4D for iOS

Edit

Deep Linking

OBJECTIFS

Partager le contenu de l'application iOS à l'aide de Deep Linking.

CONDITIONS PRÉALABLES

Apple Developer account

4D v18 R5 inclut une extraordinaire nouvelle fonctionnalité ! Vous pouvez désormais partager le contenu que vous visualisez actuellement avec tous vos collègues. Comment ça marche ?

Voici une illustration illustrant le "deep linking" :

Deep linking animation

Il existe deux façons de mettre en œuvre le "deep linking" dans iOS : le "URL scheme" et les "universal links" (liens universels). Alors que les "URL schemes" sont une méthode bien connue du "deep linking", les "universal links"sont la nouvelle méthode mise en œuvre par Apple pour connecter facilement votre page Web à votre application sous le même lien.

Voici une comparaison des deux options disponibles dans l'éditeur de projet :

URL Scheme

AVANTAGESINCONVÉNIENTS
Easy to implementAlways requires permission
No extra backend requiredDoesn't work if app isn't installed
Doesn't work in Android

Universal links

AVANTAGESINCONVÉNIENTS
Doesn't require permissionStatic backend with SSL needed
Doesn't open the browserMore complex to implement
Compatible with Android
Fallback URL if app isn't installed

URL scheme personnalisé

AN OLD BUT EFFICIENT APPROACH

At the simplest level, URL schemes allow users to open an app from other apps.

But the true power of URL schemes is in the ability to perform specific actions as your app opens.

CUSTOM URL SCHEME IN THE PROJECT EDITOR

It's very simple to include an URL scheme to your 4D for iOS app:

  1. Select the Share predefined action from the Action section and select the scope:
    • entity - to share content from a detail form
    • table - to share a list form
  2. Activate the Deep Linking feature in the Publishing section of the project editor
  3. The URL Scheme information is automatically filled in with the app name that you previously defined in the General section. However, you can still edit it:

Deep linking Project editor

  1. Fill in your On Mobile App Action method
  2. Génération de l’application
  3. And thats it!

You're now able to share the content that you're currently viewing (whether it's a list or detail form) with all of your collegues!

Here's an example of the On Mobile App Action method:


var $1 : Object  // Informations provided by mobile application
var $0 : Object  // Informations returned to mobile application

var $action : Object
$action:=MobileAppServer.Action.new($1)

Case of 

    : ($1.action="shareContact")

        $0:=$action.shareContext()

    Else 

        $0:=New object("success"; False;"statusText"; "Unknown action send to server")

End case

USING URL SCHEMES IN YOUR 4D FOR iOS APP

  1. Click on the Action button to display all of your currently available actions
  2. Select the Share action that you previously defined in the project editor
  3. A new view appears to allow you to start sharing content
  4. Select the share method you want to use
  5. Send it!

UNIVERSAL LINKS

A MORE MODERN APPROACH

Universal links provide several key benefits that aren't available with custom URL schemes. Specifically, universal links are:

  • Unique: Unlike custom URL schemes, universal links can’t be claimed by other apps because they use standard HTTP or HTTPS links to your website.

  • Secure: When users install your app, iOS verifies that your website allows your app to open URLs on its behalf. Only you can create and upload the file granting this permission to your web server, so the association of your website with your app is secure.

  • Flexible: Universal links work even when your app is not installed. In this case, tapping a link to your website opens the content in Safari.

  • Simple: A single URL works for both your website and your app.

  • Private: Other apps can communicate with your app without needing to know if your app is installed.

UNIVERSAL LINKS IN THE PROJECT EDITOR

To include Universal links into your app, the process is quite similiar to the URL Schemes process:

  1. Select the Share predefined action from the Action section and select the scope:
    • entity - to share a content from a detail form
    • table - to share a list form
  2. Activate the Deep Linking feature in the Publishing section in the project editor
  3. Enter your website URL in the Universal links field
  4. Fill in your On Mobile App Action method
  5. Génération de l’application
  6. Trigger universal inks from the the On Web Connection method.

Here's an example of the On Web Connection method :


Var $1; $2; $3; $4; $5; $6 : Text
Var $handler : Object

$handler:=MobileAppServer.WebHandler.new()
Case of
    : ($handler.handle($1; $2; $3; $4; $5; $6))
        // Managed by default mobile code
    Else
        // Your web code
End case

PUSH NOTIFICATION

A great thing about Deep Linking is that it is completely compatible with push notifications. This means that you can send Deep links to your users and lead them directly to the right page.

As you can see, this feature open a large range of possibilities for using 4D for iOS with minimal effort.

Deep linking is a crucial feature in today’s apps, especially as users consume content faster and faster. This feature brings them directly to the desired location. So I strongly recommend that you use it in your 4D for iOS apps.

The documentation is here to help you manage your push notifications and Deep linking.

MobileApps folder

Whether you're working on Windows or on macOS, you need to copy the 4DBASE/MobileApps/ID.BundleID/manifest.json file from your Design database to your production database.

← Notifications Push