How to Build Blackberry Application Code

Follow these steps to get and build the source code for the application.

1. Get the latest source code from SVN; see Source Code for instructions on navigating the repository and checking out the code from SVN.
2. Check that you have all the prerequisites:
   • Java Developer Kit version 1.4 or higher
   • Eclipse IDE for Java Developers from http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/download.php?file=/technology/epp/downloads/release/20071103
   • Python 2.5 (Installed in the default location of C:\Python25)
   • Blackberry Device Manager for loading application into the device (Available from the CD accomanying the device, or the blackberry website)
3. Check that all environment variables are set correctly:
   • JAVA_HOME should point to the root directory of JDK
   • PATH should include a reference to %JAVA_HOME%\bin
4. Set up your Eclipse environment:
   1. In Eclipse, go File > New > Java Project.
   2. Select "Create project from existing source" and navigate to your workspace to select the Blackberry project.
   3. Enter the project name "blackberry" and click "Finish".
   4. Repeat the same procedure for the "tools" project.
   5. Set the Compiler compliance level to 1.4 in Window > Preferences > Java > Compiler.
5. Build the project:
   1. Go to Window > Show View > Ant. This opens the Ant pane.
   2. Drag the build.xml file from the package explorer to the Ant pane. This loads the build tasks.
   3. Compile the code by running rapc4.1 or rapc4.2 depending on whether you need to build for Blackberry OS 4.1 or 4.2.
6. Run the project:
   • Run OTA to create the code files for OTA distribution and ALX files for using with the desktop manager.
   • Run 'load' to load the application into a Blackberry device connected via USB. This method is for debug purposes only, because this command does not load the ALX file with version and other application information. For release mode, please use the OTA task.
7. Run the newly built application on the device to ensure it works correctly.

Editing the code

For internationalization see Internationalization

For changing icons see Changing Icons?