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Tuesday, December 14, 2021PrintSubscribe
December / January 2022 Roadmap

We are happy to introduce the Level 3 REST API Engine, the new amazing feature of Code On Time apps. Automatic production of Progressive Web Apps and the barcode scanning with the device camera will follow shortly 

Level 3 REST API Engine

The work on our own content management system and numerous inquiries from customers have prompted us to build a new REST API Engine. It is built directly into the server-side framework and exemplifies an exceptional piece of technology. Your app converts into powerful middleware with just a few keystrokes. The API of the app evolves as you create new data models and customize your app with actions and views. The new engine classifies as the Level 3 REST API according to the Richardson Maturity Model

The hypermedia links are self-documenting the API. Developers can extend their own Code On Time app frontend with the help of the built-in RESTful interface. Alternatively the entire application can become the backend of a custom mobile or web client making HTTP requests to the REST API to read and write data.

Here is an example of an application resource with the hypermedia controls embedded in it. The singleton of a product has the hypermedia links for the SupplierID and CategoryID lookup fields. Links to “edit”, “replace”, “delete”, and execute a custom action “custom-action2” are also available with the corresponding HTTP methods.

This is the same data item presented in the editForm1 view of the Products controller. Change the form and the API will change automatically.


The inventory resource corresponding to the dashboard controller Inventory is presented next. It has Categories, Products, and Suppliers fields of the dataview type and an alternative dashboard2 view. 

This is how the Inventory dashboard looks like in the application when running in the development mode.


The standard frontend of your application provides the visual interpretation of its  REST API resources. Naturally you can use this frontend as the primary user interface for your application or create custom mobile or web apps using the technology of your choice.


The new REST API engine produces the responses in JSON, Yaml, and XML formats.


Future releases of the product will include a complete GraphQL runtime that will convert the queries and mutations into the internal REST API calls.

Barcode Scanning With Device Camera

Your apps will finally have an option to scan the barcodes and QR codes without relying on the external scanners. The powerful UI Automation and Kiosk UI already available to the app developers are getting a boost! The QR code icon on the toolbar activates the camera-based scanner powered by the Zxing (zebra crossing) library.  

The camera scanner icon is available when barcode support is enabled. Developers will also have an option to automatically activate the scanner when a particular form is displayed or a field is focused. The scanned barcodes and QR codes are placed in the barcode processing queue, which is also populated by the external scanners and readers.

The simple and powerful IfThisThenThat API allows creating complex rules that force the UI of the app to perform various actions in response to the contents of the barcode queue.

Automatic Production of PWA 

We are finally bringing a unified native experience to Android, Chrome OS, and Windows. Code On Time apps are getting built-in support for Progressive Web Apps technology. Users running your application in Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome will see a prompt to install the app. Installed applications will have no address bar and will behave just like any native application does.

We will continue to support the Cloud On Time universal client for Apple and Mac OS platforms. 

Last But Not Least

REST API engine provides the missing building block for the Content Hub, the new Content Management System (CMS) for Code On Time applications. The new CMS will infuse them with the community forum, help desk, blog, and documentation library. 

Our website will move to our own technology. The documentation library and community forum will become integrated into https://my.codeontime.com. New live design environment v9 integrates with the Content Hub to deliver the unmatched level of productivity when building applications with Code On Time. 


Friday, August 20, 2021PrintSubscribe
August/September 2021 Roadmap

We are very pleased to announce the host of new features that are becoming available in the next few weeks. 2-Factor Authentication, new REST API v2, and barcode scanning with the device camera, are just some of the features that are coming at the end of the summer.

2-Factor Authentication

The next release 8.9.23.0 will introduce 2-Factor Authentication that will be enabled by default in apps created with the Unlimited Edition of Code On Time.

End users will have an option to strengthen their username and password with the one-time verification codes that are delivered via email, text message, or “authenticator” apps such as Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator.

User context menu provides a new option that helps the authenticated user to set up the 2-factor authentication. If the user has the “authenticator” app on their mobile device, then a simple scan of the QR code on the setup screen will configure that app to generate the verification codes to confirm to sign in.
 

 
Authenticator app does not have a physical connection to your application. The scan of the QR code during the setup allows the app to retrieve the secret stored in the user record.  The app generates a new verification code frequently. There is no need to remember the code. You will be able to sign in as long as you have access to your phone.

You will be required to enter the username and password.
 

 
The successful sign in will result in the request to enter the verification code if the 2-factor authentication was set up for the account previously. 
 

 
Another default option is to receive an email with the verification code that expires in a few minutes. Developers also have an option to instruct the app to send a text message or call the user with the verification code. 

If the correct time-based verification code is entered, then the user is signed in. Incorrect input of verification code will count as a failed login attempt with the eventual lockout of the user account.

“Authenticator App” is a very secure option since there is no communication with the 3rd party systems. The default “Email me at...” option can be disabled in the application if required.

Users can also enter the single use backup codes provided to the user during the setup process.

REST API v2 / App Middleware

We are pleased to announce the new REST API v2 available in the apps created with the Unlimited Edition. 

The server-side framework automatically responds to the requests to read and write data  by creating JSON or YAML based output. Hypertext Application Language links are automatically included in the responses to enable the API discovery.
 


The new REST API is the automatic reflection of your data controllers, lookups, and dataview fields. The root entry point of the API serves as the introspection end-point that helps to learn what’s possible.

API Keys and access tokens help authenticating the request. The new API can be used internally and also as a middleware for the projects that require database access. Developers can even enable the “middleware” mode when no user interface options are available and only the API requests are being handled. 

Camera-Based Barcode Scanning

Your apps will finally have an option to scan the barcodes and QR codes without relying on the external scanners. The powerful UI Automation and Kiosk UI already available to the app developers are getting a boost! The QR code icon on the toolbar activates the camera-based scanner powered by the Zxing (zebra crossing) library.  

The camera scanner icon is available when barcode support is enabled. Developers will also have an option to automatically activate the scanner when a particular form is displayed or a field is focused. The scanned barcodes and QR codes are placed in the barcode processing queue, which is also populated by the external scanners and readers.

The simple and powerful IfThisThenThat API allows creating complex rules that force the UI of the app to perform various actions in response to the contents of the barcode queue.

V9 and Integrated Community

We have made great progress in delivering the new browser-based development environment for your apps. The screenshots above show the live preview mode of upcoming v9. It will become the default mode for Code On Time developers and provide property grids and  toolbars with drag & drop configuration and point-and-click inspection of live apps.

The community forum is integrated into the new development environment and will allow discussing and documenting various features right from the property grid. The news feed will also be readily available along with the place to see the latest discussions, tickets, and blog posts.

Friday, April 17, 2020PrintSubscribe
Announcing Barcode/QR/RFID support, UI Automation, Kiosk UI, and Display Flow
Code On Time reaches another milestone in the journey to the low code application development nirvana. The unparalleled integration of barcode, QR code, and RFID tag processing with an optional Kiosk UI is now in the hands of developers!


Following our commitment to the mobile business apps, we have embarked on the implementation of the Barcode Scanning feature listed on our roadmap. Ability to interact with the real world objects through graphical codes and radio frequency tags is essential to the mobile end user experience

Our use case called for the end user to scan a sequence of barcodes, representing product UPCs, the QR code of a customer loyalty card, and reading the RFID tag of the salesperson’s access card. The data is sent to the app in a random sequence that results in a new order being created, line items inserted, quantities increased, and the customer and the salesperson associated with the order.

Sounds simple? Our own specification has required assigning the special markers to the certain fields in the Order and Details configuration for the use case to work. Soon we have realized that it is impossible to  come up with the coherent markers that are translated into execution of complex actions in response to the incoming barcodes and tags.

Through trial and error we have developed an amazing technology to make our “Hands-Free Order Entry” use case a reality. The pattern of order entry is universal and will apply to many business processes beyond the typical point-of-sale system: order delivery, stock inventory check, membership verification, self-service price check, security patrol, check-in and check-out, timecards, and much more.

Barcode Queue

We have extended the Touch UI framework to have a queue of barcodes. The generic term “barcode” also includes QR codes, RFID tags, or any other sequences of characters. The framework raises the “barcode.app” event for each “barcode” in the queue. Developers can handle the barcode immediately or in an asynchronous fashion when needed. The queue can accept new entries while the barcode at the front of the queue is being processed.
The wireless and wired barcode scanners, QR-code scanners, and RFID readers behave as human interface devices. They send characters representing scanned data to the keyboard input. Touch UI framework automatically detects the rapid submission of characters from virtual keyboard devices and places individual codes in the barcode queue. Touch UI can distinguish between the user typing rapidly and the barcode scanner sending the keys. That makes possible the barcode input detection in the online apps in the web browsers. Scanners working in the inventory mode are also supported. 

Applications executing on the devices with cameras can also capture barcodes and QR codes when running in the native mode in Cloud On Time app or its white-label derivative on iOS, Mac OS, Android, Chrome OS, and Windows platforms. End users of the native app can activate the camera scanning mode and capture one or more barcodes. The captured barcodes are placed in the queue for processing.

UI Automation

Let’s say the end user of your app is scanning a UPC barcode on a box. Your app must respond to this simple action by starting a new order, creating a line item, finding the product for that barcode, and saving the line item. If the product is not found, then the order must be canceled.

The user of a custom Order Entry app can press the “New Order” button to create a new order. Next the user will press the “New Detail” button to enter a new line item. The product lookup field will help finding the product by the name or UPC. The business rules of the app will assign the default quantity and calculate the extended price. Finally, the user will click the “Save” button to add the line item to the order. The order total will be updated to reflect the new line item.

We have decided to take advantage of the highly structured metadata-driven Touch UI to allow creating automation scripts executed in response to the certain conditions (e.g. barcode scan on Orders page) and simulating the user actions by automatically pressing the buttons and entering values. The new $app.ifThisThenThat API makes it possible.



This script will respond to the barcode scanned on the Orders page and cause your Touch UI application to create an order with a line item.



From the perspective of the end user, the scanning of the barcode has magically created an order with the new line items. The form appears filled with the data.

In fact, the automation script has caused the app to execute the corresponding commands on behalf of the user. The business rules have been faithfully executed on each step. The forms have remained invisible during automation. Transition effects and other user interface enhancements were disabled. 

UI Automation is built into Touch UI. Developers can design the core user experience based on Touch UI and later on enhance the app with the ability to respond to the scanned barcodes or other conditions. The barcodes can be simulated with the keyboard shortcuts or special custom actions and allow automating complex user interface sequences by manipulating the user interface of the app.

An automation script consists of multiple “if this then that” rules written in JavaScript and evaluated by the framework when the page loads up or when a barcode appears in the queue. The first rule that matches the current state of the app will be executed.

Kiosk UI

The responsive nature of Touch UI makes it possible for your app to display effortlessly on the screen of any size. The user interface provides a consistent set of features and controls that are easy to learn and match those found in the modern mobile operating systems.

If you place our Order Entry app in front of the customers in the grocery store, then you may inadvertently end up creating delays on the self-checkout lines. Some customers may be intimidated by the popup windows and multiple user interface options.

You need to reduce the app capabilities to the level of a sketch. Here you have the line items, there you have the customer information. Important buttons are clustered together. The order total must be easy to spot. A virtual terminal must be present to allow keying in the barcodes that cannot be read by the scanners due to poor quality.

Welcome to the Kiosk UI, the UI Automation feature that makes it possible to create an alternative presentation for your application suitable for mobile and occasional users with minimal training.



Kiosk-style presentation can be designed as a part of your application or introduced later on by the app administrator without any involvement on your part. The usability of your application can be extended in ways that you cannot even imagine when delivering apps built with Code On Time to your clients! They can take care of it themselves!

Consider another example of Kiosk UI displaying the customer information and responding to the loyalty card QR code.




The kiosk is displayed right on top of your app hiding the complexity and making emphasis on the core functionality that is important to certain end users. 

Below is the actual screen that the kiosk is hiding from the end user. The kiosk is serving as a remote control for your application. End user is pushing buttons and making choices that are reflected in the form hidden behind the kiosk display. 




Barcode input is always “on” when the kiosk display is active. 

Kiosk presentation is activated by “if this then that” rules. The definition of the kiosk is an array of JavaScript objects describing the flow of information on the kiosk display. A particular display can be activated in the response to the state of the application.



Try matching the display definition above with the fullscreen Kiosk UI display shown below:



Kiosk UI is activated through UI Automation scripts. The kiosk presentation can be selectively disabled for certain user roles, while retaining the automation. The advanced user may have access to all features of your app. The end users on the go can be provided with the Kiosk presentation for a streamlined experience.

Display Flow

The technology in the foundation of Kiosk UI is called “display flow”. 

This is a sample of the point-of-sale layout with the button cluster on the left created through movement of the corresponding JavaScript objects to the top of the display flow list with the minor changes to the properties.


The display flow is fully responsive. The point-of-sale system collapses into a tabbed user interface with the smaller buttons on a phone-size screen. Screen size breakpoints and device orientation can be used to configure the properties of the display flow.


Optional user interface elements can be hidden and brought up on-demand. The virtual terminal is turned off in the next screenshot.


The height of the display objects can be set to fill the screen. If that is the case then the display will cover the entire screen of the device and the “fillers” will become scrollable. This requires no CSS or HTML knowledge and works like magic. Multiple scrollable areas are supported.

The display flow is themed and accented as any other component of Touch UI.



Here is another example of the same display with the invisible gaps creating a simple modern user interface floating in the space.



It takes only a few minutes to rearrange the content.



Better yet, you can design multiple kiosk displays for the same app when needed.



JavaScript encoding of the display flow makes it suitable for online and offline applications.

We are very excited about this new addition to the Touch UI. The display flow will replace the current HTML based layouts in the forms/grid/list/cards and will help us to unify and simplify the various kinds of presentation in the framework. The display flow will allow drag & drop modification with the Visual Designer in the upcoming Code On Time v9. Imagine any Touch UI form with a display flow in the scrollable area and you will get the idea. Please note that we will retain the current look and fill and will still support HTML view templates.

It took many sleepless nights to work out a simple and expressive language for low code user interface design that is accessible and easy to manage with the visual development tools.

Availability

This new exciting technology is available in the release 8.9.5.0. 

Get Code On Time and build amazing apps that work online and offline with barcodes, QR codes, and RFID tags. Give your apps an infinite life span and unexpected use cases with UI Automation and Kiosk User Interface.