David,
> I am not at all sure what you mean by "tight coupling with the HTML".
GWT generates its own HTML code (the events, especially). GWT also generates the javascript codes
(the event handlers). I can certainly use the generated javascript codes verbatim. But I'd have to
somehow tweak my OFBiz form/screen widgets to connect them to the javascript codes.
The problem is that GWT produces the HTML code for both events (onMouseOver, onClick, etc) and the
actual UIs (aka controls, in SWT terminology). If, instead, GWT doesn't require the use of
controls, but just simply requires the definition of events, it could be simpler to do.
As it is now, it seems I have to do 2 things:
1. Create UI/controls with GWT,
2. Create event handlers with GWT,
when I only want to do step 2.
Still, you're right that I could do my own utterly stripped down controls, since I only want to
program the event handlers and not the controls themselves.
I'll look into this GWT soon.
> What I was reacting to was the thought that getting Javascript
> expertise into OfBiz might be difficult,
Well, when situations create a need, we adapt. I've been doing OO Javascript for some time now, no
problems. Yes, I did go through programming language study (parser, interpreter, compiler), but I
think there are many FAQ guides on the web. Just ignore the discussions about scope and closure
(which really is quite easy to grasp, if we just sit down and try).
> doing things in Java makes a lot of sense.
It does, since Java is a much easier language than Javascript. I felt a load come off my shoulders
when I moved from a PHP project to a Java project! I think I could've gotten stress-related health
problems if I handled PHP for much longer.
> Personally I find Javascript to be a problematic language
It is. What we can do with SWT (concurrency controls) cannot be done with Javascript. Or maybe I
just haven't figured it out yet.
Jonathon
David Goodenough 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
products,
and just cool stuff you're interested in.
We're especially looking for developers with strong
familiarity with
the following areas (though not necessarily just these):
1. Front end development and Ajax
2. Integration with external devices, such as mobile phones,
handheld
devices, etc.
3. Analytics and reporting
If you're interested, please drop me a note off the list.
Scott A wrote:
David,
Like I said, I am a user plain and simple so I can’t get into
all of
the technical side of things. All I know is that I would like
a CRM
portion of
ofbiz similar to how Sugar CRM works but with a good and
solid email
client
built in. I guess it would take someone with the interest and
technical ability to put the requirements together first.
That said, I can only contribute with my wants and needs and
some
cash. I'd
be willing to throw $1000 into the hat to get this type of
functionality.
Where do I go from here?
David E. Jones-2 wrote:
On Apr 6, 2007, at 10:53 AM, Scott A wrote:
I have some help from some service providers setting up the
system
and we've
already started to work on the gui which includes Ajax for
easier
use. There
are also many other options I'd like to have for my
business and
that hopefully I could give back to the ofbiz community too.
Do you guys have any kind of bounty system or a wish list
where
likeminded
people could collaborate and get things done at a quicker
pace?
For example, I'd like to see a good CRM in the core of
ofbiz with
something
like zimbra being used for the calendaring and email. If
this were
even
feasible and there were likeminded people who would be
interested,
then we
could pool our resources and time, etc.
Any suggestions?
We don't have a bounty and bid system setup right now, but
hopefully soon or at some point some commercial entity in
the OFBiz
community will do just that. It is something we have talked
about,
and even using OFBiz to manage it, since about year 2 of the
project and I think it would be a really great thing for the
project, and for everyone who participates in both funding and
developing different things.
Right now the best thing to do is send a message to this
list or
the dev list to see if anyone is interested in
collaborating on
this and has enough of a business requirement for it to at
least
help to fund involvement on their side.
My guess for something this specific and yet large in scope
(ie in
terms of the amount of work required, probably a few weeks
worth)
no one will be able to participate for the "fun of it".
Who knows.... maybe someone will step up and agree with you
on how
cool it would be and start banging on it with you.
-David
