We’re really thrilled to be able to bring you this update to LiveCode Create, just in time for Christmas. It came right down to the wire but we got there! There is so much added and improved in this release, we’re excited that LiveCode Create is really starting to take shape. Some way to go yet but a big leap forward today.
What’s in the box?
- A functioning Data Store
- Improvements to the Property Inspector (more to come on this)
- Many new Actions
- Many improvements to widgets and objects
We’ve added the first iteration of the Data Store, with data binding and collections working for the first time. You can add, edit and delete data. While this is very much a first iteration and it is still not a “real” cloud version, it does mean you can try out binding your data to your apps. We’ve also made the first tranche of improvements to the Property Inspector, loads more to come there but it’s already significantly easier to use. More widgets have been added and many improvements have been made to existing widgets. Many more Actions have been added and are working.
See for yourself
We’d rather show you than tell you what’s new. We’ve produced the very first in our video tutorial series, building the Todo list app. Follow along with these 5 short videos, and see what you can do already with LiveCode Create!
Intro and tour
If you haven’t yet looked at Create, here are the basics. Steven Crighton gives you a quick tour of the interface, shows how to customize it to your taste, where the Script Editor lives, how to drag out objects from the Tools Palette, setting up your very first project and more. If you’re already familiar with Create you could skip this one – though I personally learned a few things I didn’t know when watching it.
Tasks User Interface
Next layout the basic UI, add fields, titles and colors as needed.
Add and Edit Tasks UI
Now add the interface for adding tasks and editing them, snap to gridlines and readymade buttons make it easy.
We’re ready for data
Discover collections and data binding. What they are, how to use them, and how to apply them to your todo list. Note: this is an early version of the Data Store, it is local to your app rather than being truly pushed to the cloud, and any and every part of the syntax may still change. Use it, enjoy it, but with caution!
Adding Actions
The final video shows how to make everything work. You add actions to your fields so that the correct data is sent to the cloud when you add a new item to the todo list, or edit or delete one.
Get your hands on it
If you are already a member of the LiveCode Create Preview program, simply go here and log in. The new version has been pushed to the website. Not yet a member? Learn how to join in here!
9 comments
Join the conversationTom Glod - December 22, 2023
Interesting demo, thanks. Everything is looking really simple and modern. I like it. All the best in 2024 getting v 10 across the finish line.
Daniel Rodrigue - December 26, 2023
“All the best in 2024 getting v 10 across the finish line.” I agree!
Stephen Ezekwem - February 20, 2024
I agree as well. We wait to see.
Charles Szasz - December 23, 2023
The demo certainly shows a lot of progress in the development of LC Create. I looked forward to seeing the next update.
Mark Christie - December 26, 2023
Great demos – Thanks Stephen and all the team working on the product. I am just two videos in and decided to follow along. I may have missed some of the explanatory briefings on this, but I thought we would be adding three “cards” to the main app stack. Stephen, you refer to what I took to be cards as layouts and when I went to replicate your example, they are in fact separate stacks. If you explain this later or it has already been covered as a conceptual change in earlier briefings – apologies. Just thought I’d flag it that it feels like a change in language… Project = stack, Stack = card?. Seasons Greetings to all and love your collective work.
Steven Crighton - January 10, 2024
This is a conceptual change which has not yet been explained, the reason it has not been explained is that it’s not yet been fully implemented. In LiveCode Create for brand new users we are removing the requirement of learning the stacks and cards metaphor. It’s worth noting here that stacks and cards will continue to be supported as they are now, it will just no longer be the default experience for a new user. We see this as a potential friction point when a user has to pause and ask, what is a stack and what is a card and we believe it not to be important enough a concept to take forward into the future as our default option in LiveCode Create.
In LiveCode Create the user can create a new project and inside that project they can have multiple layouts (terminology, not 100% finalised). Internally a layout is essentially a stack with a single card (but behaves as a single object). So from a user perspective in the project browser they will not see a stack and a card, they will just see a single object which will be called a Layout. It is this Layout where they will drag their widgets onto.
Steven Crighton - January 10, 2024
How did you get on with following along with the videos?
Mark Christie - January 27, 2024
Thanks Steven and apologies for the delay in replying.
Was able to follow the videos without any issues. Having hands-on demos positively augments documentation. On the stack/card book/page metaphor vs a single canvas layout it will be good to build that scaffold to explain the transition (as you have done) for those of us from hypercard or in my case toolbook and then LiveCode programming metaphors.
The book/page or stack/card metaphor for a program is also synonymous with a PowerPoint deck and slides so while embracing change and trying to be an agent of change myself, it’s good to leave a breadcrumb trail for those coming behind.
Of course while you are holding the torch and digging the tunnel at the same time, it is just another thing to add to the list. Rather than be silent just wanted to pop it in and at the same time acknowledge the advancements the development team have made.
Many thanks for your response.
Alan Green - January 23, 2024
This reminds me a lot of MS PowerApps. Are you going head to head with Richmond !