Our next big VisionX update is just around the corner.
VisionX 6
We'll release it by the end of the year and sorry for missing EA versions. We did not release EA versions, as there is no way back to older VisionX versions. So please read update guide carefully!
Before you can work with VisionX 6, you should know some important things about it and also that there is more to do for you than just an installation of an Update!
VisionX 6 comes with updated binaries of Java and Postgresql and many updated open source libraries like JVx, reactUI or flutterUI.
Step-by-Step update procedure
Create a backup of all your applications and external databases
Create an update export of your application with database, with your current VisionX version
If your database is an external database or you use multiple database schemas, create a backup of it because VisionX doesn't backup external databases or multiple schemas
Keep your current VisionX version and use the zip version of VisionX 6
Don't uninstall or remove your old VisionX version, keep it until everything is moved to VisionX 6. Simply use VisionX 6 zip archive and unzip it in your home directory. Don't use VisionX 6 installer until everything is working with VisionX 6.
Request a new VisionX license
If you have a subscription license of VisionX, you don't need a new license because everything will work with your credentials. If you don't use our subscription model, please request a new license for VisionX 6. We'll send you a new license. Please be patient with us if it takes a little longer. In the meantime, you can work with your current VisionX version.
Request a new E-Plug license
Please request a new E-Plug license BEFORE updating E-Plug. Please be patient with us if it takes a little longer. In the meantime, you can work with your current E-Plug version.
Install AddOns
Be sure that you install all AddOns which you're using in your current VisionX version.
This is important and don't do it later because it makes it much easier for you!
Update E-Plug (after you got your license)
Please update your E-Plug version from 1.2.60 to 3.0.0 after all your applications are working in VisionX 6. Just for your safety!
Import your application(s) with VisionX 6
If you don't use an apps.xml with VisionX (usually only development companies will use that), just import your application(s) in VisionX 6 and everything should be fine. If VisionX doesn't show an information, you're one step further.
If you use an apps.xml, be careful and be sure that you have a backup!
In this case, it's not possible to use the same application directory with your current VisionX version AND VisionX 6. You should revert all files before using the application with an older VisionX.
If you copy your apps.xml into your VisionX 6, it should work as well without additional tasks. If VisionX doesn't show an information, you're one step further.
Update modules
It's important to update ALL modules for every single application. Also update the user management module!
Known problems / Problems
If you use custom libraries, created for older VisionX versions, please update all custom libraries! In this case, VisionX will show a warning which will look like following:
Dependency warning
This is a warning will be shown if you application contains older/incompatible modules - just update the module(s). But it will also be shown if you have custom libraries which are not compatible with VisionX 6.
Remove old VisionX
If VisionX doesn't show any unusual icons or warnings, you application(s) will work with VisionX 6. Simply start your application in VisionX and do a Live Preview. If everything looks fine, it's time to remove your old VisionX installation and install VisionX 6 with an installer or keep the zip version. The only difference is the OS integration.
If you follow above instructions, VisionX 6 will update everything it needs to use the application(s) with VisionX 6. We tried to keep the update procedure as simple and short as possible, but this time it isn't possible without manual interaction because of fundamental changes.
If you have unexpected problems with the update to VisionX 6, please contact our support team. However, you should note that our support team cannot help you with custom libraries or your own AddOns/Modules. In this case, you need help from one of our Consultants or you just update the AddOns and Modules on your own.
Now you just have to be patient until we officially release VisionX
The next version of VisionX will be 6.0. We plan to release it at the end of 2024.
Some big changes will be:
Java update from 12 to 21 LTS
JavaFX update from 12 to 23
Embedded postgres update from 9 to 14
Support for Silicon Macs and in general, architectures x86_64 (amd64) arm64 (aarch64)
VisionX 6 will include the latest version of our JVx application framework, version 3.0. The development of our application framework is on the home stretch. We have nightly builds in great state.
In VisionX 6 we'll also bundle our latest reactUI with bigger framework updates and our latest flutterUI which is compatible with flutter 3.24. The new UIs won't be backwards compatible because of some bugs and new features which are not available in applications created with VisionX < 6. If you're using reactUI, old apps will still work and if you plan to use our new VisionX Previewer, simply update your application(s).
The OS integration of VisionX 6 will be improved as well, e.g better Dock integration under Ubuntu or improved menu handling under macOS. We did integration tests with CentOS (9) Stream, Fedora (36 to 40), Debian (12), Kali Linux, Ubuntu (20 to 24), macOS (Intel from 10.15, Silicon from 12.0), Windows (from 10).
We will release an Early Access version in the next few weeks.
VisionX 5.11.50 EarlyAccess version is available for all our customers.
The version contains our latest libraries and bugfixes, especially our react UI and flutter UI. Both UIs are included in VisionX 5.11.50.
The mobile Browser previewer is now built with Flutter 3.19.2.
With EA version it's now possible to create a docker container definition file only for the application server. Usually both containers were created as docker compose definition file. The EA version also tries to solve the problem with different database ports for the embedded database. It should just work without limitations.
An EA version is not intended for production use, but is great for development.
VisionX 5.9.950 EarlyAccess version is available for all our customers.
The version contains our latest libraries and bugfixes, especially our react UI and flutter UI. Both UIs are included in VisionX 5.9.950.
The mobile Browser previewer is now built with Flutter 3.13.9.
This EA is version is required for our brand new Forms Migrator. It converts Oracle Forms modules to VisionX applications. Use an fmb file and get screens which will work in VisionX. It's awesome to see how it works. If you want to test the Forms Migrator, contact our sales team.
An EA version is not intended for production use, but is perfect for development.
VisionX 5.9.700 EarlyAccess version is available for all our customers.
The version contains our latest libraries and bugfixes. As usual, react UI and flutter UI got some updates. Both UIs are included in VisionX 5.9.700.
Our reactUI is already production ready, but it's still not the default UI for web browsers. We'll change this in one of the next releases.
The mobile Browser previewer app is now built with Flutter 3.10.4.
The EA version doesn't contain many new features, because we took time to work on something new. We can't tell you details, but it's incredibly cool!
What's next?
We plan to release an update of our mobile VisionX app with version number 2.9.0. It's already feature complete, but needs some tests. Should be ready by the end of next week.
An EA version is not intended for production use, but is perfect for development.
With VisionX, it's possible to create applications in minutes instead of hours. After your application is ready, you want to use it. If you own the right infrastructure and server environments, this is an easy task. Simply deploy your application in your infrastrcuture and you're done. If you don't have your own infrastructure, no worries. With our VisionX cloud it's super easy to run your application.
We introduced VisionX cloud together with VisionX 5.6, two years ago. In January this year, we had to change our VisionX cloud because our infrastructure provider closed its services. From one day to the next we had a huge problem. No other service provider had a comparable solution for us, so we made the decision to do everything on our own. Some weeks later, we were up and running without service interruption. Our VisionX cloud is now more flexible, faster and built with open standards. It's Docker based. Our docker images are hosted on Docker hub. Our VisionX cloud uses official postgresql and our extended tomcat image. If you have your own docker infrastructure, it's possible to use our images as well.
We didn't only change the infrastructure and re-created the VisionX cloud, we also took the time and add some new features.
With next VisionX version and an update of VisionX cloud AddOn, it will be possible to access your deployment history:
Deployment history
The detail view will show you some metrics of your application like RAM and DISC usage:
Service details
We also improved our cloud management tool and introduced a maintenance mode. You'll see a new message:
Maintenance
if cloud is temporarily not available.
Our automatic deployment process is now faster than before and we improved our service monitoring. Overall, it's an awesome solution for your applications. Create and Deploy an application in minutes!
Prior VisionX 5.9.120 it wasn't possible to pin VisionX to windows taskbar. Oh, yes it was possible to pin the icon but after pressing the icon, a second VisionX icon appeared. So, it didn't work. We tried to find a perfect solution, but with launch4j it wasn't possible. A switch to jsmooth wasn't an option so we tried to find a nice solution. Our current solution just works but is not perfect. It's possible to pin VisionX but not with the running process.
We're happy to announce VisionX 5.8. It's a big update with bombastic features.
The exact version number is 5.8.180.
The version comes with the latest release build of our brand new react user interface and a brand new (native) mobile application. Our react UI is an additional UI and can be used as modern alternative to our good old vaadin UI, which is still part of VisionX. We'll continue our vaadin UI and keep it as long as possible, but cool features will be available for react UI. Our react UI looks modern and is easy to style with CSS. In VisionX, the live preview contains a new design mode. The design mode makes it possible to style the application live in the browser. It's an awesome feature, simply try it out!
The design mode is an experimental feature of VisionX 5.8.
We also build our react UI daily, automatically as pre-releases. This makes it easy for you, to update react UI in your VisionX or to build your custom react UI. As long as react UI is compatible with your VisionX version, you get the latest features without new VisionX release.
But not only the react UI is brand new, also our (native) mobile client is brand new. It's still based on flutter but got a complete redesign. The new app is super fast, and supports all layout features of VisionX. To be honest, it's awesome. And we have the same update strategy for the mobile app. As long as it is compatible with your VisionX installation, it can be updated independent of VisionX. VisionX 5.8 also contains a live preview for the mobile app, directly in your web browser. You won't need a real device for the preview, but it looks like the app on your mobile device! This is so cool.
What's new?
The version got some updates for the screen designer and we improved user experience. It also contains a lot of bug fixes. The main focus was on new react UI and new mobile application.
Some visual changes
Hidden menu group
Simply move a work-screen to the hidden group and it will be invisible. There are also two new move buttons in the menu management. It's now possible to move a screen directly into another group.
Hidden group
Anchor positions
It's now possible to show the exact position of an element. It's also possible to change the position manually.
Element position
Number of unused editors
We show you the number of unused editors, if you have many of them.
Unused editors
Ready for some impressions?
UI Designer
Mobile preview
Application preview (experimental)
What's coming next?
Full dark mode support for mobile app
react UI designer improvements
New online help
We will replace our good old online help with a react based online help. The new online help is available on github.
New elements
As usual, VisionX 5.8.180 is available in the download area for our customers.
Have fun!
News | rjahn | 17/12/2024 | 
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