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Developing Applications with KJSEmbed
Rich writes "Ian Geiser of SourceXtreme has released an interesting HOWTO showing how you can use KDE's embedded JavaScript tool to write quick-and-dirty apps. The apps can use the features of Qt and KDE to pack a lot of punch for a small amount of code. You can find it on his website."
All this is fine, but really what Free Software needs is a tool like Visual Basic (the later versions) that
a) works
2) can take VB and convert
d) can compile nicely to multiple architectures.
As far as I know, nothing like this is available for GNU/Linux. The nearest thing I know like this, is RealBasic for Mac - now can produce binaries for X86, but it's not free.
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I wish someone in linux would implement a system that mimics the functionality of apple script. before people go off flaming me, let me explain for those who don't know what it does. apple script basically lets you set hooks in the program in a standard way so that anyone can script an application by manipulating objects in the program. the program registers with the applescript by giving it a list of all the objects it has and the methods these objects have that you can call on them. it's a very clean interface, and requries little extra work from the developers (which is nice). even if this does exist for KDE/gnome.. it's under documented, or no one uses it!
- tristan
actually the open is wrong, you would have to use KIO::NetAccess instead. That and the fact that you would have to pass the mp3 file to something like KNofity, or an open media player with a play interface. At least if you are going to be asinine, at least try your script first.
Ok I don't use KDE (or Gnome for that matter) because of their bloated size. This probably goes someway to explaining why they're such monstrosities. I'm sure some KDE fanatic moderator
will mod me down for this but all I want from a window manager (don't give me this "its an enviroment crud") is to display windows. I want the apps to do what I need , NOT the code running
the eye candy around them.
Javascript is not embedded in KDE. KJSEmbed is a set of Javascript bindings built on top of KDE Javascript implementation. this is no different than, say, Python or Java bindings. where it does deviate is that it is possible for an application to embed the KJS engine and thereby use KJSEmbed internally as a scripting option should it so choose. but it isn't like KJSEmbed is loaded whenever you start up KDE, or even the overwhelming majority of KDE apps for that matter.
;-)
that said, one of the beautiful things about open source / Free software is choice. go crazy with your window manager only set up, and have fun with it! i'm glad you aren't forced to use something that doesn't fit your style and/or needs!
all the same, it's only fair to be accurate. your viewpoint on "eye candy" derivative code trying to do "what you need" rather than the apps themselves is a rather inaccurate statement on how things work. desktop environments aren't for everyone (you being an example of that), but at least you could get your derision right
Also, maybe you could set up a sourceforge page?
thanks!
I'm using the less extravagant version, Qt+QSA which is the core of this framework. We're using it because we're embedded and need the space so we can't have KDE on there. We get crossplatform architecture independence. We don't need to know or care about what the target processor is. And we can link it into our existing MFC app.
I can say that it is quite impressive. It can replace wxPython, and even Mozilla and Java for application development.
In the future my home projects will be done in KJSEmbed just because the Qt/KDE stuff is so easy to work with.
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If you hate it so much, then don't use it.
I can't stand it when people bitch and moan about a some technology being too <negative_adjective> when it comes to open source. (Especially when people like you make complaints and don't even bother to substantiate them in any way. What you offer is purely opinion.) If you're in a position to use KDE, then you are not using Windows. If you are not using Windows, then you are in a position of choice.
And that's really the whole point, isn't it?
KDE is a desktop environment, not a window manager like you are asking for. In this case, KDE is trying to provide a platform that is both easy to use and serves the needs of rapid application development. These are things that will help make it a more viable alternative to Windows and tools like VisualBASIC which can be great for quick prototyping. Of course, I don't know what the point is of defending it on these grounds. It's a tool, one of many, well suited to certain tasks and perhaps not so well suited to others.
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Its a complete desktop environment, with all the features, libraries, intercommunications, coding standards, and all bells and whistles that go along with an 'environment'.
If you just want a window manager, then KDE isn't your best choice in the first place...
Please try to compare apples to apples...
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