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Using the Servoy Smart Client, solutions developed in Servoy can be distributed Smart Clients are one of the ways to deploy Solutions to end users.

Characteristics of a Smart Client

• Installs automatically on initial launch
• Automatically updates when a new version of either the Solution of the Smart Client itself is available
• Native application
• Executes business logic locally
• Can interact with the local file system
• Can interact with local appliances connected to the client machine
• Is connected to the Servoy Application Server to utilize services provided by the Application Server

While running, the Smart Client is connected to the Application Server to utilize the services provided by the Application Server, like database connectivity, datachange broadcasting, emailing and reporting for example

Servoy Smart Clients are launched and distributed from the Servoy Application Server using Java Web Start Technology.

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A Smart Client is a native application, that gets launched from the Servoy Application Server using Java WebStart technology. The Smart Client installs itself on first launch and from there onwards will keep itself up to date, by checking for updates on each consecutive launch. 

A Solution running in a Smart Client has access to the local file system or local appliances, like printers attached to the machine on which the Smart Client runs. 

While the Smart Client caches itself and the solutions that it runs in binary format on the local machine for fast startup, it does not cache any user data inbetween sessions, but relies on a connection to the Servoy Application Server while running for data retrieval.

Smart Client system requirements

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The Java console is a window that opens when a Java application starts and to which logging/debugging information can be written by the applications. When investigating issues in a Smart Client, enable the Java console to view what logging/debugging information the application provides. See the "Java console" settings under "Advanced" in the Java Control Panel.

Troubleshooting

Problems with Smart Clients fall into different categories and can be caused by a number of different reasons. Below an overview per category, with investigation guidelines and possible solutions.

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Smart Client starting issues

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Smart Client starting issues can have different causes.

JScript errors when starting the Smart Client (Windows only)

Enable "direct connections" on under the Network Settings of the Java Console on the client machine

Accessing the .jnlp file doesn't start Java Web Start

This means that either Java Web Start is not (properly) installed (see \[#Prerequisites\]) or that the .jnlp extention is not assosiated with Java Web Start.

Java Web Start error: Problem downloading the application

webstart issue
raw=true option

Enable wire logging
In case of connection issues between the Smart Client and the Application Server and all

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Smart Client disconnection issues

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Smart Clients operate connected to the Application Server. When the connection is lost, the Smart Client will automatically try to reconnect. When reconnection is not possible, the Smart Client will automatically provide the user with an error message and the option to close the Smart Client or to continue to try and reconnect.

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Smart Client crash issues

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When a Smart Client quits unsuspectedly or hangs, the first thing to do it enable the Java console

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Smart Client update issues

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flush
remove app from java
remove temp internet files

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Solution issues

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Smart Client footprint

A Smart Client has a very small footprint on the client machine. For startup performance reasons, both the Smart Client libraries as well as the Servoy Solution binaries are cached.

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