First Mozart-Oz/Eclipse integration ideas and issues

[Craig Ugoretz]

Hello again,

     I just got to thinking after I wrote this is that I may be
contradicting myself.  In regard to learning the tool API, I may just need
an overview of the Oz language.  For serialization, if that is a good idea,
I would need to know more, most likely.  My point was that if it seems like
I am not beginning development right away, it is because I am not proficient
in the Oz language.  If that is OK, then I may not need to recruit other
competencies right away.

                                                                   Craig


On 2/8/07, Craig Ugoretz <craigugoretz at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> 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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