Re: SEUL: gui toolkits

[Demian Rootring <rootring@xs4all.nl>]

Erik Walthinsen wrote:
> 
> > Maybe this is not our domain, but I think it would be *very* nice if
> > Linux had a form editor and widget standard that acts roughly like
> > Visual Basic or Delphi for Windows.  In this I mean you can place
> > widgets on a "design time" form and set properties at design and/or run
> > time.  The widgets themselves would have to be very flexible, knowing
> > how to respond to all kinds of activity and to be able to physically
> > redraw themselves at any time, possibly changing color, size, location,
> > or whatever the programmer felt like doing with them.
> 
> IMO, it *is* in our domain, if our goal is to provide users a common
> interface.  More than that, though, such a system would allow us to give the
> users look-alike environments.  If the interface of a program is specified in
> a 'fuzzy' manner, the user could load up a win95 look-alike, or a mac, or
> amiga, or nextstep, motif, etc...  Divorcing the app from the interface would
> be a very good thing given the current situation, where every app must
> re-invent the wheel ui-wise.
> 
> > This would go a long way toward making a RAD system for Linux, and it
> > would make writing GUI apps much easier, at least for Windows people.
> 
> Another significant advantage.  As Linux becomes more popular, there will be
> a major push to develop applications for it.  As you mentioned, VB is the de
> facto standard for quick-n-dirty apps on the doze* platforms, as well as big
> apps in some cases.  If we can develop an equivalent for Linux, apps will
> spring up all over the place, and fast ones at that (assuming this ui toolkit
> talks X directly, not even Xt if possible)
> 
> > But what do you think - is something like this practical?
> 
> Take a look at XF for tcl/tk.  It's basically a ui generator that creates the
> code framework for you.  It is possible, but it's very difficult to do right.
> 
> > [I know, I used to hate the idea of point and click programming too, but
> > after using VB at work I admit that it is a VERY good way to build GUI
> > apps.]
> 
> And why argue with the market?  VB has a huge following, not because it's
> efficient or the best way to program, but because it's easy.  It's not
> programming-for-the-masses by any means, but it comes close.
> 

Then there's the point of programmers, a VB like programming enviroment
will attract more (young) programmers to Linux (it's free and easy to
learn).

Regards,

Demian Rootring
rootring@xs4all.nl

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