About GUI and IDE Interface

[Bob Calco]

Marc-Antoine:

%% The added benefit of Eclipse, as far as I can see, is that 
%% if you bind to the Eclipse APIs, you can extend Eclipse to 
%% handle Mozart at minimal cost. (i.e. just define the 
%% tools, the syntax coloring code, how to break the files 
%% into meaningful units, and you have an environment!) I 
%% know you have grander plans for your IDE, and those may 
%% involve more UI coding, but in terms of getting good IDE 
%% functionality in the shortest time, I don't see how you 
%% can beat reusing an existing IDE.
%% 

I am looking into it. I got the thing downloaded, I'm reading up on writing plugins now. As a prototype, I'm willing to give it a whirl.

%% I'm sure, and also worthwile. The downside is that you (or 
%% someone...) has to write all that platform-dependent code! 
%% My reaction to that is: Lots of work. Check if you have 
%% the manpower. Account for maintenance. 
%% On the plus side: Way more applications than the IDE 
%% alone!

Writing code is what I do; I particularly enjoy hard stuff.

%% I agree that a SWIG binding is also very very high yield 
%% for the effort. wxWindows is just one of countless 
%% applications of that, and then the IDE one of many of 
%% wxWindows. I certainly like the SWIG scenario, and anybody 
%% working on it will be adding much value to Mozart.

Yeah, SWIG integration is a "go" no matter what I decide to do with the IDE. And wxWindows would be a great library to have just because it would make Oz GUIs look so cool. And it would be easier than writing the underlying widget library in Oz API C++, not that I don't like that idea too.

%% As I said, reuse of an IDE framework may get you there 
%% sooner. But maybe not. Maybe learning to integrate into 
%% Eclipse would take longer than finishing what is under 
%% way. You know best. But I encourage you to look at Eclipse 
%% from the reuse angle... It will certainly give you the 
%% most extra goodies at no cost (CVS integration etc.)

Well at the cost of having to code in Java in my spare time. I need that like I need a hole in my head! 

If it were C++ I wouldn't even hesitate... ;)

Actually, an obvious thought just occurred to me. I can do it in C++, using the wxWindows framework. Then, it could be ported to anywhere wxWindows is ported, which is just about everywhere.

At first blush, I like that more than the Eclipse concept. We'll see...

%% 
%% You may not be aware that someone already applied that 
%% approach to... C#! They got a nice tool out. I wonder how 
%% much work it cost them.
%% 
%% http://www.improve-technologies.com/alpha/esharp/
%% 

Looks cool. But apparently all he's got working is the color coding. No firm concept of a project, outliner not yet implemented, etc.

A lot of work either way. There is something to be said for beating one's own path, even if it means doing stuff that's already been done before.

%% >So... yet another alternative. I love this discipline!
%% 
%% Don't we all!

Yup!

%% Marc-Antoine Parent


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