Version 7

Major New Features

1. Multifile support: The nsx file has been reorganized. It now just contains values for project properties. All code, HTML and other text entities are now stored as separate folders and files.
2. The Project Folder is the Project. All files for a project are now stored in the project folder. Two projects cannot share a folder. If you need to share files between project, use symbolic links.
3. GitHub Support: AppStudio projects are now GitHub compatible.
4. Version control: You can now use git (or other utility) for version control.
5. Team Development: The combination of multifile and GitHub allows a team of developers to work on the same project.
6. External Editing: Having all code, HTML, etc. in separate files allows the use of other editors.
7. Toolbox reorganized: All framework related files are now in folders for that framework.
8. Advanced syntax checking for JavaScript in the Code Window.
9. Internationalization lets your app work in multiple languages.
10. Make PDF files from your forms.

Upgrading

If you have AppStudio 6 or older, you will need to get the upgrade to use these new features. You can order it here.

If you like would to try it first, download from the 'Check for Updates' screen in the Help menu. You'll get a demo copy.

Version 7.0.0

Version is still under development. Here's a list of what is new: All items are subject to change.

If you own a previous version of AppStudio, you need to buy the upgrade to use Version 7. You can do this from within the app or from our order form.

Until you have bought the upgrade, you can use AppStudio 7 in Demo mode for up to 30 days. Once you buy, your copy will convert automatically to the full version.

IDE - General

1. Only changed files are written out on save.
2. App's 'description' property shows in the Help Window when Project Properties is selected.

Code Window

1. Format Code now uses the correct indent setting from Preferences.
2. JavaScript arrow functions now appear in the Toolbox panel.
3. JavaScript myFunc = function() functions now appear in Toolbox panel.
4. JavaScript syntax can be checked with a right click. Uses eslint with the AirBNB Style Guide.

Project Explorer

1. Add Cut, Copy, Paste to right click on Project Explorer.
2. Drag and Drop to Project Explorer window works. Files are put into a folder named 'includes'.

Libraries

1. Get rid of Dropbox Datastores library - no longer supported by Dropbox.
2. iScroll.js is now stored in the Libraries folder.
3. jquery.modal.js is now stored in the Libraries folder.
4. fastclick.js is now stored in the Libraries folder.
5. Get rid of SpinningWheel - obsolete.
6. Added jquery-validation.
7. Added i18n.

Toolbox

1. All framework related files are now in folders for that framework.
2. Toolbox files now end in .json, not .js.
3. New _jqmInUse variable. Set to true if jQuery Mobile in use.
4. Unneeded references to jQuery removed.
5. All controls: New 'Display' property. Can be block, none, etc.
6. AS controls: get rid of redundant 'hidden' attribute.
7. Container: Add children directly to the control, not a contained DIV. Good for BS.
8. Toolbox Files: New !g suffix. Combines multiline statements.
9. Toolbox Files: New {eval expression} operator. Allows expression evaluation.
10. Toolbox Files: Anything which looks like a list is converted to a string.
11. All controls: removed unneeded data-role=none attribute.

Project

1. Projects are saved one (and only one) project per folder.
2. New project folders have a .appstudio suffix: Project1.appstudio
3. Project files are now .project, not .nsx.
4. Get rid of unused 'hiddenHeaders' property.
5. Get rid of obsolete 'framework' property.

Forms

1. Form.reset() now clears subforms and other controls.

Runtime

1. jQuery 3 is used unless it's a jQM project, when jQuery 2 is used instead.
2. Correct use of Octal notation
3. Some declarations fixed for ECMA5 standard.
4. New loadType property sets how each external JavaScript is loaded.
5. The Bootstrap 4 functions are processed using Babel, so they will work on IE.
6. Snackbar(message, actionText, action) function added.
7. Control bounds of 'auto' no longer in generated code - lots less output!

Deploy

1. close.png was not being used, so is no longer deployed.

PhoneGap

1. WinPhone option deleted. No longer supported by Microsoft.
2. Set allow-intent to a default value. Allows mailto:, tel:, etc.
3. cli8.0.0 is now supported (and recommended).
4. Show error messages on PhoneGap Status screen.

Frameworks

AppStudio

1. All of the AppStudio controls are now stored in an 'as' folder in the Toolbox.

Bootstrap 4

Bootstrap 4 has been added as a new Framework. It should be used for new projects, though Bootstrap 3 still appears and works fine. You cannot use BootStrap 3 and 4 in the same project - they conflict.

1. Uses open-iconic icons instead of Font Awesome.
2. 6 new themes.
3. Hamburger: Remove default value for background color.

Bootstrap 3

1. File dependencies corrected for FlipToggle, Image, Media, Slider and Thumbnail.
2. Select: 'undefined' no longer appears in definition.

Common

1. Line, ProgressBar: Redundant properties removed.
2. Signature control redone. Works on PhoneGap, has variable line thickness.
3. Header control always positions in top left of form.

jQuery Mobile

jQuery Mobile has gone yet another year without a new release - not even for maintenance. It's looking pretty dead. This framework is not suggested for new projects.

1. Collapsible: Now properly identified as a jQM14 control. Breaking change - you will need to delete and add back to your project any Collapsible controls you are using.
2. Select: selectedItem() and selectedValue() no longer have error is no items on list.

jqWidgets

1. jqxLinearGauge: New control
2. Cleaned up use of _base in jqWidgets.
3. jqxDragNDrop: now works with latest jqWidgets.
4. iqxTree: now works with latest jqWidgets.
5. jqxScheduler: added agendaView, other tuneups.
6. jqxDateTime: now works with latest jqWidgets.

BASIC

1. New Const keyword for declarations.

Samples

1. Samples all converted to new save format.
2. New samples for Bootstrap 4
3. New Validation sample.
4. New Snackbar sample.
5. New PhoneGapReceiveSMS sample.
6. New PhoneGapMail sample emails current Form.
7. New PhoneGapBarcode sample scans barcodes.
8. New i18n Sample.
9. New Office365 sample.
10. Lots of fixes and updated to existing samples.

Internals

1. Code Signing certificate updated.
2. Node updated to Version 8.

Breaking Changes

1. Collapsible: Now properly identified as a jQM14 control. You will need to delete and add back to your project any Collapsible controls you are using.