>Alan then listed some possible GUI languages. I'd add Java to that list of
>"structured" languages. It looks a lot like C++ but it is far more
>consistent and a lot less dangerous to use (no pointers!). I have explored
>Java a bit (even wrote the GSAS space group interpreter in Java) to see how
>it works. Not bad, but I have some questions about "serious" math
>performance. Can anyone imagine GENLES in Java? The other thing that has
>put me off so far is that Java is evolving very rapidly as the big software
>companies take it up and make extensions for it. So stability of the
>language is an issue.
On serious math with java: There are applications that use other than
standard math classes. I have been looking for Complex math libraries in
C++ recently and found none except a library in java (with a complete
implementation of every operation possible with Z's). Moreover, to write
java really smart, there are much more restrictions than in C/C++. Thus -
more work & effort to be invested.
But generally java-code reads as easy (or not) as C++ code and has the
advantages mentioned by Bob.
At least: A striking idea to have your preferred Rietveld software running
in the java virtual machine ... no more demands for XXX's Fortran Library
to make your code run.
As for "serious maths" in general: I am still looking (and will write it
probably myself, if I don't find it and have some time left) for C++
(template) classes coverig linear algebra (vectors, matrices etc.; but of
unlimited size, i.e. not limited to 3D); does anyone have a tip?
An advantage with complex numbers is, that physicist are not the only
people interested in - electrical engineers are, too. This seems to be
different with lin algebra.
---
>I'd add one other point and would like some feed back on this. My problem>with making a GUI for GSAS is finding a way to "better" the current menu>system in GSAS with its error checking, type ahead & help lists. Any ideas?
Oh - GUIs for Rietveld software: Has anyone allready experienced thedebugger-interface of Metrowerks Codewarrior (preferrably on a Mac)? Iknow, a totally different application, but the interface is amazing,somehow. Think of the detesting "search-the-bug" even with some laterdebuggers, this one let's you enjoy the job!It should be THAT easy to use Rietveld-Software! It really makes things alot easier.
NO - this is not a commercial eMail for MW Codewarrior ...I could post the web-address of those electrical engineers with their javaclasses on the server, if anyone is interested.
Have a nice day
Carsten
Carsten Schinzer ---------------------------------------
Institut de Chimie de la Matiere Condensee de Bordeaux 87, Avenue du Docteur A. Schweitzer F-33608 PESSAC fon +33 556 84 2650 (poste 7397) fax +33 556 84 2640 http://www.icmcb.u-bordeaux.fr/~schinzer--------------------------------------------------------