The two major UI libraries right now for GWT are Ext GWT and Smart GWT. There are some similarities and some differences. I've used both and they both allow for a look and feel on your GWT app that would take a lot of custom development to achieve. They both have some very nice widgets in both functionality and look. Ext GWT is a commercial, paid for library, Smart GWT is free and open source. I think that Ext GWT is a bit more stable, but neither is particularly unstable. The Smart GWT guys are also working on some interesting server side linkage to the UI components. Both have features that neither have. Being very attractive modern UI components, neither is "light weight" as they require a bunch of javascript and some nifty DOM manipulation (like all of the other Javascript UI libraries mind you!). So if your prospective client machines are a bunch of old Pentium III's running IE6 (my current burden!) then neither is particularily a good choice.
In the end, I would score them as a tie. If your organization won't pay for their libraries, then Smart GWT is the only way to go. If your organization can't or won't use open source type of stuff, then Ext GWT is the way. Both require a lot of diligence and effort, as any good UI library does. But after a little learning curve, you'll be able to produce web UI's that are in a class equal to the richest heavy client. Good luck. Later, Shaffer On Feb 14, 10:53 pm, Shawn Brown <[email protected]> wrote: > > I came across GWT EXT, EXT GWT, SmartGwt, > > and a ton of other third party libraries. > > 1. Which third-party libraries would you recommend in general and why. > > 2. Which third-party libraries would you want to stay away from and why. > > Well anyone can correct me if I am wrong but I think GWT EXT > development has stopped since it's basically a wrapper around ext JS > (same makers of EXT GWT) which switched it's license to gpl3. this > means GWT EXT only works with an older version of EXT JS that may not > have bug fixes or security fixes. GWT EXT recommends switching over > to SmartGwt ... seehttp://gwt-ext.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=3465 > > Shawn --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Google Web Toolkit" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Web-Toolkit?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
