Lianja's approach is in fact to create a format that adjusts to different device specs, running the same UI (that rejiggers itself to the new dimensions. If you want to design your own forms for each of the various devices, you can do this. Theming is all through CSS, so you can make whatever you want for style. Stock themes are (or will be) available for the various platforms.

While somewhat bewildered at first (some 14 months ago, when I came to the conclusion that Lianja had the most opportunity for me given the kind of work I do), I came to realize that our own form design for a VFP app that debuted in 2002 had morphed (based on user feedback) to the kind of UI that fits in fine with Lianja. So for us it's not an issue.

You are right in seeing UI adjustment as the major development issue for Lianja developers, in terms of a learning curve. Anyone used to self-adjusting UI's that use columns and containers, however, will have an easy time of it.

As for code, that does not change from one platform to another. Desktop apps have a small runtime; apps served from the Lianja Cloud Server run on Linux or Windows; Lianja SQL Server runs on Linux or Windows. The Lianja Cloud Server takes the XAML that describes the desktop app and serves it to desktop and to mobile devices (a la Phonegap). Finally, VFPish will run in native mobile apps (iOS, Android, WinRT), all the better to validate data in disconnected states.

Hank


>>>>>I have to go along with Tom here. The thought that code generators will replace programmers has been around for a LONG time, like since the early 1980s. Yet software development remains one of the most in-demand professions. (The tricky bit is that the specific skills that are in demand keep changing).
>>>>
>>>>Mike, See hanks reply, This is not about code generators, but an application framework that will take away the pain we currently have from dealing with all kinds of 3rd party add ons. Jos Pols wrote a message about this a few days ago (though his remarks apply to windev). the framework deals with the stuff we have to program manually for e.g. security, encryption, code signing, cross platform etc. Its much more productive if those matters are provided out of the box without have to scramble your own.
>>>
>>>Hmm. Cross platform support implies producing platform specific code - how do you do that other than with a code generator? And, without updates the framework can only support existing platforms.....
>>
>>Not necessarily. Remember when Fox was cross platform? It did the same thing it does now (and what dot net also does) - produced p-code and had platform specific runtimes.
>
>True to a point. I guess I wasn't thinking of it in that light. But getting runnable code is only half the battle - if we're talking cross-platform for desktop/mobile/tablet/etc then the whole UI layout must be rejigged.