Rapid Application Development with IBM Bluemix RapidAppsOverview

IBM Bluemix includes RapidApps - a rapid application development environment for building and

deploying (relatively) simple CRUD (create, read, update, delete) applications. The RapidApps

environment provides easy drag and drop tools to develop these applications are primarily designed to

process data stored in logical tables and the development environment is designed for programmers and

non-programmers alike.

In this example, we will create a small application to create a parking valet service for a home party.

Because RapidApps builds mobile-friendly applications, it is well-suited to the task of taking a quick

note on your mobile phone.

We will have one screen to record where cars are parked and another screen to list where cars are

located. We will add a user name field, so many people can use the application to find their cars.

Getting Started

First, we have to log into the RapidApps development environment. The URL for RapidApps is

https://developer.ibm.com/rapidapps/docs/getting-started/registering-bluemix/ Sign in in the upper

right with your IBM ID.

Once you have logged in, you will see your dashboard. This screen displays all of your applications,

data sources and code. We are going to build a simpler application from scratch, but it will show how to

create, update and retrieve data.

Create an App

We are going to start by creating an application. Select “Create an app” or hit the “+” sign next to

New Application

On the next screen you should give your application a name. Create a unique name such as

“FindMyCar-your initials” ie. FindMyCar-CSC.

This will bring up the Content screen where you can create the different screens that your application

will use.

Select the “+” next to New Screen in the Screens section. This will provide a menu to choose either a

template screen or a new blank screen. We will select “New Blank Screen”

Enter the name of the screen “Main” and press OK. We will need two more screens. One to enter the

location where your car is parked and the other to list the locations. Press the “+” sign again and create

another blank screen called “Save location”. Repeat again for the final screen called “List Locations”.

Once the screens have been created click on “Main” to start designing the screen. Our main screen

only has two buttons. Save Location and List Locations. Click on Button on the right Widgets area

and a button will appear with a choice of what screen you want to navigate to when it is pushed. Chose

“Save Location”. If you would like to change the text on the button double click on it to change the

text.

Add the second button from the Widget pallete and choose List Locations for the navigate. You should

also check the box to set this screen as your initial screen when the app starts.

have your main

Next choose the Save Location screen on the left navigation area and select Form from the Widget area.

You will be asked if you want to use an existing data set or create a new one. Choose Create data set.

This will allow us to create the table that will hold our data Where you see Untitled Data Set, change

the name to CarLocation and then select the “+”

You can now create each of the columns for the data. You will create the name, then the type (text,

date, etc.) You will be creating the following fields.

Driver Text - required

Lot Text

Level String

Space String

Date Date

Notes String

Click on the blue text labeled “Unittled Attribute” and set the field name to Driver. It is a text data and

it is a required field so you will need to click on it and change it to “Required”. Next click on the “+”

again to add the subsequent fields.

Reminder: When you get to the Date field you will need to change the type of data to “Date”.

The last field will be Comments. Do not press the “+ sign once you have created the Comments

column. You are done creating the fields and can return to the screens. You will notice that your Save

Location screen now has the fields along with Submit and Cancel buttons.

Now select the “List Locations” screen on the left navigation. Select the Table widget from the right

pallete. When the screen for the data set comes up select the Existing Data set “CarLocation”

This will create the screen for holding the data in a table with the Columns on it.

Now you can preview your application. If the application does not come up right away click the Reload

buton.

You can try the different buttons on the application.

Click Submit and the Location will be saved. Press “Main” in the upper left to return to the previous

screen. Try locations to see the information you entered. If you need to update or delete the

information select the small arrow on the right side of the data.

At this point you have a working application and can now deploy it to the Bluemix cloud.

Press the Deploy application and your application will be deployed to the URL above which is

available via the internet. You can now use the URL below to access your application from your phone

to see how it work. You can also send it to your friends to impress them with your first Bluemix

mobile app.

You have created a RapidApps application to store your car's location in the parking lot.

Congratulations!