The ALX File
Desktop installation requires a different type of descriptor file than OTA installation. For desktop installation, the file is XML based and has the extension .alx.
Here's an example ALX file for UiFun:
<loader version="1.0">
<application id="UiFun"> <name >
UI Fun Application </name>
<description >
The Beginning BlackBerry UI Fun Application </description> <version > 1.0.1 </version> <vendor >
Anthony Rizk </vendor> <copyright >
Copyright (c) 2009 Anthony Rizk </copyright> <fileset Java="1.39"> <directory >
UiFun.cod </files> </fileset> </application> </loader>
The ALX file format allows you to support more complex installation scenarios, such as different COD files for different devices. This is outside the scope of this book, but documentation is available on the BlackBerry Developer Zone.
To generate an ALX file using Eclipse or the JDE, right-click the BlackBerry project and select Generate ALX file (Figure 9-4 and Figure 9-5). The file will have the same base name as your project.
- Figure 9-4. To generate an ALX Hie from Eclipse, right-click the project and select Generate ALX file.
Figure 9-5. To generate an ALX file from the JDE, right-click the project and select Generate ALX file.
Figure 9-5. To generate an ALX file from the JDE, right-click the project and select Generate ALX file.
Distributing an application for desktop installation is easy—just give the ALX and COD files to the user.
The process of installing is a bit more complex:
1. Connect the device to the computer using a USB cable.
2. If it's not already running, start the BlackBerry Desktop Manager.
3. Select the Application Loader.
4. Click Add/Remove Applications.
5. Click Browse, and find the ALX file for your application.
6. Make sure the check box next to your application is checked (Figure 9-6), and click Next and complete the wizard.
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Connected - BlackBerry Desktop Manager |
□ H | |||
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BlackBerry« BlackBerry Desktop Manager | ||||
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j |
3 Application Loader |
Options ▼ Help |
- | |
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Device application selection | ||||
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Select the applications that you want to add or remove from your device. |
Total application space: 196 KB | |||
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Name 0 Ul Fun Application |
Action None |
Version Size 1.0.1 196 KB | ||
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BBIBIM ES9 WSM | ||||
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Device connected (PIMJ: 21OOOOOA Check for uodates | ||||
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BlackBerry® Desktop Manager v4.6 |
©2008 Research In Motion Limited | |||
Figure 9-6. Loading UiFun onto a device using the Application Loader from the Desktop Manager
Figure 9-6. Loading UiFun onto a device using the Application Loader from the Desktop Manager
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