What is the GWC hybrid mode?

The GWC hybrid mode takes Genero applications and delivers them as native applications for Android or iOS mobile platforms.

Prior to the GWC hybrid mode, to deliver an application on an Android or iOS device, the application was displayed within the device browser using the Genero Web Client. The GWC hybrid mode provides the ability to launch an application within a container native to iOS or Android. The GWC hybrid mode provides a skeleton - a minimal application - that allows you to create hybrid mobile applications for iOS and Android. The Genero application is run from the Genero Application Server; the application URL identifies which application to run. It uses HTML5 for the Genero Web Client (the HTML5 theme) to render the Genero forms within the native container. As it is running within a native container, it allows you to extend the application with native front calls, allowing access to native device APIs.

In this diagram, we are shown three applications. The Native Application talks directly with the Device APIs. The Web Application uses a Mobile Browser to display the application (or Web Code). It does not talk with the Device APIs. The Hybrid Application runs the Web Code within a Native Container. The Native Container can talk with the Device APIs.

Figure 1. Native, Web, and Hybrid Applications

Once you have produced your Genero application as a native Android or iOS application, you can distribute it on the Android Market or Apple AppStore, as well as in-house.