1. Georgios Papageorgiou
  2. PowerServer Mobile (Obsolete)
  3. Thursday, 26 March 2020 17:19 PM UTC

Hi PowerSphere

What would be the best approach here.


I'm going to develop a very simple Mobile Application that uses database back-end
I'm considering to use PowerServer Mobile as my back-end - but would it be better to use c# webservice instead - or ?

Suggestions are very welcome
I'm running on PB2019R2 Universal

TIA 
/Georgios

Armeen Mazda @Appeon Accepted Answer Pending Moderation
  1. Thursday, 26 March 2020 17:31 PM UTC
  2. PowerServer Mobile (Obsolete)
  3. # 1

My recommendation is C# web service using the .NET DataStore, which makes developing the C# web service like PowerBuilder development. 

If there is any existing business logic from your PowerBuilder app you want to convert, you can use the PowerScript Migrator to automatically convert that to the C# web service.

The advantage of using C# Web service as the back-end is so you can share the same business logic across multiple UI technologies.  Also, this leaves room for changing business/technical requirements in the future, for example you want to change the UI technology used or open up the business logic to external systems for integration.

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mike S Accepted Answer Pending Moderation
  1. Thursday, 26 March 2020 18:15 PM UTC
  2. PowerServer Mobile (Obsolete)
  3. # 2

If you want a mobile application then you have to build an application.  If not PS mobile, then some other application dev tool that builds the front end.

The webservice is just where some logic is.  sort of like a database stored procedure - you still need a front end to run it.

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Gian Luca De Bonis Accepted Answer Pending Moderation
  1. Friday, 27 March 2020 19:22 PM UTC
  2. PowerServer Mobile (Obsolete)
  3. # 3

I agree with Armeen's recommendation: a C# web api and a light-weight platform-independent UI.

The Web API will be your long term investment, and you can reuse it from now on. With the new 2019R2 scaffolding feature, you will create the API in virtually zero time, and using a technology that you know perfectly (based on .Net DataStore).

Once you have the Web API, you are free to create whatever front-end suits your needs. We usually recommend (with PB Open) a React/Redux front-end, but basically you can choose whatever you like (we follow in this sense customers' preference). If, as Armeen suggests, you use a responsive HTML-based client, you will be able to run this application everywhere, with no deployment. If you will need one day a Native application (that is much more expensive to build, but that is also more feature-rich), you will still be using your Web API.

Good luck with your new app!

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Georgios Papageorgiou Accepted Answer Pending Moderation
  1. Thursday, 26 March 2020 18:16 PM UTC
  2. PowerServer Mobile (Obsolete)
  3. # 4

Armeen

 

Brand new app so no legacy code :) (in this project :) )

 

- I'm defo not a mobile app developer :) - Tried a simple helloworld-app on PowerServer2017 

So for the mobile development - which direction  ? 

Regards

Georgios

 

 

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  1. Armeen Mazda @Appeon
  2. Thursday, 26 March 2020 18:40 PM UTC
My personal view is unless you need advanced mobile features, using HTML with responsive design for the UI is better way to go mobile. This way your single app works on any device from desktop, laptop, tablet, and phone. It also eliminates deployment hassles - nothing to install/distribute. I think in the long run it will also be lower cost since testing native apps for each OS is more work than HTML.
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Michael Kramer Accepted Answer Pending Moderation
  1. Thursday, 26 March 2020 18:38 PM UTC
  2. PowerServer Mobile (Obsolete)
  3. # 5

Hej Georgios,

I suggest follow Mike S' advice. He has experience with both PB and PowerServer.

No matter what you write server-side you still need to create a mobile front-end.
That's where PB + PS Mobile provides a "full-stack environment".

Your PB Universal (now PB CloudPro) also includes SnapDevelop for C#/.NET development. Incl. PowerScript => C# Migration. But writing great C# code takes practice. It may be favorable to choose PowerScript and DataWindow technology for both front-end, back-end, data persistence, and interoperability with external apps. It really depends on context.

Held og lykke! /Michael

 

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Georgios Papageorgiou Accepted Answer Pending Moderation
  1. Friday, 27 March 2020 09:20 AM UTC
  2. PowerServer Mobile (Obsolete)
  3. # 6

thx for comment

 

I guess i'll try the PowerServer - as i can't see me going c# shift atm - as i said very simple mobile app (and very little BL) 

 

I'm a bit confused - and worried  

Is PowerServer Mobile going to deprecated ?

 

Regards

Georgios

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  1. Michael Kramer
  2. Friday, 27 March 2020 13:02 PM UTC
I never heard of deprecating Mobile! (nor Web!) PS next release just around the corner.

PS is excellent way of delivering PowerScript apps on Android and iOS (and web). The pace at which Apple and Google are changing their app store rules are challenging no matter what programming language you are using.
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  1. Chris Pollach @Appeon
  2. Friday, 27 March 2020 14:33 PM UTC
Chris Pollach @Appeon

Gerogious;

FYI: If you need a framework that is Web / Mobile ready, check out my STD Integrated Framework for PB & PS Web /Mobile. Its free and Open Source ...

https://sourceforge.net/projects/stdfndclass

Regards ... Chris
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  1. Georgios Papageorgiou
  2. Friday, 27 March 2020 14:41 PM UTC
thx guys :)

/georgios
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Georgios Papageorgiou Accepted Answer Pending Moderation
  1. Friday, 27 March 2020 12:45 PM UTC
  2. PowerServer Mobile (Obsolete)
  3. # 7

Yes Michael :) 

 

I guess that will be the "hard work" in succeeding of migrating from PowerScript to c# 

Still have my doubts on this strategic approach :)

/georgios

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