Re:Solving the GUI layout manager problem
on
NetBeans 5.0 Released
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· Score: 2, Insightful
The problem with visual designers is that:
a. They either muck with your code by generating/parsing code or they use a proprietary format b. you can't touch the generated code c. you need to ensure that the version of the tool your using and the generated layout code are in synch (not a problem now, but what happens to your layouts with Matisse 2.0 rolls around?) d. They require everyone to use the same tool e. and probably the most important thing, they don't handle dynamic forms
Matisse, while an accomplished tool, still suffers from these problems.
Hand coded layouts are still the way to go in my opinion.
[disclaimer - The following is promotion of a product I have commercial interest in - stop if you're offended] Now traditionally hand coding has been a real PITA, but I just released a new layout manager that solves a lot of the headaches of current layout managers. Check it out at http://www.zonelayout.com/.
You don't need to sketch out your GUI if you've got the right layout manager. Check out ZoneLayout at http://www.zonelayout.com/. It's simple, powerful, easy to learn, and through the use of a 2D reg-ex-like language, you can "see" your layout. Very cool stuff.
I would tell you to talk to Court Demas since he did what you'd like to do, but he was tragically robbed and murdered while traveling in remote parts of Peru a few months ago. Be careful while travling in remote parts of the world, especially while carrying expensive toys.
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The problem with visual designers is that:
a. They either muck with your code by generating/parsing code or they use a proprietary format
b. you can't touch the generated code
c. you need to ensure that the version of the tool your using and the generated layout code are in synch (not a problem now, but what happens to your layouts with Matisse 2.0 rolls around?)
d. They require everyone to use the same tool
e. and probably the most important thing, they don't handle dynamic forms
Matisse, while an accomplished tool, still suffers from these problems.
Hand coded layouts are still the way to go in my opinion.
[disclaimer - The following is promotion of a product I have commercial interest in - stop if you're offended]
Now traditionally hand coding has been a real PITA, but I just released a new layout manager that solves a lot of the headaches of current layout managers. Check it out at http://www.zonelayout.com/.
You don't need to sketch out your GUI if you've got the right layout manager. Check out ZoneLayout at http://www.zonelayout.com/. It's simple, powerful, easy to learn, and through the use of a 2D reg-ex-like language, you can "see" your layout. Very cool stuff.
I would tell you to talk to Court Demas since he did what you'd like to do, but he was tragically
robbed and murdered while traveling in remote parts of Peru a few months ago. Be careful while travling in remote parts of the world, especially while carrying expensive toys.