Will Netbeans 7.0 be based on JFace / SWT, because of beta field test and Netcat feedback?
I was just curious and browsed yesterday night the "7.0" branch in the mercurial repository. What I found was quite interesting - a considerable amount of …SWT/JFace code.
It seems like major portion of the workbench code was migrated to this proprietary "Eclipse UI technology". Digging deeper into the module subsystem I found some OSGI manifests and .ini-files as well.
I asked Sun directly about this unexpected direction and got some strange answers. It seems like Swing poor responsiveness and performance, as well as lack of portability forced the team to experiment with SWT / JFace. Users / developers complained about the current native look and feel support… Portions of the Matisse UI-builder were already ported to support SWT/JFace - the JSF visual designer should be available as an Eclipse feature.
Several hours later the whole branch simply disappeared - which makes it even more interesting.
I'm already looking forward to the JavaONE conference - propably it will be one of the "hot news" like introducing "NetClipse" :-).
However I will miss the Netbeans 6.1 l&f - I actually really liked - it was fresh and different. I'm only curious what happens to Java FX….
THIS ENTRY WAS POSTED AT 01.04. The only thing what is true, is my excitement about going to JavaONE :-).
I think that branches of code like that just (dis)appearing out of the blue aint a behaviour quite unexpected on April 1st... ;)
K.
Posted by kawazu on April 01, 2008 at 10:53 AM CEST #
Yes, this step has been planned by Sun since early 2007. But there will be two NetBeans 7 versions, the SWT/JFace one and a web version. See also: http://blogs.sun.com/roumen/entry/netbeans_7_0_plans_uncovered
Posted by Ramon.Ramos on April 01, 2008 at 11:00 AM CEST #
hmm, there are indeed similarities to the eclipse roadmap:
http://java.dzone.com/news/microsoft-help-improve-vista-s
I have posted a short writeup about other key features of NetBeans 7.0 on my blog.
Posted by Michael Bien on April 01, 2008 at 01:53 PM CEST #
That's really embarrassing to Sun guys, cause they always talk about "pure Java"
Posted by 203.193.41.132 on April 01, 2008 at 02:02 PM CEST #
203.193.41.132,
you are right, it seem like "pure Java" is a dead end. I actually was always a huge fan of SWT and JFace.
Your name is a little bit funny - are you a robot? :-)
regards,
adam
Posted by Adam Bien on April 01, 2008 at 03:25 PM CEST #
I really love SWT too. Also RCP-Apps that just look like Eclipse.
Posted by Ramon.Ramos on April 01, 2008 at 04:23 PM CEST #
Note today's date...I suspect this is an April Fools joke.
Posted by hohonuuli on April 01, 2008 at 08:20 PM CEST #
Adam Bien,
You got me yesterday, I was not aware yesterday is a special day.
BTW, I'm a man - from Mars :)
Your blog system doesn't have a validation for blank Name
Posted by Kevin Ma on April 02, 2008 at 07:21 AM CEST #