Setting up your tools

The BlackBerry 10 WebWorks SDK is set of tools that can be run from the command line. With just a little bit of configuration, the Ripple emulator can take care of running these commands for you. The Ripple emulator can also act as a local web server for your HTML5 application, and can simulate what your app will look like on a BlackBerry device. While it's possible to develop BlackBerry WebWorks apps without using Ripple, for the introductory apps we will create in this section, we will assume that you are using Ripple.

Before you begin:
  • You will need a text editor or IDE for creating HTML5, JavaScript, CSS, and config.xml files.
  • You will need to have the Google Chrome browser installed. (The Ripple emulator runs as a Google Chrome extension.)
  1. Download the Ripple emulator, a BlackBerry WebWorks SDK, and a simulator from the Downloads page.
    • You can choose tools for BlackBerry 10, BlackBerry PlayBook, or BlackBerry 7 and earlier.
    • If you have a device available for testing, downloading a simulator isn't essential, but you will probably find it convenient to have one.
  2. Enable the Ripple emulator.
  3. Create a RippleSites folder so that Ripple can find your application's files. Create it in one of the following locations:
    • Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\<Username>\RippleSites
    • Windows 7: C:\Users\<Username>\RippleSites
    • Mac OS: /Users/<Username>/RippleSites
  4. Set up for signing by requesting code signing keys. These will allow you to test your app on a device and, when you're ready, to distribute it through BlackBerry World. While you won't need signing keys to work through the examples in the Getting Started section, if you request them now, you'll have them ready when you need them.

You must package your app using the SDK appropriate for the target platform. If you plan to develop BlackBerry WebWorks apps for more than one platform, download the BlackBerry WebWorks SDK and simulator for the other platform(s). You can always do this at a later date.