Patrick, I have the suspicion that the auto table layout won't fill you up. With the new design, basic support for auto table layout shouldn't be a very big deal. There are some details, however, that could make this a much bigger fish:
Determining ideal column widths based on the inline elment lists for the whole table should be relatively easy. You would probably have that within two or three weeks after a, say, four-week get-to-know-FOP-better phase. It gets more difficult if the column widths are to be redetermined for each page (if that's requested). FOP cannot currently do that because it determines page breaks on a number of pages at the same time (total fit algorithm instead of first fit (Knuth terminology)). This would cause extensive changes to the whole layout engine but enable other features that are currently not possible, for example changing available IPD between pages. Another thing that just crossed my mind would be a total refactoring of the images package. I'm itching to do that for a long time now but probably won't have time for it in the near furture. I've written down some thoughts about that [1] and can elaborate if necessary. [1] http://wiki.apache.org/xmlgraphics-fop/ImageSupport On 19.04.2006 08:42:48 Patrick Paul wrote: > Hi Jeremias, > > I am happy to know you have a good impression of me. I do have good Java > skills, from personal experience as well as from 4 university courses > that involved Java. > > Implementing the auto table layout sounds like the kind of contribution > I would really enjoy bringing to the FOP project. As I do not know the > specifics yet, would you consider this to be a project of its own, or > would other things have to be added to the proposal ? > > Google will start taking proposals on may 1st so there is still time to > prepare, but I think it is best to have a well thought-out application > with a good timetable and realistic goals that fit into the bigger > picture of FOP. > > I look forward to work with you again. > > Patrick > > Jeremias Maerki wrote: > > >Hi Patrick, > > > >yes, I've seen that something's going on in that corner. After my > >experience last year, I was a bit hesitant to take another stab, but > >since we've already worked together, I'd be fine mentoring a little > >project. There are a lot of things that could be approached: > >http://wiki.apache.org/xmlgraphics-fop/FOPProjectTasks > > > >The thing that would make the most people happy would be implementing > >auto table layout. That's something that is not on any of my clients' > >wishlists so it goes on my private task list on which I have other > >higher priority items. :-o You'd be the hero implementing that! > > > >I'm sure there are other things you could do. You've got good Java > >skills, haven't you? > > > >On 18.04.2006 20:53:30 Patrick Paul wrote: > > > > > >>Hello everyone, > >> > >>As you may know Google is doing their Summer of Code program again this > >>summer. http://code.google.com/soc/ > >> > >>I would be interested in applying to do some work on FOP this summer. > >> > >>Would you have suggestions about specific developments that would > >>greatly help improve FOP ? > >> > >>I'm looking forward to hear from you all. FOP is so great. > >> > >>Thank you, > >> > >>Patrick > >> > >> > > > > > > > >Jeremias Maerki > > > > > > > > Jeremias Maerki
