How to use the SDK to apply applications on Ubuntu devices, including emulators and desktops

Brief introduction

There are three ways to run an application created through the SDK: on the desktop, on a networked Ubuntu device, and in the emulator. These are complementary ways, because each has advantages and disadvantages. You will first learn how to manage the device types of the SDK and which types are used to test different aspects of your application.

Set up the Device toolkit

Device toolkits are an important concept of the SDK: they enable you to build applications for several devices and architectures, regardless of your development environment. If you haven't added any device kits yet, don't worry, you can always create new kits when you start a new project.

Check the documentation on the toolkit For more information about these types, or simply follow the next steps.

When you first create a project, the SDK will require you to create at least one toolkit and choose two aspects for it:

• The framework your application will use (most of the time, you will want to use the latest stable version that matches the Ubuntu version number.) Example 14.04)
• Device Architecture (ARMFH: Most phones and tablets, or i386: desktop)

Add multiple toolkits that allow you to test your application under multiple contexts, schemas, and display size conditions.

Administrative Tools Pack

The Build & Run tab on the Projects page allows you to create, delete, and change existing toolkits. This tab is especially useful when you forget to create a specific device toolkit, or when your application evolves to support other devices and architectures.

Add a Device

The Devices page allows you to view connected Ubuntu devices, manage their settings (Enable developer mode, clone network configurations from your desktop to devices ...) ), and create a new device (emulator).

Creating an Emulator

Click the "+" button at the bottom of the window to open the Create Emulator dialog box. You need to choose the name of the device, the schema (the I386 emulator will run faster) and the system Image channel:stable is the latest official version of Ubuntu,devel is the latest daily build verified, and Devel-proposed contains new changes that still need to be tested.

Creating an emulator requires downloading about 300MB and preparing a system image, which may take some time.

Start the emulator

Once your emulator has been built, you can configure some startup variables:

• Scale: The size of the emulator window
• Memory: The RAM allocated to the device is between 512 and 1024MB

Once started, the emulator can be managed like any other device and can be run with a compatible device toolkit.

Note: when Ubuntu starts on the emulator, you will be asked to enter a password for the dialog box: The default password is "0000".

To run your application

Now that you have created or connected your device, you can run your application by selecting it from a button on the left side of the SDK window. The red/orange/green dots on the icon indicate their status (here, my phone is connected and ready to host the application).

Once you have selected the run target, the play icon below launches your application.

Tip: the keyboard shortcut to start: Ctrl + R.

What are the benefits/warnings for each device type? Desktop

The SDK builds and runs your application the same way as any other desktop application. Even if the goal of Ubuntu is to achieve full integration (the same platform and library on all devices), Ubuntu 14.04 and 14.10 are not yet complete to achieve this. This means that your application cannot use the full functionality of the mobile platform. In any case, this is the quickest way to test the display of your application's UI under a few display sizes.

Simulator

Your phone's size device on your desktop. A great way to use all the features of your application and platform without having to connect devices via USB. The SDK opens an emulator instance and launches the application on the emulator.

Equipment

The application will be uploaded to the Ubuntu device that you have connected and started. We recommend that you maximize the platform and test the responsiveness of your application on the specified device.

Failed to start

If an error occurs when you start your application, it is recorded on the Application Output pane at the bottom of the editor.

Next steps

You're ready to start writing applications! The next important step is to review the Ubuntu App Platform section for information about what application developers need to know, as well as guidance on the common Ubuntu section.

Are you ready to start coding? Review the QML and HTML5 sections to help decide which toolkit to use.

How to use the SDK to apply applications on Ubuntu devices, including emulators and desktops