First Mozart-Oz/Eclipse integration ideas and issues

[Craig Ugoretz]

Hello,

     I have some first thoughts about integrating Mozart-Oz and Eclipse.  In
a previous email, I mentioned that I was following the notes to the CS2104
course and trying to do some of the assignments to get a grasp on the Oz
language.  That effort is ongoing, and I want to continue it, but I
wonder in the interest of getting this project started if I ought to try
recruit other developers from the onset and be able to focus on
developing projects instead of intensive study upfront (the "it's not always
what you know but who you know" principle, when applicable)..  My goal,
however, right now in studying CS2104 is to learn how to call Oz code in the
API's for the tools (classes and functors look like they may arise here),
not to become a fully competent Oz programmer initially.  I am trying to
breeze through the material fast, if that is possible.  Right now I am
trying to complete assignment one and am looking ahead at the virtual machne
material.

    Obviously, Eclipse is written in Java, a different language from
Mozart/Oz.  I am somewhat proficient already in Java.  Torsten Anders has
provided me with information about his OzServer, which takes strings of  Oz
code through a socket and returns results In Oz to the process which
requested the information.  I can envision writing in a parser using a
program like JavaCC (https://javacc.dev.java.net/) which would facilitate
mixing Java code with Oz code without having to mix the two in lexical
strings (correct term?).  Also, perhaps there would be a way to
automatically serialize Java objects such that they could be translated into
objects and variables that Oz would understand.  By way of extension,
perhaps the above processes could also work in reverse, with Oz code being
translated into commands to be sent to a Java server.  Possibly, the latter
could facilitate GUI development in Eclipse from an "Oz-centric" point of
view, a hypothetical.

     If I were to go it alone, I would also have to face the learning curve
of Eclipse development.  A possible idea is to try to recruit competencies
on the Eclipse side of things to complement competencies on the Mozart-Oz
side of things.  I also do not have extensive project management skills, so
perhaps if someone in the open source community would be willing to take on
that role, I could quietly find a niche in the "scheme of things" in time.
But for now, of course, I am willing to think about the issues involved in
this project as I get a general overview of Eclipse and Mozart-Oz, and
contribute what thoughts come to mind.  Additionally, where Mozart-Oz people
could help out, while I try to learn Mozart-Oz, would be to develop and/or
share use case and requirements documents for the various tools that
currently exist the Mozart-Oz collection of programs.  Of course, if the
above is already treated to the full extent on the Mozart-Oz documentation
website, then kindly ignore the preceding suggestion.  Such use cases and
requirements documents, however, could possibly lead to a general idea of
what is needed on the Eclipse side in order to recruit Eclipse
competencies.  A challenge would be to provide a concise enough general
picture of what Mozart-Oz is all about (a special white paper) such that
early recruitment of Eclipse competences could take place.

     Right now, I see myself beginning to learn how to interface Java and Oz
as discussed above.  As I always, I "throw in" the disclaimer that although
I have some coding experience, I am a true amateur at developing a project
of this scope and detail to learn.  I do want to learn and have some time
available, however, and that is why I have "thrown my hat into the ring"
:-).  If anyone cares to suggest modifying the approach mentioned above,
please do so.


                             Sincerely,

Craig

P.S.:  Does this group mind if I periodically entertain questions that arise
during my execution of the CS2104 assignments like I did previously?  By the
way, should a posting like the above be moved to the mailing list that I
care to set up for the project?  Would people that peruse this mailing list
remember to check it?
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