Open discussion on Euphoria
- Posted by Gianfranco <g.malagnini at tin.it> Feb 09, 2005
- 452 views
Open discussion on Euphoria I would like to check with people better experienced and informed about Euphoria projects the following ideas regarding this interesting and attracting product, for which I do not perceive RDS plans aimed to directly develop an important tool necessary to operate in the Windows environment and to assure new users to Euphoria in the future. RDS, developing Euphoria, had as targets the simplicity of programming, the run time performances and its utilization on many platforms, all excellent and reached objectives. Few years ago RDS noticed the general user expectations for Data Base applications and developed its own solution, aimed to simplicity and integration with the existing Euphoria technology; correctly did not emulate larger Db systems to stay in line with its development principles. Now however Euphoria, at least in the Windows area, is facing new user expectations, perhaps difficult to satisfy also because of the existing multiplatform objective: the need of a Visual GUI. In this area RDS is supporting the external Win32Lib and IDE projects, but obviously leaves to the users the responsibility to cope with the complexity of three separated peaces of software, coming from different developer groups. The solution of Win32Lib is technically excellent but more suitable for advanced programmers and not in line with the simplicity, objective of Euphoria (think to the 400 pages of the Win32Lib manual). I see a contrast between Win32Lib and its IDE companion: the library is a powerful tool for experienced programmers, the experienced programmers do not need any IDE and certainly prefer to directly access the library functions, IDE is necessary for basic or new users, but they should not have to manage the large library. The Euphoria interpreted environment, in addition, is not easy to move to the users of the developed applications; especially for the less experienced people, Win32Lib extends this problem due to the involved large files and the additional setup complexity. RDS, while supporting the external Win32Lib solution for expert programmers, should provide a simple, basic VGUI solution embedded in Euphoria, as done with the data base. Euphoria, in the Windows environment, without VGUI, is practically a 32 bit DOS development application only. There are some projects, like EuWinGui of Mr. Andrea Cini, offering basic, effective and simple solution, where the library for Windows is absolutely transparent to the IDE users, but this also is an external product. In any case, if no RDS developed VGUI will be provided there is the need for a stable external developer, capable of assuring a simple VGUI, its maintenance and its upgrades, better if with an integrated editor, free or shareware. Sorry for the long story and thanks for your attention and comments. Gianfranco