Setting Up Blackberry Development Environment

Setting up Blackberry development environment using NetBeans/JDE IDE

ADNAN FAKHAR

Table of ContentsIntegrating BlackBerry (JDE) Emulator to NetBeans…………………………………………………….03

Developing Applications Using the JDE………………………………………………………………………..04

How to remove applications from BlackBerry Simulator………………………………………………13

How to Install 3rd Party Applications on BlackBerry Device………………………………………….14

How to include external (jar) file……………………………………………………………………………….…18

Running Existing MIDlets on the BlackBerry...................................................................19

Attentive Points............................................................................................................ .20

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Integrating BlackBerry (JDE) Emulator to NetBeans

1. Right Click on my Java ME Project, and select the Properties2. In the Category, select the Platform3. Click on the Manage Emulators... Button shown which opens the Java PlatformManager window.4. It shows the Platforms list, which doesn't show the BlackBerry platform for Java.5. So Click on the Add Platform... Button provided, which opens the Add Java Platform window

6. Select 'Custom Java ME MIDP Platform Emulator'

8. Go to where you installed the JDE (e.g..: C:\Program Files\Research InMotion\BlackBerry JDE 4.7.0) as the Platform Home

9. You can use RIM of 'Platform Name' and Blackberry as 'Device Name'Click Next

10. In the Bootstrap Libraries list, remove everything except thenet_rim_api.jar file

11. Add the Blackberry javadocs path, for example: 'C:\ProgramFiles\Research In Motion\BlackBerry JDE 4.7.0\docs\api\' then click 'finish'

12. Close and then restart NetBeans.

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Developing Applications Using the JDE

This is BlackBerry JDE v4.6.0, default emulator is BlackBerry 9000 hand phone.

Open BlackBerry JDE.

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Create a workspace name: development.jdw

Create a project name: HelloWorldDemo.jdp

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Create a file name: HelloWorldDemo.java

After all the above steps done, you need to manually write a simple Hello World MIDlet. (If you are lazy to do so, you can use NetBeans to generate a sample for you.)

Then, add in the project properties.

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It is because by default the project properties are empty.

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Build success.

After the code build complete, a HelloWorldDemo.cod file should located at C:\Program Files\Research In Motion\BlackBerry JDE 4.6.0\simulator\ folder, this file is use by the simulator.

Now, I open BlackBerry Device Simulator.

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Click on Menu.

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Click on Downloads. The HelloWorldDemo application had been installed to this folder on the simulator.

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Click on HelloWorldDemo application.

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Done.

The tricky part of this BlackBerry JDE is that when I run my program, it won′t immediate open my program. It only install all the COD files into the simulator & show me the default screen, I will need to manually go into the "Downloads" folder to open my program. Quite a weird design. =.=

Other then using BlackBerry JDE, we can use NetBeans or Eclipse plug in as well.

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How to remove applications from BlackBerry Simulator

If you want to remove only selective application from Device Simulator then

From "C:\Program Files\Research In Motion\BlackBerry JDE X.X.X\simulator"delete following files AppName.cod, AppName.cso, AppName.debug(and AppName-X.debug ,if exists), AppName.jar, and

four DMP files of related BB device like In case of Curve 8800--> 8800-as.dmp, 8800-nv.dmp, 8800-sdcard.dmp, 8800-fs.dmp. And if you want to remove all third party applications from Device Simulator then run "clean.bat", will

reset Your simulator to its initial state with no third party applications. "clean.bat" can be found in simulator

directory.

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How to Install 3 rd Party Applications on BlackBerry Device

The Various File Types You Will Encounter

.JAD files: An application descriptor that stores information about the application itself and the location of .COD files

.JAR files: a JAR file (or Java ARchive) is used for aggregating many files into one. It is generally used to distribute Java classes and associated metadata.

.COD files: A COD file is a proprietary file format developed by RIM that contains compiled and packaged application code.

.ALX files: Similar to the .JAD file, in that it holds information about where the installation files for the application are located

Installing Third Party Software OTA (Over The Air)

Performing the OTA download and installation of a third party application is usually the easiest option. Most application developers will provide direct links to the .jad or .jar files required for internal installation on your BlackBerry. There is usually a second option for download to your desktop and installation via the BlackBerry Desktop Manager. The Desktop Manager installation process is described in the next section.

Downloading OTA is super easy. Simply navigate to the download page for the application you wish to install and find the direct (OTA) download link. From within the BlackBerry browser menu, select “Get Link” and then click OK for each step of the installation. Here are the steps you must perform in order to download a third party application OTA to your BlackBerry:

1. Navigate with the BlackBerry Browser to the desired application download page.Example: Google Maps Mobile

2. Often you will be presented with a link to the download, or the option to enter your cellular phone number and have the link sent to your device via SMS.

3. Follow the supplied link (either direct or SMS) from within your BlackBerry Browser and follow all the instructions that appear on your screen.

4. The new application will be unpacked and installed by your BlackBerry Browser and your new software will be now be available in your applications list.

NOTE: If you are using your BlackBerry in a BES configuration which is overseen by your IT department, you may not have the ability to install your own third party applications to your device. If this is the case, you will have to contact your IT professional and request that they add the software and deploy it to your device. This

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may be against the policy that your employer has dictated so it is best to get approval before any such request.

Installing Third Party Software Via BlackBerry Desktop ManagerRequirements :

BlackBerry Desktop Manager Device software (Operating System) should be installed on PC. It should be the same Operating System that is

installed in BlackBerry device.

The second method of installation uses the RIM Desktop Manager. Applications meant to be installed from the Desktop Manager come with two files: an ALX file and a COD file. First, connect your BlackBerry to your PC using a data cable. Once the device is attached, launch the RIM Desktop Manager. Then launch the Application Loader from inside the Desktop Manager.

BlackBerry Desktop Manager

Click the “Add…” button in the Application Loader and specify an Application Loader File(.alx). The application should now appear in the list of items to install. Follow the instructions from there to finish the installation and it should appear on your Blackberry.

Piece o cake. Unless it didn’t work. If you hit a problem fear not. There are things you can do.

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“No System Software was found for your handheld.”

No System Software Found

Lucky you. You’ve either upgraded your handheld OS, or gotten a new BlackBerry for your birthday. Either way, your Desktop Manager doesn’t know how to talk to your BlackBerry. It is lacking the device software for your model of BlackBerry.

You’ll have to download and install the latest device software and service packs from your carrier. To see which device software you have installed on your computer, go to the Desktop Manager Help–>About and click the Device Software tab.

“No additional applications for your handheld were found”

No Additional Applications

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First, make sure the .alx file and the .cod file are in the same directory. The Application Loader uses both files to install to your BlackBerry. If that isn’t the problem, then upgrading the Desktop Manager might help. You can download the latest version from your carrier or directly from RIM: http://www.blackberry.com/support. More detailed information on this can be found at: BlackBerry Install Error: No additional applications designed for your device found!

Invalid Digital Signature

If you are running a BES BlackBerry, there is a setting in the BES that doesn’t allow the installation of 3rd party applications unless they have been signed. You will have to contact your BES administrator to change this setting.

A fatal error has occurred while updating your handheld’s software. Please try again. Unspecified error encountered [J:0×0000000A]

That (most helpful) error message appears because the application you are loading requires a more recent version of the handheld operating system than you have. You will need to go to your carrier’s website and download a more recent version of the OS.

Note: ALX does not needed if install via OTA it only required when installing via USB (desktop)

Note = BlackBerry does not support to install third party applications via blue tooth, the only two methods to install applications are OTA and USB

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How to include external jar file (LWUIT)

Very simple solution to run LWUIT application into Blackberry successfully without Any Error:

The process(I suppose you're on a NetBeans IDE...?):1) Before using the LWUIT.jar file into your application you have to pre verify that. The command to run is:D:\Program Files\Research In Motion\BlackBerry JDE 4.2.1\bin>preverify -classpath "D:\Program Files\Research In Motion\BlackBerry JDE 4.2.1\lib\net_rim_api.jar""D:\NBProjects\LWUITDemo\dist\lib\LWUIT.jar"

2) Then you will get the following errors:i) Error preverifying class com.sun.lwuit.SVGImageVERIFIER ERROR com/sun/lwuit/SVGImage.drawImage(Lcom/sun/lwuit/Graphics;II)V:Cannot find class javax/microedition/m2g/ScalableImageYou have to delete that SVGImage.class file from LWUIT.jar because JDE failed to verify it for the above errors.

ii) Then again run that command & you again will get errors:Error preverifying class com.sun.lwuit.animations.Transition3DVERIFIER ERROR com/sun/lwuit/animations/Transition3D.initTransition()V:Cannot find class javax/microedition/m3g/NodeAnd you have to also delete Transition3D.class, M3G.class & M3G$Callback.class files from LWUIT.jar because JDE failed to verify them also.iii) Then again run that command and it will able verify successfully without any message. When pre verifying, all pre verified classes are saved in a subdirectory "output" by default into the JDE “bin� directory.

3) Now take that pre verified LWUIT.jar file and make your application. And after completing your project with your .jad & .jar file make the .cod file with the following command:D:\Program Files\Research In Motion\BlackBerry JDE 4.2.1\bin>rapc import="D:\Program Files\Research In Motion\BlackBerry JDE 4.2.1\lib\net_rim_api.jar" codename="C:\Documents and Settings\Susanta\Desktop\COD\COD\LWUITApps" -midlet " D:\NBProjects\LWUITApps\dist\LWUITApps.jad" " D:\NBProjects\LWUITApps\dist\LWUITApps.jar"(Where “import� path is the net_rim_api.jar path, �codename� path is the path where you want to make the cod file with name then .jad file path & .jar file path)And you will get the .cod file in the codename path & test it.

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Running Existing MIDlets on the BlackBerry

To run a standard MIDlet on a Java-enabled BlackBerry device, you first need to convert the .jad and .jar files to the .cod format, using the rapc command-line tool that comes with RIM's JDE. You'll find rapc in the bin directory of your JDE installation. This command converts a MIDlet named LoginMIDlet:

rapc import="c:\BlackBerryJDE3.6\lib\net_rim_api.jar" codename=LoginMIDlet -midlet jad=LoginMIDlet.jad LoginMIDlet.jar

You can load the resulting LoginMIDlet.cod file into your BlackBerry device from your desktop computer over a USB cable. Use the javaloader command, which can also be found in the bin directory of your JDE installation. I used this command to load LoginMIDlet.cod into my BlackBerry 7510:

javaloader -usb load LoginMIDlet.cod

Once the application is loaded into the BlackBerry, you can run it just as if it were a native application.

You can use javaloader to delete applications from the BlackBerry as well as to load them. This command will remove LoginMIDlet.cod from the BlackBerry:

javaloader -usb erase -f LoginMIDlet.cod

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Attentive Points To integrate jde plug in eclipse , eclipse version should be 3.4 and plugin will install in the same folder where

eclipse copied. After installing eclipse3.4.1 , eclipse needs signing keys to activate black beery project, and if u need a signing

key for black berry u need to purchase. Sometime Thumb.db (image) insert in compiled jar file like Zantel.jar and this cause problem running application

in BlackBerry Device, open it with WinRar , navigate to image folder and delete it.

For any query contact me at

[email protected]

Adnan Fakhar

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