From: Steve Tuckner <SAT@...>
Date: 2001-08-16T04:29:26+09:00
Subject: [ruby-talk:19826] RE:  Ruby GUI

How about as a starting point we define some sample applications and then
code each one in Tk, GTK, Fox, and Qt. Then we try to see what can be
abstracted out as common to each and we build a GUI module (like the DBI
module) to contain these abstractions. Some sample applications could be:

1. A simple dialog box
2. A simple dialog box with nested dialogs
3. A document oriented applications with multiple windows
4. A file explorer

Also one idea not being discussed is to build the Ruby GUI on top of very
minimal OS services like BitBlt, and CreateWindow. This is the way
Smalltalk's GUI is written.

My $0.02

Steve Tuckner

-----Original Message-----
From: Hal E. Fulton [mailto:hal9000@hypermetrics.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2001 2:12 PM
To: ruby-talk@ruby-lang.org
Subject: [ruby-talk:19824] Ruby GUI


The concept of a new GUI is somewhat appealing,
though I'm not full of ideas for it.

Ben's idea of an interface spec that could be 
translated to multiple interfaces is interesting.

I think XML would be a logical choice.

In fact, given such a spec, it is conceivable that
we could write tools to generate Ruby code 
for multiple GUIs (Tk, GTK, FOX, ...) -- with 
major restrictions, of course.

I do have a crazy idea for *extreme* flexibility
in window shapes... for example, allow the 
tab-like title bar as in Plan 9 (?)... or allow
windows with rounded corners.

I also have some widget ideas that I think
are pretty good but are untested on humans. :)

And another issue:

Is it reasonable to implement something like
an X server, but simpler? I'm thinking it would
be nice to start up a graphical app via a telnet
session and be able to use it...

Hal