As per GWT 2.7.0 (RC1) Release Note, GWT Designer is deprecated. I use the tool for some complex UI design in my project. Just don't know why this happens and what are alternatives without it.
The GWT Designer is no longer the focus of the GWT Steering Committee (Members include Google, Vaadin, Sencha etc )
As stated the code is open sourced and if anybody is interested they can take ownership of it to revive it. Going back in history Google bought the company that built the designer and utilised some parts of it initially and later on abandoned the designer with very little commits over last few years. So its been in coma for more than couple of years now with few changes added to support yearly eclipse releases.
Looking into the source -> https://github.com/gwt-plugins/gwt-designer
They are adding support for next version of eclipse too.
Of course Vaadin and Sencha have their own take on the Designer. Their focus might not be purely native GWT. Reference:
Vaadin -> https://vaadin.com/designer
Sencha ->
https://www.sencha.com/products/architect/#overview
Related
I have some xamarin.forms 1.xx( I dont know which version) project on multiple platforms Android and iOS. And I've been asked to upgrade it to the maximum available right now version of xamarin.forms.
Therefore, I have 2 questions:
1) How to determine which version of forms I'm using right now (I'm working in Windows environment using Visual Studio 2015 ).
2) How to migrate/update to newest version of forms? (step by step, if it's possible). I have no idea how the result of that kind of operation supposed to look like, cuz I have never done anything like this before in my life. And what the best practices are?
What I've done is opened VS2015->Help->Xamarin release notes, however there was nothing about version of Forms I'm using. Also, I went to the official xamarin website and there was no guide how to do that. I also tried to look at the release notes the last Forms update and trying to find and fix differences, but my project is so big and I thought that this way doesn't seems right.
I'll answer first the What are the best practice regarding upgrading a Xamarin.Forms application? first and then address your other concerns.
I recently upgraded from 1.5.1 to 2.3.2, and from my experience, this is the steps to go through:
Decide which version you will upgrade from and to.
Read the change logs for all stabled releases between these two versions and look for breaking changes/bugfixes. You can find the release notes on Xamarin's website or on NuGet's website too.
Check regularly for new releases on the Xamarin.Forms forum and check if any reported issues may affect you. Every time Xamarin makes a release, there is a thread full of comments from other developers that may have encountered issues you might be interested in.
Using your favorite versioning software, make sure that all local changes are commited or stashed and create a new branch for your Xamarin.Forms upgrade (you don't know how long the upgrade will take and you still want to be able to send patches during the process)
Upgrade: Read the Important notes at Xamarin.Forms 2.3.2 release notes, especially the When upgrading Xamarin.Forms take care not to simply "update all" as ... part. Remember to upgrade on your PCL project, on your iOS project and on your Android project.
Test your whole app on as many devices as possible and for the longest possible period before you merge your branch back into your development/master/Main branch and address the potential incompatibility issues that may have been created in your development/master/Main simultaneously.
Step 3 is very important as it will allow you to reset back to your starting point and restart if you should fail to upgrade for whatever reason.
Xamarin.Forms is moving fast so it's important that you always keep an eye on what's going on even if you don't upgrade.
Which version am I using right now?
You can check that in the NuGet package interface or in the packages.json file in your project.
I'm not a developer myself, but my company develops and supports a large web application for insurance brokers.
Since way back we've been using ExtJS 3.x and as we went further the harder it got to migrate from 3.x to 4 and now to ExtJS 5. Due to the structure of the application and demands from out customers we cannot afford to freeze development and focus on refactoring our interfaces.
But we still want to use the benefits and functionality of the ExtJS 5.
My question is - is it possible to use both versions of the framework in the same application? For example, developing new grids and modules with ExtJS 5 and gradually migrating existing forms.
Did anybody have this sort of experience? Or is it plain nonsense and will never work?
Thanks to everyone in advance.
I find this question very interesting. I had a similar challenge, when I had to migrate our in house app from legacy Jxlib to ExtJs4. Putting my experience together with #Lolo's answer here is what I can advice:
Build on a new solid foundation. You could be tempted to keep your app in ExtJs 3.0 and start grafting new ExtJs 5.0 components on it. If you really want to take advantage of all the new features of ExtJs 5.0, you should start off with a clean, simple MVC app in ExtJs 5.0, that could be as little as the main window and the main menu. You could then bind all existing menu entries to the existing ExtJs 3.0 code. This will allow you to start with a really clean thing, keeping all the old functionality, without rewriting the code, and allow you to develop all new features with clean ExtJs 5.0 code that follows current best practice recommendations.
You will face two stumbling blocks:
You have to separate the namespaces in Javascript and CSS. Here also, I would advice to change the prefixes for ExtJs 3.0, and not for Ext 5.0 (I ignore if ExtJs 5.0 includes a sandbox file). The reason behind is that all your new ExtJs 5.0 code will be standard compatible, while only the old legacy code becomes incompatible (what it is anyway already). This will represent some code refactoring though, because you would need to replace all Ext. occurrencies in all your code with Ext3. or similar (the same applies to CSS, but will be much less work). I hope for you, that ExtJs 3.0 has a sandbox version, because I think refactoring their code would be a lot of work (but not impossible).
A major feature of ExtJs 5.0 (as already for version 4.x) is the automatic building and compiling of an MVC application using Sencha Cmd. This didn't exist yet for ExtJs 3.0. I think it is crucial that you start straight away using this tool. I will allow you to really take advantage of all the enhancements (declarative programming instead of imperative, advanced MVC and MVVM features). It will radically change your coding style.
To get this work, you compile in a first step you old code in one Javascript file. Sencha Cmd must not recognize this as an Ext app. Then you simply add requires: 'Oldapp' in Application.js and ExtJs will include a file called Oldapp.js. That file should define a class Oldapp and include all the rest of your application code:
Ext.define('Oldapp', {
// Just what ever you need
})
// All the rest of the code of you old app
Then layout all the folders and files of your new code according to the MVC or MVVM specification (whatever you prefer) in the Ext doc, and Sencha Cmd will build you the whole app correctly.
I think this all allows you to take advantage of all the new features immediately, building on a clean, standard foundation with only minor code refactoring. It sounds like eat the cake and have it too, but it is possible.
But this will take a huge mental step: You must learn ExtJs 5.0 like something new and try to forget all you know already about ExtJs. You won't use Ext.ready anymore, Ext.Loader will handle this under the hood. Nor will you instantiate Ext objects from declarations (ban panel = Ext.create({xtype: 'panel', ... stuff), stick to Ext.define('Myapp.view.Mypanel' .... There are many other points where everything changed since Ext 3.0 ...
This last point is in my opinion the biggest stumbling block, much more important than the two technical points explained before: It is difficult, but crucial to reeducate yourself.
You can use sandbox version of Ext Js 5.0 and "normal" 3.0 (I don't remember if 3.0 is also available as sandbox).
Then you can change prefix for all 5.0 classes and css rules. By default it is Ext4 (not Ext5) for JS, and x4- for CSS.
To use sandbox include ext-all-sandbox.js file from build directory.
It won't work. The javascript files will clash with each other.
background
I have designed many tools in the past year or so that is designed to help me program for XPages. These tools include primarily helper java classes, extended logging (making use of OpenLogger and my own stuff), and a few other things that I personally feel I cannot work without. It has been discussed with my employer, and we feel that it might be a good idea to start publishing these items to openNTF. Since these tools are made up of about 3 .nsfs, all designed to use the same java code, key javascript classes, css, and even a custom control or two, I would like to consolidate key items into a plug-in that can be installed at the server and client level. I want to do this consolidation before I even think about publishing any of the work I've done so far. It would just be far too much work to maintain, not just for me, but for potential users. I have not really found any information on how to do such a thing in google searches. I also have to make sure that I am able to make use of the ExtLib libraries, openNTF Domino API, and the Notes API.
my questions
How does one best go about designing such plug-ins? Must a designer
use eclipse, or is this it possible to do this directly in the Notes
Designer?
How does a designer best go about keeping a server and client up to date while designing and updating the plug-in code? Is this why GitHub is often used?
Where is the best place to get material to get started in this direction? I sort of feel lost in the woods, knowing I need to head north, but not having a compass for that first step.
Thank you very much for your input.
In my experience, I found that diving into plug-in development is a huge PITA until you get used to it, but it's definitely worth it overall.
As for whether you can use Designer for plugin development: yes, but you will likely eventually want to not do so. I started out by using Designer for this sort of thing for a while, presumably with the same sentiment as you: why bother installing another instance of Eclipse when I'm already sitting in one all day? However, between Designer's age (it's roughly equivalent to, I think, Eclipse 3.4), oddities when it comes to working sets between the "Applications" and "Project Explorer" views, and, in my case, my desire to use a Mac app, I ended up switching.
There are two major starting points: the XSP Starter Kit (http://www.openntf.org/internal/home.nsf/project.xsp?name=XSP%20Starter%20Kit) and Niklas Heidloff's video on setting up Eclipse for XPages development (http://www.openntf.org/main.nsf/blog.xsp?permaLink=NHEF-8RVB5H). The latter mentions the XPages SDK (http://www.openntf.org/internal/home.nsf/project.xsp?name=XPages%20SDK%20for%20Eclipse%20RCP), which is also useful. In my setup, I found the video largely useful, but some aspects either difficult to find (IBM's downloads are shifting sands) or optional (debugging, which will depend on whether or not you're using Eclipse on Windows).
Those resources should generally get you set up. The main thing to worry about when setting up your Eclipse environment will be making sure your Plug-In Execution Environment is properly done. If you're following the SDK setup instructions, that SHOULD get you where you need to be.
The next thing to know about is the way plugins are structured. Each plugin you want to install in Designer or Domino will also be paired with a feature project (a feature can house several plugins), and potentially an update site - the last one is optional if you just want to import the features into an Update Site NSF. That's how I often do my normal plugin development: export the paired feature to a directory and then import the feature into the server's Update Site NSF and then install in Designer from there using Application -> Install. You can also set things up so that you deploy into the server's plugin/feature directories instead of taking the step of installing into an update site if you'd prefer. GitHub doesn't really come into play for this aspect - it's more about sharing/collaborating with your code and also having a remote storage location for your git repositories (which I highly advise).
And as for the "lost in the woods" feeling: yep, you'll have that for a good while. There are lots of moving parts and esoteric concepts to get a hold of all at once. If you mostly follow the above links and then start with some basics from the XSP Starter Kit (which is itself a plugin project that you can pair with a feature) - say, printing text in the Activator class and making an implicit global variable just to make sure it works - that should help get your feet wet.
It's best done in Eclipse. You can debug your code running on the server from there, as well as run it directly from there. The editors are also more up-to-date. You want:
Eclipse for RCP and RAP developers
XPages SDK for Eclipse RCP (from OpenNTF)
XPages Debug Plugin (from OpenNTF - basically allows you to load the plugins to the Domino server dynamically, rather than exporting to an Update Site all the time)
XSP Starter Kit on OpenNTF is a good starting point for a plugin. There are various references to the library id, which has to be unique for your plugin. Basically, references to org.openntf.xsp.starter need changing to whatever you want to call your plugin. You're also best advised to remove what you don't need. I tend to work in a copy of the Starter, remove stuff, build and if there are errors with required classes (Activator.java obviously will be required and some others), then paste them back in from the Starter.
XPages OpenLog Logger is a good cross-reference, that was built from XPages Starter Kit. It's pretty much stripped down and you'll be able to see what had to be changed. A lot of the elements of the XSP Starter Kit correspond to Java classes you'll probably be familiar with from your XPages Java development.
GitHub etc tend to be used as source control, which is useful for working out what's changed from time to time.
I wonder whether I should start development of a new iOS project in Xcode 4 or 3.2 - on one hand, I know 3.2 (a little), there is lots of info about it out there, and it's stable and proven. On the other hand, Xcode 4 brings some improvements as well. Are the newer previews of Xcode 4 ready for prime time, or are they still too buggy?
I'm especially interested in issues with (and recommendations of) externally hosted repositories, as I was not very happy with how Xcode 3.2 played with the Subversion repository in my last project.
Which one to choose, and which (preferably free and externally hosted) repository to match?
Today (3rd Feb 2011) Apple released the GM-Seed of xcode4. It's now ready for usage and you can compile your apps and release to the app-store. So if you are new with xcode, I would suggest using xcode4.
Why?
The new compiler has a lot of optimizations done. The compiler (as far as I can see the results) generates faster code. It's big fun!
The new Userinterface is more reliable. It makes your development a lot faster!
2a. Interface builder is now integrated. You can "drag and drop" your userinterface Item using the "ctrl"-key into your code and xcode creates the source for you! This accelerates creation of userinterfaces a lot!
git support has been added to sourcecontrol, which makes development in teams easier
The new LLVM compiler shows errors immediately while coding. And it displays errors, which xcode3 never mentioned
In xcode4 Apple changed a lot! So if you start with xcode3, you will have a new learning curve with xcode 4. For newbs I suggest: Download the xcode4 goldmaster and get startet with xcode4!
I second JackPearse's endorsement of Xcode 4, with one caveat. Been using Xcode 4 for a couple of days and am really starting to like it. Particularly like the way it shows the changes in each file as you commit. Unfortunately, when you delete a file, it forgets that it will need to be deleted in the repository as well. But the big BUT right now is that Xcode 4 will immediately crash the moment you try to do any Core Data modeling. See also XCode 4 Data Model Versioning bug? here on Stack Overflow. So, if you plan to use Core Data, you'll need to keep Xcode 3 around as well until they fix this.
JavaFX with it's binding seems great technology for building UI layer, replacing PHP+AJAX, but are there any frameworks for building database forms applications with JavaFX, or it is meant to write everything from scratch?
You should give a try to some recent libraries :
JRebirth Application Framework to structure your whole application
http://www.jrebirth.org
FXForm to manage form
http://dooapp.github.com/FXForm2/
DataFX to manage complex tables etc..
http://www.javafxdata.org
You can find more tools at http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javafx/community/3rd-party-1844355.html
Eric Bruno has a nice write up on JavaFX and Database using JavaFX Composer. See his articles at DrDobbs