java application is an application made by CLDC / MIDP BlackBerry API or API.

Java applications can be an option if you want to create applications with features that are complex and more integrated with your BlackBerry device.

MDS Runtime Applications is devoted to applications that integrates with the BlackBerry Enterprise Server through MDS Integration Service. MDS runtime application is usually mild and shaped form.

There is another kind of BlackBerry applications that maybe you will hear, the widget applications. Actually, widget application is part of a browser application that can stand on its own. Widget is a small web application and using HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Widget can look and behave the same as Java applications.

In this article and subsequent articles, what will be discussed is about the Java application. Web applications, MDS runtime, and widgets will be discussed in specific sections. For the official data from the BlackBerry on the BlackBerry application type, please visit http://docs.blackberry.com/en/admin/deliverables/12873/Types_of_BB_applications_267708_11.jsp

What You Can Do with Your Own BlackBerry App?

Many things can be done with your BlackBerry applications, among others:

• Accessing GPS. You can make your own BlackBerry app to display location information from GPS, and your app can call the BlackBerry Maps
• Accessing the Internet; access to web pages and web services.
• Integration into the application system. Your application can store reminders, notes, to-do list, contacts, called BlackBerry Maps, and much more.
• Store data, read and write files.
• Playing videos and music.
• Accessing the camera to take pictures, and much more!

Can not wait huh? Okay, wait for my first article about installing Netbeans and BlackBerry SDK. I promise it will not take a week!

Good luck and have fun with your own BlackBerry apps!

Best Practice, Writing efficient Code for Blackberry Apps

To allow a BlackBerry® Java® Application to use resources efficiently, consider the following guidelines:

• Using local variables
  
• Using shorthand for evaluating Boolean conditions
  
• Making classes final
  
• Using int instead of long
  
• Avoiding garbage collection
  
• Using static variables for Strings
  
• Avoiding the String(String) constructor
  
• Writing efficient loops
  
• Optimizing subexpressions
  
• Optimizing division operations
  
• Avoiding java.util.Enumeration
  
• Performing casts using instanceof
  
• Evaluating conditions using instanceof
  
• Avoiding StringBuffer.append (StringBuffer)
  
• Avoiding returning null
  
• Avoiding passing null into methods
  
• Using caution when passing null into a constructor
  
• Using longs for unique identifiers
  
• Exiting applications correctly
  
• Printing the stack trace

source: http://docs.blackberry.com/en/developers/deliverables/5580/BP_Writing_efficient_code_446999_11.jsp

How To: Blogging from BlackBerry Phone

Recently, I setup my blogger account so that I could blog from my BlackBerry anytime I wanted to. All I need is the ability to send emails from my BlackBerry.

Here's the tips:

• Go to your Blogger Dashboard.
• In Manage Blogs area, click Settings.
• Click Email & Mobile link under Settings tab.
• For "Email Posting Address", the format of username.[secretWords]@blogger.com will be given.
• Fill the secretWords with your own secret words.
• You have two options after that. You can choose to publish the posts directly to your blog or have them saved as a draft so you can edit them before posting. Select which ever one you want and click on save settings.

Now you can just sent an email from your BlackBerry to the email address and your blog is automatically update.

Tips: If you choose the option of posting directly to your blog but would like to eliminate the signature that is sent with your BlackBerry emails, e.g. "Sent from my Blackbery via ...", at the end of your email post type in "#end".