Droiuby is an android client and framework that allows you to quickly create android apps for rapid prototyping capitalizing on the expressive and dynamic nature of the ruby language. Since it sits on top of the Android Framework (and not HTML), droiuby applications are also able to access features comparable to a native app, this includes the devices' hardware (GPS, Camera,accelerometer) and facilitate on-device interaction using an event driven framework. A library is provided that wraps native controls that significantly simplifies common tasks usually done in a very verbose manner using Java.
The droiuby framework also treats web apps as first class citizens and allows you to create droiuby apps with code and assets that are served entirely from the web.
The Droiuby framework consists of the following:
1.) An opensource Android app (droiuby-core) - Pure Java code that handles Android bootstrapping, debugging and JRuby instance management etc.
2.) The Droiuby Framework - Consists of ruby code that serves as the bridge between your app and Java. The framework wraps Android Objects in to easy to use Ruby Wrappers.
Remember this is still highly experimental and things could change really quickly.
-
You are experienced with ruby and rails projects and want to try mobile app development.
-
The Android development workflow feels too cumbersome and slow.
-
You are already an android developer and is interested to find out how a language like ruby can lessen the frustration on working with the Android SDK and Framework. (see Animation - Ruby vs Java)
-
You want something to quickly demo before you dwell into hardcore Android development. The rapid feedback and "code and refresh" nature of droiuby is perfect for rapid prototyping.
-
You want to create a hybrid native/ web app. Droiuby allows all or part of your app assets to be served via a web app.
The recommended way is using through the droiuby gem
gem install droiuby
Then create your first app
drby new sample
Please refer to the wiki for additional docs
https://github.com/jedld/droiuby/wiki
You can find sample applications here:
https://github.com/jedld/droiuby_samples
Below is an example on how the droiuby framework simplifies some tasks:
Animation - Ruby vs Java
scaling a view and then exit left (JAVA):
View view = (View)context.findViewById(R.id.Text1);
AnimatorSet set = new AnimatorSet();
ObjectAnimator animator = ObjectAnimator.ofFloat(view, "scaleX", 1.0f, 0.5f);
animator.setDuration(250);
ObjectAnimator animator2 = ObjectAnimator.ofFloat(view, "scaleY", 1.0f, 0.5f);
animator.setDuration(250);
set.playTogether(animator, animator2);
set.addListener(new AnimatorListener() {
@Override
public void onAnimationCancel(Animator animation) {
// TODO Auto-generated method stub
}
@Override
public void onAnimationEnd(Animator animation) {
WindowManager wm = (WindowManager) context.getSystemService(Context.WINDOW_SERVICE);
Display display = wm.getDefaultDisplay();
ObjectAnimator animator = ObjectAnimator.ofInt(view, "left", view.getLeft(), display.getWidth());
animator.setDuration(250);
animator.addListener(finalListener);
animator.start();
}
@Override
public void onAnimationRepeat(Animator animation) {
// TODO Auto-generated method stub
}
@Override
public void onAnimationStart(Animator animation) {
// TODO Auto-generated method stub
}
});
set.start();
Ruby (Droiuby Framework):
view = ('#Text1')
view.animate { |v|
v.scale_x 1.0, 0.5, {duration: 250}
v.scale_y 1.0, 0.5, {duration: 250}
}.after(
view.animate { |v|
v.left v.left, Display.width, {duration: 250}
}
).start
- Still alpha, a lot still needs to be done to support all of features of the Android SDK
- Some app features simply cannot be done during runtime (e.g. app permissions, some UI styles, custom Views). A way to workaround this is to fork the Droiuby core app yourself and add the necessary modifications.
- Slow initial loading of apps
- ruboto - Another really good ruby on android framework.
- phonegap - Uses HTML and Javascript and phonegap provides the bridge to the Android SDK layer.
- appcelerator - Have not tried this but looks similar to phonegap.
If you think it looks cool or not, I'm happy for some feedback and suggestions
Copyright 2012 Joseph Emmanuel Dayo
Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at
http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations under the License.