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Help / WINDEV Mobile Tutorial / Tutorial - Deploying a mobile application
  • Deploying an iOS application
  • Overview
  • Generating the iOS application
  • Transferring the WINDEV Mobile project to the Mac
  • Compiling the project in Xcode
  • Distributing an iOS application

Deploying a mobile application

Deploying an iOS application
We will cover the following topics:
  • Generating the iOS application.
  • Deploying an iOS application.
Durée de la leçon 10 min
Overview
Once the development of the Mobile application is complete, you just need to compile it and install it on the device. You can:
  • test all the features of the application (maps, etc.).
  • deploy the application.
We will see how to deploy the application to an iOS device.
To follow the steps in this tutorial, we will use the "WM Product Management" project.
Opening the example project
  1. Go to the WINDEV home page (Ctrl + <).
  2. On the home page, click "Tutorial", then in "Tutorial - Develop an Android/iOS application", double-click "Android/iOS product management - Answers".
Generating the iOS application
To generate the iOS application:
  1. If necessary, select the iOS platform in the "Project explorer" pane.
  2. On the "Project" tab, in the "Generation" group, click "Generate" (you can also click Generate the iOS application in the quick access buttons).
  3. If necessary, select the first window of the application (WIN_Menu, for example) and validate.
  4. The iOS application generation wizard starts.
  5. The wizard is used to:
    • define the application name, the company and the copyright.
    • enter the Bundle ID.
      This ID is a unique identifier for Apple applications. It is defined and registered on the Apple developer account.
      This identifier will allow you to register your application so that it can be tested and deployed. By default, WINDEV Mobile automatically generates an identifier that meets Apple's development requirements. You can change this ID.
    • define the email address used by default to send an error report if necessary.
      iOS application generation wizard
  6. Go to the next step.
  7. You can specify the path of the different application icons for each type of device.
  8. Go to the next step.
  9. Specify the characteristics of the splash screen.
  10. Go to the next step.
  11. Specify the version number of the generated application.
  12. Go to the next step.
  13. This step allows you to include specific files (data files, images, etc.).
    • Click the "Add" button.
    • Select the data files (.fic, .ndx and .mmo) located in the "EXE\iOS application" directory of the project. The list of files is displayed.
      Files to include
  14. Indicate that these data files must be in write mode: check the "Write" box.
  15. Go to the next step.
  16. The wizard allows you to specify:
    • whether the application is allowed to be resized (Split View). The option allows the end user to display two windows of two different applications side by side on some devices.
    • whether files can be shared with iTunes. If this option is checked, you can copy the application files to the Mac during the synchronization. For example, if the application contains data files, iTunes will allow you to copy these files.
    • the minimum iOS version required to run the application.
      Configuration
  17. Go to the next step. This step is used to specify the signature options for Xcode.
    For more details, see Signature of iOS applications.
  18. Finish the wizard.
  19. The application is generated in the EXE folder of the project directory. The name of the directory containing the source code that will be used on the Mac is "Project_name.xcode.gen" ("WM Product Management.xcode.gen" in our example). This directory must be copied to the Mac. Click "Browse generation directory".
    The generation directory of the current project configuration can be opened at any time: on the "Home" tab, in the "General" group, expand and select "Browse generation directory".

Transferring the WINDEV Mobile project to the Mac

To transfer the WINDEV Mobile project to the Mac:
  1. Copy the entire folder generated in the EXE directory to an external location (USB drive, external hard disk, directory shared with the Mac on the network). The name of this directory is <Project name>.xcode.gen.
  2. Paste this folder on the Mac that will compile the application.
  3. Open the folder on the Mac and open the "Project_name.xcodeproj" file.
  4. The project is opened in Xcode.

Compiling the project in Xcode

WINDEV Mobile automatically generates an Xcode project for your iOS compilations. To simplify the implementation of applications, WINDEV Mobile generates a "Scheme" for Xcode.

To compile the project in Xcode:
  1. Select the compilation options from the drop-down list in the upper-left corner. Select the scheme corresponding to your application then the compilation target (device currently connected or a simulator).
  2. To start the compilation, select "Product .. Clean" then "Product .. Build".
  3. A compilation status report appears at the top ("Succeeded", or the number of warnings and errors). You can click these symbols to see the list of errors/warnings.
  4. Once the program has been compiled without errors, you can start the simulation (select "Product .. Run"). The simulation window appears with the application.
You can then test your application directly on your iPhone or iPad.
Distributing an iOS application
There are multiple methods to deploy applications to a device (iPhone or iPad).
  • Via App Store:
    This type of distribution allows you to distribute your application via the App Store without any restrictions. Your application will include the signature linked to your certificate but it will not be linked to a single device.
  • Via a private network (In-House):
    This type of distribution allows you to distribute your application via a Web server to a group of users working for the same company. You need to enroll as an "Organization" in the Apple Developer Program for this type of distribution. Your application will include the signature linked to your certificate but it will not be linked to a single device.
  • Via an Ad Hoc network:
    This type of distribution allows you to install the application on an Ad Hoc network containing up to 100 devices (iPhone and iPad). The application must be recompiled for the target device by including the certificate for the signature as well as the unique identifier of the device.
  • Via the Private Store provided with WINDEV Mobile:
    With this method, the application can be deployed internally to a fleet of devices. You will be able to manage updates and versions on this fleet of devices. You need to enroll as an "Organization" in the Apple Developer Program for this type of distribution. For more details, see Private Store for mobile applications.
Caution: To test the application and/or deploy it to an iPhone or iPad, you must enroll in the Apple Developer Program. You need to purchase a membership to enroll. For more information, follow the links below:
There are 2 types of enrollment:
  • Apple Developer Program - Individuals
  • Apple Developer Program - Organizations
This program includes a developer certificate which allows signing applications to compile and distribute them. This certificate is not free of charge. This developer certificate is required even for a simple setup for test (debug) on a device.
Table of contents
Minimum version required
  • Version 2024
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Last update: 11/17/2023

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