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Posted to dev@ofbiz.apache.org by BJ Freeman <bj...@free-man.net> on 2008/12/01 02:27:24 UTC

different approach to remote UI

Getting ready to change how my SWT(not google) interfaces gets data from
 Ofbiz.

Goals:
1) allow the screens from ofbiz to drive the UI presentation.
   this allows the UI presentation to change as more data is added.
2) return data as a web page so there is no need to reprogram ofbiz.
3) allows the use of https for secure data transfer.

Scope:
Can have a UI that is more rich. Keep ofbiz the same as it is now.

Re: different approach to remote UI

Posted by Bruno Busco <br...@gmail.com>.
Very interesting Harmeet!
Would be nice to have a working gwt ofbiz example to download and test
locally.
Could be possible for you to open a JIRA and put there detailed instructions
and patches?

Many thanks,
Bruno

2008/12/1 Harmeet Bedi <ha...@gmail.com>

> Why not use gwt to give same scope.
>
> We spent some time writing a complete UI layer on top of ofbiz in gwt to
> make ofbiz oriented towards a niche market. We changed approach as it was
> too much work to redo entire UI layer and we felt not the right approach.
> However we are still working to do same same scope as you - a UI that is
> more rich.
>
> Couple of things we learned that may apply to SWT were:
> - Java was not a very good domain language for UI making it cumbersome to
> be productive for large application
> - It is very nice to use HTML as the frame and embed rich elements
>
> We are now taking the approach of adding rich elements to existing pages
> and if necessary replacing pages in parts.
> Gwt gives rich client like things in javascript and still keep app web page
> pages
>
>
> Here is what we have started doing with dashboard - found the current
> mypage not as pretty and myportal not yet ready.
> Wanted to pretty it up.
>
> So framed mypage screenlets tags with portlets and portlets under a portal.
> Gives collapsible, drag drop etc. Still reuses all the work done (so no need
> to write complete new) as you are only framing html.
>
> our new page looks something like this:
>
> <!-- from header -->
> <script language="javascript"
> src="emforium.gwt.WidgetFactory.nocache.js"></script>
>
> <div em-type="portal" columnWidths=".4,.6">
> <div em-type="portlet" em-children-type="html" headerVisible="true"
> heading="portlet" collapsible="true" expanded="true">
> ---- screenlets go here
> </div>
> </div>
>
> As an example of what this gives see :
> http://extjs.com/examples/portal/portal.html
>
>
> The header javascript walks the entire page DOM and replaces div tags
> having em-type='rich widget' with gwt widgets. These gwt widgets could frame
> html, or be completely standalone. e.g. we are also replacing date
> selections with a gwt
>
> We could also replace entire segments. e.g replace paginated table with a
> gwt grid.
>
>
> There are a few libraries that are rich with widgets in GWT that can be
> applied. We started with gxt : http://extjs.com/products/gxt/. Some other
> good candidates are smartgwt ( http://code.google.com/p/smartgwt/ ) and
> default GWT toolkit and associated google projects have some decent widgets
> too. (GWT is under apache license so compatible).
>
> It would be very nice if Ofbiz team can consider more GWT. We could provide
> code.. developer help etc. to promote this.
> We could start with creating a demo that you can see and see if you want to
> evaluate this direction more. I feel GWT + HTML is a very good choice for
> people writing java servers.
>
> GWT theoretically is just a mechanism where you write java code and that is
> generated into javascript and dom manipulation, but it is much more.
> - Strong typing in java, debugger support makes it far more productive and
> reliable to create rich applications.
> - Due to better approach applied with GWT to rich javascript/ajax/dhtml
> applications.. one can now write much more complex user interfaces. i.e.
> take a leap in rich web application capabilities. i.e. write an entire
> webpos in gwt vs. very hard and buggy to write one entirely in javascript.
> - Can retain HTML as the frame of application and gwt widgets can contain
> html. GWT and ftl templates can play together. So low barrier of entry,
> simple nature of web 1.0 is retained.
>
> Harmeet
>
>
> On 11/30/08 8:27 PM, BJ Freeman wrote:
>
>> Getting ready to change how my SWT(not google) interfaces gets data from
>>  Ofbiz.
>>
>> Goals:
>> 1) allow the screens from ofbiz to drive the UI presentation.
>>   this allows the UI presentation to change as more data is added.
>> 2) return data as a web page so there is no need to reprogram ofbiz.
>> 3) allows the use of https for secure data transfer.
>>
>> Scope:
>> Can have a UI that is more rich. Keep ofbiz the same as it is now.
>>
>>
>
>

Re: different approach to remote UI

Posted by Bruno Busco <br...@gmail.com>.
OK, now I see,

thank you for explaining.

2009/2/5 BJ Freeman <bj...@free-man.net>:
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> Hash: SHA1
>
> it is a combination applet/application that can be detached from a
> webpage and used Standalone.
> there is one module in it that communicates with ofbiz as you say
> client/server, but not in the traditional way. That is the one the is
> mostly updated.
> What it achieves is very loose coupling to ofbiz. It only deals with
> data presented from ofbiz webpages and Sending Data back as if a user
> did something on the ofbiz webpage.
>
> so I have a very rich UI for the user. Similar to the Eclipse UI.
>
>
> Bruno Busco sent the following on 2/5/2009 11:57 AM:
>> BJ,
>> I am interested in better understand how the architecture you describe works.
>> Is this a client-server architecture?
>> I mean a java swing application running on the client that make
>> requestes to the OFBiz server?
>>
>> Thank you,
>> -Bruno
>>
>> 2009/2/5 BJ Freeman <bj...@free-man.net>:
>> I agree with David.
>> But if someone want to go to the trouble of doing the code I don't see
>> why it can't be put in the jira for someone to use if they want to.
>> Just as a heads up I use the current screens in my remote UI(java swing).
>> my app reads the screens, generates the equivalent in the UI i have, and
>> sends the changes as if a user does it.
>> This allows ofbiz to keep it dynamics, and allow my users to have a
>> intuitive UI.
>>
>> As ofbiz screens change at the browser level, then I have one module in
>> my code that gets updated.
>>
>> as far as "Remote" UI's I think they should be designed at arms length
>> to ofbiz.
>> that is what SOap is suppose to do.
>> so maybe getting Soap more robust would be one way.
>>
>> David E Jones sent the following on 2/4/2009 4:33 PM:
>>>>> On Feb 4, 2009, at 3:49 PM, Bruno Busco wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> ...and GWT is Apache licensed !
>>>>> That does make is easier to include... but isn't really a reason to use
>>>>> it... ;)
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> 2009/2/4 Bruno Busco <br...@gmail.com>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Well...
>>>>>>> ...to have something similar to this in the OFBiz UI :
>>>>>>> http://opensourcestrategies.com/images/opentaps_gwt_demo.htm
>>>>> I don't know about others, but so far if OSS decides to do something in
>>>>> opentaps I take it as a good reason to NOT do the same in OFBiz. :)
>>>>>
>>>>> Quite a few of the things in that little recording are already supported
>>>>> in the form and screen widgets (with demos in the Example app), and
>>>>> other things could certainly be done.
>>>>>
>>>>> The question is... how does GWT compare to other options? You can
>>>>> probably find dozens of emails on this topic in the archives if you're
>>>>> interested (ie comparing them to other JavaScript/AJAX libraries like
>>>>> prototype and dojo and such).
>>>>>
>>>>> AFAIK no one has done an adequate comparison of these technologies for
>>>>> what we want to do in OFBiz (or what users of OFBiz want to do, more to
>>>>> the point), but IMO we have more flexibility with our current tools, and
>>>>> not requiring the translation it makes it easier to debug and do funky
>>>>> things if needed... and as for overall development efficiency... I
>>>>> dunno, but my guess is the current approach is better so unless we find
>>>>> good reasons to move to GWT or something pushes it and does neat things
>>>>> with it that make it into the project, we probably won't use it much.
>>>>>
>>>>> -David
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>>> 2009/2/4 David E Jones <da...@hotwaxmedia.com>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> What for?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> -David
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Feb 4, 2009, at 2:52 PM, Bruno Busco wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> It seems opentaps is going to use GWT.
>>>>>>>>> Shouldn't we consider using it?
>>>>>>>>> -Bruno
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> 2009/2/2 Jeroen van der Wal <jv...@stromboli.it>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Dear Harmeet,
>>>>>>>>>> Your GWT approach sounds promising. Could you share more details with
>>>>>>>>>> us on how you did it and perhaps supply some code?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>> -Jeroen
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> On Sat, Jan 24, 2009 at 2:27 PM, Bilgin Ibryam <bi...@iguanait.com>
>>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Hi Harmeet,
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Can you show any demo or POC code for gwt integrated with ofbiz?
>>>>>>>>>>> Do you need to compile and deploy javascipt files in ofbiz after
>>>>>>>>>>> every
>>>>>>>>>>> change in the screens?
>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks in advance
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Bilgin
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> On Dec 1, 2008, at 4:50 AM, Harmeet Bedi wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> There are a few libraries that are rich with widgets in GWT that can
>>>>>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>>>>>> applied. We started with gxt : http://extjs.com/products/gxt/. Some
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> other
>>>>>>>>>>> good candidates are smartgwt ( http://code.google.com/p/smartgwt/ )
>>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>>> default GWT toolkit and associated google projects have some decent
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> widgets
>>>>>>>>>>> too. (GWT is under apache license so compatible).
>>>>>>>>>>>> It would be very nice if Ofbiz team can consider more GWT. We could
>>>>>>>>>>>> provide code.. developer help etc. to promote this.
>>>>>>>>>>>> We could start with creating a demo that you can see and see if you
>>>>>>>>>>>> want
>>>>>>>>>>>> to evaluate this direction more. I feel GWT + HTML is a very good
>>>>>>>>>>>> choice
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>> people writing java servers.
>>>>>>>>>>>> GWT theoretically is just a mechanism where you write java code and
>>>>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>>>>> is generated into javascript and dom manipulation, but it is much
>>>>>>>>>>>> more.
>>>>>>>>>>>> - Strong typing in java, debugger support makes it far more
>>>>>>>>>>>> productive
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>> reliable to create rich applications.
>>>>>>>>>>>> - Due to better approach applied with GWT to rich
>>>>>>>>>>>> javascript/ajax/dhtml
>>>>>>>>>>>> applications.. one can now write much more complex user interfaces.
>>>>>>>>>>>> i.e.
>>>>>>>>>>>> take a leap in rich web application capabilities. i.e. write an
>>>>>>>>>>>> entire
>>>>>>>>>>>> webpos in gwt vs. very hard and buggy to write one entirely in
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> javascript.
>>>>>>>>>>> - Can retain HTML as the frame of application and gwt widgets can
>>>>>>>>>>> contain
>>>>>>>>>>> html. GWT and ftl templates can play together. So low barrier of
>>>>>>>>>>> entry,
>>>>>>>>>>>> simple nature of web 1.0 is retained.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Harmeet
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
>
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Re: different approach to remote UI

Posted by Raj Saini <ra...@gmail.com>.
Last week, I integrate Eclipse RAP (http://www.eclipse.org/rap/) with 
OFBiz to tryout the the cool AJAX and OSGi stuff. The rapdemo 
application worked well. This could be a good alternative to the desktop 
rich client application (Of course not the default OFBiz UI).

Thanks,

Raj

BJ Freeman wrote:
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> Hash: SHA1
>
> it is a combination applet/application that can be detached from a
> webpage and used Standalone.
> there is one module in it that communicates with ofbiz as you say
> client/server, but not in the traditional way. That is the one the is
> mostly updated.
> What it achieves is very loose coupling to ofbiz. It only deals with
> data presented from ofbiz webpages and Sending Data back as if a user
> did something on the ofbiz webpage.
>
> so I have a very rich UI for the user. Similar to the Eclipse UI.
>
>
> Bruno Busco sent the following on 2/5/2009 11:57 AM:
>   
>> BJ,
>> I am interested in better understand how the architecture you describe works.
>> Is this a client-server architecture?
>> I mean a java swing application running on the client that make
>> requestes to the OFBiz server?
>>
>> Thank you,
>> -Bruno
>>
>> 2009/2/5 BJ Freeman <bj...@free-man.net>:
>> I agree with David.
>> But if someone want to go to the trouble of doing the code I don't see
>> why it can't be put in the jira for someone to use if they want to.
>> Just as a heads up I use the current screens in my remote UI(java swing).
>> my app reads the screens, generates the equivalent in the UI i have, and
>> sends the changes as if a user does it.
>> This allows ofbiz to keep it dynamics, and allow my users to have a
>> intuitive UI.
>>
>> As ofbiz screens change at the browser level, then I have one module in
>> my code that gets updated.
>>
>> as far as "Remote" UI's I think they should be designed at arms length
>> to ofbiz.
>> that is what SOap is suppose to do.
>> so maybe getting Soap more robust would be one way.
>>
>> David E Jones sent the following on 2/4/2009 4:33 PM:
>>     
>>>>> On Feb 4, 2009, at 3:49 PM, Bruno Busco wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>           
>>>>>> ...and GWT is Apache licensed !
>>>>>>             
>>>>> That does make is easier to include... but isn't really a reason to use
>>>>> it... ;)
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>           
>>>>>> 2009/2/4 Bruno Busco <br...@gmail.com>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> Well...
>>>>>>> ...to have something similar to this in the OFBiz UI :
>>>>>>> http://opensourcestrategies.com/images/opentaps_gwt_demo.htm
>>>>>>>               
>>>>> I don't know about others, but so far if OSS decides to do something in
>>>>> opentaps I take it as a good reason to NOT do the same in OFBiz. :)
>>>>>
>>>>> Quite a few of the things in that little recording are already supported
>>>>> in the form and screen widgets (with demos in the Example app), and
>>>>> other things could certainly be done.
>>>>>
>>>>> The question is... how does GWT compare to other options? You can
>>>>> probably find dozens of emails on this topic in the archives if you're
>>>>> interested (ie comparing them to other JavaScript/AJAX libraries like
>>>>> prototype and dojo and such).
>>>>>
>>>>> AFAIK no one has done an adequate comparison of these technologies for
>>>>> what we want to do in OFBiz (or what users of OFBiz want to do, more to
>>>>> the point), but IMO we have more flexibility with our current tools, and
>>>>> not requiring the translation it makes it easier to debug and do funky
>>>>> things if needed... and as for overall development efficiency... I
>>>>> dunno, but my guess is the current approach is better so unless we find
>>>>> good reasons to move to GWT or something pushes it and does neat things
>>>>> with it that make it into the project, we probably won't use it much.
>>>>>
>>>>> -David
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>           
>>>>>>> 2009/2/4 David E Jones <da...@hotwaxmedia.com>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>>>> What for?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> -David
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Feb 4, 2009, at 2:52 PM, Bruno Busco wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> It seems opentaps is going to use GWT.
>>>>>>>>                 
>>>>>>>>> Shouldn't we consider using it?
>>>>>>>>> -Bruno
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> 2009/2/2 Jeroen van der Wal <jv...@stromboli.it>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Dear Harmeet,
>>>>>>>>>                   
>>>>>>>>>> Your GWT approach sounds promising. Could you share more details with
>>>>>>>>>> us on how you did it and perhaps supply some code?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>>> -Jeroen
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> On Sat, Jan 24, 2009 at 2:27 PM, Bilgin Ibryam <bi...@iguanait.com>
>>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>                     
>>>>>>>>>>> Hi Harmeet,
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Can you show any demo or POC code for gwt integrated with ofbiz?
>>>>>>>>>>> Do you need to compile and deploy javascipt files in ofbiz after
>>>>>>>>>>> every
>>>>>>>>>>> change in the screens?
>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks in advance
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Bilgin
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> On Dec 1, 2008, at 4:50 AM, Harmeet Bedi wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> There are a few libraries that are rich with widgets in GWT that can
>>>>>>>>>>>                       
>>>>>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>>>>>> applied. We started with gxt : http://extjs.com/products/gxt/. Some
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>                         
>>>>>>>>>>> other
>>>>>>>>>>> good candidates are smartgwt ( http://code.google.com/p/smartgwt/ )
>>>>>>>>>>>                       
>>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>>> default GWT toolkit and associated google projects have some decent
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>                         
>>>>>>>>>>> widgets
>>>>>>>>>>> too. (GWT is under apache license so compatible).
>>>>>>>>>>>                       
>>>>>>>>>>>> It would be very nice if Ofbiz team can consider more GWT. We could
>>>>>>>>>>>> provide code.. developer help etc. to promote this.
>>>>>>>>>>>> We could start with creating a demo that you can see and see if you
>>>>>>>>>>>> want
>>>>>>>>>>>> to evaluate this direction more. I feel GWT + HTML is a very good
>>>>>>>>>>>> choice
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>                         
>>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>>> people writing java servers.
>>>>>>>>>>>                       
>>>>>>>>>>>> GWT theoretically is just a mechanism where you write java code and
>>>>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>>>>> is generated into javascript and dom manipulation, but it is much
>>>>>>>>>>>> more.
>>>>>>>>>>>> - Strong typing in java, debugger support makes it far more
>>>>>>>>>>>> productive
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>                         
>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>> reliable to create rich applications.
>>>>>>>>>>>                       
>>>>>>>>>>>> - Due to better approach applied with GWT to rich
>>>>>>>>>>>> javascript/ajax/dhtml
>>>>>>>>>>>> applications.. one can now write much more complex user interfaces.
>>>>>>>>>>>> i.e.
>>>>>>>>>>>> take a leap in rich web application capabilities. i.e. write an
>>>>>>>>>>>> entire
>>>>>>>>>>>> webpos in gwt vs. very hard and buggy to write one entirely in
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>                         
>>>>>>>>>>> javascript.
>>>>>>>>>>> - Can retain HTML as the frame of application and gwt widgets can
>>>>>>>>>>> contain
>>>>>>>>>>> html. GWT and ftl templates can play together. So low barrier of
>>>>>>>>>>> entry,
>>>>>>>>>>>                       
>>>>>>>>>>>> simple nature of web 1.0 is retained.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Harmeet
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>                         
>>>>>>>>>>>                       
>>>>>           
>
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>   


Re: different approach to remote UI

Posted by BJ Freeman <bj...@free-man.net>.
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

it is a combination applet/application that can be detached from a
webpage and used Standalone.
there is one module in it that communicates with ofbiz as you say
client/server, but not in the traditional way. That is the one the is
mostly updated.
What it achieves is very loose coupling to ofbiz. It only deals with
data presented from ofbiz webpages and Sending Data back as if a user
did something on the ofbiz webpage.

so I have a very rich UI for the user. Similar to the Eclipse UI.


Bruno Busco sent the following on 2/5/2009 11:57 AM:
> BJ,
> I am interested in better understand how the architecture you describe works.
> Is this a client-server architecture?
> I mean a java swing application running on the client that make
> requestes to the OFBiz server?
> 
> Thank you,
> -Bruno
> 
> 2009/2/5 BJ Freeman <bj...@free-man.net>:
> I agree with David.
> But if someone want to go to the trouble of doing the code I don't see
> why it can't be put in the jira for someone to use if they want to.
> Just as a heads up I use the current screens in my remote UI(java swing).
> my app reads the screens, generates the equivalent in the UI i have, and
> sends the changes as if a user does it.
> This allows ofbiz to keep it dynamics, and allow my users to have a
> intuitive UI.
> 
> As ofbiz screens change at the browser level, then I have one module in
> my code that gets updated.
> 
> as far as "Remote" UI's I think they should be designed at arms length
> to ofbiz.
> that is what SOap is suppose to do.
> so maybe getting Soap more robust would be one way.
> 
> David E Jones sent the following on 2/4/2009 4:33 PM:
>>>> On Feb 4, 2009, at 3:49 PM, Bruno Busco wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> ...and GWT is Apache licensed !
>>>> That does make is easier to include... but isn't really a reason to use
>>>> it... ;)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> 2009/2/4 Bruno Busco <br...@gmail.com>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Well...
>>>>>> ...to have something similar to this in the OFBiz UI :
>>>>>> http://opensourcestrategies.com/images/opentaps_gwt_demo.htm
>>>> I don't know about others, but so far if OSS decides to do something in
>>>> opentaps I take it as a good reason to NOT do the same in OFBiz. :)
>>>>
>>>> Quite a few of the things in that little recording are already supported
>>>> in the form and screen widgets (with demos in the Example app), and
>>>> other things could certainly be done.
>>>>
>>>> The question is... how does GWT compare to other options? You can
>>>> probably find dozens of emails on this topic in the archives if you're
>>>> interested (ie comparing them to other JavaScript/AJAX libraries like
>>>> prototype and dojo and such).
>>>>
>>>> AFAIK no one has done an adequate comparison of these technologies for
>>>> what we want to do in OFBiz (or what users of OFBiz want to do, more to
>>>> the point), but IMO we have more flexibility with our current tools, and
>>>> not requiring the translation it makes it easier to debug and do funky
>>>> things if needed... and as for overall development efficiency... I
>>>> dunno, but my guess is the current approach is better so unless we find
>>>> good reasons to move to GWT or something pushes it and does neat things
>>>> with it that make it into the project, we probably won't use it much.
>>>>
>>>> -David
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>> 2009/2/4 David E Jones <da...@hotwaxmedia.com>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> What for?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> -David
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Feb 4, 2009, at 2:52 PM, Bruno Busco wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> It seems opentaps is going to use GWT.
>>>>>>>> Shouldn't we consider using it?
>>>>>>>> -Bruno
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> 2009/2/2 Jeroen van der Wal <jv...@stromboli.it>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Dear Harmeet,
>>>>>>>>> Your GWT approach sounds promising. Could you share more details with
>>>>>>>>> us on how you did it and perhaps supply some code?
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>>>> -Jeroen
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Sat, Jan 24, 2009 at 2:27 PM, Bilgin Ibryam <bi...@iguanait.com>
>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Hi Harmeet,
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Can you show any demo or POC code for gwt integrated with ofbiz?
>>>>>>>>>> Do you need to compile and deploy javascipt files in ofbiz after
>>>>>>>>>> every
>>>>>>>>>> change in the screens?
>>>>>>>>>> Thanks in advance
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Bilgin
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> On Dec 1, 2008, at 4:50 AM, Harmeet Bedi wrote:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> There are a few libraries that are rich with widgets in GWT that can
>>>>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>>>>> applied. We started with gxt : http://extjs.com/products/gxt/. Some
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> other
>>>>>>>>>> good candidates are smartgwt ( http://code.google.com/p/smartgwt/ )
>>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>>> default GWT toolkit and associated google projects have some decent
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> widgets
>>>>>>>>>> too. (GWT is under apache license so compatible).
>>>>>>>>>>> It would be very nice if Ofbiz team can consider more GWT. We could
>>>>>>>>>>> provide code.. developer help etc. to promote this.
>>>>>>>>>>> We could start with creating a demo that you can see and see if you
>>>>>>>>>>> want
>>>>>>>>>>> to evaluate this direction more. I feel GWT + HTML is a very good
>>>>>>>>>>> choice
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> people writing java servers.
>>>>>>>>>>> GWT theoretically is just a mechanism where you write java code and
>>>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>>>> is generated into javascript and dom manipulation, but it is much
>>>>>>>>>>> more.
>>>>>>>>>>> - Strong typing in java, debugger support makes it far more
>>>>>>>>>>> productive
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>>> reliable to create rich applications.
>>>>>>>>>>> - Due to better approach applied with GWT to rich
>>>>>>>>>>> javascript/ajax/dhtml
>>>>>>>>>>> applications.. one can now write much more complex user interfaces.
>>>>>>>>>>> i.e.
>>>>>>>>>>> take a leap in rich web application capabilities. i.e. write an
>>>>>>>>>>> entire
>>>>>>>>>>> webpos in gwt vs. very hard and buggy to write one entirely in
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> javascript.
>>>>>>>>>> - Can retain HTML as the frame of application and gwt widgets can
>>>>>>>>>> contain
>>>>>>>>>> html. GWT and ftl templates can play together. So low barrier of
>>>>>>>>>> entry,
>>>>>>>>>>> simple nature of web 1.0 is retained.
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Harmeet
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>

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Re: different approach to remote UI

Posted by Bruno Busco <br...@gmail.com>.
BJ,
I am interested in better understand how the architecture you describe works.
Is this a client-server architecture?
I mean a java swing application running on the client that make
requestes to the OFBiz server?

Thank you,
-Bruno

2009/2/5 BJ Freeman <bj...@free-man.net>:
> -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
> Hash: SHA1
>
> I agree with David.
> But if someone want to go to the trouble of doing the code I don't see
> why it can't be put in the jira for someone to use if they want to.
> Just as a heads up I use the current screens in my remote UI(java swing).
> my app reads the screens, generates the equivalent in the UI i have, and
> sends the changes as if a user does it.
> This allows ofbiz to keep it dynamics, and allow my users to have a
> intuitive UI.
>
> As ofbiz screens change at the browser level, then I have one module in
> my code that gets updated.
>
> as far as "Remote" UI's I think they should be designed at arms length
> to ofbiz.
> that is what SOap is suppose to do.
> so maybe getting Soap more robust would be one way.
>
> David E Jones sent the following on 2/4/2009 4:33 PM:
>>
>> On Feb 4, 2009, at 3:49 PM, Bruno Busco wrote:
>>
>>> ...and GWT is Apache licensed !
>>
>> That does make is easier to include... but isn't really a reason to use
>> it... ;)
>>
>>
>>> 2009/2/4 Bruno Busco <br...@gmail.com>
>>>
>>>> Well...
>>>> ...to have something similar to this in the OFBiz UI :
>>>> http://opensourcestrategies.com/images/opentaps_gwt_demo.htm
>>
>> I don't know about others, but so far if OSS decides to do something in
>> opentaps I take it as a good reason to NOT do the same in OFBiz. :)
>>
>> Quite a few of the things in that little recording are already supported
>> in the form and screen widgets (with demos in the Example app), and
>> other things could certainly be done.
>>
>> The question is... how does GWT compare to other options? You can
>> probably find dozens of emails on this topic in the archives if you're
>> interested (ie comparing them to other JavaScript/AJAX libraries like
>> prototype and dojo and such).
>>
>> AFAIK no one has done an adequate comparison of these technologies for
>> what we want to do in OFBiz (or what users of OFBiz want to do, more to
>> the point), but IMO we have more flexibility with our current tools, and
>> not requiring the translation it makes it easier to debug and do funky
>> things if needed... and as for overall development efficiency... I
>> dunno, but my guess is the current approach is better so unless we find
>> good reasons to move to GWT or something pushes it and does neat things
>> with it that make it into the project, we probably won't use it much.
>>
>> -David
>>
>>
>>>> 2009/2/4 David E Jones <da...@hotwaxmedia.com>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> What for?
>>>>>
>>>>> -David
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Feb 4, 2009, at 2:52 PM, Bruno Busco wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> It seems opentaps is going to use GWT.
>>>>>> Shouldn't we consider using it?
>>>>>> -Bruno
>>>>>>
>>>>>> 2009/2/2 Jeroen van der Wal <jv...@stromboli.it>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Dear Harmeet,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Your GWT approach sounds promising. Could you share more details with
>>>>>>> us on how you did it and perhaps supply some code?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>>> -Jeroen
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Sat, Jan 24, 2009 at 2:27 PM, Bilgin Ibryam <bi...@iguanait.com>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi Harmeet,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Can you show any demo or POC code for gwt integrated with ofbiz?
>>>>>>>> Do you need to compile and deploy javascipt files in ofbiz after
>>>>>>>> every
>>>>>>>> change in the screens?
>>>>>>>> Thanks in advance
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Bilgin
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Dec 1, 2008, at 4:50 AM, Harmeet Bedi wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> There are a few libraries that are rich with widgets in GWT that can
>>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>>> applied. We started with gxt : http://extjs.com/products/gxt/. Some
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> other
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> good candidates are smartgwt ( http://code.google.com/p/smartgwt/ )
>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>> default GWT toolkit and associated google projects have some decent
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> widgets
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> too. (GWT is under apache license so compatible).
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> It would be very nice if Ofbiz team can consider more GWT. We could
>>>>>>>>> provide code.. developer help etc. to promote this.
>>>>>>>>> We could start with creating a demo that you can see and see if you
>>>>>>>>> want
>>>>>>>>> to evaluate this direction more. I feel GWT + HTML is a very good
>>>>>>>>> choice
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> people writing java servers.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> GWT theoretically is just a mechanism where you write java code and
>>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>>> is generated into javascript and dom manipulation, but it is much
>>>>>>>>> more.
>>>>>>>>> - Strong typing in java, debugger support makes it far more
>>>>>>>>> productive
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> reliable to create rich applications.
>>>>>>>>> - Due to better approach applied with GWT to rich
>>>>>>>>> javascript/ajax/dhtml
>>>>>>>>> applications.. one can now write much more complex user interfaces.
>>>>>>>>> i.e.
>>>>>>>>> take a leap in rich web application capabilities. i.e. write an
>>>>>>>>> entire
>>>>>>>>> webpos in gwt vs. very hard and buggy to write one entirely in
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> javascript.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> - Can retain HTML as the frame of application and gwt widgets can
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> contain
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> html. GWT and ftl templates can play together. So low barrier of
>>>>>>>> entry,
>>>>>>>>> simple nature of web 1.0 is retained.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Harmeet
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>
>>
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Re: different approach to remote UI

Posted by BJ Freeman <bj...@free-man.net>.
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

I agree with David.
But if someone want to go to the trouble of doing the code I don't see
why it can't be put in the jira for someone to use if they want to.
Just as a heads up I use the current screens in my remote UI(java swing).
my app reads the screens, generates the equivalent in the UI i have, and
sends the changes as if a user does it.
This allows ofbiz to keep it dynamics, and allow my users to have a
intuitive UI.

As ofbiz screens change at the browser level, then I have one module in
my code that gets updated.

as far as "Remote" UI's I think they should be designed at arms length
to ofbiz.
that is what SOap is suppose to do.
so maybe getting Soap more robust would be one way.

David E Jones sent the following on 2/4/2009 4:33 PM:
> 
> On Feb 4, 2009, at 3:49 PM, Bruno Busco wrote:
> 
>> ...and GWT is Apache licensed !
> 
> That does make is easier to include... but isn't really a reason to use
> it... ;)
> 
> 
>> 2009/2/4 Bruno Busco <br...@gmail.com>
>>
>>> Well...
>>> ...to have something similar to this in the OFBiz UI :
>>> http://opensourcestrategies.com/images/opentaps_gwt_demo.htm
> 
> I don't know about others, but so far if OSS decides to do something in
> opentaps I take it as a good reason to NOT do the same in OFBiz. :)
> 
> Quite a few of the things in that little recording are already supported
> in the form and screen widgets (with demos in the Example app), and
> other things could certainly be done.
> 
> The question is... how does GWT compare to other options? You can
> probably find dozens of emails on this topic in the archives if you're
> interested (ie comparing them to other JavaScript/AJAX libraries like
> prototype and dojo and such).
> 
> AFAIK no one has done an adequate comparison of these technologies for
> what we want to do in OFBiz (or what users of OFBiz want to do, more to
> the point), but IMO we have more flexibility with our current tools, and
> not requiring the translation it makes it easier to debug and do funky
> things if needed... and as for overall development efficiency... I
> dunno, but my guess is the current approach is better so unless we find
> good reasons to move to GWT or something pushes it and does neat things
> with it that make it into the project, we probably won't use it much.
> 
> -David
> 
> 
>>> 2009/2/4 David E Jones <da...@hotwaxmedia.com>
>>>
>>>
>>>> What for?
>>>>
>>>> -David
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Feb 4, 2009, at 2:52 PM, Bruno Busco wrote:
>>>>
>>>> It seems opentaps is going to use GWT.
>>>>> Shouldn't we consider using it?
>>>>> -Bruno
>>>>>
>>>>> 2009/2/2 Jeroen van der Wal <jv...@stromboli.it>
>>>>>
>>>>> Dear Harmeet,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Your GWT approach sounds promising. Could you share more details with
>>>>>> us on how you did it and perhaps supply some code?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>> -Jeroen
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Sat, Jan 24, 2009 at 2:27 PM, Bilgin Ibryam <bi...@iguanait.com>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi Harmeet,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Can you show any demo or POC code for gwt integrated with ofbiz?
>>>>>>> Do you need to compile and deploy javascipt files in ofbiz after
>>>>>>> every
>>>>>>> change in the screens?
>>>>>>> Thanks in advance
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Bilgin
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Dec 1, 2008, at 4:50 AM, Harmeet Bedi wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> There are a few libraries that are rich with widgets in GWT that can
>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>> applied. We started with gxt : http://extjs.com/products/gxt/. Some
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> other
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> good candidates are smartgwt ( http://code.google.com/p/smartgwt/ )
>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>> default GWT toolkit and associated google projects have some decent
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> widgets
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> too. (GWT is under apache license so compatible).
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> It would be very nice if Ofbiz team can consider more GWT. We could
>>>>>>>> provide code.. developer help etc. to promote this.
>>>>>>>> We could start with creating a demo that you can see and see if you
>>>>>>>> want
>>>>>>>> to evaluate this direction more. I feel GWT + HTML is a very good
>>>>>>>> choice
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> people writing java servers.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> GWT theoretically is just a mechanism where you write java code and
>>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>>> is generated into javascript and dom manipulation, but it is much
>>>>>>>> more.
>>>>>>>> - Strong typing in java, debugger support makes it far more
>>>>>>>> productive
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> reliable to create rich applications.
>>>>>>>> - Due to better approach applied with GWT to rich
>>>>>>>> javascript/ajax/dhtml
>>>>>>>> applications.. one can now write much more complex user interfaces.
>>>>>>>> i.e.
>>>>>>>> take a leap in rich web application capabilities. i.e. write an
>>>>>>>> entire
>>>>>>>> webpos in gwt vs. very hard and buggy to write one entirely in
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> javascript.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> - Can retain HTML as the frame of application and gwt widgets can
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> contain
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> html. GWT and ftl templates can play together. So low barrier of
>>>>>>> entry,
>>>>>>>> simple nature of web 1.0 is retained.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Harmeet
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
> 
> 
> 
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Re: different approach to remote UI

Posted by David E Jones <da...@hotwaxmedia.com>.
On Feb 4, 2009, at 3:49 PM, Bruno Busco wrote:

> ...and GWT is Apache licensed !

That does make is easier to include... but isn't really a reason to  
use it... ;)


> 2009/2/4 Bruno Busco <br...@gmail.com>
>
>> Well...
>> ...to have something similar to this in the OFBiz UI :
>> http://opensourcestrategies.com/images/opentaps_gwt_demo.htm

I don't know about others, but so far if OSS decides to do something  
in opentaps I take it as a good reason to NOT do the same in OFBiz. :)

Quite a few of the things in that little recording are already  
supported in the form and screen widgets (with demos in the Example  
app), and other things could certainly be done.

The question is... how does GWT compare to other options? You can  
probably find dozens of emails on this topic in the archives if you're  
interested (ie comparing them to other JavaScript/AJAX libraries like  
prototype and dojo and such).

AFAIK no one has done an adequate comparison of these technologies for  
what we want to do in OFBiz (or what users of OFBiz want to do, more  
to the point), but IMO we have more flexibility with our current  
tools, and not requiring the translation it makes it easier to debug  
and do funky things if needed... and as for overall development  
efficiency... I dunno, but my guess is the current approach is better  
so unless we find good reasons to move to GWT or something pushes it  
and does neat things with it that make it into the project, we  
probably won't use it much.

-David


>> 2009/2/4 David E Jones <da...@hotwaxmedia.com>
>>
>>
>>> What for?
>>>
>>> -David
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Feb 4, 2009, at 2:52 PM, Bruno Busco wrote:
>>>
>>> It seems opentaps is going to use GWT.
>>>> Shouldn't we consider using it?
>>>> -Bruno
>>>>
>>>> 2009/2/2 Jeroen van der Wal <jv...@stromboli.it>
>>>>
>>>> Dear Harmeet,
>>>>>
>>>>> Your GWT approach sounds promising. Could you share more details  
>>>>> with
>>>>> us on how you did it and perhaps supply some code?
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>> -Jeroen
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sat, Jan 24, 2009 at 2:27 PM, Bilgin Ibryam <bibryam@iguanait.com 
>>>>> >
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi Harmeet,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Can you show any demo or POC code for gwt integrated with ofbiz?
>>>>>> Do you need to compile and deploy javascipt files in ofbiz  
>>>>>> after every
>>>>>> change in the screens?
>>>>>> Thanks in advance
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Bilgin
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Dec 1, 2008, at 4:50 AM, Harmeet Bedi wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> There are a few libraries that are rich with widgets in GWT  
>>>>>> that can
>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>> applied. We started with gxt : http://extjs.com/products/gxt/.  
>>>>>>> Some
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> other
>>>>>
>>>>>> good candidates are smartgwt ( http://code.google.com/p/ 
>>>>>> smartgwt/ )
>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>> default GWT toolkit and associated google projects have some  
>>>>>>> decent
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> widgets
>>>>>
>>>>>> too. (GWT is under apache license so compatible).
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> It would be very nice if Ofbiz team can consider more GWT. We  
>>>>>>> could
>>>>>>> provide code.. developer help etc. to promote this.
>>>>>>> We could start with creating a demo that you can see and see  
>>>>>>> if you
>>>>>>> want
>>>>>>> to evaluate this direction more. I feel GWT + HTML is a very  
>>>>>>> good
>>>>>>> choice
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> for
>>>>>
>>>>>> people writing java servers.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> GWT theoretically is just a mechanism where you write java  
>>>>>>> code and
>>>>>>> that
>>>>>>> is generated into javascript and dom manipulation, but it is  
>>>>>>> much
>>>>>>> more.
>>>>>>> - Strong typing in java, debugger support makes it far more  
>>>>>>> productive
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> and
>>>>>
>>>>>> reliable to create rich applications.
>>>>>>> - Due to better approach applied with GWT to rich
>>>>>>> javascript/ajax/dhtml
>>>>>>> applications.. one can now write much more complex user  
>>>>>>> interfaces.
>>>>>>> i.e.
>>>>>>> take a leap in rich web application capabilities. i.e. write  
>>>>>>> an entire
>>>>>>> webpos in gwt vs. very hard and buggy to write one entirely in
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> javascript.
>>>>>
>>>>>> - Can retain HTML as the frame of application and gwt widgets can
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> contain
>>>>>
>>>>>> html. GWT and ftl templates can play together. So low barrier  
>>>>>> of entry,
>>>>>>> simple nature of web 1.0 is retained.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Harmeet
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
>>


Re: different approach to remote UI

Posted by Bruno Busco <br...@gmail.com>.
...and GWT is Apache licensed !

2009/2/4 Bruno Busco <br...@gmail.com>

> Well...
> ...to have something similar to this in the OFBiz UI :
> http://opensourcestrategies.com/images/opentaps_gwt_demo.htm
>
> 2009/2/4 David E Jones <da...@hotwaxmedia.com>
>
>
>> What for?
>>
>> -David
>>
>>
>>
>> On Feb 4, 2009, at 2:52 PM, Bruno Busco wrote:
>>
>>  It seems opentaps is going to use GWT.
>>> Shouldn't we consider using it?
>>> -Bruno
>>>
>>> 2009/2/2 Jeroen van der Wal <jv...@stromboli.it>
>>>
>>>  Dear Harmeet,
>>>>
>>>> Your GWT approach sounds promising. Could you share more details with
>>>> us on how you did it and perhaps supply some code?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> -Jeroen
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Sat, Jan 24, 2009 at 2:27 PM, Bilgin Ibryam <bi...@iguanait.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hi Harmeet,
>>>>>
>>>>> Can you show any demo or POC code for gwt integrated with ofbiz?
>>>>> Do you need to compile and deploy javascipt files in ofbiz after every
>>>>> change in the screens?
>>>>> Thanks in advance
>>>>>
>>>>> Bilgin
>>>>>
>>>>> On Dec 1, 2008, at 4:50 AM, Harmeet Bedi wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>  There are a few libraries that are rich with widgets in GWT that can
>>>>>> be
>>>>>> applied. We started with gxt : http://extjs.com/products/gxt/. Some
>>>>>>
>>>>> other
>>>>
>>>>> good candidates are smartgwt ( http://code.google.com/p/smartgwt/ )
>>>>>> and
>>>>>> default GWT toolkit and associated google projects have some decent
>>>>>>
>>>>> widgets
>>>>
>>>>> too. (GWT is under apache license so compatible).
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It would be very nice if Ofbiz team can consider more GWT. We could
>>>>>> provide code.. developer help etc. to promote this.
>>>>>> We could start with creating a demo that you can see and see if you
>>>>>> want
>>>>>> to evaluate this direction more. I feel GWT + HTML is a very good
>>>>>> choice
>>>>>>
>>>>> for
>>>>
>>>>> people writing java servers.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> GWT theoretically is just a mechanism where you write java code and
>>>>>> that
>>>>>> is generated into javascript and dom manipulation, but it is much
>>>>>> more.
>>>>>> - Strong typing in java, debugger support makes it far more productive
>>>>>>
>>>>> and
>>>>
>>>>> reliable to create rich applications.
>>>>>> - Due to better approach applied with GWT to rich
>>>>>> javascript/ajax/dhtml
>>>>>> applications.. one can now write much more complex user interfaces.
>>>>>> i.e.
>>>>>> take a leap in rich web application capabilities. i.e. write an entire
>>>>>> webpos in gwt vs. very hard and buggy to write one entirely in
>>>>>>
>>>>> javascript.
>>>>
>>>>> - Can retain HTML as the frame of application and gwt widgets can
>>>>>>
>>>>> contain
>>>>
>>>>> html. GWT and ftl templates can play together. So low barrier of entry,
>>>>>> simple nature of web 1.0 is retained.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Harmeet
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>
>

Re: different approach to remote UI

Posted by Bruno Busco <br...@gmail.com>.
Well...
...to have something similar to this in the OFBiz UI :
http://opensourcestrategies.com/images/opentaps_gwt_demo.htm

2009/2/4 David E Jones <da...@hotwaxmedia.com>

>
> What for?
>
> -David
>
>
>
> On Feb 4, 2009, at 2:52 PM, Bruno Busco wrote:
>
>  It seems opentaps is going to use GWT.
>> Shouldn't we consider using it?
>> -Bruno
>>
>> 2009/2/2 Jeroen van der Wal <jv...@stromboli.it>
>>
>>  Dear Harmeet,
>>>
>>> Your GWT approach sounds promising. Could you share more details with
>>> us on how you did it and perhaps supply some code?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> -Jeroen
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sat, Jan 24, 2009 at 2:27 PM, Bilgin Ibryam <bi...@iguanait.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi Harmeet,
>>>>
>>>> Can you show any demo or POC code for gwt integrated with ofbiz?
>>>> Do you need to compile and deploy javascipt files in ofbiz after every
>>>> change in the screens?
>>>> Thanks in advance
>>>>
>>>> Bilgin
>>>>
>>>> On Dec 1, 2008, at 4:50 AM, Harmeet Bedi wrote:
>>>>
>>>>  There are a few libraries that are rich with widgets in GWT that can be
>>>>> applied. We started with gxt : http://extjs.com/products/gxt/. Some
>>>>>
>>>> other
>>>
>>>> good candidates are smartgwt ( http://code.google.com/p/smartgwt/ ) and
>>>>> default GWT toolkit and associated google projects have some decent
>>>>>
>>>> widgets
>>>
>>>> too. (GWT is under apache license so compatible).
>>>>>
>>>>> It would be very nice if Ofbiz team can consider more GWT. We could
>>>>> provide code.. developer help etc. to promote this.
>>>>> We could start with creating a demo that you can see and see if you
>>>>> want
>>>>> to evaluate this direction more. I feel GWT + HTML is a very good
>>>>> choice
>>>>>
>>>> for
>>>
>>>> people writing java servers.
>>>>>
>>>>> GWT theoretically is just a mechanism where you write java code and
>>>>> that
>>>>> is generated into javascript and dom manipulation, but it is much more.
>>>>> - Strong typing in java, debugger support makes it far more productive
>>>>>
>>>> and
>>>
>>>> reliable to create rich applications.
>>>>> - Due to better approach applied with GWT to rich javascript/ajax/dhtml
>>>>> applications.. one can now write much more complex user interfaces.
>>>>> i.e.
>>>>> take a leap in rich web application capabilities. i.e. write an entire
>>>>> webpos in gwt vs. very hard and buggy to write one entirely in
>>>>>
>>>> javascript.
>>>
>>>> - Can retain HTML as the frame of application and gwt widgets can
>>>>>
>>>> contain
>>>
>>>> html. GWT and ftl templates can play together. So low barrier of entry,
>>>>> simple nature of web 1.0 is retained.
>>>>>
>>>>> Harmeet
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>

Re: different approach to remote UI

Posted by David E Jones <da...@hotwaxmedia.com>.
What for?

-David


On Feb 4, 2009, at 2:52 PM, Bruno Busco wrote:

> It seems opentaps is going to use GWT.
> Shouldn't we consider using it?
> -Bruno
>
> 2009/2/2 Jeroen van der Wal <jv...@stromboli.it>
>
>> Dear Harmeet,
>>
>> Your GWT approach sounds promising. Could you share more details with
>> us on how you did it and perhaps supply some code?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> -Jeroen
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Jan 24, 2009 at 2:27 PM, Bilgin Ibryam <bi...@iguanait.com>
>> wrote:
>>> Hi Harmeet,
>>>
>>> Can you show any demo or POC code for gwt integrated with ofbiz?
>>> Do you need to compile and deploy javascipt files in ofbiz after  
>>> every
>>> change in the screens?
>>> Thanks in advance
>>>
>>> Bilgin
>>>
>>> On Dec 1, 2008, at 4:50 AM, Harmeet Bedi wrote:
>>>
>>>> There are a few libraries that are rich with widgets in GWT that  
>>>> can be
>>>> applied. We started with gxt : http://extjs.com/products/gxt/. Some
>> other
>>>> good candidates are smartgwt ( http://code.google.com/p/ 
>>>> smartgwt/ ) and
>>>> default GWT toolkit and associated google projects have some decent
>> widgets
>>>> too. (GWT is under apache license so compatible).
>>>>
>>>> It would be very nice if Ofbiz team can consider more GWT. We could
>>>> provide code.. developer help etc. to promote this.
>>>> We could start with creating a demo that you can see and see if  
>>>> you want
>>>> to evaluate this direction more. I feel GWT + HTML is a very good  
>>>> choice
>> for
>>>> people writing java servers.
>>>>
>>>> GWT theoretically is just a mechanism where you write java code  
>>>> and that
>>>> is generated into javascript and dom manipulation, but it is much  
>>>> more.
>>>> - Strong typing in java, debugger support makes it far more  
>>>> productive
>> and
>>>> reliable to create rich applications.
>>>> - Due to better approach applied with GWT to rich javascript/ajax/ 
>>>> dhtml
>>>> applications.. one can now write much more complex user  
>>>> interfaces. i.e.
>>>> take a leap in rich web application capabilities. i.e. write an  
>>>> entire
>>>> webpos in gwt vs. very hard and buggy to write one entirely in
>> javascript.
>>>> - Can retain HTML as the frame of application and gwt widgets can
>> contain
>>>> html. GWT and ftl templates can play together. So low barrier of  
>>>> entry,
>>>> simple nature of web 1.0 is retained.
>>>>
>>>> Harmeet
>>>
>>>
>>


Re: different approach to remote UI

Posted by Bruno Busco <br...@gmail.com>.
It seems opentaps is going to use GWT.
Shouldn't we consider using it?
-Bruno

2009/2/2 Jeroen van der Wal <jv...@stromboli.it>

> Dear Harmeet,
>
> Your GWT approach sounds promising. Could you share more details with
> us on how you did it and perhaps supply some code?
>
> Thanks,
> -Jeroen
>
>
> On Sat, Jan 24, 2009 at 2:27 PM, Bilgin Ibryam <bi...@iguanait.com>
> wrote:
> > Hi Harmeet,
> >
> > Can you show any demo or POC code for gwt integrated with ofbiz?
> > Do you need to compile and deploy javascipt files in ofbiz after every
> > change in the screens?
> > Thanks in advance
> >
> > Bilgin
> >
> > On Dec 1, 2008, at 4:50 AM, Harmeet Bedi wrote:
> >
> >> There are a few libraries that are rich with widgets in GWT that can be
> >> applied. We started with gxt : http://extjs.com/products/gxt/. Some
> other
> >> good candidates are smartgwt ( http://code.google.com/p/smartgwt/ ) and
> >> default GWT toolkit and associated google projects have some decent
> widgets
> >> too. (GWT is under apache license so compatible).
> >>
> >> It would be very nice if Ofbiz team can consider more GWT. We could
> >> provide code.. developer help etc. to promote this.
> >> We could start with creating a demo that you can see and see if you want
> >> to evaluate this direction more. I feel GWT + HTML is a very good choice
> for
> >> people writing java servers.
> >>
> >> GWT theoretically is just a mechanism where you write java code and that
> >> is generated into javascript and dom manipulation, but it is much more.
> >> - Strong typing in java, debugger support makes it far more productive
> and
> >> reliable to create rich applications.
> >> - Due to better approach applied with GWT to rich javascript/ajax/dhtml
> >> applications.. one can now write much more complex user interfaces. i.e.
> >> take a leap in rich web application capabilities. i.e. write an entire
> >> webpos in gwt vs. very hard and buggy to write one entirely in
> javascript.
> >> - Can retain HTML as the frame of application and gwt widgets can
> contain
> >> html. GWT and ftl templates can play together. So low barrier of entry,
> >> simple nature of web 1.0 is retained.
> >>
> >> Harmeet
> >
> >
>

Re: different approach to remote UI

Posted by Jeroen van der Wal <jv...@stromboli.it>.
Dear Harmeet,

Your GWT approach sounds promising. Could you share more details with
us on how you did it and perhaps supply some code?

Thanks,
-Jeroen


On Sat, Jan 24, 2009 at 2:27 PM, Bilgin Ibryam <bi...@iguanait.com> wrote:
> Hi Harmeet,
>
> Can you show any demo or POC code for gwt integrated with ofbiz?
> Do you need to compile and deploy javascipt files in ofbiz after every
> change in the screens?
> Thanks in advance
>
> Bilgin
>
> On Dec 1, 2008, at 4:50 AM, Harmeet Bedi wrote:
>
>> There are a few libraries that are rich with widgets in GWT that can be
>> applied. We started with gxt : http://extjs.com/products/gxt/. Some other
>> good candidates are smartgwt ( http://code.google.com/p/smartgwt/ ) and
>> default GWT toolkit and associated google projects have some decent widgets
>> too. (GWT is under apache license so compatible).
>>
>> It would be very nice if Ofbiz team can consider more GWT. We could
>> provide code.. developer help etc. to promote this.
>> We could start with creating a demo that you can see and see if you want
>> to evaluate this direction more. I feel GWT + HTML is a very good choice for
>> people writing java servers.
>>
>> GWT theoretically is just a mechanism where you write java code and that
>> is generated into javascript and dom manipulation, but it is much more.
>> - Strong typing in java, debugger support makes it far more productive and
>> reliable to create rich applications.
>> - Due to better approach applied with GWT to rich javascript/ajax/dhtml
>> applications.. one can now write much more complex user interfaces. i.e.
>> take a leap in rich web application capabilities. i.e. write an entire
>> webpos in gwt vs. very hard and buggy to write one entirely in javascript.
>> - Can retain HTML as the frame of application and gwt widgets can contain
>> html. GWT and ftl templates can play together. So low barrier of entry,
>> simple nature of web 1.0 is retained.
>>
>> Harmeet
>
>

Re: different approach to remote UI

Posted by Bilgin Ibryam <bi...@iguanait.com>.
Hi Harmeet,

Can you show any demo or POC code for gwt integrated with ofbiz?
Do you need to compile and deploy javascipt files in ofbiz after every  
change in the screens?
Thanks in advance

Bilgin

On Dec 1, 2008, at 4:50 AM, Harmeet Bedi wrote:

> There are a few libraries that are rich with widgets in GWT that can  
> be applied. We started with gxt : http://extjs.com/products/gxt/.  
> Some other good candidates are smartgwt ( http://code.google.com/p/smartgwt/ 
>  ) and default GWT toolkit and associated google projects have some  
> decent widgets too. (GWT is under apache license so compatible).
>
> It would be very nice if Ofbiz team can consider more GWT. We could  
> provide code.. developer help etc. to promote this.
> We could start with creating a demo that you can see and see if you  
> want to evaluate this direction more. I feel GWT + HTML is a very  
> good choice for people writing java servers.
>
> GWT theoretically is just a mechanism where you write java code and  
> that is generated into javascript and dom manipulation, but it is  
> much more.
> - Strong typing in java, debugger support makes it far more  
> productive and reliable to create rich applications.
> - Due to better approach applied with GWT to rich javascript/ajax/ 
> dhtml applications.. one can now write much more complex user  
> interfaces. i.e. take a leap in rich web application capabilities.  
> i.e. write an entire webpos in gwt vs. very hard and buggy to write  
> one entirely in javascript.
> - Can retain HTML as the frame of application and gwt widgets can  
> contain html. GWT and ftl templates can play together. So low  
> barrier of entry, simple nature of web 1.0 is retained.
>
> Harmeet


Re: different approach to remote UI

Posted by BJ Freeman <bj...@free-man.net>.
I believe you are equating GWT to Google Widget Tools.
I am use GWT/SWT which is pure java and has a interface similar to the
Eclipse IDE.
Just as a note:
this was my first project back in 2003 when I converted my clients from
my Database system to ofbiz.

Harmeet Bedi sent the following on 11/30/2008 6:50 PM:
> Why not use gwt to give same scope.
> 
> We spent some time writing a complete UI layer on top of ofbiz in gwt to
> make ofbiz oriented towards a niche market. We changed approach as it
> was too much work to redo entire UI layer and we felt not the right
> approach. However we are still working to do same same scope as you - a
> UI that is more rich.
> 
> Couple of things we learned that may apply to SWT were:
> - Java was not a very good domain language for UI making it cumbersome
> to be productive for large application
> - It is very nice to use HTML as the frame and embed rich elements
> 
> We are now taking the approach of adding rich elements to existing pages
> and if necessary replacing pages in parts.
> Gwt gives rich client like things in javascript and still keep app web
> page pages
> 
> 
> Here is what we have started doing with dashboard - found the current
> mypage not as pretty and myportal not yet ready.
> Wanted to pretty it up.
> 
> So framed mypage screenlets tags with portlets and portlets under a
> portal. Gives collapsible, drag drop etc. Still reuses all the work done
> (so no need to write complete new) as you are only framing html.
> 
> our new page looks something like this:
> 
> <!-- from header -->
> <script language="javascript"
> src="emforium.gwt.WidgetFactory.nocache.js"></script>
> 
> <div em-type="portal" columnWidths=".4,.6">
> <div em-type="portlet" em-children-type="html" headerVisible="true"
> heading="portlet" collapsible="true" expanded="true">
> ---- screenlets go here
> </div>
> </div>
> 
> As an example of what this gives see :
> http://extjs.com/examples/portal/portal.html
> 
> 
> The header javascript walks the entire page DOM and replaces div tags
> having em-type='rich widget' with gwt widgets. These gwt widgets could
> frame html, or be completely standalone. e.g. we are also replacing date
> selections with a gwt
> 
> We could also replace entire segments. e.g replace paginated table with
> a gwt grid.
> 
> 
> There are a few libraries that are rich with widgets in GWT that can be
> applied. We started with gxt : http://extjs.com/products/gxt/. Some
> other good candidates are smartgwt ( http://code.google.com/p/smartgwt/
> ) and default GWT toolkit and associated google projects have some
> decent widgets too. (GWT is under apache license so compatible).
> 
> It would be very nice if Ofbiz team can consider more GWT. We could
> provide code.. developer help etc. to promote this.
> We could start with creating a demo that you can see and see if you want
> to evaluate this direction more. I feel GWT + HTML is a very good choice
> for people writing java servers.
> 
> GWT theoretically is just a mechanism where you write java code and that
> is generated into javascript and dom manipulation, but it is much more.
> - Strong typing in java, debugger support makes it far more productive
> and reliable to create rich applications.
> - Due to better approach applied with GWT to rich javascript/ajax/dhtml
> applications.. one can now write much more complex user interfaces. i.e.
> take a leap in rich web application capabilities. i.e. write an entire
> webpos in gwt vs. very hard and buggy to write one entirely in javascript.
> - Can retain HTML as the frame of application and gwt widgets can
> contain html. GWT and ftl templates can play together. So low barrier of
> entry, simple nature of web 1.0 is retained.
> 
> Harmeet
> 
> On 11/30/08 8:27 PM, BJ Freeman wrote:
>> Getting ready to change how my SWT(not google) interfaces gets data from
>>  Ofbiz.
>>
>> Goals:
>> 1) allow the screens from ofbiz to drive the UI presentation.
>>    this allows the UI presentation to change as more data is added.
>> 2) return data as a web page so there is no need to reprogram ofbiz.
>> 3) allows the use of https for secure data transfer.
>>
>> Scope:
>> Can have a UI that is more rich. Keep ofbiz the same as it is now.
>>   
> 
> 
> 

Re: different approach to remote UI

Posted by BJ Freeman <bj...@free-man.net>.
Having slept on you proposal
if you can develop a handler that creates the js, taking it from ofbiz
instead of GWT file, you have great idea.

Harmeet Bedi sent the following on 11/30/2008 6:50 PM:
> Why not use gwt to give same scope.
> 
> We spent some time writing a complete UI layer on top of ofbiz in gwt to
> make ofbiz oriented towards a niche market. We changed approach as it
> was too much work to redo entire UI layer and we felt not the right
> approach. However we are still working to do same same scope as you - a
> UI that is more rich.
> 
> Couple of things we learned that may apply to SWT were:
> - Java was not a very good domain language for UI making it cumbersome
> to be productive for large application
> - It is very nice to use HTML as the frame and embed rich elements
> 
> We are now taking the approach of adding rich elements to existing pages
> and if necessary replacing pages in parts.
> Gwt gives rich client like things in javascript and still keep app web
> page pages
> 
> 
> Here is what we have started doing with dashboard - found the current
> mypage not as pretty and myportal not yet ready.
> Wanted to pretty it up.
> 
> So framed mypage screenlets tags with portlets and portlets under a
> portal. Gives collapsible, drag drop etc. Still reuses all the work done
> (so no need to write complete new) as you are only framing html.
> 
> our new page looks something like this:
> 
> <!-- from header -->
> <script language="javascript"
> src="emforium.gwt.WidgetFactory.nocache.js"></script>
> 
> <div em-type="portal" columnWidths=".4,.6">
> <div em-type="portlet" em-children-type="html" headerVisible="true"
> heading="portlet" collapsible="true" expanded="true">
> ---- screenlets go here
> </div>
> </div>
> 
> As an example of what this gives see :
> http://extjs.com/examples/portal/portal.html
> 
> 
> The header javascript walks the entire page DOM and replaces div tags
> having em-type='rich widget' with gwt widgets. These gwt widgets could
> frame html, or be completely standalone. e.g. we are also replacing date
> selections with a gwt
> 
> We could also replace entire segments. e.g replace paginated table with
> a gwt grid.
> 
> 
> There are a few libraries that are rich with widgets in GWT that can be
> applied. We started with gxt : http://extjs.com/products/gxt/. Some
> other good candidates are smartgwt ( http://code.google.com/p/smartgwt/
> ) and default GWT toolkit and associated google projects have some
> decent widgets too. (GWT is under apache license so compatible).
> 
> It would be very nice if Ofbiz team can consider more GWT. We could
> provide code.. developer help etc. to promote this.
> We could start with creating a demo that you can see and see if you want
> to evaluate this direction more. I feel GWT + HTML is a very good choice
> for people writing java servers.
> 
> GWT theoretically is just a mechanism where you write java code and that
> is generated into javascript and dom manipulation, but it is much more.
> - Strong typing in java, debugger support makes it far more productive
> and reliable to create rich applications.
> - Due to better approach applied with GWT to rich javascript/ajax/dhtml
> applications.. one can now write much more complex user interfaces. i.e.
> take a leap in rich web application capabilities. i.e. write an entire
> webpos in gwt vs. very hard and buggy to write one entirely in javascript.
> - Can retain HTML as the frame of application and gwt widgets can
> contain html. GWT and ftl templates can play together. So low barrier of
> entry, simple nature of web 1.0 is retained.
> 
> Harmeet
> 
> On 11/30/08 8:27 PM, BJ Freeman wrote:
>> Getting ready to change how my SWT(not google) interfaces gets data from
>>  Ofbiz.
>>
>> Goals:
>> 1) allow the screens from ofbiz to drive the UI presentation.
>>    this allows the UI presentation to change as more data is added.
>> 2) return data as a web page so there is no need to reprogram ofbiz.
>> 3) allows the use of https for secure data transfer.
>>
>> Scope:
>> Can have a UI that is more rich. Keep ofbiz the same as it is now.
>>   
> 
> 
> 

Re: different approach to remote UI

Posted by Sven Wesley <sv...@gmail.com>.
Just a note on the different-GUI-approach.
Were I spend my days (ie, not running my own projects) we use Adobe Flex for
server GUI development. The Java objects transfers right down to the Flex
client, one developer creates the server side Java object and another writes
the Flex code - no wrapping needed. And the old Struts-based GUI runs in
parallel without problems.



2008/12/3 Jeroen van der Wal <je...@stromboli.it>

>
> This is great, we were about to start investigating this technolgy in
> relation to OFBiz. Looking forward to some demo code! Perhaps you can start
> a wikipage as well where we can discuss this.
>
> -Jeroen
> --
> View this message in context:
> http://www.nabble.com/different-approach-to-remote-UI-tp20764673p20822623.html
> Sent from the OFBiz - Dev mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
>
>

Re: different approach to remote UI

Posted by Jeroen van der Wal <je...@stromboli.it>.
This is great, we were about to start investigating this technolgy in
relation to OFBiz. Looking forward to some demo code! Perhaps you can start
a wikipage as well where we can discuss this.

-Jeroen
-- 
View this message in context: http://www.nabble.com/different-approach-to-remote-UI-tp20764673p20822623.html
Sent from the OFBiz - Dev mailing list archive at Nabble.com.


Re: different approach to remote UI

Posted by BJ Freeman <bj...@free-man.net>.
the main point of this approach is that the fields in the SWT/GWT is
that they are generated on the fly from the screens received from ofbiz.
no data is retained in the local App.
But the tables, can be sortable, reformated for text, just like a
regular SWT/GWT.
The Shell as it were allows for basic layout that is more like what end
users are use to.




Harmeet Bedi sent the following on 11/30/2008 6:50 PM:
> Why not use gwt to give same scope.
> 
> We spent some time writing a complete UI layer on top of ofbiz in gwt to
> make ofbiz oriented towards a niche market. We changed approach as it
> was too much work to redo entire UI layer and we felt not the right
> approach. However we are still working to do same same scope as you - a
> UI that is more rich.
> 
> Couple of things we learned that may apply to SWT were:
> - Java was not a very good domain language for UI making it cumbersome
> to be productive for large application
> - It is very nice to use HTML as the frame and embed rich elements
> 
> We are now taking the approach of adding rich elements to existing pages
> and if necessary replacing pages in parts.
> Gwt gives rich client like things in javascript and still keep app web
> page pages
> 
> 
> Here is what we have started doing with dashboard - found the current
> mypage not as pretty and myportal not yet ready.
> Wanted to pretty it up.
> 
> So framed mypage screenlets tags with portlets and portlets under a
> portal. Gives collapsible, drag drop etc. Still reuses all the work done
> (so no need to write complete new) as you are only framing html.
> 
> our new page looks something like this:
> 
> <!-- from header -->
> <script language="javascript"
> src="emforium.gwt.WidgetFactory.nocache.js"></script>
> 
> <div em-type="portal" columnWidths=".4,.6">
> <div em-type="portlet" em-children-type="html" headerVisible="true"
> heading="portlet" collapsible="true" expanded="true">
> ---- screenlets go here
> </div>
> </div>
> 
> As an example of what this gives see :
> http://extjs.com/examples/portal/portal.html
> 
> 
> The header javascript walks the entire page DOM and replaces div tags
> having em-type='rich widget' with gwt widgets. These gwt widgets could
> frame html, or be completely standalone. e.g. we are also replacing date
> selections with a gwt
> 
> We could also replace entire segments. e.g replace paginated table with
> a gwt grid.
> 
> 
> There are a few libraries that are rich with widgets in GWT that can be
> applied. We started with gxt : http://extjs.com/products/gxt/. Some
> other good candidates are smartgwt ( http://code.google.com/p/smartgwt/
> ) and default GWT toolkit and associated google projects have some
> decent widgets too. (GWT is under apache license so compatible).
> 
> It would be very nice if Ofbiz team can consider more GWT. We could
> provide code.. developer help etc. to promote this.
> We could start with creating a demo that you can see and see if you want
> to evaluate this direction more. I feel GWT + HTML is a very good choice
> for people writing java servers.
> 
> GWT theoretically is just a mechanism where you write java code and that
> is generated into javascript and dom manipulation, but it is much more.
> - Strong typing in java, debugger support makes it far more productive
> and reliable to create rich applications.
> - Due to better approach applied with GWT to rich javascript/ajax/dhtml
> applications.. one can now write much more complex user interfaces. i.e.
> take a leap in rich web application capabilities. i.e. write an entire
> webpos in gwt vs. very hard and buggy to write one entirely in javascript.
> - Can retain HTML as the frame of application and gwt widgets can
> contain html. GWT and ftl templates can play together. So low barrier of
> entry, simple nature of web 1.0 is retained.
> 
> Harmeet
> 
> On 11/30/08 8:27 PM, BJ Freeman wrote:
>> Getting ready to change how my SWT(not google) interfaces gets data from
>>  Ofbiz.
>>
>> Goals:
>> 1) allow the screens from ofbiz to drive the UI presentation.
>>    this allows the UI presentation to change as more data is added.
>> 2) return data as a web page so there is no need to reprogram ofbiz.
>> 3) allows the use of https for secure data transfer.
>>
>> Scope:
>> Can have a UI that is more rich. Keep ofbiz the same as it is now.
>>   
> 
> 
> 

Re: different approach to remote UI

Posted by Harmeet Bedi <ha...@gmail.com>.
Why not use gwt to give same scope.

We spent some time writing a complete UI layer on top of ofbiz in gwt to 
make ofbiz oriented towards a niche market. We changed approach as it 
was too much work to redo entire UI layer and we felt not the right 
approach. However we are still working to do same same scope as you - a 
UI that is more rich.

Couple of things we learned that may apply to SWT were:
- Java was not a very good domain language for UI making it cumbersome 
to be productive for large application
- It is very nice to use HTML as the frame and embed rich elements

We are now taking the approach of adding rich elements to existing pages 
and if necessary replacing pages in parts.
Gwt gives rich client like things in javascript and still keep app web 
page pages


Here is what we have started doing with dashboard - found the current 
mypage not as pretty and myportal not yet ready.
Wanted to pretty it up.

So framed mypage screenlets tags with portlets and portlets under a 
portal. Gives collapsible, drag drop etc. Still reuses all the work done 
(so no need to write complete new) as you are only framing html.

our new page looks something like this:

<!-- from header -->
<script language="javascript" 
src="emforium.gwt.WidgetFactory.nocache.js"></script>

<div em-type="portal" columnWidths=".4,.6">
<div em-type="portlet" em-children-type="html" headerVisible="true" 
heading="portlet" collapsible="true" expanded="true">
---- screenlets go here
</div>
</div>

As an example of what this gives see : 
http://extjs.com/examples/portal/portal.html


The header javascript walks the entire page DOM and replaces div tags 
having em-type='rich widget' with gwt widgets. These gwt widgets could 
frame html, or be completely standalone. e.g. we are also replacing date 
selections with a gwt

We could also replace entire segments. e.g replace paginated table with 
a gwt grid.


There are a few libraries that are rich with widgets in GWT that can be 
applied. We started with gxt : http://extjs.com/products/gxt/. Some 
other good candidates are smartgwt ( http://code.google.com/p/smartgwt/ 
) and default GWT toolkit and associated google projects have some 
decent widgets too. (GWT is under apache license so compatible).

It would be very nice if Ofbiz team can consider more GWT. We could 
provide code.. developer help etc. to promote this.
We could start with creating a demo that you can see and see if you want 
to evaluate this direction more. I feel GWT + HTML is a very good choice 
for people writing java servers.

GWT theoretically is just a mechanism where you write java code and that 
is generated into javascript and dom manipulation, but it is much more.
- Strong typing in java, debugger support makes it far more productive 
and reliable to create rich applications.
- Due to better approach applied with GWT to rich javascript/ajax/dhtml 
applications.. one can now write much more complex user interfaces. i.e. 
take a leap in rich web application capabilities. i.e. write an entire 
webpos in gwt vs. very hard and buggy to write one entirely in javascript.
- Can retain HTML as the frame of application and gwt widgets can 
contain html. GWT and ftl templates can play together. So low barrier of 
entry, simple nature of web 1.0 is retained.

Harmeet

On 11/30/08 8:27 PM, BJ Freeman wrote:
> Getting ready to change how my SWT(not google) interfaces gets data from
>  Ofbiz.
>
> Goals:
> 1) allow the screens from ofbiz to drive the UI presentation.
>    this allows the UI presentation to change as more data is added.
> 2) return data as a web page so there is no need to reprogram ofbiz.
> 3) allows the use of https for secure data transfer.
>
> Scope:
> Can have a UI that is more rich. Keep ofbiz the same as it is now.
>