Home > Store

PhoneGap Essentials: Building Cross-Platform Mobile Apps

Register your product to gain access to bonus material or receive a coupon.

PhoneGap Essentials: Building Cross-Platform Mobile Apps

Book

  • Sorry, this book is no longer in print.
Not for Sale

About

Features

  • Everything developers need to write HTML/JavaScript/CSS mobile apps that access native features such as GPS and accelerometer on all top mobile platforms
  • Starts with a simple PhoneGap app, then walks through configuring and building it for Android, iOS, BlackBerry, Symbian, WebOS, and Windows Phone
  • For a fast-growing market of developers who want to write cross-platform mobile apps

Description

  • Copyright 2012
  • Dimensions: 7" x 9-1/8"
  • Pages: 384
  • Edition: 1st
  • Book
  • ISBN-10: 0-321-81429-0
  • ISBN-13: 978-0-321-81429-6

PhoneGap is Adobe’s distribution of the free and open source framework (originally developed by Nitobi) that is now also available from the Apache Foundation as Apache Cordova™. Using PhoneGap, developers can build native mobile apps using standard HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS, and then deploy those apps to every leading mobile platform with little or no recoding. Up to now, though, PhoneGap was lacking complete, practical documentation. PhoneGap Essentials fills that void: It’s the first concise, yet complete, tutorial for succeeding with PhoneGap in real-world development.

Experienced mobile developer John M. Wargo thoroughly introduces the PhoneGap platform, explaining what it is, what it does, and how it works. He then guides you through configuring PhoneGap environments—creating complete mobile apps—and building them for the Google Android™, Samsung bada, BlackBerry® devices, Apple® iOS, Symbian™ OS, and Windows® Phone. Through realistic examples, you’ll master key PhoneGap APIs for everything from GPS to the file system, contacts to camera, device to events, and more. Wargo also demonstrates how to take full advantage of PhoneGap Build, PhoneGap’s cloud-based packaging utility.

Coverage includes

  • The anatomy of a PhoneGap application (what makes an application a PhoneGap application)
  • Understanding the impact of cross-platform development issues
  • Exploring the entire PhoneGap development process, including testing and debugging
  • Expanding PhoneGap’s capabilities with third-party development tools and plug-ins
  • Building cross-platform apps that use the device camera, compass, accelerometer, and other hardware
  • Reading from and writing to the contacts database and the device file system
  • Installing tools needed to develop PhoneGap apps for Android, bada, BlackBerry, iOS, Symbian, and Windows Phone
  • Reacting to events and notifying users
  • Using the Media API to record and play media files
  • Building for multiple platforms simultaneously using PhoneGap Build 

About the Website

Downloadable code projects, additional information, and errata are available at phonegapessentials.com.

Extras

Author's Site

Link to author site

Sample Content

Online Sample Chapter

PhoneGap Development, Testing, and Debugging

Sample Pages

Download the sample pages (includes Chapter 2 and Index)

Table of Contents

Foreword by Bryce A. Curtis xiii

Foreword by Jim Huempfner xv

Preface xvii

Acknowledgments xxiii

About the Author xxiv

 

Part I: PhoneGap 1

 

Chapter 1: Introduction to PhoneGap 3

A Little PhoneGap History 4

Why Use PhoneGap? 5

How PhoneGap Works 6

Designing for the Container 11

Writing PhoneGap Applications 13

Building PhoneGap Applications 13

PhoneGap Limitations 17

PhoneGap Plug-Ins 18

Getting Support for PhoneGap 19

PhoneGap Resources 19

Hybrid Application Frameworks 19

Chapter 2: PhoneGap Development, Testing, and Debugging 23

Hello, World! 23

PhoneGap Initialization 25

Leveraging PhoneGap APIs 28

Enhancing the User Interface of a PhoneGap Application 30

Testing and Debugging PhoneGap Applications 35

Dealing with Cross-Platform Development Issues 49

Part II: PhoneGap Developer Tools 55

 

Chapter 3: Configuring an Android Development Environment for PhoneGap 57

Installing the Android SDK 58

Eclipse Development Environment Configuration 64

Creating an Android PhoneGap Project 66

Testing Android PhoneGap Applications 77

Chapter 4: Configuring a bada Development Environment for PhoneGap 79

Downloading and Installing the Correct PhoneGap bada Files 80

Creating a bada PhoneGap Project 82

Creating a bada Application Profile 86

Testing bada PhoneGap Applications 95

Chapter 5: Configuring a BlackBerry Development Environment for PhoneGap 97

Installing the BlackBerry WebWorks SDK 98

Creating a BlackBerry PhoneGap Project 99

Building BlackBerry PhoneGap Applications 103

Testing BlackBerry PhoneGap Applications 109

Chapter 6: Configuring an iOS Development Environment for PhoneGap 113

Registering as an Apple Developer 113

Installing Xcode 114

Creating an iOS PhoneGap Project 116

Testing iOS PhoneGap Applications 122

Chapter 7: Configuring a Symbian Development Environment for PhoneGap 125

Installing the Nokia Web Tools 125

Installing the Make Utility 126

Creating a Symbian PhoneGap Project 128

Configuring Application Settings 129

Modifying HelloWorld3 for Symbian 130

Packaging Symbian PhoneGap Projects 131

Testing Symbian PhoneGap Applications 132

Chapter 8: Configuring a Windows Phone Development Environment for PhoneGap 135

Installing the Windows Phone Development Tools 135

Creating a Windows Phone PhoneGap Project 136

Testing Windows Phone PhoneGap Applications 139

Chapter 9: Using PhoneGap Build 141

The Fit 142

Getting Started 142

Configuration 143

Creating an Application for PhoneGap Build 145

Creating a PhoneGap Build Project 146

Dealing with Build Issues 150

Testing Applications 152

Debug Mode 153

Part III: PhoneGap APIs 155

 

Chapter 10: Accelerometer 157

Querying Device Orientation 158

Watching a Device’s Orientation 162

Chapter 11: Camera 165

Accessing a Picture 165

Configuring Camera Options 176

Dealing with Camera Problems 182

Chapter 12: Capture 185

Using the Capture API 186

Configuring Capture Options 189

Capture at Work 191

Chapter 13: Compass 205

Getting Device Heading 205

Watching Device Heading 209

Chapter 14: Connection 217

Chapter 15: Contacts 223

Creating a Contact 224

Searching for Contacts 236

Cloning Contacts 242

Removing Contacts 242

Chapter 16: Device 243

 

Chapter 17: Events 249

Creating an Event Listener 249

deviceready Event 250

Application Status Events 251

Network Status Events 254

Button Events 256

Chapter 18: File 263

Available Storage Types 263

Accessing the Device’s File System 264

Reading Directory Entries 267

Accessing FileEntry and DirectoryEntry Properties 269

Writing Files 272

Reading Files 274

Deleting Files or Directories 275

Copying Files or Directories 276

Moving Files or Directories 276

Uploading Files to a Server 277

Chapter 19: Geolocation 279

Getting a Device’s Current Location 280

Watching a Device’s Location 284

Chapter 20: Media 293

The Media Object 293

Playing Audio Files 298

Recording Audio Files 299

Seeing Media in Action 300

Chapter 21: Notification 307

Visual Alerts (Alert and Confirm) 307

Beep 310

Vibrate 310

Notification in Action 310

Chapter 22: Storage 315

Local Storage 316

SQL Database 317

Appendix A: Installing the PhoneGap Files 327

Preparing for Samsung bada Development 329

Preparing for iOS Development 329

Preparing for Windows Phone Development 330

Appendix B: Installing the Oracle Java Developer Kit 333

Downloading the JDK 333

Installing the JDK 335

Configuring the Windows Path 335

Confirming Installation Success 336

Appendix C: Installing Apache Ant 337

Macintosh Installation 337

Windows Installation 338

Index 341

Updates

Submit Errata

More Information

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020