First open source version of LiveCode arrives

The LiveCode user interface is divided across multiple windows

Just six weeks after the close of its successful Kickstarter campaign, RunRev has released the first open source version of its cross-platform development environment LiveCode. LiveCode 6.0 also includes performance improvements with better image caching, autocomplete for message boxes and a new Project Browser interface, as well as a number of minor updates and bug fixes.

LiveCode is a graphical IDE based around the concepts of Apple's HyperCard, which was introduced in 1987. The IDE allows users to create desktop and mobile applications by dragging and dropping control elements and allocating code to them. LiveCode uses a natural English-based development language that is also inspired by HyperCard.

RunRev raised almost £500,000 in their Kickstarter campaign, far exceeding its goal of £350,000. With the release of the open source version, the company is now delivering on its campaign promise, but is still working on restructuring its development infrastructure to be better suited to the new open source model. It also plans to redesign the IDE's front-end and upgrade the Mac OS version to provide Cocoa support throughout. Support for the creation of Windows Phone 8 applications is also planned.

The Community Edition of LiveCode 6.0 is licensed under the GPLv3 and can be used to develop applications for Windows, Mac OS, Linux, iOS and Android, with server versions available for Linux, Mac OS X and Windows to deliver web content. Programs created with the open source version of LiveCode are subject to the conditions of the GPLv3, since they link to the GPLv3-licensed LiveCode libraries. Aside from the Community Edition, RunRev also offers commercial licences for developers who don't want to publish their code as open source.

A comparison of both editions, with links to the download of the Community version, is available on the RunRev web site.

(fab)