plugins are and the Apache Cordova framework that those plugins live in.
plugins are and the Apache Cordova framework that those plugins live in.

Discuss which of those plugins are the common plugins that are included by
Discuss which of those plugins are the common plugins that are included by

default inside of the shell, and what other types of available plugins are available
default inside of the shell, and what other types of available plugins are available

for downloading from the forge.
for downloading from the forge.

There also is the capability for creating a brand new plugin inside
There also is the capability for creating a brand new plugin inside

of OutSystems and we'll talk about the steps to create a reusable plugin
of OutSystems and we'll talk about the steps to create a reusable plugin

module. So let's get started on the Cordova plugin section so what is
module. So let's get started on the Cordova plugin section so what is

Apache Cordova? It's an open-source mobile development framework, that allows
Apache Cordova? It's an open-source mobile development framework, that allows

the use of standard web technologies for cross-platform development. So basically
the use of standard web technologies for cross-platform development. So basically

by using HTML 5, CSS 3 and JavaScript it has the ability of generating the code
by using HTML 5, CSS 3 and JavaScript it has the ability of generating the code

necessary for the native platform, so given descriptions of that type of
necessary for the native platform, so given descriptions of that type of

information which is sort of standard web stuff you would be able to use the
information which is sort of standard web stuff you would be able to use the

framework and generate the XCode for Apple or the Android in the Java code
framework and generate the XCode for Apple or the Android in the Java code

that you might need to be able to do that. So what are the plugins? The plugins are
that you might need to be able to do that. So what are the plugins? The plugins are

the code that's going to provide the interface between cordova and the actual
the code that's going to provide the interface between cordova and the actual

native component. So cordova has the ability to go ahead and bind and
native component. So cordova has the ability to go ahead and bind and

communicate to the devices and its components, and then javascript can
communicate to the devices and its components, and then javascript can

interact with the native code to be able to control and work all that. So the
interact with the native code to be able to control and work all that. So the

cordova framework has been around for quite a while, and it has this
cordova framework has been around for quite a while, and it has this

ability for us to define the web app and what we want things to look like and the
ability for us to define the web app and what we want things to look like and the

rendering engine will go ahead and
rendering engine will go ahead and

render that for the device. So the mobile operating system will have different
render that for the device. So the mobile operating system will have different

input capabilities, graphic sensors and services, and the cordova plugins. There
input capabilities, graphic sensors and services, and the cordova plugins. There

are a number of common sort of default plugins and then there are also custom
are a number of common sort of default plugins and then there are also custom

plugins that can interact with the device itself and in their case they're
plugins that can interact with the device itself and in their case they're

interacting with the mobile operating system and a native code to be able to
interacting with the mobile operating system and a native code to be able to

work on all those pieces. Now there are several of these plugins included inside
work on all those pieces. Now there are several of these plugins included inside

of what we refer to as the default native shell. So there is the Camera
of what we refer to as the default native shell. So there is the Camera

plugin that can take pictures and scan items. There's the Contacts that gets you
plugin that can take pictures and scan items. There's the Contacts that gets you

to the address book. Location which sort of gives you where you're located in a
to the address book. Location which sort of gives you where you're located in a

given time, and Network Status so which networks are you connected to and what
given time, and Network Status so which networks are you connected to and what

is your current status on those networks
is your current status on those networks

there's also the ability to access the calendar and receive local notifications
there's also the ability to access the calendar and receive local notifications

from the device and that would let our apps sort of create their own
from the device and that would let our apps sort of create their own

notifications as needed. So what are the other plugins that are available and
notifications as needed. So what are the other plugins that are available and

we'll go through most of these so there is something to record audio there's a
we'll go through most of these so there is something to record audio there's a

scanner to help do bar codes there's something that can detect beacons and
scanner to help do bar codes there's something that can detect beacons and

and tell us our sort of smaller more refined location. MicroBlink and Card
and tell us our sort of smaller more refined location. MicroBlink and Card

IO do some scanning. Composing emails, transferring files, setting up a geofence
IO do some scanning. Composing emails, transferring files, setting up a geofence

doing near field communication, and being able to be a little bit more secure by
doing near field communication, and being able to be a little bit more secure by

using Touch ID. So the Audio Record plugin will capture audio and save it
using Touch ID. So the Audio Record plugin will capture audio and save it

to the file system and then the path can be returned by the plugin so that we
to the file system and then the path can be returned by the plugin so that we

know where that is
know where that is

you can adjust this to make sure we don't record forever so there is a
you can adjust this to make sure we don't record forever so there is a

maximum recording time that can be set and then you can sort of preview and
maximum recording time that can be set and then you can sort of preview and

decide whether to save it or you can just then throw it away
decide whether to save it or you can just then throw it away

there is a barcode scanning plugin that allows us to scan barcodes and there are
there is a barcode scanning plugin that allows us to scan barcodes and there are

a lot of different types of barcodes and including the QR Code. so depending on
a lot of different types of barcodes and including the QR Code. so depending on

what you're trying to scan the barcode scanning plugin if it's a standard
what you're trying to scan the barcode scanning plugin if it's a standard

and popular symbology should be able to go ahead and handle that for you.
and popular symbology should be able to go ahead and handle that for you.

There's a beacons plugin. The beacons are wireless sensors and they broadcast tiny
There's a beacons plugin. The beacons are wireless sensors and they broadcast tiny

radio signals that the device can receive and then react to. So the beacons
radio signals that the device can receive and then react to. So the beacons

can be placed in different locations they can be a place two objects they use
can be placed in different locations they can be a place two objects they use

bluetooth for low-energy and basically you're limited to a range of about 70
bluetooth for low-energy and basically you're limited to a range of about 70

meters so it's not going to work too much further outside of that but the
meters so it's not going to work too much further outside of that but the

beacon itself will be on when it's sitting up normally if you turn it
beacon itself will be on when it's sitting up normally if you turn it

upside down it will shut itself off but this gives us a little bit more of a
upside down it will shut itself off but this gives us a little bit more of a

fine-grained idea of where our location is and that can sometimes give us extra
fine-grained idea of where our location is and that can sometimes give us extra

contextual awareness. So this plugin will go ahead and handle local
contextual awareness. So this plugin will go ahead and handle local

notifications and other types of things because it will need to know how many
notifications and other types of things because it will need to know how many

beacons and where you are so there can be different types of updates as that
beacons and where you are so there can be different types of updates as that

that goes through. Blink ID knows how to scan and decode lots of different types
that goes through. Blink ID knows how to scan and decode lots of different types

of documents now this requires a license that you need to go out and get from
of documents now this requires a license that you need to go out and get from

microlink microblink but it then will scan certain types of barcodes, your
microlink microblink but it then will scan certain types of barcodes, your

passport, identity cards. So it's a fairly useful plugin to have. Similar to that
passport, identity cards. So it's a fairly useful plugin to have. Similar to that

there's Card.io that can go ahead and scan any type of credit card information
there's Card.io that can go ahead and scan any type of credit card information

so it will attempt to read and find that information
so it will attempt to read and find that information

and there's a pretty cool demo out there on how that part works. There's also the
and there's a pretty cool demo out there on how that part works. There's also the

email composer, if you need to compose an email in your app somewhere it's easier
email composer, if you need to compose an email in your app somewhere it's easier

to use the plugin the plugin will then leverage and connect to the native mail
to use the plugin the plugin will then leverage and connect to the native mail

composer on the device, and then you can send out emails as needed.
composer on the device, and then you can send out emails as needed.

There's also the file transfer, uploading or downloading files depending on how
There's also the file transfer, uploading or downloading files depending on how

many files you have on your device and how big they are you may want to be able
many files you have on your device and how big they are you may want to be able

to upload them to the device or download them off the device to make things a
to upload them to the device or download them off the device to make things a

little bit easier.
little bit easier.

There's a geofence plugin that creates a virtual sensor perimeter around a
There's a geofence plugin that creates a virtual sensor perimeter around a

particular geographic area. So to do that you have to define a set of coordinates
particular geographic area. So to do that you have to define a set of coordinates

as to where the virtual events should be.
as to where the virtual events should be.

you can either do a circular region where there's a point and a radius or
you can either do a circular region where there's a point and a radius or

you can do different shapes like polygons. So that you know where the
you can do different shapes like polygons. So that you know where the

fence is in exact relationship to the different things that you're looking for.
fence is in exact relationship to the different things that you're looking for.

So your position can be monitored relative to the fence, whether you're
So your position can be monitored relative to the fence, whether you're

inside or outside of it, and then it can send notifications and alerts when you
inside or outside of it, and then it can send notifications and alerts when you

walk across the boundary of the fence. So tense radius needs to be at least a
walk across the boundary of the fence. So tense radius needs to be at least a

hundred meters so it has to be a decent-sized area as far as the
hundred meters so it has to be a decent-sized area as far as the

perimeter and fence are concerned.
perimeter and fence are concerned.

There is a near-field communication plugin that enables near-field
There is a near-field communication plugin that enables near-field

communication. It's a subset of RFIDs specification and it's based on in
communication. It's a subset of RFIDs specification and it's based on in

interesting inductive coupling capability that basically lets there be
interesting inductive coupling capability that basically lets there be

certain types of active and passive devices and they can transfer energy and
certain types of active and passive devices and they can transfer energy and

communicate even if something doesn't sort of habit of battery in its own set
communicate even if something doesn't sort of habit of battery in its own set

of energy, but we're talking about very short distances. Here you pretty much
of energy, but we're talking about very short distances. Here you pretty much

have to be within 4 centimeters of each other or 2 inches to be able to do
have to be within 4 centimeters of each other or 2 inches to be able to do

this. Now the near-field communication also can read and write different types
this. Now the near-field communication also can read and write different types

of data
of data

most of the time it's just reading but if you wanted to go ahead and write you
most of the time it's just reading but if you wanted to go ahead and write you

can do that there is a particular transfer rate and that means that you're
can do that there is a particular transfer rate and that means that you're

not going to be able to transfer huge amounts of information back and forth
not going to be able to transfer huge amounts of information back and forth

this way, but you could go ahead and use it to do relatively simple stuff. A big
this way, but you could go ahead and use it to do relatively simple stuff. A big

plugin that can be very useful for the Apple side of things is Touch ID, and
plugin that can be very useful for the Apple side of things is Touch ID, and

that gives you fingerprint recognition on the Apple devices so this can be used
that gives you fingerprint recognition on the Apple devices so this can be used

for authorization to basically say okay you're trying to do something you know, I
for authorization to basically say okay you're trying to do something you know, I

need to just verify that this is really you, so go ahead and give us your
need to just verify that this is really you, so go ahead and give us your

fingerprint again and then it will allow whatever is going to happen next to
fingerprint again and then it will allow whatever is going to happen next to

occur so at this point there are a little bit of a limitation for touch ID you can't
occur so at this point there are a little bit of a limitation for touch ID you can't

just have any old iPhone you need an iPhone 5S or better, or some of the more recent
just have any old iPhone you need an iPhone 5S or better, or some of the more recent

iPads to be able to work with those. So those are some of the plugins that are
iPads to be able to work with those. So those are some of the plugins that are

out there there is also the thought of I would like to create my own plugin.
out there there is also the thought of I would like to create my own plugin.

Well if you go out to the Apache Cordova site you can go to the area on plugins
Well if you go out to the Apache Cordova site you can go to the area on plugins

and you'll actually find that there are over 1,500 plugins
and you'll actually find that there are over 1,500 plugins

out there. So if you go research some of the plugins and you happen to find one
out there. So if you go research some of the plugins and you happen to find one

you like and you wanted to create an OutSystems resource inside of a module
you like and you wanted to create an OutSystems resource inside of a module

to be able to work with that plugin, first thing you want to do is create the
to be able to work with that plugin, first thing you want to do is create the

application and select the blank module inside of it. Then you could go ahead and
application and select the blank module inside of it. Then you could go ahead and

enter the configuration for this plugin and the module. So basically we need the
enter the configuration for this plugin and the module. So basically we need the

URL of where that information is and then we could create some client actions
URL of where that information is and then we could create some client actions

to define the API, and we want to make sure that they're public so that we can reuse
to define the API, and we want to make sure that they're public so that we can reuse

these whenever we need them. So there are different types of apis inside of the
these whenever we need them. So there are different types of apis inside of the

application that may want to use the plugin, so we have to understand okay
application that may want to use the plugin, so we have to understand okay

given the plugin what are we going to expose and how are people going to use
given the plugin what are we going to expose and how are people going to use

that API. So let's go through it step-by-step.
that API. So let's go through it step-by-step.

If we go out to Apache Cordova we look at the plugins that are there we could
If we go out to Apache Cordova we look at the plugins that are there we could

go ahead and type something in and it would search for those types of plugins
go ahead and type something in and it would search for those types of plugins

for us so here we're looking for a flashlight you can immediately find one
for us so here we're looking for a flashlight you can immediately find one

and it gives you some information like is this available for android, is it
and it gives you some information like is this available for android, is it

available for Apple, how many times has this been downloaded, when was the last
available for Apple, how many times has this been downloaded, when was the last

time the code was updated. So you begin to get a better idea of each plugin and
time the code was updated. So you begin to get a better idea of each plugin and

how up-to-date it is and and what are the capabilities that it can do so if we
how up-to-date it is and and what are the capabilities that it can do so if we

went into our cordova plugin flashlight and looked at it in a little
went into our cordova plugin flashlight and looked at it in a little

bit more detail. We can see that the installation says okay go ahead and use
bit more detail. We can see that the installation says okay go ahead and use

cordova plugin add the plugin flashlight, and it's available at this
cordova plugin add the plugin flashlight, and it's available at this

URL. No,w down below, you can also see there is the usage and the usages here
URL. No,w down below, you can also see there is the usage and the usages here

is the JavaScript, and here's the JavaScript code
is the JavaScript, and here's the JavaScript code

that's going to be called so there is
that's going to be called so there is

you know being able to take the flashlight and switch it on and then
you know being able to take the flashlight and switch it on and then

switch it off or maybe just toggle it, but those types of information are there.
switch it off or maybe just toggle it, but those types of information are there.

So for us to create this plugin as its own module, we go out and create the app,
So for us to create this plugin as its own module, we go out and create the app,

create the module, and then underneath the module down in the advanced area just
create the module, and then underneath the module down in the advanced area just

right next to the web services we have this configuration.
right next to the web services we have this configuration.

And if we go in and we place in the configuration that this is going to be a
And if we go in and we place in the configuration that this is going to be a

plugin, and the URL is going to GitHub and going to get this PhoneGap plugin
plugin, and the URL is going to GitHub and going to get this PhoneGap plugin

for the flashlight.
for the flashlight.

It will then go ahead and register and configure that so we know which of the
It will then go ahead and register and configure that so we know which of the

plugins is going to be used. Now once we know the plugin and it's configured and
plugins is going to be used. Now once we know the plugin and it's configured and

registered, we then need to define the JavaScript behavior so here we can go in
registered, we then need to define the JavaScript behavior so here we can go in

and say alright, we're going to take the window and use the plugins for the
and say alright, we're going to take the window and use the plugins for the

flashlight and switch it on.
flashlight and switch it on.

now once we have this setup, we now have the JavaScript to be able to turn on
now once we have this setup, we now have the JavaScript to be able to turn on

that particular part of our our flashlight so in this case here you can
that particular part of our our flashlight so in this case here you can

see that this is the turn on method, and it's just going to do what it needs to
see that this is the turn on method, and it's just going to do what it needs to

you could do the same thing for the turn off action. So being able to know
you could do the same thing for the turn off action. So being able to know

what the JavaScript is, and then tie it to the OutSystems action, so that we can
what the JavaScript is, and then tie it to the OutSystems action, so that we can

make that available inside the plugin, then we'll be in good shape and then
make that available inside the plugin, then we'll be in good shape and then

down here once everything is defined properly we want to make sure that it's
down here once everything is defined properly we want to make sure that it's

public, so that people can go ahead and use it.
public, so that people can go ahead and use it.

Once we use the plugin then the plugin will activate the JavaScript and then the
Once we use the plugin then the plugin will activate the JavaScript and then the

JavaScript will actually be doing what needs to be done and the Cordova
JavaScript will actually be doing what needs to be done and the Cordova

framework will be interacting with the devices to go ahead and make that happen.
framework will be interacting with the devices to go ahead and make that happen.

So in this section we talked a little bit about what the plugins are we also
So in this section we talked a little bit about what the plugins are we also

went over some of the common plugins that are available and they're available
went over some of the common plugins that are available and they're available

by default in the shell.
by default in the shell.

We looked at what's available from the Forge and how you could go ahead and
We looked at what's available from the Forge and how you could go ahead and

create your own. There's one other scenario here where you might want to
create your own. There's one other scenario here where you might want to

create a plugin that has never existed before and no one from Apache Cordova's
create a plugin that has never existed before and no one from Apache Cordova's

framework has attempted to do something like that
framework has attempted to do something like that

in that case you might need to go out and write the real code, and kind of go
in that case you might need to go out and write the real code, and kind of go

through the Cordova approach to be able to build something like that, but once
through the Cordova approach to be able to build something like that, but once

Cordova has it as a registered plugin it's very easy for us to wrap that and
Cordova has it as a registered plugin it's very easy for us to wrap that and

make it available inside of OutSystems. So a lot of different types of plugins,
make it available inside of OutSystems. So a lot of different types of plugins,

lots of information about plugins, look into the reference documentation for
lots of information about plugins, look into the reference documentation for

more details about how to use some of these plugins and how to create the new
more details about how to use some of these plugins and how to create the new

ones.
ones.