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Video equipment rental costs paid for by PeepCode screencasts.
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Today's talk is about Anvil, a desktop application framework in Ruby.
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By a show of hands, how many of you have actually done desktop application work? That's quite a few; that's impressive.
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So, the goal of this talk is to get contributors interested in desktop application work.
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Before we proceed, I wanted to introduce myself. My name is actually Lancelot—no sir prefix; you can confirm that with my license after the talk. It's not John C., although that's close.
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This is my consultancy, Ruby Skills. I am currently in the editing phase of a book I'm co-authoring with Bruce Tate, which should be released in October. It's a perfect reference for those new to Rails.
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Now, back to the real topic. The goal of Anvil is to develop applications. It's common to define it as an application framework; however, its goal extends beyond that. It serves also as an integration framework, combining the necessary components to create a successful application.
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At the moment, there exists a lot of fragmentation in the Ruby desktop application space. The view component is the only one that has been fulfilled; there are no established connections to the data layer, which is essential for the majority of applications unless you're creating something very simple such as a timer application.
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Anvil is not just an application framework; it also acts as an integration framework. Let’s look at the various GUI toolkits available in the Ruby ecosystem. How many of you have actually used any of these: Shoes, WXRuby, FXRuby? What do you think of FX's appearance? Cute, or do you pronounce it differently? GTK is another option, and Ruby Cocoa has a similar standing.
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Shoes is currently very popular within the Ruby space for developing desktop applications. It allows for a Ruby-like syntax while using a web-based layout, resembling HTML syntax. For example, an image is designated simply by stating 'image' and specifying the location. This simplicity and elegance were significant inspirations for me in creating Anvil.
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Here’s an example of a Shoes application. While it might not be the most exciting one, it demonstrates the capability for handling smaller applications effectively.
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WXRuby was my starting point for Anvil. However, I found it frustrating, with a syntax reminiscent of C++. Despite some issues, it is progressing. WXRuby is a project that wraps the WXWidgets platform, which primarily uses C++.
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FXRuby, on the other hand, provided a great development experience from the syntax perspective. Instantiating objects is quite clear, even though the resultant appearance resembles older versions of Windows.
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QT, another toolkit available, offers a better syntax. However, there are significant challenges to get it running on your machine, especially during manual compilation. Yet, it produces visually appealing applications, like Skype, which serves as a good example of a cross-platform QT application.
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GTK is more limited, generally confined to Gnome desktop environments. The Ruby bindings, depending on the version of Gnome, can be niche-targeted. Despite some people’s affection for it, the small space it occupies can limit broader adoption.
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In the Ruby space, we have several issues, not least of which is the absence of a strong framework similar to Rails or Merb. We lack integration pathways and a unified framework that brings the community together, allowing developers to easily dive in and create inspiring applications.
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Moreover, there's a significant toolkit identity crisis. Ruby does not have its own toolkit but wraps around existing ones. While this is acceptable, it simply isn't sufficient for developers working in this space.
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Another challenge is the learning curve. Many Ruby developers are focused on web development, particularly with Rails, neglecting the power of client-side software. However, we must recognize the potential of client-side applications.
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The frustration among Ruby developers is palpable when we see Java and Python having better implementations of tools like WXWidgets. It's about time we catch up and strive for parity in this space.
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Another notable absence in the Ruby ecosystem is a proper editor built in Ruby. If a Ruby-based editor were created, it would allow Ruby developers to extend it easily.
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It's about creating a native client experience. Many applications appear to mimic Windows even on OSX, which negates the native feel we should strive for in our applications.
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While there’s a push towards web applications, we can't overlook the significance of native applications. Distributing certain logic to the client and utilizing its power can lead to amazing developments.
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For instance, Basecamp’s ability lets you track hours spent working right from your desktop and submit that information directly—it's an impactful use case extending web applications.
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The framework I envision requires collective input; no single mind can conceptualize everything required. Being database-agnostic is a key to success, and it’s achievable through tools like Active Record and Data Mapper.
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The concept of toolkit agnosticism is controversial. While a single toolkit could suffice, I argue that we shouldn't restrict ourselves. Every developer has unique desires for how their application should look and function.
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Why not embrace the power of all toolkits under one framework? This would allow everyone from QT to GTK to Ruby Cocoa to be utilized without compromise.
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Plugins using Ruby gems are an exciting frontier. Packaging plugins as gems offers flexibility and ease of distribution over incorporating them directly into a vendor directory.
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The MVC architecture will also play a critical role. The model will need to support various ORMs, while the controller must function seamlessly with the view, not bound by any specific toolkit.
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Implementing RESTful principles in desktop applications can spark creativity in naming spaces and business logic, which will benefit Rails developers by leveraging familiar concepts.
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Imagine being able to delegate objects to a view easily, allowing automatic population of widgets with data. This functionality will streamline application development.
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As for event handling, every button click could fire off events managed by the application. It’s reminiscent of the route conception in Rails, ensuring smooth initialization of desktop applications.
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In terms of testing, RSpec support will be integrated into the framework. Whether you prefer RSpec or a different testing library, compatibility will be a focus.
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Packaging and distributing applications poses a real challenge—as highlighted in Rails with its deployment issues. We need to find effective ways to package Anvil applications for distribution, incorporating all necessary components.
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The talk last night addressed some ideas around packaging Ruby applications in a standalone manner. Building a standard operational DSL around OpenGL features will open new avenues for development.
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I’ve laid groundwork for configuration and initialization, and though the model is still a work in progress, I have a clear outline of how MVC will function within the framework.
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Furthermore, QT integration is actively being worked on, and I'm enthusiastic about the potential contributors to join this project.
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With the desktop application industry booming, it's crucial to have Ruby developers actively participating in creating innovative applications. I encourage anyone interested to get involved.
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I’ll demonstrate some code now. Running the Anvil command should initialize the environment successfully.
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This was initially presented at Ubicomp, and I will showcase the demo. If we can develop effective strategies, I believe we can see considerable growth in Ruby adoption within the desktop application sector.
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Our goal should be to make Ruby programming appealing again for desktop applications, similar to what it has achieved for web development.
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If you're interested in exploring this further, please connect with me on the Ruby Anvil IRC channel. There’s ample room for participation and collaboration to enhance this framework.
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Thank you for your time! Does anyone have questions about the Anvil framework?
