I am pretty much a pure Delphi developer (I do a bit of web-stuff with Webroker, but mostly VCL).

I need to start creating reasonably simple Apps for Android. Basic business data-entry stuff.

Building on Android to access EDB: How do other EDB users do it & what is the best way?

(I think I have asked this question before, but quite a while ago, so I think the answers may have changed.

--

I am contemplating writing something server-side to produce JSON which could be read by the Android App ... if this is the best way, what tools are people using?

On 6/25/2020 6:16 PM, Adam Brett wrote:
> I am pretty much a pure Delphi developer (I do a bit of web-stuff with Webroker, but mostly VCL).
>
> I need to start creating reasonably simple Apps for Android. Basic business data-entry stuff.
>
> Building on Android to access EDB: How do other EDB users do it & what is the best way?
>
> (I think I have asked this question before, but quite a while ago, so I think the answers may have changed.
>
> --
>
> I am contemplating writing something server-side to produce JSON which could be read by the Android App ... if this is the best way, what tools are people using?

Adam,

Do you need an actual Android app or would a web app be enough ?

Whether using Elevate Web Builder or something else we have found that
simple apps work quite well as web apps - and then it also works on iOS
etc.

YMMV.

EWB specifically has native support for EDB so depending on your needs
it might handle the JSON part already and might simplify back end work.


Raul

Adam,

As far as I know, there is no way to access EDB directly from Android. You'll have to use some sort  of middleware.

I our case, we have built a REST web service based on mORMot (without the ORM stuff) to access EDB and produce JSON. It is working fast, stable and secure. You could also use Webbroker but you will be missing a lot of good stuff.

I you need to store some data on the Android device and "sync" to the server later, you should give a look at SQLite. Other good alternative for a local database is the free version of InterBase. Some friends are using it and they are happy with the results.

Good luck,
Mario Enriquez

Raul wrote:

>>Do you need an actual Android app or would a web app be enough ?

Web might be enough, I have a very well developed VCL app, I am really looking for something as light as possible for small scale work via Android, still accessing my main databases, but probably only doing a small sub-set of the work of the VCL app.

>>Whether using Elevate Web Builder or something else we have found that
>>simple apps work quite well as web apps - and then it also works on iOS
etc.

EWB is in the mix, as are a number of other back-end tools for middle-tier. kbmMW and others are possible. I am trying to find out which ones EDB users have worked with ...

>>EWB specifically has native support for EDB so depending on your needs
>>it might handle the JSON part already and might simplify back end work.

Have you used EWB for this yourself? It seems a great product, but I have not worked with it.

Adam Brett wrote:

Raul wrote:

>>Do you need an actual Android app or would a web app be enough ?

Web might be enough, I have a very well developed VCL app, I am really looking for something as light as possible for small scale work via Android, still accessing my main databases, but probably only doing a small sub-set of the work of the VCL app.

>>Whether using Elevate Web Builder or something else we have found that
>>simple apps work quite well as web apps - and then it also works on iOS
etc.

EWB is in the mix, as are a number of other back-end tools for middle-tier. kbmMW and others are possible. I am trying to find out which ones EDB users have worked with ...

>>EWB specifically has native support for EDB so depending on your needs
>>it might handle the JSON part already and might simplify back end work.

Have you used EWB for this yourself? It seems a great product, but I have not worked with it.


--

Mario

>>As far as I know, there is no way to access EDB directly from Android. You'll have to use some sort  of >>middleware.

Yes I think you are right.

>>I our case, we have built a REST web service based on mORMot (without the ORM stuff) to access EDB and >>produce JSON. It is working fast, stable and secure. You could also use Webbroker but you will be missing a >>lot of good stuff.

Thanks for the pointer. I haven't used mORMot. I will have a look at it.

In the role of back end product I am really unclear of the advantages/disadvantages comparing different options like: Webbroker/mORMot/kbmMW ... the TMS solution (Sparkle/WebCore ...) there seem to be a lot of solutions, most of them quite involved and complex.



Thanks for the suggestions.

On 7/3/2020 4:01 AM, Adam Brett wrote:
>
> EWB is in the mix, as are a number of other back-end tools for middle-tier. kbmMW and others are possible. I am trying to find out which ones EDB users have worked with ...
>

We do have web apps but we use our own custom back-end.

>
> Have you used EWB for this yourself? It seems a great product, but I have not worked with it.
>
I have used EWB but as i said back end is custom - the json protocol is
pretty straightforward though.

Otherwise EWB is really good for getting something quickly working and
familiar for delphi user(s).


>
>>> As far as I know, there is no way to access EDB directly from Android. You'll have to use some sort  of >>middleware.
>

Yes but all youl really need is a web API endpoint that can handle the
"get and save' data commands (EWB2 json reference is here :
https://www.elevatesoft.com/manual?action=viewtopic&id=ewb2&topic=JSON_Reference)
and EWB3 will be out shortly.

So as long as your back-end web server implements this part you can do
data retrieval and updates. EWB web server handles that for EDB/DBISAM
and any generic ADO database automatically. Or you could write one in
php or any other server side web scripting/dev language/


> In the role of back end product I am really unclear of the advantages/disadvantages comparing different options like: Webbroker/mORMot/kbmMW ... the TMS solution (Sparkle/WebCore ...) there seem to be a lot of solutions, most of them quite involved and complex.

Most you mentioned boil down to a web server development framework and
then add more advanced features on top. You can think of it as (even
today) number of vendors providing VCL grid controls - most achieve same
end result though some are more complex (and powerful) so you need to
decide what you need.

If you're just getting into this then i would suggest try out something
that is quick to get started with (i like ewb for that) and then you can
decide what features you need and native app vs web app and back-end
needs etc


Raul