From aedc34d55462a75e329bbf342251ff6504cd117e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Benjamin Culkin Date: Sun, 19 May 2024 17:56:33 -0400 Subject: Initial import from SVN --- projects/net.wotonomy.all/src/site/fml/faq.fml | 145 +++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 145 insertions(+) create mode 100644 projects/net.wotonomy.all/src/site/fml/faq.fml (limited to 'projects/net.wotonomy.all/src/site/fml') diff --git a/projects/net.wotonomy.all/src/site/fml/faq.fml b/projects/net.wotonomy.all/src/site/fml/faq.fml new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4f3f7cd --- /dev/null +++ b/projects/net.wotonomy.all/src/site/fml/faq.fml @@ -0,0 +1,145 @@ + + + About the Project + + + What is Wotonomy? + + +

Wotonomy is a pure-java open-source application framework. It contains + an "Object/Relational" mapping framework (such as TopLink or hibernate). + It contains a Web Application framework that is J2EE compliant. It is, + in particular, a clean-room re-implementation of Apple's WebObjects + platform, originally written by NeXT Software, Inc.

+ + + + + Why is it called Wotonomy? + + +

Wotonomy is a play on WebObjects and autonomy. One of the early project + goals was to make sure that projects that relied on WebObjects would not + be jepardized by WebObjects being discontinued. At the time, Apple had + recently purchased NeXT, and their plan for WebObjects' long-term + continuity was unclear. Therefore, using Wotonomy gives a project + autonomy from WebObjects. Simple...

+ + + + + Do I need to run Apple hardware/software to use Wotonomy? + + +

Wotonomy is pure-java and open-source. As such, it does not rely on + any commercial software. + Wotonomy should run on any standard J2SE platform, and web-applications + written with Wotonomy should deploy to J2EE 1.2 compliant application + servers.

+

* Wotonomy currently relies on xml code from + www.jclark.com, but this is being refactored to avoid any licensing + concerns.

+ + + + + Is this project active? Why have there been no releases for over a year? + + +

Yes, the project is active, but all of the updates have been to CVS. + There have been few formal packaged updates, and the project has + undergone a change in active contributors.

+

CVS updates have been tapering off because the ui and + control libraries have become vey mature. (They've verifiably + saved at least one startup from extinction) Another alpha release + has been cut so that the non-CVS-using audience can take advantage + of the current state.

+ + + + + Do you need help? How can I help? + + +

One word: yes. Grab the source, start hacking, and send in your diffs.

+ + + + + Audience + + + I'm a Java developer: what's in it for me? + + +

Java developers will find the design patterns in wotonomy useful for + greatly reducing the complexities of data-driven application development. + Swing developers will additionally find a wealth of reusable components + that help you "go the extra mile" in creating usable and polished Swing + applications.

+ + + + + I'm an OpenStep developer: what's in it for me? + + +

OpenStep developers will find that they can use familiar APIs while still + writing pure java applications. Wotonomy provides clean-room and + near-API-compatible implementations of the EOInterface/EOControl, + WebObjects, and Foundation frameworks that interoperate with and + extend the Java Swing, Servlet, and Collections packages respectively. + Wotonomy tries to be as API-compatible as possible while still tightly + integrating with Java. Wotonomy wants to make you feel at home.

+ + + + + + Miscellaneous + + + Why not use GNUStep? + + +

GNUStep is awesome, but it's an Objective-C framework. The Java + bridge is great, but even Apple is backpedaling on that approach + with their pure-Java version of WebObjects, due to performance + problems and conceptual difficulties in development. Additionally, + GNUStep may not be available or stable on your platform.

+ +

Wotonomy has the same license (GNU Lesser Public License), and is + written completely in Java.

+ + + + + WebObjects is pure-java, so why would I need Wotonomy? + + +

You don't need Wotonomy: WO5 is what wotonomy wants to be, and $499 + is an absolute steal. If your project needs this capabilities in a + complete and mature product, you should run, not walk, to your + nearest web-browser and buy a license.

+ +

However, some people cannot or will not develop on Apple hardware or + software, and some people prefer to use Free Software. Moreover, + wotonomy integrates more tightly with java. For example, Foundation's + collections extend J2SE 1.3+ java.util collections, which makes coding + much nicer. There's also a lot of benefit in having source code to + see what's going on behind the scenes. The developers have learned a + heck of a lot about WebObjects by trying to implement it.

+ +

Perhaps if enough people adopt wotonomy for their Java projects, + they'll see the advantage of investing in Apple technology. + Additionally, applications using wotonomy will be extremely + portable to Apple platforms.

+ + + + + -- cgit v1.2.3