High Wycombe, UK, July 13, 2021 International POS printer manufacturer Star Micronics announces the launch of the StarXpand ™ SDK, the industry’s first software development kit to control and connect Star printers for applications using the cross-platform React Native framework.
Applications for mobile POS systems are usually developed separately for each operating system, such as iOS, Android and Windows. However, cross-platform development, in which application programs are created with the same source code in a single programming language for several operating systems, is becoming increasingly important. It is to be expected that cross-platform development will be essential in the future due to the overall lower development and maintenance costs.
In response to this trend, Star developed the StarXpand SDK, which is initially intended for React Native, but will later also be available for other native and alternative cross-platform environments. This is intended to reduce the development times and maintenance costs associated with the printer connection. The SDK includes a new StarIO10 framework that offers a number of advantages, including asynchronous communication, which enables parallel execution of print jobs, reduces implementation costs and the number of program errors, while improving the readability of the code. Since the StarIO10 is emulation-free, StarXpand documents work with any current POS or mobile printer from Star.
By creating human-readable commands, the StarIO10 enables the user to create commands with a command generator. Intermediate or binary commands are then generated. This process provides insight into the data received from the printer and makes problem solving easier. In addition, commands can be reused as a print format without emulation dependencies. In addition, StarIO10 enables the user to find all devices regardless of the interface in less than a second. This function significantly improves the search speed, especially with LAN printers.
StarIO10 has a function for logging communication between the operating system and printer, which is intended for troubleshooting. This logging function leads to faster resolution of problems. This avoids longer downtimes and saves companies valuable time and unnecessary costs.
Star made the StarXpand SDK for React Native available on the popular GitHub website, where developers from around the world post and share code and talk about integration issues.
Simon Martin, Director and Managing Director of Star Micronics EMEA, said: “Star is known for its market-leading comprehensive SDKs and has developed an industry first with the StarXpand SDK for React Native. Since cross-platform development is becoming increasingly important, Star is now offering an SDK that reduces development time and maintenance costs in connection with printer control and connection. „