I have a tool that creates SWT code. the problem with JAVA based UI is that the application runs on the client not the web server. So a interface has to be written to communication with the ofbiz.
Where I am going with this, is the Widgets xml is converted already in ofbiz. So I would liked to see more functionality built into the widgets, where possible, instead of having redundant functionality, in some other form. For Java UI applications, I would like to see a standard interface fleshed out for communication to Ofbiz. Then each developer can use his/her favorite UI code to build on. David Goodenough sent the following on 4/24/2007 8:24 AM: > I have not looked in detail, but given that OfBiz has an abstract > definition of the UI and the processing it should be possible to > have an xslt transform that generates a set of GWT java source that > can be compiled and then used by the browser. Doing it dynamically > would not seem sensible, but the code only needs to be regenerated > when the UI definition changes. > > David > > On Tuesday 24 April 2007 16:11, Chris Howe wrote: >> In that case, what would be the likelihood of being able to create a >> renderer for it? >> >> --- David Goodenough <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >>> Tim, >>> >>> I am not at all sure what you mean by "tight coupling with the HTML". >>> As you never (or should never) write any HTML as part of the GWT code >>> this makes no sense. Yes the GWT controls are mapped to HTML, but >>> you >>> can make your own controls quite easily, and integrate them into the >>> GWT framework so you are not limited to what simple HTML widgets can >>> do. >>> >>> But I am merely a bystander when it comes to OfBiz, so it is for >>> others >>> to decide. What I was reacting to was the thought that getting >>> Javascript >>> expertise into OfBiz might be difficult, and so doing things in Java >>> makes >>> a lot of sense. Personally I find Javascript to be a problematic >>> language, >>> it is very powerful, almost too powerful - you can almost redefine >>> the >>> language as you go along - but being interpreted and not type safe in >>> the >>> way that Java is makes it a much more difficult language to use well. >>> >>> David >>> >>> On Tuesday 24 April 2007 14:39, Tim Ruppert wrote: >>>> David, we did a number of pilots with GWT (and other frameworks) in >>>> OFBiz and were much happier with the dojo toolkit. The GWT, while >>>> having the bonus of being able to do everything in java, also >>>> required a bit more of a tight coupling with the HTML - which in my >>>> mind - made it less desirable. >>>> >>>> JSON is there in case you can show us all a better way of handling >>>> it! Hope that helps. >>>> >>>> Cheers, >>>> Tim >>>> -- >>>> Tim Ruppert >>>> HotWax Media >>>> http://www.hotwaxmedia.com >>>> >>>> o:801.649.6594 >>>> f:801.649.6595 >>>> >>>> On Apr 24, 2007, at 7:06 AM, David Goodenough wrote: >>>>> Jonathon, >>>>> >>>>> Probably the best approach would be to write an xslt script which >>>>> would >>>>> parse the OfBiz XML descriptors and generate skeleton code which >>> could >>> >>>>> then be subclassed to put in specific processing (it may be >>>>> possible to >>>>> generate the whole thing, I have not looked closely enough). I >>> am >>> >>>>> thinking >>>>> of something like the juic system used by QtJambi - the new Java >>>>> binding >>>>> for Qt that Trolltech have currently in beta (juic was actually >>>>> originally >>>>> part of kdebindings but that is another story). >>>>> >>>>> It may sound odd, but actually it is best not to think about HTML >>> and >>> >>>>> Javascript when coding GWT, it just complicates things. You can >>>>> include >>>>> explicit HTML or Javascript if necessary, but it is better to >>> start >>> >>>>> from >>>>> the position of doing it natively in GWT. It may be necessary >>> (or >>> >>>>> desirable) >>>>> to write some GWT code to emulate specific OfBiz widgets, I have >>>>> not looked >>>>> closely enough to find out. >>>>> >>>>> David >>>>> >>>>> On Tuesday 24 April 2007 13:22, Jonathon -- Improov wrote: >>>>>> David, >>>>>> >>>>>> Seems to me the GWT will generate both the HTML (events) and the >>>>>> Javascript >>>>>> (event handlers). Is that correct? If so, I'd have to somehow >>>>>> translate the >>>>>> HTML output to OFBiz widgets. Still, GWT's support for coding in >>>>>> Java is >>>>>> cool. >>>>>> >>>>>> Yes, OFBiz supports JSON (via json-lib). I've been using it >>> often >>> >>>>>> in Ajax >>>>>> work with OFBiz. >>>>>> >>>>>> Jonathon >>>>>> >>>>>> David Goodenough wrote: >>>>>>> You ask about whether there are Javascript experts around. Of >>>>>>> course >>>>>>> if you were to use GWT (Google Widget Toolkit), you do the >>>>>>> programming >>>>>>> in Java and it is translated into Javascript. That way you get >>>>>>> all the >>>>>>> strict typing of Java but the implementation on the browser >>> without >>> >>>>>>> addons. GWT is of course now entirely open source and >>> integrated >>> >>>>>>> into >>>>>>> Eclipse quite easily. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> As I read it much of what is needed for using GWT is already >>>>>>> present in >>>>>>> Ofbiz, GWT can use JSON as its comms protocol and I think I am >>>>>>> right in >>>>>>> saying that JSON is supported by Ofbiz. You could use SOAP but >>>>>>> JSON is >>>>>>> lighter weight and as the execution environment is javascript >>> is >>> >>>>>>> the more >>>>>>> native protocol. GWT does have its own RPC protocol as well, >>> in >>> >>>>>>> which >>>>>>> case you would have to write the server end in its environment, >>>>>>> but there >>>>>>> is no requirement to use it, JSON (or even native HTTP) will do >>>>>>> perfectly >>>>>>> well. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> David >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Tuesday 24 April 2007 04:33, Jonathon -- Improov wrote: >>>>>>>> I was actually looking to pump in my enhancements to the >>> Widget >>> >>>>>>>> module. >>>>>>>> I've incorporated some Ajax-facilitating or Ajax-related >>> features >>> >>>>>>>> directly into the Widget module, so I won't have to do HUGE >>> .ftl >>> >>>>>>>> (s). >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Imagine being able to use and reuse a widget-screen for 2 (or >>> more) >>> >>>>>>>> purposes: non-ajax operation and ajax operation (pulling down >>>>>>>> various >>>>>>>> sub-sub-parts of the screen). >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> In general, I was able to make all listings screens (with the >>>>>>>> Prev/Next >>>>>>>> hrefs) load via Ajax. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> But be warned that this Ajax approach, if carried further, >>> could >>> >>>>>>>> hark >>>>>>>> back to those times when you programmed Java AWTs for rich UIs >>>>>>>> (events >>>>>>>> and concurrency). Except there's lots of javascript involved >>> in >>> >>>>>>>> this >>>>>>>> case, not Java, and bad news is there's no concurrency >>> controls in >>> >>>>>>>> javascript. Which means, prepare to get wickedly good at >>>>>>>> acrobatics in >>>>>>>> javascript (obscure acquired taste, really), or deal with the >>>>>>>> potential >>>>>>>> mess and meltdown. Please let me know if there's any experts >>> in >>> >>>>>>>> javascript OO and programming here. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I'm willing to help with Ajax-ing OFBiz. Just let me know if >>> the >>> >>>>>>>> "nice >>>>>>>> addition" Andrew's talking about will go into Opentaps or >>> OFBiz, >>> >>>>>>>> and >>>>>>>> I'll follow. I only need to know if there's any anti-trust >>> case >>> >>>>>>>> against >>>>>>>> the body I'm contributing to. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Jonathon >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Andrew Zeneski wrote: >>>>>>>>> This sounds like it will be a nice addition to OFBiz, I can't >>>>>>>>> wait to >>>>>>>>> see the progress! >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Andrew >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Apr 23, 2007, at 4:59 PM, Si Chen wrote: >>>>>>>>>> If there are any developers interested in working on a CRM >>>>>>>>>> system, >>>>>>>>>> we're looking for more help here at Open Source Strategies. >>>>>>>>>> We have >>>>>>>>>> both full-time openings and part-time paid opportunities, >>> and >>> >>>>>>>>>> you can >>>>>>>>>> work from home and set your own hours. You'll have a chance >>>>>>>>>> to work >>>>>>>>>> with us on a combination of client projects, our open source >> === message truncated === > > >
