[GRASS-dev] Python GUI toolkits

[David Finlayson]

According to the pyGTK FAQ there is no native MacOS X support, it
requires an X server of some kind (X11 or Apple's version):

http://www.async.com.br/faq/pygtk/index.py?req=show&file=faq01.019.htp

This toolkit seems like a dead end if the goal is to liberate GRASS
from an X server (though it does look nice)




On 6/8/06, Michael Barton <michael.barton at asu.edu> wrote:
> I just downloaded and installed wxPython, Activestate's Python for Mac,and
> the wxPython sample/demo/docs package.
>
> I ran the demo and it looks great. I think that people would be thrilled to
> have this look for GRASS on a Mac.
>
> The demo code *looks* very short and easy--but I don't know what is involved
> to put it all together.
>
> A very important aspect that I don't know is if creating GUI code on my Mac
> in wxPython would run the same on Linux and Windows.
>
> Also, how easy would it be to port a piece of pyGTK code to wxPython? I
> realize that they are running different underlying platforms (though I
> noticed that the wxPython docs say you need GTK for the Linux version). But
> since they are both Python, doesn't that make the syntax somewhat similar???
>
> Can anyone advise?
>
> Michael
> __________________________________________
> Michael Barton, Professor of Anthropology
> School of Human Evolution & Social Change
> Center for Social Dynamics & Complexity
> Arizona State University
>
> phone: 480-965-6213
> fax: 480-965-7671
> www: http://www.public.asu.edu/~cmbarton
>
>
>
> > From: David Finlayson <david.p.finlayson at gmail.com>
> > Date: Wed, 7 Jun 2006 21:36:04 -0700
> > To: Glynn Clements <glynn at gclements.plus.com>
> > Cc: Michael Barton <michael.barton at asu.edu>, GRASS developers list
> > <grass-dev at grass.itc.it>
> > Subject: Re: [GRASS-dev] Python GUI toolkits
> >
> > In contrast to GTK, wxPython appears to be mature for all
> > platforms---at least there are no major warnings on the download page
> > (other than a note about Universal binaries)
> >
> > The screenshots page shows examples from all of the major platforms:
> >
> > http://www.wxpython.org/screenshots.php
> >
> > I think that the demo that comes with wxPython would be an excellent
> > test of the look and feel across platforms. Can someone try it out on
> > OSX? I know that the demo program works well on Linux (Ubuntu/Gnome =
> > GTK) and Windows. I haven't tried it on a QT system. It is impressive
> > how little code is required to build the demo programs.
> >
> > Personally, I like the idea that it will blend in with the rest of my
> > desktop. I think you get all the integration for free. The toolkit
> > abstracts out the differences between platforms. There would be no KDE
> > vs Gnome choice that needs to be made since wxWidgets handles will
> > work with QT or GTK depending on the installed packages.
> >
> > I don't really know. I've only programmed toy applications with it.
> >
> > On 6/7/06, Glynn Clements <glynn at gclements.plus.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> Michael Barton wrote:
> >>
> >>> Perhaps a more important question. The GTK apps I know of (GIMP for example)
> >>> need x11 to run on my Mac. Can GTK apps run without x11? In Aqua on Macs? In
> >>> (whatever it is) on Windows?
> >>
> >> There is a native MacOSX port of GTK under development:
> >>
> >>         http://developer.imendio.com/wiki/Gtk_Mac_OS_X
> >>
> >> However, it doesn't appear to be as mature at the Windows port yet:
> >>
> >>         http://developer.imendio.com/wiki/Gtk_Mac_OS_X/Things_to_do
> >>
> >> Of the items on that list, most seem to be related to applications
> >> which do their own low-level event handling and drawing, rather than
> >> more typical UIs built from standard widgets. Some of them could be
> >> relevant to the display canvas, though.
> >>
> >> The most serious issues seem to be:
> >>
> >>  Menus/pop up windows
> >>
> >>     * These are currently buggy and need fixing. (medium)
> >>
> >>  Miscellaneous
> >>
> >>     * Currently GTK+ runs only on Tiger. This should perhaps be fixed.
> >> (medium) #322372
> >>
> >>     * Bugs, bugs, bugs :) Just pick one and fix it! :)
> >>
> >> So far as Windows is concerned, I use GIMP, Pan and X-Chat on Windows
> >> using the native GTK port. They have a few rough edges, but those are
> >> all quite minor. The UI appearance is no less "native" than e.g.
> >> Delphi applications.
> >>
> >> Given the number of Windows users who seem willing to tolerate stuff
> >> like WinAmp, I don't see any reason to worry about the differences
> >> between GTK and the standard Windows/MFC controls.
> >>
> >> Admittedly WinAmp-style UIs don't seem to have caught on for "serious"
> >> applications, although I've seen plenty of "Easy Photo Album" programs
> >> (usually bundled with scanners, digital cameras etc) which seem to go
> >> out of their way to avoid looking like normal Windows applications
> >> (e.g. most of the icons look like they belong on a toy aimed at the
> >> pre-school age group).
> >>
> >> --
> >> Glynn Clements <glynn at gclements.plus.com>
> >>
> >
> >
> > --
> > David Finlayson
>
>


-- 
David Finlayson