Getting Started with Cordova Apps: A Step-by-Step Guide

When it comes to building cross-platform applications, Cordova is an excellent choice. Its ability to harness the power of JavaScript and HTML5, combined with native plugins for iOS and Android, makes it an ideal solution for developers looking to create mobile apps that can run on multiple platforms. In this article, we'll explore how to get started with Cordova app development using Swift.

Installing Node.js for Mobile Apps

To start building your Cordova application, you need to install the Node.js for Mobile Apps plugin. This can be done by running the following command in your terminal:

`

$ cordova plugin add nodejs-mobile-cordova

`

Before we dive into the installation process, it's essential to note that there are some requirements you must meet:

  • Cordova 7.x (Cordova 8.x is currently not supported)
  • iOS 11 or higher
  • Android API 21 or higher

When building an application for the Android platform, make sure you have the Android NDK installed and the environment variable ANDROID_NDK_HOME set.

Supported Platforms

The Node.js for Mobile Apps plugin supports the following platforms:

  • Android (ARMv7a, x86)
  • iOS (ARM64)

Building Your Cordova App

To build your Cordova app, follow these steps:

  1. Create a new project using the cordova create command:

`

$ cordova create HelloCordova

`

  1. Navigate to the project directory and add the iOS platform:

`

$ cd HelloCordova

$ cordova platform add ios

`

  1. Install the Node.js for Mobile Apps plugin:

`

$ cordova plugin add nodejs-mobile-cordova

`

  1. Install the Cordova Console plugin:

`

$ cordova plugin add cordova-plugin-console

`

Setting Up Project Files

To set up your project files, you can either use a helper script or do it manually.

Manual Steps

If you choose to do things manually, follow these steps:

  1. Create the project folder for Node.js files:

`

$ mkdir www/nodejs-project

`

  1. Create the main.js script file and add the following code:

`javascript

const cordova = require('cordova-bridge');

cordova.channel.on('message', function (msg) {

console.log('[node] received:', msg);

cordova.channel.send('Replying to this message: ' + msg);

});

`

  1. Edit the www/js/index.js file and add the following code at the end:

`javascript

function channelListener(msg) {

console.log('[cordova] received:' + msg);

}

function startupCallback(err) {

if (err) {

console.log(err);

} else {

console.log('Node.js Mobile Engine Started');

nodejs.channel.send('Hello from Cordova!');

}

};

function startNodeProject() {

nodejs.channel.setListener(channelListener);

nodejs.start('main.js', startupCallback);

}

`

  1. In the onDeviceReady event handler, add a call to startNodeProject():

`javascript

onDeviceReady: function() {

this.receivedEvent('deviceready');

startNodeProject();

},

`

Using the Helper Script

Alternatively, you can use the provided helper script to set up your project files. The script will create the necessary folders and files for you.

Running Your Cordova App

Once your project files are set up, you can run your Cordova app using Xcode. Make sure you select a target device and run the project.

Using Node Modules

To add Node modules to your project, use npm:

`

$ cd www/nodejs-project/

$ npm install module-name

`

Rebuild your Cordova project so that the newly added Node modules are added to the Cordova application.

By following these steps and leveraging Swift app development with Cordova, you can create cross-platform applications that run on both iOS and Android devices. With its powerful JavaScript engine and native plugins, Cordova is an excellent choice for developers looking to create mobile apps that can run on multiple platforms.