CNX Debuts AutoCode Tool at COMMON

May 6, 2014 Alex Woodie

CNX today unveiled a beta of Nitro AutoCode, a new tool that allows developers to create basic inquiry and file maintenance applications quickly using a simple wizard-driven process. The new offering, which the company introduced at the COMMON conference in Orlando, Florida, builds on the recently released Valence 4.0 framework.

Nitro AutoCode is all about speed. The company claims that, in a matter of seconds, a developer can create a complete Valence application using the graphical drag and drop designer. The completed application can be either a file maintenance/inquiry or the beginning of a more complex app.

“I’m really excited about this new AutoCode functionality,” CNX CTO Richard Milone says. “The ability to quickly generate common apps is a huge time-saver and will allow developers to be immediately effective with the Valence Framework.”

Developers can rapidly build and deploy IBM i-based maintenance and query apps with Nitro AutoCode.

AutoCode apps are composed of a Valence-compliant RPG program, an Ext JS or Sencha Touch user interface, and a Sencha Architect project. CNX is a big believer in the Ext JS and Sencha Touch JavaScript frameworks for the Web development power they can deliver to IBM i developers. More recently it’s adopted Sencha Architect, a visual design and coding tool used to develop the user interface portion of Valence Framework apps.

Milone is particularly excited about the capability to open apps that automatically generate in AutoCode within the Sencha Architect environment. “It means developers can use AutoCode as a way to jump-start development of more complex apps,” he says.

AutoCode is the latest Nitro add-on from CNX, and joins Nitro App Builder, the Nitro Source Editor, and the Nitro File Editor. Nitro apps are included automatically with each Valence Framework download from the CNX website. After the 90-day free trial, users are asked to purchase a license to continue using them.