I don't see the problem as one of providing a wd-like interface built on gtk.
Merely to enable old code to run somehow, anyhow. In a way that
facilitates migration to native gtk.
So where's the need to redesign wd?

There must be masses of j scripts out there and the sheer person-hours
to migrate each one by hand to a new gtk gui -- however powerful and
flexible -- is not negligible. Not even for my collection. But until
that is done the script is useless.

There is always the option to retain a (frozen) j602 installation to
run old utilities, but there is a downside to doing that. I'd much
rather move whole and entire to j701 without delay -- and discard my
j602. Even a macroprocessor to convert J scripts would be a boon, even
if it copped-out at difficult bits and left me to migrate them by
hand. 2 or 3 lines in my whole user library, I don't doubt.

I'm not sure I wouldn't prefer a macroprocessor to a wd emulator. The
former can be used once per user for each script and soon discarded.
The latter will be a constant source of annoyance to both users and
vendor, generating endless requests for support. Just at the time
everyone wants to be exploring the new technology.


On Sun, Feb 6, 2011 at 7:26 AM, chris burke <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Sun, Feb 6, 2011 at 2:32 PM, Ian Clark <[email protected]> wrote:
> ...
>> This is due to change shortly. Just so soon as I can
>> take a good look at Bill's start at a wd-emulator.
>
> As mentioned before, wd needs a major redesign for gtk. Trying to
> shoehorn the gtk interface into the old design is not likely to work
> well. The main issue is the layout - gtk has a variety of tools for
> handling form layout automatically, while wd layout is hard coded. It
> would be a mistake to throw out gtk automatic layout in favour of wd
> hard coding.
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