Re: How does GNUSTEP measure up?

[Arich Chanachai]

Java and DotNET are very similar in that they are complete application 
development frameworks with robust libraries and JIT. Only difference 
being that DotNET has a common language runtime (CLR) and therefore can 
supports just about any language.  Both frameworks have built-in garbage 
collection and are cross-platform compatible.  You can use languages 
other than Java and still utilize the framework w/ its libraries (you 
merely have to compile down to the Java bytecode).  I am however 
ignorant as to what a "gateway" is, and assume you speak of some sort of 
wrapper for other languages to interface w/.  Either way (gateway or 
CLR), I would like to know of the speed differences.
As far as depth, I'm looking for a comparison to Java, DotNET, and any 
other application development framework you are familar with (open 
source though).  I would like to settle on the one with the most depth.
Also, how large and lively is the GNUSTEP community in comparison [to 
others]?

What sort of "horror" do you speak of?  If I knew, I might be able to 
glean a better picture about its pros and cons.

I've been posting on a million boards asking various questions and you 
have given me one of the most useful and indepth answers.  I thank you.

- Arich


Peter Cooper wrote:
> On Thu, Sep 16, 2004 at 07:03:18PM -0400, Arich Chanachai wrote:
>
> > I'd like to know if this should be my choice for applications dev.
> > A few questions:
> >
> > 1. How does it compare in regards to speed? vs. Java or .DotNET
>
>
> Well. Are you comparing language or library/framework environments? Do
> you know what the differences are?
>
>
> > 2. How easy is it to create custom language bindings?
>
>
> It's been done at least a few times. If you're thinking of C-sharp, it's
> not been done yet. There is a Java gateway. (Is the idea of a gateway or
> are you looking at a common language runtime and...?)
>
>
> > 3. Does it support Java or DotNET classes/libraries?
>
>
> Unsure, but it is quite possibly implementable.
>
>
> > 4. What is the depth of its own libraries?
>
>
> Very good. But what do you want to hear? +10 years of positive implementation
> experience with this environment and linear predecessors.
>
>
> > 5. I heard it has a dev. IDE, is it better or as good as Eclipse or VS?
>
>
> Better for sure ;) I use ProjectCenter and Gorm effectively to develop
> applications and interfaces. Compared with the horror that I hear from
> my colleagues and friends in the Java and Visual worlds, it's still quite
> adequate.
>
>
> > 6. How easy would it be for me to port Delphi/Java/DotNET/Smalltalk 
> > libraries to it?
>
>
> Depending on the object paradigm, fairly easy to trivial. 
>
>
> > 7. How good is its interface to DLLs and C/C++ code?
>
>
> Excellent, especially for C code ;) Wrappers may be an issue, but good OO
> design will help out.
>
> Hope this helps...
>
> Peter