Setting Up the Development Environment

Overview

Before starting to develop client and server code using IBM Mobile Foundation, the development environment needs to be set-up first. This includes installing various required software and tools. The following is a list of software you may need to install on your developer workstation, depending on your needs.

You can also find detailed step-by-step instructions in this workstation installation guide.

Jump to:

• Server
• Application development
• Adapter development
• Platform-specific instructions

Server

You can use the MobileFirst Server either via the Mobile Foundation Bluemix service, or locally using the IBM MobileFirst Foundation Developer Kit (used for local development purposes). The MobileFirst Server requires Java 7 or 8 to run.

If you intend on using the Mobile Foundation Bluemix service, an account on Bluemix.net is required.

Application development

At the very minimum, the following software is needed:

• NodeJS (requirement for MobileFirst CLI)
• MobileFirst CLI
• Cordova CLI
• IDEs:
  • Xcode
  • Android Studio
  • Visual Studio
  • Atom.io / Visual Studio Code / WebStorm / IntelliJ / Eclipse / other IDEs

Adapter development

At the very minimum, the following software is needed:

• NodeJS (requirement for MobileFirst CLI)
• optional MobileFirst CLI
• Maven (requires Java)
• IDEs:
  • IntelliJ / Eclipse / other IDEs

Platform-specific instructions

• Setting up the MobileFirst development environment
  • Workstation Installation Guide
  • Using MobileFirst Server to Eclipse
• Setting up the Cordova development environment
• Setting up the Xamarin development environment
• Setting up the iOS development environment
• Setting up the Android development environment
• Setting up the Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 development environment
• Setting up the Web development environment