Re: Ada free RAD tools development

[Juergen.Pfeifer@t-online.de (Juergen Pfeifer)]

Why don't you simply use the GTK bindings for the GUI stuff?! It runs on all UNIXes
and is currently ported to Win32. So you'll have a consistent look-and-feel.

Juergen

David Botton wrote:

> Interested in the creation of a Delphi like environment for Ada, read on:
>
> Work has already begun in this monumental project.
>
> 1. GUI Classes
> 2. RAD tools
>
> 1. Gui Classes
> ===========
>
> A complete cross platform (slated for X, Win32, and JVM) set of GUI classes
> are being implemented which will be the foundation of the frame work for
> RAD development.
>
> The following classes are already up on Win32:
>         GWindow - General top level window and basis for all windows and controls
>         GCanvas - A drawing canvas for Windows, bitmaps, etc.
>         GButton
>         GLabel
>         GPanel
>         GText_Box
>
> A specific control GActiveX for using ActiveX controls on Win32 already has
> some promise. (Much more to go)
>
> There is a working calculator example application and examples of using,
> the canvas, dynamic creation, the controls, using call backs at the library
> level, and the GNAT specific Unrestricted_Access to get around this
> restriction.
>
> The classes support extension through inheritance and through "call back"
> subroutines.
>
> Known of the controls uses Windows widgets, but instead is hand painted and
> controlled through the frame work allowing for consistent look and feel on
> all platforms. In addition, the second layer of classes that are being
> planned for extended RAD use will support pluggable "skins" for look and
> feel.
>
> For more information contact David Botton (David@Botton.com) or post to
> c.l.a., to contribute suggestions, ideas, or to help.
>
> It is the intention that these classes will work on any Ada 95 compiler
> supporting the xlib, java.awt or Win32 bindings. Although work is currently
> only being done using GNAT.
>
> 2. RAD tools
> ==========
>
> Martin Carlisle is working on using the GUI classes for his next version of
> RAPID. ftp://ftp.usafa.af.mil/pub/dfcs/carlisle/usafa/rapid/index.html
>
> RAPID - Rapid Ada Portable Interface Design Tool
>
> The will allow programmers to easily create a GUI using the above classes
> for their applications by simply drawing them.
>
> For more information contact Martin Carlisle.
>
> Future
> =====
>
> Once the initial foundations are set, a project plan will be put together
> for the creation of a full blown RAD tool, component architecture, database
> support, reporting tools, OOD tools, and much more.
>
> What you can do
> ============
>
> Even if you can not contribute time to code, write documentation, design
> icons, etc. Maybe you can help by adding your ideas and answers to
> questions like:
>
> What features would you like to see in a product like this?
> What products already exist that could be integrated with this?
> What is your dream IDE? Details!
> How could we get companies to contribute hardware, compilers, bindings,
> etc. to get this done quicker and cheaper?
>
> You want the killer App to ride the Linux wave, here it is!

--
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