Google Web Toolkit Communities Gain Momentum

JavaScriptSearch
Thursday, June 8, 2006; 07:10 AM

Unnoficial websites dedicated to tweaking and using the Google Web Toolkit have sprung online and are attracting a following.  They offer web developers access to tutorials, news, and open source code.

The GWT Site ( www.gwtsite.com ) is a resource of news, projects and links to GWT-related projects.  It uses a blog format and has been covering the toolkit since May 18th.  An original feature of the site is the effects library section, using the Google Web Toolkit along with Robert Hanson's GWT Widget Library to demonstrate Scriptaculous effects. The library wraps the Scriptaculous effects, adds image buttons and allows for the wrapping og existing HTML elements as widgets. A live demo is available at http://www.gwtsite.com/demos/effects/EffectsDemo.html .

Robert Hanson's GWT Widget Library itself is located at gwtwidgets.blogspot.com. The widget collection is currently v.0.0.3 and has been in development since the end of May. The source code is licensed under LGPL 2.1 license.

The similar GWT Component Library ( gwt.components.googlepages.com ) is host to a collection of widget scripts.  The widgets, written by Alexei Sokolov, include auto-completion textbox, integration of Script.aculo.us effects, and simple calendar. They are also licensed under LGPL 2.1 license .

And, of course, there is the GWT forum on Google Groups, where developer action is constantly heating up ( http://groups.google.com/group/Google-Web-Toolkit ).

GWT, released in May, helps developers to create AJAX applications in the Java language, using a Java development tool they are familiar with. The GWT compiler translates the Java applications to browser-compliant JavaScript and HTML.