Introducing gwtClassRun to aid GWT application development

Using GWT

Developers that use GWT application development know that GWT is amazing piece of tool to develop AJAXized web application using familiar Java language without dabbling with hard-to-debug JavaScript. I have personally used GWT to develop own project and I think it is god-send as it makes web development fun and enjoyable,  reminiscent of desktop development. Using the powerful and popular Java IDE to debug web-based application, one can easily set breakpoint and pinpoint bugs easily. Using static-typed Java language, potential compilation errors are immediately reflected in sophisticated IDE in real-time without needless and time-consuming compilation,  that increase in productivity (and perhaps sanity too). Developing in GWT does feels naturally for those developers who accustom to create cool and interactive desktop application using Swing GUI toolkit.

 

Contrast of  development of GWT and Desktop application

Despite the ease of GWT and its effort to make programming web-based application as seamless as desktop application, there is a salient difference in developing for GWT and desktop application.  A Java class can be run through its main method  in system console whereas GWT requires class to implement EntryPoint interface and to explicitly set in module descriptor file (EntryPoint tag in gwt.xml) prior to execute in GWT’s hosted mode browser. Although this is no fault of GWT as such capability requires explicit support in IDE, developers are likely to miss such time-saving feature. Thinking about how useful it is to able to switch EntryPoint class with ease to mock up user interface prior to testing the whole application. Currently, the work-around is often a repetitious and error-prone task of manually editing gwt.xml file and ensuring that the correct EntryPoint class name is added.

 

Unveiling gwtClassRun

So after much frustration incurring long waiting time (especially application becomes increasingly larger due to more features) during long Java-to-JavaScript compilation/translation and initialization for running GWT application (due to my indolence for not changing the EntryPoint class as depict previously), a feasible solution is been developed that works with any IDEs.

So after weeks of development and preparation, gwtClassRun is finally done along with its supporting WordPress.com site. Using this nifty application that works in tandem with GWT and IDE, one can easily switch EntryPoint class easily and productively. No more manual editing of gwt.xml file, just point-n-click interface enhanced with real-time search auto-completion capability.

Take a look at the video demonstration and watch how easy to setup and perform class switching

Find out more and download the beta application from

http://geekyware.wordpress.com/gwt-classrun/