App Build Process

The app builder(tools/app-builder/) is a tool that is used to build our apps with cordova.

It has an app-template folder that is used to create a new app. It is a cordova project that has all of the plugins and configuration setup. All that is missing is the app code in the www folder. See Cordova Project Structure for more information.

The general steps are the builder are:

1. The builder generates a build folder from the app-template named ${APP_NAME}-gen that is used for the build.

2. Bundles javascript and assets into their dist folders.

3. Copies the required generated html,js and css into the ${APP_NAME}-gen/www folder.

4. Modifies the config.xml file in the ${APP_NAME}-gen folder to include the correct app name, version, etc.

5. Creates a buildConfig.js file that includes Git details, APP name etc. Which is used in the app and added to ${APP_NAME}-gen/www folder.

6. Creates a buildInfo.json file that is used by device app builder to generate an app manifest.

7. Add cordova platform to build and run tasks specific to the platform.

   iOS: Add and Remove plugins that are required for iOS. Add iOS platform but do not build, as we to build and sign the app in Xcode.

   Android: Add and Remove plugins that are required for Android. Add Android platform and build the app using gradle.