Xojo - Cross-Platform Development

Build native applications for desktop, web, mobile, and console platforms using a single codebase with Xojo’s visual development environment.

Quick Overview

What is Xojo?

Xojo is a cross-platform development environment that allows you to create native applications for multiple platforms using a single, object-oriented programming language and visual interface designer.

Key Features

• Visual Development - Drag-and-drop interface designer
• Cross-Platform - Build for Windows, macOS, Linux, web, and mobile
• Object-Oriented - Modern programming language with classes
• Native Performance - Compiled applications with native UI
• Rapid Development - Quick prototyping and deployment
• Database Integration - Built-in database connectivity

Student Benefits

With the GitHub Student Developer Pack:

• Free Desktop license for the duration of student status
• Build for multiple platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux)
• All development tools included
• Example projects and learning resources
• Community forum access
• Technical support for educational use

How to Redeem

Prerequisites

• Active GitHub Student Developer Pack
• Windows, macOS, or Linux computer
• Interest in GUI application development

Step-by-Step Process

1. Access the Offer

   • Visit your GitHub Student Pack dashboard
   • Find the Xojo offer section
   • Click to get your student license

2. Download Xojo

   • Visit the Xojo website
   • Download the IDE for your platform
   • Install following standard procedures

3. Activate License

   • Launch Xojo IDE
   • Enter your student license key
   • Complete registration process

Best Uses for Students

Course Projects

• GUI applications for computer science courses
• Data visualization tools for research
• Utility applications for academic use
• Cross-platform compatibility learning

Portfolio Development

• Desktop applications showcasing programming skills
• Problem-solving tools demonstrating practical programming
• User interface design experience
• Multi-platform deployment knowledge

Getting Started

First Application

// Simple "Hello World" application
Public Class Window1 Inherits Window
  Event Sub Open()
    Self.Title = "My First Xojo App"
  End Sub
  
  Event Sub PushButton1.Action()
    MessageBox("Hello, World!")
  End Sub
End Class

Basic Project Structure

Student Calculator App/
├── Windows/
│   └── CalculatorWindow.xojo_window
├── Classes/
│   └── Calculator.xojo_code
├── Modules/
│   └── MathUtilities.xojo_code
└── Resources/
    ├── app_icon.png
    └── help_document.pdf

Development Environment

Visual Designer

• Drag-and-drop controls onto windows
• Property inspector for customizing controls
• Layout tools for responsive design
• Control hierarchy browser
• Real-time preview of application

Code Editor

// Object-oriented programming example
Public Class Student
  Public Property Name As String
  Public Property GPA As Double
  Public Property Major As String
  
  Public Sub Constructor(studentName As String, studentGPA As Double)
    Self.Name = studentName
    Self.GPA = studentGPA
  End Sub
  
  Public Function GetHonorsStatus() As String
    If Self.GPA >= 3.8 Then
      Return "Summa Cum Laude"
    ElseIf Self.GPA >= 3.6 Then
      Return "Magna Cum Laude"
    ElseIf Self.GPA >= 3.4 Then
      Return "Cum Laude"
    Else
      Return "Good Standing"
    End If
  End Function
End Class

Cross-Platform Development

Platform Targets

• Windows - Native Windows applications (.exe)
• macOS - Native Mac applications (.app)
• Linux - Native Linux applications
• Raspberry Pi - ARM-based applications
• Web - Browser-based applications (with Web license)

Platform-Specific Features

// Conditional compilation for different platforms
#If TargetWindows Then
  // Windows-specific code
  Declare Function GetWindowsDirectory Lib "Kernel32" (buffer As Ptr, size As Integer) As Integer
  
#ElseIf TargetMacOS Then
  // macOS-specific code
  Declare Function NSHomeDirectory Lib "Foundation" () As CFStringRef
  
#ElseIf TargetLinux Then
  // Linux-specific code
  Dim homeDir As String = System.EnvironmentVariable("HOME")
#EndIf

Academic Project Examples

Student Grade Calculator

Public Class GradeCalculator Inherits Window
  Public Property Assignments() As Assignment
  
  Event Sub AddAssignmentButton.Action()
    Dim newAssignment As New Assignment
    newAssignment.Name = AssignmentNameField.Text
    newAssignment.Points = Val(PointsField.Text)
    newAssignment.MaxPoints = Val(MaxPointsField.Text)
    
    Assignments.Append(newAssignment)
    UpdateGradeDisplay()
  End Sub
  
  Private Sub UpdateGradeDisplay()
    Dim totalPoints, maxPoints As Double
    
    For Each assignment As Assignment In Assignments
      totalPoints = totalPoints + assignment.Points
      maxPoints = maxPoints + assignment.MaxPoints
    Next
    
    Dim percentage As Double = (totalPoints / maxPoints) * 100
    GradeLabel.Text = "Current Grade: " + Format(percentage, "#.##") + "%"
  End Sub
End Class

Public Class Assignment
  Public Property Name As String
  Public Property Points As Double
  Public Property MaxPoints As Double
End Class

Database Viewer Application

Public Class DatabaseViewer Inherits Window
  Public Property Database As SQLiteDatabase
  
  Event Sub Open()
    Database = New SQLiteDatabase
    Database.DatabaseFile = GetFolderItem("students.sqlite")
    
    If Database.Connect() Then
      LoadStudentData()
    Else
      MessageBox("Failed to connect to database: " + Database.ErrorMessage)
    End If
  End Sub
  
  Private Sub LoadStudentData()
    Dim sql As String = "SELECT id, name, major, gpa FROM students ORDER BY name"
    Dim result As RecordSet = Database.SQLSelect(sql)
    
    StudentListbox.DeleteAllRows()
    
    While Not result.EOF
      StudentListbox.AddRow(result.Field("name").StringValue)
      StudentListbox.CellValue(StudentListbox.LastIndex, 1) = result.Field("major").StringValue
      StudentListbox.CellValue(StudentListbox.LastIndex, 2) = Format(result.Field("gpa").DoubleValue, "#.##")
      result.MoveNext()
    Wend
  End Sub
End Class

File Organizer Utility

Public Class FileOrganizer Inherits Window
  Event Sub OrganizeButton.Action()
    Dim sourceFolder As FolderItem = FolderItem.ShowSelectFolderDialog()
    If sourceFolder = Nil Then Return
    
    For Each file As FolderItem In sourceFolder.Children
      If Not file.Directory Then
        OrganizeFile(file)
      End If
    Next
    
    MessageBox("File organization complete!")
  End Sub
  
  Private Sub OrganizeFile(file As FolderItem)
    Dim extension As String = file.Name.Right(3).Lowercase
    Dim destinationFolder As FolderItem
    
    Select Case extension
    Case "pdf"
      destinationFolder = GetDocumentsFolder().Child("PDFs")
    Case "jpg", "png", "gif"
      destinationFolder = GetDocumentsFolder().Child("Images")
    Case "mp3", "wav", "m4a"
      destinationFolder = GetDocumentsFolder().Child("Audio")
    Case "mp4", "avi", "mov"
      destinationFolder = GetDocumentsFolder().Child("Videos")
    Else
      destinationFolder = GetDocumentsFolder().Child("Other")
    End Select
    
    If Not destinationFolder.Exists Then
      destinationFolder.CreateAsFolder()
    End If
    
    file.CopyFileTo(destinationFolder)
  End Sub
End Class

Database Integration

SQLite Support

// Built-in SQLite database operations
Public Sub CreateStudentDatabase()
  Dim db As New SQLiteDatabase
  db.DatabaseFile = GetFolderItem("university.sqlite")
  
  If db.CreateDatabaseFile() Then
    // Create tables
    db.SQLExecute("CREATE TABLE students (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY, name TEXT, email TEXT UNIQUE, major TEXT, gpa REAL)")
    db.SQLExecute("CREATE TABLE courses (id INTEGER PRIMARY KEY, name TEXT, credits INTEGER, department TEXT)")
    db.SQLExecute("CREATE TABLE enrollments (student_id INTEGER, course_id INTEGER, grade TEXT, semester TEXT)")
  End If
End Sub

External Database Connectivity

• PostgreSQL plugin for enterprise databases
• MySQL plugin for web applications
• SQL Server plugin for Windows environments
• ODBC support for various databases

Learning Programming Concepts

Object-Oriented Programming

// Inheritance example
Public Class Person
  Public Property Name As String
  Public Property Age As Integer
  
  Public Sub Constructor(personName As String)
    Self.Name = personName
  End Sub
  
  Public Function GetInfo() As String
    Return Self.Name + " (" + Str(Self.Age) + " years old)"
  End Function
End Class

Public Class Student Inherits Person
  Public Property StudentID As String
  Public Property Major As String
  
  Public Sub Constructor(studentName As String, id As String)
    // Call parent constructor
    Super.Constructor(studentName)
    Self.StudentID = id
  End Sub
  
  // Override parent method
  Public Function GetInfo() As String
    Return Super.GetInfo() + ", Student ID: " + Self.StudentID + ", Major: " + Self.Major
  End Function
End Class

Event-Driven Programming

// GUI event handling
Public Class MainWindow Inherits Window
  Event Sub FileMenu.NewDocument()
    CreateNewDocument()
  End Sub
  
  Event Sub FileMenu.SaveDocument()
    SaveCurrentDocument()
  End Sub
  
  Event Sub Timer1.Action()
    // Auto-save every 5 minutes
    If CurrentDocument <> Nil And CurrentDocument.Modified Then
      AutoSaveDocument()
    End If
  End Sub
End Class

Deployment and Distribution

Application Building

Build Settings:
├── Target Platform: Windows x64
├── Optimization: Optimize for Speed
├── Icon: app_icon.ico
├── Version: 1.0.0
├── Copyright: © 2024 Student Name
└── Signing: Code signing certificate

Distribution Options

• Standalone executable - Single file deployment
• Installer packages - Professional installation experience
• App store distribution (macOS App Store, Windows Store)
• Digital signing for security and trust

Learning Resources

Educational Content

• Programming fundamentals through visual development
• User interface design principles and best practices
• Cross-platform development considerations
• Software engineering practices and methodologies

Academic Integration

• Course projects with professional-quality applications
• Portfolio pieces demonstrating practical programming skills
• Research tools custom-built for specific academic needs
• Teaching aids for computer science education

Support and Help

Getting Assistance

• Xojo Support - Technical support for licensed users
• Community Forum - Active user community and help
• Documentation - Comprehensive guides and API reference
• GitHub Education Support - For Student Pack issues

Learning Resources

• Tutorial projects - Step-by-step learning applications
• Code examples - Library of common programming patterns
• Video tutorials - Visual learning content
• Best practices - Professional development guidelines

This development environment provides an excellent introduction to GUI application development and cross-platform programming concepts that are valuable for computer science education and practical software development skills.