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/ Hathaway Weblog / XUL + Python |
XUL, invented in the Mozilla project, is a relatively new way to build graphical user interfaces. It's gaining popularity, but I haven't been too excited about it because in Mozilla, it's tightly bound with JavaScript. JavaScript is OK, but Python is a lot more mature. I was encouraged to see that others agree: an informal poll suggests that the majority (53%) of XUL users want Python or Jython bindings. JavaScript came in 2nd place with only 12% of the votes.
One of these days I'm going to give a serious look at PyXPCOM. It's probably the best way to integrate Python and XUL.
Comments
Does anyone know a way to import XUL librarys from mozilla in python?
What did Komodo do? I did not understand how did they use Mozilla's XUL engine without requiring mozilla to be installed.
here the link: http://aspn.activestate.com/ASPN/Mozilla
Also, it seems that this guy is with us: http://www.mozilla.org/docs/xul/xulnotes/xulnote_oven.html
Hi,
From what I've read PyXPCOM is a bear to compile with the latest versions of Mozilla (I wouldn't even try Firefox). If you ever get a build with Mozilla 1.7.5 please let us know. We are considering using "Open Office + Mozilla + Python" as a platform for use in the translation department here at the LDS Church Office Building.
On another front wxMozilla is still alive and they will have new wxPython bindings soon. I think they are waiting for the next release of wxWidgets before they release. wxMozilla should work with Python 2.4 and latest wxPython. Also should be easier to set up (distutils).
It would be killer to have PyXPCOM as part of this package! You could then develop XUL apps with HTML/XML/CSS and Python. Also have full access to wxWidgets via wxPython! I wonder how hard it would be to then wrap any wxWidget and expose it to XUL via XPCOM?
Check that out!
http://weblogs.mozillazine.org/roadmap/archives/2005_09.html
Cool, thanks for the link, Sidnei. And I've also noticed that my PyXPCOM unicode patch has been integrated into a mega-patch that's floating around. All indications are that progress is coming soon!
One thing about that article: it contains a possible inference that the Python community is not "web-standards-savvy". That's a strange thing to say! I'd say the Python community is actually quite good at HTTP, HTML, XML, CSS, DOM, RDF, and many more acronyms. It would be more accurate to say that the Python community is not very "mozilla-C++-savvy". In my attempt to write XUL, I couldn't get by without searching and studying the C++ code. More language bindings should improve that.
