HB++ features

HB++ is the best rapid application development tool for Palm OS® handhelds, including Palm Inc. devices family- Palm OS® 3.0 to Palm OS® 6.1 (Cobalt), Symbol Technologies® SPT15XX/17XX/18XX series, Handspring® devices,TRG Pro, Sony® Clié family.

Developing handheld applications and connecting them to your enterprise data will become fast and easy. Experience our winning blend of a powerful Object-oriented language, a user-friendly Development Environement for a user-friendly platform, and connectivity to enterprise data features.

Object oriented basic compiler

True 68000 compiler: your project is compiled in a single .prc file.
No runtime is necessary. Your code can be ten time faster as if it would have been if written with non-compiled languages...
Highly structured object-oriented basic language: include validation, checking, calculation and control features to your app in event-triggered scripts. Gather most specific processes in classes and modules. You were used to working with Visual Basic®? Don't change your developing habits and reuse your code with very few changes!
Online and offline language reference. Forums, newsletters and knowledge base are available to share tips and code.
Easy to learn and easy to use: no steep learning curve and no low-level Palm OS® API skills needed. Developing with HB++ is fun!

Integrated Development Environement

Create custom forms in the Integrated Development Environement. Lay out an application's user interface by simply dragging and dropping controls. Edit your code and enjoy the benefits of syntax colouring and auto-completion.
Reuse forms, modules, classes, tables or bitmaps from previously developed application, or share them with other HB++ users.
An integrated debugger lets you debug your software, just as in Visual Basic® with your handheld unit or Palm OS® Emulator. Add breakpoints, run your code step-by-step, inspect the content of variables, properties, objects and bitmaps, or generate debugging messages at runtime.

Powerful language features

All the following features are integrated into HB++: you do not need to buy any third-part software!
The application object contains all your application's general properties and events: let your application react to data transfers, key presses, alarms and system notifications...
Numerous UI objects: checkboxes, push-buttons, menus, buttons, popups, selectors, textfields, labels, lists, scrollbars, fields, grids. Most of these controls support standard Palm OS® functions and are not emulated, making your forms display and react faster. You can also write your own HB++ custom controls and reuse them. (See for example the User control tutorial - how to create an enhanced Label custom control)
Use date and string functions to add extra features. Single and double precision mathematical library allows you to perform sophisticated calculations. HB++ is not hardwired to database driven applications: just try it and see how easy it is to write games or utilities.
The system functions can be used to easily manage your handheld resource: launch applications, edit databases, read and write to VFS Volumes (Memory Cards).
In case you need special feature, HB++ let you call external C routines stored in shared librairies, native ARM code or even Palm OS® API functions. No matter what you want to do, you are never stuck!

Database support and connectivity

Native XML support. HB++ actually uses the XML standard to store the data used by your application. Import existing .dbf files, Access database or text data, convert them to XML and then take benefits from the HB++ database manipulation classes.
Advanced data manipulation functions: SQL queries, recordsets, string matching.
Read and write records from and to other applications databases, including standard Palm OS® built-in PIM application (address book, expenses...).
With the HB++ conduit generator, creating sophisticated synchronization processes is fast and easy, enabling you to access your handheld device databases from your favourite Database manager.

Communication and networking

Modem, GPRS or Wi-fi internet connection: adjust parameters, create and open connections, then use standards TCP/IP sockets, connect to the web thru the HTTP class, download and upload files, connect to ftp or mail servers with the provided FTP, SMTP and POP classes...
Use streams to read from and write to the serial port, the IR port, an opened socket or another Bluetooth device.
Use the barcode scanning class to create powerful data collection information for Symbol Technologies® SPT devices.
Use telephony functions to send and receive SMS from a mobile phone connected to your handheld.
PalmServer: full access to your corporate databases from your handheld device. See the PalmServer features page.
Security: Any stream, may it be a database or a socket connection can be seamlessly encrypted using the StreamCypher class, implementing the RC4 cipher. Socket connections can be secured using SSL.

A wide range of applications

Sales quotes
Field service
Customer data management
Insurance
Inspections
Inventory control
Orders
Market research, surveys
Scheduling
Patient data management
Accesories and utilities
Games, Entertainement, Multimedia
And more... See our showcase

System requirements

IBM PC and compatibles, Pentium II 350 MHz and higher.
Palm OS® Handheld (version 3.0 to 6.1), Symbol Technologies® SPT15XX/17XX/18XX series, Handspring® devices,TRG Pro, Sony® Clié family, IBM WorkPad© PC Companion; or Franklin© Day Planner and Palm Desktop 3.0 or higher, Palm OS® Emulator or Simulator.