Unable to make a Cordova plugin work

[David_K_6]

I'm trying to install the "PhoneGap Calendar Plugin" (nl.x-services.plugins.calendar) from the Cordova registry into an app that started life as a Standard Cordova app. I've followed the steps to add the external plugin into my project on the Projects tab, which appears to show that the plugin is present.

I can see the plugin in my config.ios.xml file:

<intelxdk:plugin intelxdk:name="PhoneGap Calendar plugin, by Eddy Verbruggen" intelxdk:value="nl.x-services.plugins.calendar"/>

However, this is the only evidence that the plugin exists in my source code, and none of my attempts to use it actually work.

In the emulator, the object "window.plugins.calendar" (which is what I'm supposed to call, according to the documentation) doesn't exist, and the plugin does not appear in the list shown by: 

cordova.require('cordova/plugin_list').metadata

On my device, using AppPreview, the plugin doesn't execute. I'm not currently able to get any debugging information.

I'm currently unable to use the "debug" tab to operate on my device, because of a separate problem (https://software.intel.com/en-us/forums/intel-xdk/topic/594107)

I'm also currently unable to use the "build" tab, because the iOS panel doesn't currently have a "Build" button, for reasons that I haven't yet established.

HELP! Can someone give me an idea as to how I track down what's happening here?

[Antonio_Za]

Hi David,

I used the calendar plugin few days ago and it worked. After your issue details, I think the plugin could be seen in action only if you build your solution and transfer it to the device. In fact, I built my app using the XDK tab, I installed the downloaded package apk on my Android phone and I got it.

As far as I know, third party plugins couldn't be debugged using the procedures you described. For more info on it, read the documentation about the third party plugin debug.

[Barry_Johnson]

Aaa Z - FYI - the big feature of the new XDK release is the debugging of third party plugins, although given the timestamp on David's note, I am not sure if he would have been trying it with the new release.

[Anusha_M_Intel1 · Accepted solution]

Hi David,

The only way to test third party plugins is to build the app and test on device. And as Barry said, with the latest release, you can now build a custom debug module which will allow you to debug third party plugins. 

Check out the release notes for v2496 - https://software.intel.com/en-us/xdk/docs/release-notes-information-intel-xdk

(Under section 'App Preview Custom Debug Modules')

[David_K_6]

Barry / Anusha

Thanks for this. v2496 had not arrived at the time of my previous post. It now has, and permits me to run the plugin in the emulator. Rather than complaining that the function doesn't exist, it brings up a simulation screen which lets me type in simulated results.

It also works when running over Android using the Debug tab - and I can see that it actually creates calendar events.

It still doesn't work on AppPreview over the air on the iPhone or on Android. I'm on what AppStore tells me is the latest version, which is 2.5.0 (21-Sep-2015). Presumably support will be added at some stage - it would be great if one of you guys know when.

I'm also still having problems building an App for iOS, but these are the subject of a separate thread (https://software.intel.com/en-us/comment/1840982#comment-1840982).

So I'm in a much better place than I was a couple of days ago, thanks. Now I just need to fix the iPhone build, because otherwise, it's back to straight Cordova, which is an unappealing prospect :-(

David

[Anusha_M_Intel1]

Hi David,

Like I said the third party plugin is only supported via the custom debug module. Which means it is not supported on the emulator (now we have the simulation screen that can help) and in app preview. And yes, 2.5.0 is the latest version. Unfortunately I am not able to tell you if support will be added in App Preview at this time.

I noticed from your other post that v2496 solved the iOS build issue. :)

[PaulF_IntelCorp]

David, please see this doc page for a complete menu of debug options: https://software.intel.com/en-us/xdk/docs/intel-xdk-debug-and-test-overview