[squeak-dev] Re: Ariethfa Ffenestri on Linux?

Bert Freudenberg bert at freudenbergs.de
Thu Jul 10 13:02:26 UTC 2008


Am 10.07.2008 um 14:32 schrieb nicolas cellier:

> David T. Lewis <lewis <at> mail.msen.com> writes:
>
>> On Thu, Jul 10, 2008 at 12:02:28PM +0200, Bert Freudenberg wrote:
>>>>
>>>> But if using host windows is non-trivial or involves rebuilding the
>>>> VM, I'd rather find another way to solve my problem.
>>>>
>>>> Is there multiple host window support on Linux?
>>>
>>> Dave Lewis started working on it, but I do not know its current  
>>> state.
>>> Linux is the only one of the three major platforms not supporting
>>> multiple windows yet. Where are the X hackers when you need them? ;)
>>
>> I did make a start at it, and have gotten as far as getting windows  
>> to
>> open, set title and dimensions and so forth. I got distracted by  
>> other
>> things and set it aside, so I guess I should go back and either  
>> finish
>> it or post the bits that do work.
>>
>> I'm no expert on X. I was just trying to work it out by reading the
>> book (Sheiffler & Gettys), stealing code from Ian, and experimenting.
>> It's not trivial, and most definitely does involve building (and
>> modifying) VMs.
>>
>> Dave
>>
>>
>
> If I would have to experiment such a thing, i would take following  
> approach :
> - Do not touch Squeak UI, but develop something completely parallel
> - Do not touch any VMMaker bit, but develop a lightweight FFI library,
>  and maximize the Smalltalk written code.
> - Do not use a Smalltalk BitBlt rendering engine,
>  rather use some FFI OS primitives to draw on OS surfaces.
>
> The VW approach to define a Smalltalk GraphicsContext wrapper to OS
> Graphicsontext seems rather natural.
>
> Once you get something interesting, it will be time to deal with  
> plugins, BitBlt
> and all the complications.
>
> Nicolas


The Areithfa Ffenestri approach fits nicely into the Squeak  
philosophy. Your's wouldn't, but it still is a fine design decision  
depending on your aims (Croquet and Sophie took that road, too).

- Bert -





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