Python for prototyping of the user interface

[Volkmar Busch]

Hi,

I took my first steps in using Python, and I really like the language. I
read a lot about using Python for prototyping. As a basis for discussion
with our users we use GUI prototypes. Building complex user interfaces in
Python to me seems quite complicated, because

- I am missing a Gui builder
- I am missing controls like notebooks and tables

So I'd like to asked the experienced Python users how they solve this
problem.

Thanks in advance,
Volkmar

[Alex Martelli]

"Volkmar Busch" <vbu...@gmx.de> wrote in message
news:20001228...@mis.configured.host...

"""
I took my first steps in using Python, and I really like the language. I
read a lot about using Python for prototyping. As a basis for discussion
with our users we use GUI prototypes. Building complex user interfaces in
Python to me seems quite complicated, because

- I am missing a Gui builder
"""

Try Boa Constructor, on sourceforge. Early, but promising. I think
there are good commercial products, too.

Or, depending on the GUI's you need, dynamic HTML can be good:
there are umpteen HTML generators and editors, and, at least on
Windows platforms, with active-scripting, 'behaviors', 'HTML Applications',
etc, adding Python code to script the HTML is quite easy.

"""
- I am missing controls like notebooks and tables
"""

wxPython, the cross-platform toolkit Boa Constructor uses, has
them I think. HTML surely does, of course.

Alex

[D-Man]

Python doesn't have it's own built-in gui toolkit. The interpreter
often comes with tkinter, a binding for tk with it. There are also
bindings for GTK, Qt, MFC, wxWindows and probably others too.

I happen to like GTK. If you want to use GTK, there is a gui builder
called glade. (check www.gtk.org for a link) In addition, there is a
library (with python bindings) called libglade. libglade reads the
saved project format from glade and builds the gui at runtime. Gtk
does have notebooks and tables. In fact, the table is one of the
central widgets in GTK.

wxWindows is another rather intriguing toolkit. It is essentially an
interface specification that is then implemented in terms of the
native toolkit. For example, in Unix systems there is wxGTK and
wxMotif while for MS Windows there is wxMFC. The wx widgets look
like GTK or MFC since underneath the interface is a GTK or MFC widget.
wxWindows also has a gui builder, but it's not free. (I don't think
it is very expensive though).

This is just a brainstorm but if you use Jython,
you may have access to Java's SWING toolkit.

If you provide more information such as which platform and which
toolkit you are/want to use we can give you more information.

HTH,
-D

[Boudewijn Rempt]

I use PyQt - Qt comes with Qt Designer, a great gui designer that
generates xml descriptions of your design; this then is translated
by pyuic to python. I subclass the result (which means I can
regenerate whenever I want), and use it. Quite simple, really. And
all modern conveniences are available in PyQt, from icon boxes to
Unicode support. And to my surprise, the large PyQt application I've
just finished works without changes on Windows...

--

Boudewijn Rempt | http://www.valdyas.org

[Frank Miles]

In article <92ir54$ftn$1...@news1.xs4all.nl>,

Python and Glade seem to offer these features, though perhaps without
the same degree of polish. Qt appears to have a significant cost
if you're going to run on Windows :( [at least that's my reading of
TrollTech's FAQ].

-frank
--

[Boudewijn Rempt]

Frank Miles <f...@u.washington.edu> wrote:

> Python and Glade seem to offer these features, though perhaps without
> the same degree of polish. Qt appears to have a significant cost
> if you're going to run on Windows :( [at least that's my reading of
> TrollTech's FAQ].

Not if you're going to use Python and Qt: since PyQt is just an
application using Qt, the developer can make it available for free. You
don't need a developers license for Qt to develop Python apps with
it. Phil Thompson got his copy of Qt from Troll Tech for free (after I
badgered Trolltech a bit), together with a Windows compiler and another
hd, so he has produced a PyQt for windows, which can be downloaded at:

http://www.thekompany.com/projects/pykde/

It's quite easy to install, even for novice users of your
application. And, as I said, it's complete - designer, ui
compiler and runtime environment. And all documentation, too.

[Franz GEIGER]

If you like wxWindows, try wxDesigner or Boa Constructor.

Regards
Franz

"Volkmar Busch" <vbu...@gmx.de> wrote in message
news:20001228...@mis.configured.host...