Re: [Urgent] GNUstep at Google Summer of Code'2009

[Xavier Glattard]

Xavier Glattard a écrit :

> If there is no objection I will soon add these ideas in the list.

Huh... I can't : the page is locked. What do I need to do ?
Or maybe someone could insert the attached file... Thanks!
And please add my name in the list of mentors : Xavier Glattard




* '''Backend'''
** ''Unified backend'' : Win32 and X11 backends share a lot of functionalities. 
Many of them might be provided by a base class. The student would have to find 
out these functions shared by both backend, design an interface to theses 
functions, and adapt the current backend classes that would then use the new 
interface.
** ''Cairo/DirectFB backend'' : a DirectFB backend for GNUstep would run on 
low-end embedded devices. As Cairo can already draw on a DirectFB surface, the 
project concern the system part of the backend and the access to low level 
resources through DirectFB. The student would have to understand both GNUstep 
backend and DirectFB interface, and link them through a standardized interface 
(see above).
** ''Cairo/Glitz/OpenGL backend'' : Glitz is an OpenGL backend for Cairo 
graphics. Today in an alpha stage, Glitz based GNUstep graphic backend gives 
access to hardware accelerated graphics on platforms that only implement OpenGL 
(or OpenGL-ES) functions like some embedded devices. It might be used along 
with a DirectFB backend (see above). Glitz itself is in a beta stage and not 
actively maintained.

* '''AppKit'''
** ''NSMovie/QTMovie class'' : on Mac OSX, the NSMovie (now deprecated) and 
QTMovie classes are based on QuickTime Apple tecnologies. GNUstep compatible 
classes might be based on open source ans multiplatform technologies like 
[http://www.videolan.org VideoLAN]
** NSOpenGLPixelBuffer : this class has been introduced in Mac OSX 10.5. It 
might be useful for any modern OpenGL application.

* '''Core Data''': A CoreData compatible library is today in a beta stage and 
needs some improvements.
** ''NSPersistentStore concrete classes'' based on SQLite, XML, binary, etc. 
backends.
** ''DataBuilder.app'' is a graphical application for designing data models. 
The GUI needs some improvement. Moreover DataBuilder should be turn into a true 
CoreData application.
** ''File formats compatibility'' with Cocoa, including model files. 

* ''' GAP'''
** Some applications that run a Cocoa GUI could be ported to GNUstep:
*** ''Vim GUI'' : at least two cocoa-based gui projects already exist - 
[http://www.ohloh.net/p/vim-cocoa vim-cocoa] and [http://macvim.org/OSX mac-vim]
*** ''Mozilla Gecko'' : at least one cocoa project - [http://caminobrowser.org/ 
Camino] (used to be Chimera). Cocoa is now officially supported by Mozilla with 
[https://wiki.mozilla.org/Mac:Cocoa_Widgets Cocoa Widgets]. See also 
[http://www.artlogic.com/resources/embedding-mozilla Embedding Mozilla in Mac 
OS X Cocoa Apps]
*** ''OpenOffice'' : [http://porting.openoffice.org/mac/download/aqua.html OOo 
Aqua] has been released some weeks ago.
*** [http://www.videolan.org/vlc VLC media player] : a Cocoa based interface 
exists for VLC.
*** ''[http://www.sbrain.org/nethack3d NetHack3D]'' is a Cocoa port of 
[http://www.nethack.org NetHack] with 3D graphics.
** 
''[http://www.cilinder.be/docs/next/NeXTStep/3.3/nd/GeneralRef/17_3DKit/Intro3DKit.htmld/index.html
 3DKit] enables NEXTSTEP applications to model and render 3-dimensional 
scenes''. It is now obsolete. A new 3D engine, with modern graphic technologies 
would be useful.
** ''OpenGL extensions management API'': before using an OpenGL extension a 
program must first determine its availability. The mechanism for doing this is 
platform-specific and libraries such as [[w:GLEW]] and [[w:GLEE]] exist to 
simplify the process. The target of this project is a multiplatform Objective-C 
wrapper around OpenGL platform-specific functions.
** ''HID API'': GNUstep can only handle the usual ''human interface devices'' 
(HID) : keyboard and mouse. A multiplatform framework would allow  GNUstep 
application to handle joystick, graphic tablet or 3D device.