# 
Glimmer (Ruby Desktop Development GUI Library)
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**[Contributors Wanted! (Submit a Glimmer App Sample to Get Started)](#contributing)**
(The Original Glimmer Library Since 2007. Beware of Imitators!)
Glimmer is a native-GUI cross-platform desktop development library written in Ruby. Glimmer's main innovation is a JRuby DSL that enables productive and efficient authoring of desktop application user-interfaces while relying on the robust Eclipse SWT library. Glimmer additionally innovates by having built-in data-binding support to greatly facilitate synchronizing the GUI with domain models. As a result, that achieves true decoupling of object oriented components, enabling developers to solve business problems without worrying about GUI concerns, or alternatively drive development GUI-first, and then write clean business models test-first afterwards.
[
Featured in
JRuby Cookbook](http://shop.oreilly.com/product/9780596519650.do)
Glimmer DSL gems:
- [glimmer-dsl-swt](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-swt): Glimmer DSL for SWT (Desktop GUI)
- [glimmer-dsl-opal](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-opal): Glimmer DSL for Opal (Web GUI Adapter for Desktop Apps)
- [glimmer-dsl-xml](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-xml): Glimmer DSL for XML (& HTML)
- [glimmer-dsl-css](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-css): Glimmer DSL for CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
## Examples
### Hello, World!
Glimmer code (from `samples/hello/hello_world.rb`):
```ruby
include Glimmer
shell {
text "Glimmer"
label {
text "Hello, World!"
}
}.open
```
Run:
```
glimmer samples/hello/hello_world.rb
```
Glimmer app:
### Tic Tac Toe
Glimmer code (from `samples/elaborate/tic_tac_toe.rb`):
```ruby
# ...
shell {
text "Tic-Tac-Toe"
composite {
grid_layout 3, true
(1..3).each { |row|
(1..3).each { |column|
button {
layout_data :fill, :fill, true, true
text bind(@tic_tac_toe_board[row, column], :sign)
enabled bind(@tic_tac_toe_board[row, column], :empty)
on_widget_selected {
@tic_tac_toe_board.mark(row, column)
}
}
}
}
}
}
# ...
```
Run:
```
glimmer samples/elaborate/tic_tac_toe.rb
```
Glimmer app:
NOTE: Glimmer is in beta mode. Please help make better by [contributing](#contributing), adopting for small or low risk projects, and providing feedback.
## Table of contents
- [Glimmer (Ruby Desktop Development GUI Library)](#-glimmer-ruby-desktop-development-gui-library)
- [Examples](#examples)
- [Hello, World!](#hello-world)
- [Tic Tac Toe](#tic-tac-toe)
- [Background](#background)
- [Platform Support](#platform-support)
- [Pre-requisites](#pre-requisites)
- [Setup](#setup)
- [Option 1: Direct Install](#option-1-direct-install)
- [Option 2: Bundler](#option-2-bundler)
- [Glimmer Command](#glimmer-command)
- [Basic Usage](#basic-usage)
- [Advanced Usage](#advanced-usage)
- [Scaffolding](#scaffolding)
- [App](#app)
- [Custom Shell](#custom-shell)
- [Custom Widget](#custom-widget)
- [Custom Shell Gem](#custom-shell-gem)
- [Custom Widget Gem](#custom-widget-gem)
- [Gem Listing](#gem-listing)
- [Listing Custom Shell Gems](#listing-custom-shell-gems)
- [Listing Custom Widget Gems](#listing-custom-widget-gems)
- [Listing DSL Gems](#listing-dsl-gems)
- [Packaging](#packaging)
- [Raw JRuby Command](#raw-jruby-command)
- [Mac Support](#mac-support)
- [Girb (Glimmer irb) Command](#girb-glimmer-irb-command)
- [Glimmer DSL Syntax](#glimmer-dsl-syntax)
- [Widgets](#widgets)
- [Display](#display)
- [SWT Proxies](#swt-proxies)
- [Dialog](#dialog)
- [Menus](#menus)
- [Widget Styles](#widget-styles)
- [Explicit SWT Style Bit](#explicit-swt-style-bit)
- [Negative SWT Style Bits](#negative-swt-style-bits)
- [Extra SWT Styles](#extra-swt-styles)
- [Widget Properties](#widget-properties)
- [Colors](#colors)
- [Fonts](#fonts)
- [Layouts](#layouts)
- [Layout Data](#layout-data)
- [Data-Binding](#data-binding)
- [General Examples](#general-examples)
- [Combo](#combo)
- [List](#list)
- [Table](#table)
- [Tree](#tree)
- [Observer](#observer)
- [Observing Widgets](#observing-widgets)
- [Observing Models](#observing-models)
- [Custom Widgets](#custom-widgets)
- [Simple Example](#simple-example)
- [Lifecycle Hook Example](#lifecycle-hook-example)
- [Custom Widget API](#custom-widget-api)
- [Content/Options Example](#contentoptions-example)
- [Custom Widget Lifecycle Hooks](#custom-widget-lifecycle-hooks)
- [Gotcha](#gotcha)
- [Custom Shells](#custom-shells)
- [Drag and Drop](#drag-and-drop)
- [Miscellaneous](#miscellaneous)
- [Multi-DSL Support](#multi-dsl-support)
- [Application Menu Items (About/Preferences)](#application-menu-items-aboutpreferences)
- [App Name and Version](#app-name-and-version)
- [Video Widget](#video-widget)
- [Browser Widget](#browser-widget)
- [Glimmer Configuration](#glimmer-configuration)
- [logger](#logger)
- [import_swt_packages](#import_swt_packages)
- [loop_max_count](#loop_max_count)
- [Glimmer Style Guide](#glimmer-style-guide)
- [SWT Reference](#swt-reference)
- [Samples](#samples)
- [Hello Samples](#hello-samples)
- [Hello, World!](#hello-world-sample)
- [Hello, Tab!](#hello-tab)
- [Hello, Combo!](#hello-combo)
- [Hello, List Single Selection!](#hello-list-single-selection)
- [Hello, List Multi Selection!](#hello-list-multi-selection)
- [Hello, Computed!](#hello-computed)
- [Hello, Message Box!](#hello-message-box)
- [Hello, Browser!](#hello-browser)
- [Hello, Drag and Drop!](#hello-drag-and-drop)
- [Elaborate Samples](#elaborate-samples)
- [Login](#login)
- [Tic Tac Toe](#tic-tac-toe-sample)
- [Contact Manager](#contact-manager)
- [External Samples](#external-samples)
- [Glimmer Calculator](#glimmer-calculator)
- [Gladiator](#gladiator)
- [In Production](#in-production)
- [Packaging & Distribution](#packaging--distribution)
- [Packaging Defaults](#packaging-defaults)
- [Packaging Configuration](#packaging-configuration)
- [javapackager Extra Arguments](#javapackager-extra-arguments)
- [Mac Application Distribution](#mac-application-distribution)
- [Self Signed Certificate](#self-signed-certificate)
- [Gotchas](#gotchas)
- [Resources](#resources)
- [Help](#help)
- [Issues](#issues)
- [Chat](#chat)
- [Feature Suggestions](#feature-suggestions)
- [Change Log](#change-log)
- [Contributing](#contributing)
- [Contributors](#contributors)
- [License](#license)
## Background
Ruby is a dynamically-typed object-oriented language, which provides great productivity gains due to its powerful expressive syntax and dynamic nature. While it is proven by the Ruby on Rails framework for web development, it currently lacks a robust platform-independent framework for building desktop applications. Given that Java libraries can now be utilized in Ruby code through JRuby, Eclipse technologies, such as SWT, JFace, and RCP can help fill the gap of desktop application development with Ruby.
## Platform Support
Glimmer runs on the following platforms:
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
Glimmer's GUI has the native look and feel of each operating system it runs on since it uses SWT behind the scenes, which leverages the following native libraries:
- Win32 on Windows
- Cocoa on Mac
- GTK on Linux
More info about the SWT GUI on various platforms can be found on the Eclipse WIKI and SWT FAQ:
https://wiki.eclipse.org/SWT/Devel/Gtk/Dev_guide#Win32.2FCocoa.2FGTK
https://www.eclipse.org/swt/faq.php
## Pre-requisites
- SWT 4.15 (comes included in Glimmer gem)
- JRuby 9.2.12.0 (supporting Ruby 2.5.x syntax) (find at [https://www.jruby.org/download](https://www.jruby.org/download))
- JDK 8 - 10 (find at [https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase-downloads.html](https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase-downloads.html))
- (Optional) RVM is needed for [Scaffolding](#scaffolding) only (find at [https://rvm.io/](https://rvm.io/))
On **Mac** and **Linux**, an easy way to obtain JRuby is through [RVM](http://rvm.io) by running:
```bash
rvm install jruby-9.2.12.0
```
Glimmer might still work on lower versions of Java, JRuby and SWT, but there are no guarantees, so it is best to stick to the pre-requisites outlined above.
## Setup
Please follow these instructions to make the `glimmer` command available on your system via the [`glimmer-dsl-swt`](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-swt) gem.
If you intend to learn the basics of Glimmer but are not ready to build a Glimmer app yet, pick Option 1 ([Direct Install](#option-1-direct-install)).
If you intend to build a Glimmer app from scratch on the Mac, pick Option 1 ([Direct Install](#option-1-direct-install)) to leverage [Glimmer Scaffolding](#scaffolding) (only available on the Mac).
Otherwise, Option 2 ([Bundler](#option-2-bundler)) is recommended for building Glimmer apps on other platforms (Windows and Linux).
### Option 1: Direct Install
(Use for [Scaffolding](#scaffolding) on the Mac)
Run this command to install directly:
```
jgem install glimmer-dsl-swt -v 0.2.2
```
`jgem` is JRuby's version of `gem` command.
RVM allows running `gem` as an alias.
Otherwise, you may also run `jruby -S gem install ...`
If you are new to Glimmer and would like to continue learning the basics, you may continue to the [Glimmer Command](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer#glimmer-command) section.
Otherwise, if you are ready to build a Glimmer app on the Mac, you can jump to the [Glimmer Scaffolding](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer#scaffolding) section next.
Note: if you're using activerecord or activesupport, keep in mind that Glimmer unhooks ActiveSupport::Dependencies as it does not rely on it.
### Option 2: Bundler
(Use for Manual App Creation)
Add the following to `Gemfile`:
```
gem 'glimmer-dsl-swt', '~> 0.2.2'
```
And, then run:
```
jruby -S bundle install
```
Note: if you're using activerecord or activesupport, keep in mind that Glimmer unhooks ActiveSupport::Dependencies as it does not rely on it.
You may learn more about other Glimmer related gems ([`glimmer-dsl-opal`](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-opal), [`glimmer-dsl-xml`](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-xml), and [`glimmer-dsl-css`](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-css)) at [Multi-DSL Support](#multi-dsl-support)
## Glimmer Command
The `glimmer` command allows you to run, scaffold, package, and list Glimmer applications/gems.
If you are new to Glimmer, you may read the Basic Usage section and skip the rest until you have gone through [Girb (Glimmer irb) Command](#girb-glimmer-irb-command), [Glimmer DSL Syntax](#glimmer-dsl-syntax), and [Samples](#samples).
### Basic Usage
```
glimmer application.rb
```
Runs a Glimmer application using JRuby, automatically preloading
the glimmer ruby gem and SWT jar dependency.
Example:
```
glimmer samples/hello/hello_world.rb
```
This runs the Glimmer "Hello, World!" sample.
If you cloned this project locally, you may run `bin/glimmer` instead.
Example:
```
bin/glimmer samples/hello/hello_world.rb
```
### Advanced Usage
Below are the full usage instructions that come up when running `glimmer` without args.
```
Usage: glimmer [--quiet] [--debug] [--log-level=VALUE] [[ENV_VAR=VALUE]...] [[-jruby-option]...] (application.rb or task[task_args]) [[application2.rb]...]
Runs Glimmer applications/tasks.
Either a single task or one or more applications may be specified.
When a task is specified, it runs via rake. Some tasks take arguments in square brackets.
Available tasks are below (you may also lookup by adding `require 'glimmer/rake_task'` in Rakefile and running rake -T):
glimmer list:custom_shell_gems[query] # List Glimmer custom shell gems available at rubygems.org (query is optional)
glimmer list:custom_widget_gems[query] # List Glimmer custom widget gems available at rubygems.org (query is optional)
glimmer list:dsl_gems[query] # List Glimmer DSL gems available at rubygems.org (query is optional)
glimmer package # Package app for distribution (generating config, jar, and native files)
glimmer package:config # Generate JAR config file
glimmer package:jar # Generate JAR file
glimmer package:native # Generate Native files (DMG/PKG/APP on the Mac)
glimmer scaffold[app_name] # Scaffold a Glimmer application directory structure to begin building a new app
glimmer scaffold:custom_shell[custom_shell_name,namespace] # Scaffold a Glimmer::UI::CustomShell subclass (represents a full window view) under app/views (namespace is optional)
glimmer scaffold:custom_shell_gem[custom_shell_name,namespace] # Scaffold a Glimmer::UI::CustomShell subclass (represents a full window view) under its own Ruby gem + app project (namespace is required)
glimmer scaffold:custom_widget[custom_widget_name,namespace] # Scaffold a Glimmer::UI::CustomWidget subclass (represents a part of a view) under app/views (namespace is optional)
glimmer scaffold:custom_widget_gem[custom_widget_name,namespace] # Scaffold a Glimmer::UI::CustomWidget subclass (represents a part of a view) under its own Ruby gem project (namespace is required)
When applications are specified, they are run using JRuby,
automatically preloading the glimmer Ruby gem and SWT jar dependency.
Optionally, extra Glimmer options, JRuby options and environment variables may be passed in.
Glimmer options:
- "--quiet" : Does not announce file path of Glimmer application being launched
- "--debug" : Displays extra debugging information, passes "--debug" to JRuby, and enables debug logging
- "--log-level=VALUE" : Sets Glimmer's Ruby logger level ("ERROR" / "WARN" / "INFO" / "DEBUG"; default is none)
Example: glimmer samples/hello_world.rb
This runs the Glimmer application samples/hello_world.rb
```
Example (Glimmer/JRuby option specified):
```
glimmer --debug samples/hello/hello_world.rb
```
Runs Glimmer application with JRuby debug option to enable JRuby debugging.
Example (Multiple apps):
```
glimmer samples/hello/hello_world.rb samples/hello_tab.rb
```
Launches samples/hello/hello_world.rb and samples/hello_tab.rb at the same time, each in a separate JRuby thread.
### Scaffolding
Glimmer borrows from Rails the idea of Scaffolding, that is generating a structure for your app files that
helps you get started just like true building scaffolding helps construction workers, civil engineers, and architects.
Glimmer scaffolding goes beyond just scaffolding the app files that Rails does. It also packages it and launches it,
getting you to a running and delivered state of an advanced "Hello, World!" Glimmer application right off the bat.
This should greatly facilitate building a new Glimmer app by helping you be productive and focus on app details while
letting Glimmer scaffolding take care of initial app file structure concerns, such as adding:
- Main application class that includes Glimmer
- Main application view that houses main window content, about dialog, and preferences dialog
- View and Model directories
- Rakefile including Glimmer tasks
- Version
- License
- Icon
- Bin file for starting application
NOTE: Scaffolding requires RVM and currently supports Mac packaging only at the moment.
#### App
Before you start, make sure you are in a JRuby environment with Glimmer gem installed as per "Direct Install" pre-requisites.
To scaffold a Glimmer app from scratch, run the following command:
```
glimmer scaffold[AppName]
```
This will generate an advanced "Hello, World!" app, package it as a Mac native file (DMG/PKG/APP), and launch it all in one fell swoop.
Suppose you run:
```
glimmer scaffold[CarMaker]
```
You should see output like the following:
```
Created CarMaker/.ruby-version
Created CarMaker/.ruby-gemset
Created CarMaker/VERSION
Created CarMaker/LICENSE.txt
Created CarMaker/Gemfile
Created CarMaker/Rakefile
Created CarMaker/app/car_maker.rb
Created CarMaker/app/views/car_maker/app_view.rb
Created CarMaker/package/macosx/Car Maker.icns
Created CarMaker/bin/car_maker
...
```
Eventually, it will launch an advanced "Hello, World!" app window having the title of your application and a Mac icon.
On the Mac, it also comes with a boilerplate Preferences dialog.
#### Custom Shell
To scaffold a Glimmer custom shell (full window view) for an existing Glimmer app, run the following command:
```
glimmer scaffold:custom_shell[custom_shell_name]
```
#### Custom Widget
To scaffold a Glimmer custom widget (part of a view) for an existing Glimmer app, run the following command:
```
glimmer scaffold:custom_widget[custom_widget_name]
```
#### Custom Shell Gem
Custom shell gems are self-contained Glimmer apps as well as reusable custom shells.
They have everything scaffolded Glimmer apps come with in addition to gem content like a Jeweler Rakefile that can build gemspec and release gems.
Unlike scaffolded Glimmer apps, custom shell gem content lives under the `lib` directory (not `app`).
They can be packaged as both a native executable (e.g. Mac DMG/PKG/APP) and a Ruby gem.
Of course, you can just build a Ruby gem and disregard native executable packaging if you do not need it.
To scaffold a Glimmer custom shell gem (full window view distributed as a Ruby gem), run the following command:
```
glimmer scaffold:custom_shell_gem[custom_shell_name, namespace]
```
It is important to specify a namespace to avoid having your gem clash with existing gems.
The Ruby gem name will follow the convention "glimmer-cs-customwidgetname-namespace" (the 'cs' is for Custom Shell).
Only official Glimmer gems created by the Glimmer project committers will have no namespace (e.g. [glimmer-cs-gladiator](https://rubygems.org/gems/glimmer-cs-gladiator) Ruby gem)
Examples:
- [glimmer-cs-gladiator](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-cs-gladiator): Gladiator (Glimmer Editor)
- [glimmer-cs-calculator](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-cs-calculator): Glimmer Calculator
#### Custom Widget Gem
To scaffold a Glimmer custom widget gem (part of a view distributed as a Ruby gem), run the following command:
```
glimmer scaffold:custom_widget_gem[custom_widget_name, namespace]
```
It is important to specify a namespace to avoid having your gem clash with existing gems.
The Ruby gem name will follow the convention "glimmer-cw-customwidgetname-namespace" (the 'cw' is for Custom Widget)
Only official Glimmer gems created by the Glimmer project committers will have no namespace (e.g. [glimmer-cw-video](https://rubygems.org/gems/glimmer-cw-video) Ruby gem)
Example: [https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-cw-video](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-cw-video)
### Gem Listing
The `glimmer` command comes with tasks for listing Glimmer related gems to make it easy to find Glimmer Custom Shells, Custom Widgets, and DSLs published by others in the Glimmer community on [rubygems.org](http://www.rubygems.org).
#### Listing Custom Shell Gems
The following command lists available Glimmer [Custom Shell Gems](#custom-shell-gem) (prefixed with "glimmer-cs-" by scaffolding convention) created by the the Glimmer community and published on [rubygems.org](http://www.rubygems.org):
```
glimmer list:custom_shell_gems[query] # List Glimmer custom shell gems available at rubygems.org (query is optional)
```
Example:
```
glimmer list:custom_shell_gems
```
Output:
```
Glimmer Custom Shell Gems at rubygems.org:
Name Gem Version Author Description
Calculator glimmer-cs-calculator 1.0.1 Andy Maleh Calculator - Glimmer Custom Shell
Gladiator glimmer-cs-gladiator 0.2.0 Andy Maleh Gladiator (Glimmer Editor) - Glimmer Custom Shell
```
#### Listing Custom Widget Gems
The following command lists available Glimmer [Custom Widget Gems](#custom-widget-gem) (prefixed with "glimmer-cw-" by scaffolding convention) created by the the Glimmer community and published on [rubygems.org](http://www.rubygems.org):
```
glimmer list:custom_widget_gems[query] # List Glimmer custom widget gems available at rubygems.org (query is optional)
```
Example:
Check if there is a custom video widget for Glimmer.
```
glimmer list:custom_widget_gems[video]
```
Output:
```
Glimmer Custom Widget Gems matching [video] at rubygems.org:
Name Gem Version Author Description
Video glimmer-cw-video 0.1.1 Andy Maleh Glimmer Custom Widget - Video
```
#### Listing DSL Gems
The following command lists available Glimmer [DSL Gems](#multi-dsl-support) (prefixed with "glimmer-dsl-" by convention) created by the the Glimmer community and published on [rubygems.org](http://www.rubygems.org):
```
glimmer list:dsl_gems[query] # List Glimmer DSL gems available at rubygems.org (query is optional)
```
Example:
```
glimmer list:dsl_gems
```
Output:
```
Glimmer DSL Gems at rubygems.org:
Name Gem Version Author Description
Css glimmer-dsl-css 0.1.0 AndyMaleh Glimmer DSL for CSS
Opal glimmer-dsl-opal 0.0.9 AndyMaleh Glimmer DSL for Opal
Swt glimmer-dsl-swt 0.2.2 AndyMaleh Glimmer DSL for SWT
Xml glimmer-dsl-xml 0.1.0 AndyMaleh Glimmer DSL for XML
```
### Packaging
Glimmer packaging tasks are detailed under [Packaging & Distribution](#packaging--distribution).
### Raw JRuby Command
If there is a need to run Glimmer directly via the `jruby` command, you
may run the following:
```
jruby -J-classpath "path_to/swt.jar" -r glimmer -S application.rb
```
The `-J-classpath` option specifies the `swt.jar` file path, which can be a
manually downloaded version of SWT, or otherwise the one included in the gem. You can lookup the one included in the gem by running `jgem which glimmer` to find the gem path and then look through the `vendor` directory.
The `-r` option preloads (requires) the `glimmer` library in Ruby.
The `-S` option specifies a script to run.
#### Mac Support
The Mac is well supported with the `glimmer` command. The advice below is not needed if you are using it.
However, if there is a reason to use the raw `jruby` command directly instead of the `glimmer` command, you need to pass an extra option (`-J-XstartOnFirstThread`) to JRuby on the Mac (Glimmer automatically passes it for you when using the `glimmer` command).
Example:
```
jruby -J-XstartOnFirstThread -J-classpath "path_to/swt.jar" -r glimmer -S application.rb
```
## Girb (Glimmer irb) Command
With `glimmer-dsl-swt` installed, you may want to run `girb` instead of standard `irb` to have SWT preloaded and the Glimmer library required and included for quick Glimmer coding/testing.
```
girb
```
If you cloned [glimmer-dsl-swt](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-swt) project locally, you may run `bin/girb` instead.
```
bin/girb
```
Watch out for hands-on examples in this README indicated by "you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command)"
Keep in mind that all samples live under [https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-swt](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-swt)
## Glimmer DSL Syntax
Glimmer DSL syntax consists of static keywords and dynamic keywords to build and bind user-interface objects.
Static keywords are pre-identified keywords in the Glimmer DSL, such as `shell`, `message_box`, `async_exec`, and `bind`.
Dynamic keywords are dynamically figured out from available SWT widgets, custom widgets, and properties. Examples are: `label`, `combo`, and `list`.
The only reason to distinguish between the two types of Glimmer DSL keywords is to realize that importing new Glimmer [custom widgets](#custom-widgets) and Java SWT custom widget libraries automatically expands Glimmer's DSL vocabulary via new dynamic keywords.
For example, if a project adds this custom Java SWT library:
https://www.eclipse.org/nebula/widgets/cdatetime/cdatetime.php?page=operation
Glimmer will automatically support using the keyword `c_date_time`
You will learn more about widgets next.
### Widgets
Glimmer GUIs (user interfaces) are modeled with widgets, which are wrappers around the SWT library widgets found here:
https://www.eclipse.org/swt/widgets/
This screenshot taken from the link above should give a glimpse of how SWT widgets look and feel:
In Glimmer DSL, widgets are declared with lowercase underscored names mirroring their SWT names minus the package name:
- `shell` instantiates `org.eclipse.swt.widgets.Shell`
- `text` instantiates `org.eclipse.swt.widgets.Text`
- `button` instantiates `org.eclipse.swt.widgets.Button`
- `label` instantiates `org.eclipse.swt.widgets.Label`
- `composite` instantiates `org.eclipse.swt.widgets.Composite`
- `tab_folder` instantiates `org.eclipse.swt.widgets.TabFolder`
- `tab_item` instantiates `org.eclipse.swt.widgets.TabItem`
- `table` instantiates `org.eclipse.swt.widgets.Table`
- `table_column` instantiates `org.eclipse.swt.widgets.TableColumn`
- `tree` instantiates `org.eclipse.swt.widgets.Tree`
- `combo` instantiates `org.eclipse.swt.widgets.Combo`
- `list` instantiates `org.eclipse.swt.widgets.List`
Every **widget** is sufficiently declared by name, but may optionally be accompanied with:
- SWT **style** ***argument*** wrapped by parenthesis according to [Glimmer Style Guide](#glimmer-style-guide) (see [next section](#widget-styles) for details).
- Ruby block containing **properties** (widget attributes) and **content** (nested widgets)
For example, if we were to revisit `samples/hello/hello_world.rb` above (you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command)):
```ruby
shell {
text "Glimmer"
label {
text "Hello, World!"
}
}.open
```
Note that `shell` instantiates the outer shell **widget**, in other words, the window that houses all of the desktop graphical user interface.
`shell` is then followed by a ***block*** that contains
```ruby
# ...
text "Glimmer" # text property of shell
label { # label widget declaration as content of shell
text "Hello, World!" # text property of label
}
# ...
```
The first line declares a **property** called `text`, which sets the title of the shell (window) to `"Glimmer"`. **Properties** always have ***arguments*** (not wrapped by parenthesis according to [Glimmer Style Guide](#glimmer-style-guide)), such as the text `"Glimmer"` in this case, and do **NOT** have a ***block*** (this distinguishes them from **widget** declarations).
The second line declares the `label` **widget**, which is followed by a Ruby **content** ***block*** that contains its `text` **property** with value `"Hello, World!"`
The **widget** ***block*** may optionally receive an argument representing the widget proxy object that the block content is for. This is useful in rare cases when the content code needs to refer to parent widget during declaration. You may leave that argument out most of the time and only add when absolutely needed.
Example:
```ruby
shell {|shell_proxy|
#...
}
```
Remember that The `shell` widget is always the outermost widget containing all others in a Glimmer desktop windowed application.
After it is declared, a `shell` must be opened with the `#open` method, which can be called on the block directly as in the example above, or by capturing `shell` in a `@shell` variable (shown in example below), and calling `#open` on it independently (recommended in actual apps)
```ruby
@shell = shell {
# properties and content
# ...
}
@shell.open
```
It is centered upon initial display and has a minimum width of 130 (can be re-centered when needed with `@shell.center` method after capturing `shell` in a `@shell` variable as per samples)
Check out the [samples](samples) directory for more examples.
Example from [hello_tab.rb](samples/hello/hello_tab.rb) sample (you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command)):
```ruby
shell {
text "Hello, Tab!"
tab_folder {
tab_item {
text "English"
label {
text "Hello, World!"
}
}
tab_item {
text "French"
label {
text "Bonjour Univers!"
}
}
}
}.open
```
#### Display
SWT Display is a singleton in Glimmer. It is used in SWT to represent your display device, allowing you to manage GUI globally
and access available monitors.
It is automatically instantiated upon first instantiation of a `shell` widget.
Alternatively, for advanced use cases, it can be created explicitly with Glimmer `display` keyword. When a `shell` is later declared, it
automatically uses the display created earlier without having to explicitly hook it.
```ruby
@display = display {
cursor_location 300, 300
on_event_keydown {
# ...
}
# ...
}
@shell = shell { # uses display created above
}
```
The benefit of instantiating an SWT Display explicitly is to set [Properties](#widget-properties) or [Observers](#observer).
Although SWT Display is not technically a widget, it has similar APIs in SWT and similar DSL support in Glimmer.
#### SWT Proxies
Glimmer follows Proxy Design Pattern by having Ruby proxy wrappers for all SWT objects:
- `Glimmer::SWT:WidgetProxy` wraps all descendants of `org.eclipse.swt.widgets.Widget` except the ones that have their own wrappers.
- `Glimmer::SWT::ShellProxy` wraps `org.eclipse.swt.widgets.Shell`
- `Glimmer::SWT:TabItemProxy` wraps `org.eclipse.swt.widget.TabItem` (also adds a composite to enable adding content under tab items directly in Glimmer)
- `Glimmer::SWT:LayoutProxy` wraps all descendants of `org.eclipse.swt.widget.Layout`
- `Glimmer::SWT:LayoutDataProxy` wraps all layout data objects
- `Glimmer::SWT:DisplayProxy` wraps `org.eclipse.swt.widget.Display` (manages displaying GUI)
- `Glimmer::SWT:ColorProxy` wraps `org.eclipse.swt.graphics.Color`
- `Glimmer::SWT:FontProxy` wraps `org.eclipse.swt.graphics.Font`
- `Glimmer::SWT::WidgetListenerProxy` wraps all widget listeners
These proxy objects have an API and provide some convenience methods, some of which are mentioned below.
##### `#content { ... }`
Glimmer allows re-opening any widget and adding properties or extra content after it has been constructed already by using the `#content` method.
Example (you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command)):
```ruby
@shell = shell {
text "Application"
row_layout
@label1 = label {
text "Hello,"
}
}
@shell.content {
minimum_size 130, 130
label {
text "World!"
}
}
@label1.content {
foreground :red
}
@shell.open
```
##### `message_box`
The Glimmer DSL `message_box` keyword is similar to `shell`, but renders a modal dialog with a title `text` property and main body `message` property. It may also be opened via the `#open` method.
Example (you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command)):
```ruby
include Glimmer
@shell = shell {
text 'Hello, Message Box!'
button {
text 'Please Click To Win a Surprise'
on_widget_selected {
message_box(@shell) {
text 'Surprise'
message "Congratulations!\n\nYou have won $1,000,000!"
}.open
}
}
}
@shell.open
```
##### `#swt_widget`
Glimmer widget objects come with an instance method `#swt_widget` that returns the actual SWT `Widget` object wrapped by the Glimmer widget object. It is useful in cases you'd like to do some custom SWT programming outside of Glimmer.
##### Shell widget proxy methods
Shell widget proxy has extra methods specific to SWT Shell:
- `#open`: Opens the shell, making it visible and active, and starting the SWT Event Loop (you may learn more about it here: https://help.eclipse.org/2019-12/nftopic/org.eclipse.platform.doc.isv/reference/api/org/eclipse/swt/widgets/Display.html). If shell was already open, but hidden, it makes the shell visible.
- `#show`: Alias for `#open`
- `#hide`: Hides a shell setting "visible" property to false
- `#close`: Closes the shell
- `#center`: Centers the shell within monitor it is in
- `#start_event_loop`: (happens as part of `#open`) Starts SWT Event Loop (you may learn more about it here: https://help.eclipse.org/2019-12/nftopic/org.eclipse.platform.doc.isv/reference/api/org/eclipse/swt/widgets/Display.html). This method is not needed except in rare circumstances where there is a need to start the SWT Event Loop before opening the shell.
- `#visible?`: Returns whether a shell is visible
- `#opened_before?`: Returns whether a shell has been opened at least once before (additionally implying the SWT Event Loop has been started already)
- `#visible=`: Setting to true opens/shows shell. Setting to false hides the shell.
- `#pack`: Packs contained widgets using SWT's `Shell#pack` method
- `#pack_same_size`: Packs contained widgets without changing shell's size when widget sizes change
#### Dialog
Dialog is a variation on Shell. It is basically a shell that is modal (blocks what's behind it) and belongs to another shell. It only has a close button.
Glimmer facilitates building dialogs by using the `dialog` keyword, which automatically adds the SWT.DIALOG_TRIM and SWT.APPLICATION_MODAL [widget styles](#widget-styles) needed for a dialog.
#### Menus
Glimmer DSL provides support for SWT Menu and MenuItem widgets.
There are 2 main types of menus in SWT:
- Menu Bar (shows up on top)
- Pop Up Context Menu (shows up when right-clicking a widget)
Underneath both types, there can be a 3rd menu type called Drop Down.
Glimmer provides special support for Drop Down menus as it automatically instantiates associated Cascade menu items and wires together with proper parenting, swt styles, and calling setMenu.
The ampersand symbol indicates the keyboard shortcut key for the menu item (e.g. '&Help' can be triggered on Windows by hitting ALT+H)
Example of a Menu Bar (you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command)):
```ruby
shell { |shell_proxy|
text 'Hello, Menu Bar!'
grid_layout
label(:center) {
font height: 16
text 'Check Out The File Menu and History Menu in The Menu Bar Above!'
}
menu_bar {
menu {
text '&File'
menu_item {
text 'E&xit'
}
menu_item(0) {
text '&New'
on_widget_selected {
message_box(shell_proxy) {
text 'New File'
message 'New File Contents'
}.open
}
}
menu(1) {
text '&Options'
menu_item(:radio) {
text 'Option 1'
}
menu_item(:separator)
menu_item(:check) {
text 'Option 3'
}
}
}
menu {
text '&History'
menu {
text '&Recent'
menu_item {
text 'File 1'
on_widget_selected {
message_box(shell_proxy) {
text 'File 1'
message 'File 1 Contents'
}.open
}
}
menu_item {
text 'File 2'
on_widget_selected {
message_box(shell_proxy) {
text 'File 2'
message 'File 2 Contents'
}.open
}
}
}
}
}
}.open
```
Example of a Pop Up Context Menu (you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command)):
```ruby
shell { |shell_proxy|
text 'Hello, Pop Up Context Menu!'
grid_layout
label {
font height: 16
text 'Right-Click To Pop Up a Context Menu'
menu {
menu {
text '&History'
menu {
text '&Recent'
menu_item {
text 'File 1'
on_widget_selected {
message_box(shell_proxy) {
text 'File 1'
message 'File 1 Contents'
}.open
}
}
menu_item {
text 'File 2'
on_widget_selected {
message_box(shell_proxy) {
text 'File 2'
message 'File 2 Contents'
}.open
}
}
}
}
}
}
}.open
```
### Widget Styles
SWT widgets receive `SWT` styles in their constructor as per this guide:
https://wiki.eclipse.org/SWT_Widget_Style_Bits
Glimmer DSL facilitates that by passing symbols representing `SWT` constants as widget method arguments (i.e. inside widget `()` parentheses according to [Glimmer Style Guide](#glimmer-style-guide). See example below) in lower case version (e.g. `SWT::MULTI` becomes `:multi`).
These styles customize widget look, feel, and behavior.
Example:
```ruby
# ...
list(:multi) { # SWT styles go inside ()
# ...
}
# ...
```
Passing `:multi` to `list` widget enables list element multi-selection.
```ruby
# ...
composite(:border) { # SWT styles go inside ()
# ...
}
# ...
```
Passing `:border` to `composite` widget ensures it has a border.
When you need to pass in **multiple SWT styles**, simply separate by commas.
Example:
```ruby
# ...
text(:center, :border) { # Multiple SWT styles separated by comma
# ...
}
# ...
```
Glimmer ships with SWT style **smart defaults** so you wouldn't have to set them yourself most of the time (albeit you can always override them):
- `text(:border)`
- `table(:border)`
- `tree(:border, :virtual, :v_scroll, :h_scroll)`
- `spinner(:border)`
- `list(:border, :v_scroll)`
- `button(:push)`
You may check out all available `SWT` styles here:
https://help.eclipse.org/2019-12/nftopic/org.eclipse.platform.doc.isv/reference/api/org/eclipse/swt/SWT.html
#### Explicit SWT Style Bit
When building a widget-related SWT object manually (e.g. `GridData.new(...)`), you are expected to use `SWT::CONSTANT` directly or BIT-OR a few SWT constants together like `SWT::BORDER | SWT::V_SCROLL`.
Glimmer facilitates that with `swt` keyword by allowing you to pass multiple styles as an argument array of symbols instead of dealing with BIT-OR.
Example:
```ruby
style = swt(:border, :v_scroll)
```
#### Negative SWT Style Bits
In rare occasions, you might need to apply & with a negative (not) style bit to negate it from another style bit that includes it.
Glimmer facilitates that by declaring the negative style bit via postfixing a symbol with `!`.
Example:
```ruby
style = swt(:shell_trim, :max!) # creates a shell trim style without the maximize button (negated)
```
#### Extra SWT Styles
##### Non-resizable Window
SWT Shell widget by default is resizable. To make it non-resizable, one must pass a complicated style bit concoction like `swt(:shell_trim, :resize!, :max!)`.
Glimmer makes this easier by alternatively offering a `:no_resize` extra SWT style, added for convenience.
This makes declaring a non-resizable window as easy as:
```ruby
shell(:no_resize) {
# ...
}
```
### Widget Properties
Widget properties such as text value, enablement, visibility, and layout details are set within the widget block using methods matching SWT widget property names in lower snakecase. You may refer to SWT widget guide for details on available widget properties:
https://help.eclipse.org/2019-12/topic/org.eclipse.platform.doc.isv/guide/swt_widgets_controls.htm?cp=2_0_7_0_0
Code examples:
```ruby
# ...
label {
text "Hello, World!" # SWT properties go inside {} block
}
# ...
```
In the above example, the `label` widget `text` property was set to "Hello, World!".
```ruby
# ...
button {
enabled bind(@tic_tac_toe_board.box(row, column), :empty)
}
# ...
```
In the above example, the `text` widget `enabled` property was data-bound to `#empty` method on `@tic_tac_toe_board.box(row, column)` (learn more about data-binding below)
#### Colors
Colors make up a subset of widget properties. SWT accepts color objects created with RGB (Red Green Blue) or RGBA (Red Green Blue Alpha). Glimmer supports constructing color objects using the `rgb` and `rgba` DSL keywords.
Example:
```ruby
# ...
label {
background rgb(144, 240, 244)
foreground rgba(38, 92, 232, 255)
}
# ...
```
SWT also supports standard colors available as constants under the `SWT` namespace with the `COLOR_` prefix (e.g. `SWT::COLOR_BLUE`)
Glimmer supports constructing colors for these constants as lowercase Ruby symbols (with or without `color_` prefix) passed to `color` DSL keyword
Example:
```ruby
# ...
label {
background color(:black)
foreground color(:yellow)
}
label {
background color(:color_white)
foreground color(:color_red)
}
# ...
```
You may check out all available standard colors in `SWT` over here (having `COLOR_` prefix):
https://help.eclipse.org/2019-12/nftopic/org.eclipse.platform.doc.isv/reference/api/org/eclipse/swt/SWT.html
##### `#swt_color`
Glimmer color objects come with an instance method `#swt_color` that returns the actual SWT `Color` object wrapped by the Glimmer color object. It is useful in cases you'd like to do some custom SWT programming outside of Glimmer.
Example:
```ruby
color(:black).swt_color # returns SWT Color object
```
#### Fonts
Fonts are represented in Glimmer as a hash of name, height, and style keys.
The style can be one (or more) of 3 values: `:normal`, `:bold`, and `:italic`
Example:
```ruby
# ...
label {
font name: 'Arial', height: 36, style: :normal
}
# ...
```
Keys are optional, so some of them may be left off.
When passing multiple styles, they are included in an array.
Example:
```ruby
# ...
label {
font style: [:bold, :italic]
}
# ...
```
### Layouts
Glimmer lays widgets out visually using SWT layouts, which can only be set on composite widget and subclasses.
The most common SWT layouts are:
- `FillLayout`: lays widgets out in equal proportion horizontally or vertically with spacing/margin options. This is the ***default*** layout for ***shell*** (with `:horizontal` option) in Glimmer.
- `RowLayout`: lays widgets out horizontally or vertically in varying proportions with advanced spacing/margin/justify options
- `GridLayout`: lays widgets out in a grid with advanced spacing/margin/alignment/indentation options. This is the **default** layout for **composite** in Glimmer. It is important to master.
In Glimmer DSL, just like widgets, layouts can be specified with lowercase underscored names followed by a block containing properties, also lowercase underscored names (e.g. `RowLayout` is `row_layout`).
Example:
```ruby
# ...
composite {
row_layout {
wrap true
pack false
justify true
type :vertical
margin_left 1
margin_top 2
margin_right 3
margin_bottom 4
spacing 5
}
# ... widgets follow
}
# ...
```
If you data-bind any layout properties, when they change, the shell containing their widget re-packs its children (calls `#pack` method automatically) to ensure proper relayout of all widgets.
Alternatively, a layout may be constructed by following the SWT API for the layout object. For example, a `RowLayout` can be constructed by passing it an SWT style constant (Glimmer automatically accepts symbols (e.g. `:horizontal`) for SWT style arguments like `SWT::HORIZONTAL`.)
```ruby
# ...
composite {
row_layout :horizontal
# ... widgets follow
}
# ...
```
Here is a more sophisticated example taken from [hello_computed.rb](samples/hello/hello_computed.rb) sample:
```ruby
shell {
text 'Hello, Computed!'
composite {
grid_layout {
num_columns 2
make_columns_equal_width true
horizontal_spacing 20
vertical_spacing 10
}
label {text 'First &Name: '}
text {
text bind(@contact, :first_name)
layout_data {
horizontal_alignment :fill
grab_excess_horizontal_space true
}
}
label {text '&Last Name: '}
text {
text bind(@contact, :last_name)
layout_data {
horizontal_alignment :fill
grab_excess_horizontal_space true
}
}
label {text '&Year of Birth: '}
text {
text bind(@contact, :year_of_birth)
layout_data {
horizontal_alignment :fill
grab_excess_horizontal_space true
}
}
label {text 'Name: '}
label {
text bind(@contact, :name, computed_by: [:first_name, :last_name])
layout_data {
horizontal_alignment :fill
grab_excess_horizontal_space true
}
}
label {text 'Age: '}
label {
text bind(@contact, :age, on_write: :to_i, computed_by: [:year_of_birth])
layout_data {
horizontal_alignment :fill
grab_excess_horizontal_space true
}
}
}
}.open
```
Check out the samples directory for more advanced examples of layouts in Glimmer.
**Defaults**:
Glimmer composites always come with `grid_layout` by default, but you can still specify explicitly if you'd like to set specific properties on it.
Glimmer shell always comes with `fill_layout` having `:horizontal` type.
This is a great guide for learning more about SWT layouts:
https://www.eclipse.org/articles/Article-Understanding-Layouts/Understanding-Layouts.htm
Also, for a reference, check the SWT API:
https://help.eclipse.org/2019-12/nftopic/org.eclipse.platform.doc.isv/reference/api/index.html
### Layout Data
Layouts organize widgets following common rules for all widgets directly under a composite. But, what if a specific widget needs its own rules. That's where layout data comes into play.
By convention, SWT layouts expect widgets to set layout data with a class matching their class name with the word "Data" replacing "Layout":
- `GridLayout` on a composite demands `GridData` on contained widgets
- `RowLayout` on a composite demands `RowData` on contained widgets
Not all layouts support layout data to further customize widget layouts. For example, `FillLayout` supports no layout data.
Unlike widgets and layouts in Glimmer DSL, layout data is simply specified with `layout_data` keyword nested inside a widget block body, and followed by arguments and/or a block of its own properties (lowercase underscored names).
Glimmer automatically deduces layout data class name by convention as per rule above, with the assumption that the layout data class lives under the same exact Java package as the layout (one can set custom layout data that breaks convention if needed in rare cases. See code below for an example)
Glimmer also automatically accepts symbols (e.g. `:fill`) for SWT style arguments like `SWT::FILL`.
Examples:
```ruby
# ...
composite {
row_layout :horizontal
label {
layout_data { # followed by properties
width 50
height 30
}
}
# ... more widgets follow
}
# ...
```
```ruby
# ...
composite {
grid_layout 3, false # grid layout with 3 columns not of equal width
label {
# layout data followed by arguments passed to SWT GridData constructor
layout_data :fill, :end, true, false
}
}
# ...
```
```ruby
# ...
composite {
grid_layout 3, false # grid layout with 3 columns not of equal width
label {
# layout data set explicitly via an object (helps in rare cases that break convention)
layout_data GridData.new(swt(:fill), swt(:end), true, false)
}
}
# ...
```
If you data-bind any layout data properties, when they change, the shell containing their widget re-packs its children (calls `#pack` method automatically) to ensure proper relayout of all widgets.
**NOTE**: Layout data must never be reused between widgets. Always specify or clone again for every widget.
This is a great guide for learning more about SWT layouts:
https://www.eclipse.org/articles/Article-Understanding-Layouts/Understanding-Layouts.htm
Also, for a reference, check the SWT API:
https://help.eclipse.org/2019-12/nftopic/org.eclipse.platform.doc.isv/reference/api/index.html
### Data-Binding
Data-binding is done with `bind` command following widget property to bind and taking model and bindable attribute as arguments.
#### General Examples
`text bind(contact, :first_name)`
This example binds the text property of a widget like `label` to the first name of a contact model.
`text bind(contact, 'address.street')`
This example binds the text property of a widget like `label` to the nested street of
the address of a contact. This is called nested property data binding.
`text bind(contact, 'address.street', on_read: :upcase, on_write: :downcase)`
This example adds on the one above it by specifying converters on read and write of the model property, like in the case of a `text` widget. The text widget will then displays the street upper case and the model will store it lower case. When specifying converters, read and write operations must be symmetric (to avoid an infinite update loop between the widget and the model since the widget checks first if value changed before updating)
`text bind(contact, 'address.street', on_read: lambda { |s| s[0..10] })`
This example also specifies a converter on read of the model property, but via a lambda, which truncates the street to 10 characters only. Note that the read and write operations are assymetric. This is fine in the case of formatting data for a read-only widget like `label`
`text bind(contact, 'address.street') { |s| s[0..10] }`
This is a block shortcut version of the syntax above it. It facilitates formatting model data for read-only widgets since it's a very common view concern. It also saves the developer from having to create a separate formatter/presenter for the model when the view can be an active view that handles common simple formatting operations directly.
`text bind(contact, 'address.street', read_only: true)
This is read-ohly data-binding. It doesn't update contact.address.street when widget text property is changed.
`text bind(contact, 'addresses[1].street')`
This example binds the text property of a widget like `label` to the nested indexed address street of a contact. This is called nested indexed property data binding.
`text bind(contact, :age, computed_by: :date_of_birth)`
This example demonstrates computed value data binding whereby the value of `age` depends on changes to `date_of_birth`.
`text bind(contact, :name, computed_by: [:first_name, :last_name])`
This example demonstrates computed value data binding whereby the value of `name` depends on changes to both `first_name` and `last_name`.
`text bind(contact, 'profiles[0].name', computed_by: ['profiles[0].first_name', 'profiles[0].last_name'])`
This example demonstrates nested indexed computed value data binding whereby the value of `profiles[0].name` depends on changes to both nested `profiles[0].first_name` and `profiles[0].last_name`.
Example from [samples/hello/hello_combo.rb](samples/hello_combo.rb) sample (you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command)):
#### Combo
The `combo` widget provides a dropdown of options. By default, it also allows typing in a new option. To disable that behavior, you may use with the `:read_only` SWT style.
When data-binding a `combo` widget, Glimmer can automatically deduce available options from data-bound model by convention: `{attribute_name}_options` method.
```ruby
class Person
attr_accessor :country, :country_options
def initialize
self.country_options=["", "Canada", "US", "Mexico"]
self.country = "Canada"
end
def reset_country
self.country = "Canada"
end
end
class HelloCombo
include Glimmer
def launch
person = Person.new
shell {
composite {
combo(:read_only) {
selection bind(person, :country)
}
button {
text "Reset"
on_widget_selected do
person.reset_country
end
}
}
}.open
end
end
HelloCombo.new.launch
```
`combo` widget is data-bound to the country of a person. Note that it expects the `person` object to have the `:country` attribute and `:country_options` attribute containing all available countries (aka options). Glimmer reads these attributes by convention.
#### List
Example from [samples/hello/hello_list_single_selection.rb](samples/hello_list_single_selection.rb) sample:
```ruby
shell {
composite {
list {
selection bind(person, :country)
}
button {
text "Reset"
on_widget_selected do
person.reset_country
end
}
}
}.open
```
`list` widget is also data-bound to the country of a person similarly to the combo widget. Not much difference here (the rest of the code not shown is the same).
Nonetheless, in the next example, a multi-selection list is declared instead allowing data-binding of multiple selection values to the bindable attribute on the model.
Example from [samples/hello/hello_list_multi_selection.rb](samples/hello_list_multi_selection.rb) sample (you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command)):
```ruby
class Person
attr_accessor :provinces, :provinces_options
def initialize
self.provinces_options=[
"",
"Quebec",
"Ontario",
"Manitoba",
"Saskatchewan",
"Alberta",
"British Columbia",
"Nova Skotia",
"Newfoundland"
]
self.provinces = ["Quebec", "Manitoba", "Alberta"]
end
def reset_provinces
self.provinces = ["Quebec", "Manitoba", "Alberta"]
end
end
class HelloListMultiSelection
include Glimmer
def launch
person = Person.new
shell {
composite {
list(:multi) {
selection bind(person, :provinces)
}
button {
text "Reset"
on_widget_selected do
person.reset_provinces
end
}
}
}.open
end
end
HelloListMultiSelection.new.launch
```
The Glimmer code is not much different from above except for passing the `:multi` style to the `list` widget. However, the model code behind the scenes is quite different as it is a `provinces` array bindable to the selection of multiple values on a `list` widget. `provinces_options` contains all available province values just as expected by a single selection `list` and `combo`.
Note that in all the data-binding examples above, there was also an observer attached to the `button` widget to trigger an action on the model, which in turn triggers a data-binding update on the `list` or `combo`. Observers will be discussed in more details in the [next section](#observer).
You may learn more about Glimmer's data-binding syntax by reading the code under the [samples](samples) directory.
#### Table
The SWT Tree widget renders a multi-column data table, such as a contact listing or a sales report.
To data-bind a Table, you need the main model, the collection property, and the text display attribute for each table column.
This involves using the `bind` keyword mentioned above in addition to a special `column_properties` keyword that takes the table column text attribute methods.
It assumes you have defined the table columns via `table_column` widget.
Example:
```ruby
shell {
@table = table {
table_column {
text "Name"
width 120
}
table_column {
text "Age"
width 120
}
table_column {
text "Adult"
width 120
}
items bind(group, :people), column_properties(:name, :age, :adult)
selection bind(group, :selected_person)
}
}
```
The code above includes two data-bindings:
- Table `items`, which first bind to the model collection property (group.people), and then maps each column property (name, age, adult) for displaying each table item column.
- Table `selection`, which binds the single table item selected by the user to the attribute denoted by the `bind` keyword (or binds multiple table items selected for a table with `:multi` SWT style)
Additionally, Table `items` data-binding automatically stores each node model unto the SWT TableItem object via `setData` method. This enables things like searchability.
The table widget in Glimmer is represented by a subclass of `WidgetProxy` called `TableProxy`.
TableProxy includes a `search` method that takes a block to look for a table item.
Example:
```ruby
found_array = @table.search { |table_item| table_item.getData == company.owner }
```
This finds a person. The array is a Java array. This enables easy passing of it to SWT `Table#setSelection` method, which expects a Java array of `TableItem` objects.
To edit a table, you must invoke `TableProxy#edit_selected_table_item(column_index, before_write: nil, after_write: nil, after_cancel: nil)` or `TableProxy#edit_table_item(table_item, column_index, before_write: nil, after_write: nil, after_cancel: nil)`.
This automatically leverages the SWT TableEditor custom class behind the scenes, displaying a text widget to the user to change the selected or
passed table item text into something else.
It automatically persists the change to `items` data-bound model on ENTER/FOCUS-OUT or cancels on ESC/NO-CHANGE.
#### Tree
The SWT Tree widget visualizes a tree data-structure, such as an employment or composition hierarchy.
To data-bind a Tree, you need the root model, the children querying method, and the text display attribute on each child.
This involves using the `bind` keyword mentioned above in addition to a special `tree_properties` keyword that takes the children and text attribute methods.
Example:
```ruby
shell {
@tree = tree {
items bind(company, :owner), tree_properties(children: :coworkers, text: :name)
selection bind(company, :selected_coworker)
}
}
```
The code above includes two data-bindings:
- Tree `items`, which first bind to the root node (company.owner), and then dig down via `coworkers` `children` method, using the `name` `text` attribute for displaying each tree item.
- Tree `selection`, which binds the single tree item selected by the user to the attribute denoted by the `bind` keyword
Additionally, Tree `items` data-binding automatically stores each node model unto the SWT TreeItem object via `setData` method. This enables things like searchability.
The tree widget in Glimmer is represented by a subclass of `WidgetProxy` called `TreeProxy`.
TreeProxy includes a `depth_first_search` method that takes a block to look for a tree item.
Example:
```ruby
found_array = @tree.depth_first_search { |tree_item| tree_item.getData == company.owner }
```
This finds the root node. The array is a Java array. This enables easy passing of it to SWT `Tree#setSelection` method, which expects a Java array of `TreeItem` objects.
To edit a tree, you must invoke `TreeProxy#edit_selected_tree_item` or `TreeProxy#edit_tree_item`. This automatically leverages the SWT TreeEditor custom class behind the scenes, displaying
a text widget to the user to change the selected or passed tree item text into something else. It automatically persists the change to `items` data-bound model on ENTER/FOCUS-OUT or cancels on ESC/NO-CHANGE.
### Observer
Glimmer comes with `Observer` module, which is used internally for data-binding, but can also be used externally for custom use of the Observer Pattern. It is hidden when observing widgets, and used explicitly when observing models.
#### Observing Widgets
Glimmer supports observing widgets with two main types of events:
1. `on_{swt-listener-method-name}`: where {swt-listener-method-name} is replaced with the lowercase underscored event method name on an SWT listener class (e.g. `on_verify_text` for `org.eclipse.swt.events.VerifyListener#verifyText`).
2. `on_event_{swt-event-constant}`: where {swt-event-constant} is replaced with an `org.eclipse.swt.SWT` event constant (e.g. `on_event_show` for `SWT.Show` to observe when widget becomes visible)
Additionally, there are two more types of events:
- SWT `display` supports global listeners called filters that run on any widget. They are hooked via `on_event_{swt-event-constant}`
- SWT `display` supports Mac application menu item observers (`on_about` and `on_preferences`), which you can read about under [Miscellaneous](#miscellaneous).
Number 1 is more commonly used in SWT applications, so make it your starting point. Number 2 covers events not found in number 1, so look into it if you don't find an SWT listener you need in number 1.
**Regarding number 1**, to figure out what the available events for an SWT widget are, check out all of its `add***Listener` API methods, and then open the listener class argument to check its "event methods".
For example, if you look at the `Button` SWT API:
https://help.eclipse.org/2019-12/index.jsp?topic=%2Forg.eclipse.platform.doc.isv%2Freference%2Fapi%2Forg%2Feclipse%2Fswt%2Fbrowser%2FBrowser.html
It has `addSelectionListener`. Additionally, under its `Control` super class, it has `addControlListener`, `addDragDetectListener`, `addFocusListener`, `addGestureListener`, `addHelpListener`, `addKeyListener`, `addMenuDetectListener`, `addMouseListener`, `addMouseMoveListener`, `addMouseTrackListener`, `addMouseWheelListener`, `addPaintListener`, `addTouchListener`, and `addTraverseListener`
Suppose, we select `addSelectionListener`, which is responsible for what happens when a user selects a button (clicks it). Then, open its argument `SelectionListener` SWT API, and you find the event (instance) methods: `widgetDefaultSelected` and `widgetSelected​`. Let's select the second one, which is what gets invoked when a button is clicked.
Now, Glimmer simplifies the process of hooking into that listener (observer) by neither requiring you to call the `addSelectionListener` method nor requiring you to implement/extend the `SelectionListener` API.
Instead, simply add a `on_widget_selected` followed by a Ruby block containing the logic to perform. Glimmer figures out the rest.
Let's revisit the Tic Tac Toe example shown near the beginning of the page:
```ruby
shell {
text "Tic-Tac-Toe"
composite {
grid_layout 3, true
(1..3).each { |row|
(1..3).each { |column|
button {
layout_data :fill, :fill, true, true
text bind(@tic_tac_toe_board[row, column], :sign)
enabled bind(@tic_tac_toe_board[row, column], :empty)
on_widget_selected {
@tic_tac_toe_board.mark(row, column)
}
}
}
}
}
}
```
Note that every Tic Tac Toe grid cell has its `text` and `enabled` properties data-bound to the `sign` and `empty` attributes on the `TicTacToe::Board` model respectively.
Next however, each of these Tic Tac Toe grid cells, which are clickable buttons, have an `on_widget_selected` observer, which once triggered, marks the cell on the `TicTacToe::Board` to make a move.
**Regarding number 2**, you can figure out all available events by looking at the `org.eclipse.swt.SWT` API:
https://help.eclipse.org/2019-12/nftopic/org.eclipse.platform.doc.isv/reference/api/org/eclipse/swt/SWT.html
Example (you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command)):
`SWT.Show` - hooks a listener for showing a widget (using `on_event_show` in Glimmer)
`SWT.Hide` - hooks a listener for hiding a widget (using `on_event_hide` in Glimmer)
```ruby
shell {
@button1 = button {
text "Show 2nd Button"
visible true
on_event_show {
@button2.swt_widget.setVisible(false)
}
on_widget_selected {
@button2.swt_widget.setVisible(true)
}
}
@button2 = button {
text "Show 1st Button"
visible false
on_event_show {
@button1.swt_widget.setVisible(false)
}
on_widget_selected {
@button1.swt_widget.setVisible(true)
}
}
}.open
```
**Gotcha:** SWT.Resize event needs to be hooked using **`on_event_Resize`** because `org.eclipse.swt.SWT` has 2 constants for resize: `RESIZE` and `Resize`, so it cannot infer the right one automatically from the underscored version `on_event_resize`
##### Alternative Syntax
Instead of declaring a widget observer using `on_***` syntax inside a widget content block, you may also do so after the widget declaration by invoking directly on the widget object.
Example (you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command)):
```
@shell = shell {
label {
text "Hello, World!"
}
}
@shell.on_shell_iconified {
@shell.close
}
@shell.open
```
The shell declared above has been modified so that the minimize button works just like the close button. Once you minimize the shell (iconify it), it closes.
The alternative syntax can be helpful if you prefer to separate Glimmer observer declarations from Glimmer GUI declarations, or would like to add observers dynamically based on some logic later on.
#### Observing Models
Glimmer DSL includes an `observe` keyword used to register an observer by passing in the observable and the property(ies) to observe, and then specifying in a block what happens on notification.
```ruby
class TicTacToe
include Glimmer
def initialize
# ...
observe(@tic_tac_toe_board, :game_status) { |game_status|
display_win_message if game_status == Board::WIN
display_draw_message if game_status == Board::DRAW
}
end
# ...
end
```
Observers can be a good mechanism for displaying dialog messages in Glimmer (using SWT's [`MessageBox`](https://help.eclipse.org/2020-06/topic/org.eclipse.platform.doc.isv/reference/api/org/eclipse/swt/widgets/MessageBox.html) class).
Look at [`samples/elaborate/tictactoe/tic_tac_toe.rb`](samples/tictactoe/tic_tac_toe.rb) for more details starting with the code included below.
```ruby
class TicTacToe
include Glimmer
include Observer
def initialize
# ...
observe(@tic_tac_toe_board, :game_status) { |game_status|
display_win_message if game_status == Board::WIN
display_draw_message if game_status == Board::DRAW
}
end
def display_win_message
display_game_over_message("Player #{@tic_tac_toe_board.winning_sign} has won!")
end
def display_draw_message
display_game_over_message("Draw!")
end
def display_game_over_message(message)
message_box(@shell) {
text 'Game Over'
message message_text
}.open
@tic_tac_toe_board.reset
end
# ...
end
```
### Custom Widgets
Glimmer supports creating custom widgets with minimal code, which automatically extends Glimmer's DSL syntax with an underscored lowercase keyword.
Simply create a new class that includes `Glimmer::UI::CustomWidget` and put Glimmer DSL code in its `#body` block (its return value is stored in `#body_root` attribute). Glimmer will then automatically recognize this class by convention when it encounters a keyword matching the class name converted to underscored lowercase (and namespace double-colons `::` replaced with double-underscores `__`)
#### Simple Example
(you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command))
Definition:
```ruby
class RedLabel
include Glimmer::UI::CustomWidget
body {
label(swt_style) {
background :red
}
}
end
```
Usage:
```ruby
shell {
red_label {
text 'Red Label'
}
}.open
```
As you can see, `RedLabel` became Glimmer DSL keyword: `red_label`
#### Lifecycle Hook Example
(you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command))
Definition:
```ruby
module Red
class Composite
include Glimmer::UI::CustomWidget
before_body {
@color = :red
}
body {
composite(swt_style) {
background @color
}
}
end
end
```
Usage:
```ruby
shell {
red__composite {
label {
foreground :white
text 'This is showing inside a Red Composite'
}
}
}.open
```
Notice how `Red::Composite` became `red__composite` with double-underscore, which is how Glimmer Custom Widgets signify namespaces by convention. Additionally, the `before_body` lifecycle hook was utilized to set a `@color` variable and use inside the `body`.
Keep in mind that namespaces are not needed to be specified if the Custom Widget class has a unique name, not clashing with a basic SWT widget or another custom widget name.
#### Custom Widget API
Custom Widgets have the following attributes available to call from inside the `#body` method:
- `#parent`: Glimmer object parenting custom widget
- `#swt_style`: SWT style integer. Can be useful if you want to allow consumers to customize a widget inside the custom widget body
- `#options`: a hash of options passed in parentheses when declaring a custom widget (useful for passing in model data) (e.g. `calendar(events: events)`). Custom widget class can declare option names (array) with `::options` class method as shown below, which generates attribute accessors for every option (not to be confused with `#options` instance method for retrieving options hash containing names & values)
- `#content`: nested block underneath custom widget. It will be automatically called at the end of processing the custom widget body. Alternatively, the custom widget body may call `content.call` at the place where the content is needed to show up as shown in the following example.
- `#body_root`: top-most (root) widget returned from `#body` method.
- `#swt_widget`: actual SWT widget for `body_root`
Additionally, custom widgets can call the following class methods:
- `::options(*option_names)`: declares a list of options by taking an option name array (symbols/strings). This generates option attribute accessors (e.g. `options :orientation, :bg_color` generates `#orientation`, `#orientation=(v)`, `#bg_color`, and `#bg_color=(v)` attribute accessors)
- `::option(option_name, default: nil)`: declares a single option taking option name and default value as arguments (also generates attribute accessors just like `::options`)
#### Content/Options Example
(you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command))
Definition:
```ruby
class Sandwich
include Glimmer::UI::CustomWidget
options :orientation, :bg_color
option :fg_color, default: :black
body {
composite(swt_style) { # gets custom widget style
fill_layout orientation # using orientation option
background bg_color # using container_background option
label {
text 'SANDWICH TOP'
}
content.call # this is where content block is called
label {
text 'SANDWICH BOTTOM'
}
}
}
end
```
Usage:
```ruby
shell {
sandwich(:no_focus, orientation: :vertical, bg_color: :red) {
label {
background :green
text 'SANDWICH CONTENT'
}
}
}.open
```
Notice how `:no_focus` was the `swt_style` value, followed by the `options` hash `{orientation: :horizontal, bg_color: :white}`, and finally the `content` block containing the label with `'SANDWICH CONTENT'`
#### Custom Widget Lifecycle Hooks
Last but not least, these are the available lifecycle hooks:
- `before_body`: takes a block that executes in the custom widget instance scope before calling `body`. Useful for initializing variables to later use in `body`
- `after_body`: takes a block that executes in the custom widget instance scope after calling `body`. Useful for setting up observers on widgets built in `body` (set in instance variables) and linking to other shells.
#### Gotcha
Beware of defining a custom attribute that is a common SWT widget property name.
For example, if you define `text=` and `text` methods to accept a custom text and then later you write this body:
```ruby
# ...
def text
# ...
end
def text=(value)
# ...
end
body {
composite {
label {
text "Hello"
}
label {
text "World"
}
}
}
# ...
```
The `text` method invoked in the custom widget body will call the one you defined above it. To avoid this gotcha, simply name the text property above something else, like `custom_text`.
#### Final Notes
This [Eclipse guide](https://www.eclipse.org/articles/Article-Writing%20Your%20Own%20Widget/Writing%20Your%20Own%20Widget.htm) for how to write custom SWT widgets is also applicable to Glimmer Custom Widgets written in Ruby. I recommend reading it:
[https://www.eclipse.org/articles/Article-Writing%20Your%20Own%20Widget/Writing%20Your%20Own%20Widget.htm](https://www.eclipse.org/articles/Article-Writing%20Your%20Own%20Widget/Writing%20Your%20Own%20Widget.htm)
### Custom Shells
Custom shells are a kind of custom widgets that have shells only as the body root. They can be self-contained applications that may be opened and hidden/closed independently of the main app.
They may also be chained in a wizard fashion.
Example (you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command)):
```ruby
class WizardStep
include Glimmer::UI::CustomShell
options :number, :step_count
before_body {
@title = "Step #{number}"
}
body {
shell {
text "Wizard - #{@title}"
minimum_size 200, 100
fill_layout :vertical
label(:center) {
text @title
font height: 30
}
if number < step_count
button {
text "Go To Next Step"
on_widget_selected {
body_root.hide
}
}
end
}
}
end
shell { |app_shell|
text "Wizard"
minimum_size 200, 100
@current_step_number = 1
@wizard_steps = 5.times.map { |n|
wizard_step(number: n+1, step_count: 5) {
on_event_hide {
if @current_step_number < 5
@current_step_number += 1
app_shell.hide
@wizard_steps[@current_step_number - 1].open
end
}
}
}
button {
text "Start"
font height: 40
on_widget_selected {
app_shell.hide
@wizard_steps[@current_step_number - 1].open
}
}
}.open
```
### Drag and Drop
Glimmer offers Drag and Drop support, thanks to [SWT](https://www.eclipse.org/swt/) and Glimmer's lightweight [DSL syntax](#glimmer-dsl-syntax).
You may learn more about SWT Drag and Drop support over here: [https://www.eclipse.org/articles/Article-SWT-DND/DND-in-SWT.html](https://www.eclipse.org/articles/Article-SWT-DND/DND-in-SWT.html)
To get started, simply follow these steps:
1. On the drag source widget, add `on_drag_set_data` [DragSourceListener](https://help.eclipse.org/2020-03/topic/org.eclipse.platform.doc.isv/reference/api/org/eclipse/swt/dnd/DragSourceListener.html) event handler block at minimum (you may also add `on_drag_start` and `on_drag_finished` if needed)
1. Set `event.data` to transfer via drag and drop inside the `on_drag_set_data` event handler block (defaults to `transfer` type of `:text`, as in a Ruby String)
1. On the drop target widget, add `on_drop` [DropTargetListener](https://help.eclipse.org/2020-03/topic/org.eclipse.platform.doc.isv/reference/api/org/eclipse/swt/dnd/DropTargetListener.html) event handler block at minimum (you may also add `on_drag_enter` [must set [`event.detail`](https://help.eclipse.org/2020-06/topic/org.eclipse.platform.doc.isv/reference/api/org/eclipse/swt/dnd/DropTargetEvent.html#detail) if added], `on_drag_over`, `on_drag_leave`, `on_drag_operation_changed` and `on_drop_accept` if needed)
1. Read `event.data` and consume it (e.g. change widget text) inside the `on_drop` event handler block.
Example (taken from [samples/hello/hello_drag_and_drop.rb](#hello-drag-and-drop) / you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command)):
```ruby
class Location
attr_accessor :country
def country_options
%w[USA Canada Mexico Columbia UK Australia Germany Italy Spain]
end
end
@location = Location.new
include Glimmer
shell {
text 'Hello, Drag and Drop!'
list {
selection bind(@location, :country)
on_drag_set_data { |event|
list = event.widget.getControl
event.data = list.getSelection.first
}
}
label(:center) {
text 'Drag a country here!'
font height: 20
on_drop { |event|
event.widget.getControl.setText(event.data)
}
}
}.open
```
Optional steps:
- Set a `transfer` property (defaults to `:text`). Values may be: :text (default), :html :image, :rtf, :url, and :file, or an array of multiple values. The `transfer` property will automatically convert your option into a [Transfer](https://help.eclipse.org/2020-03/topic/org.eclipse.platform.doc.isv/reference/api/org/eclipse/swt/dnd/Transfer.html) object as per the SWT API.
- Specify `drag_source_style` operation (may be: :drop_copy (default), :drop_link, :drop_move, :drop_none, or an array of multiple operations)
- Specify `drag_source_effect` (Check [DragSourceEffect](https://help.eclipse.org/2020-06/topic/org.eclipse.platform.doc.isv/reference/api/org/eclipse/swt/dnd/DragSourceEffect.html) SWT API for details)
- Specify `drop_target_style` operation (may be: :drop_copy (default), :drop_link, :drop_move, :drop_none, or an array of multiple operations)
- Specify `drop_target_effect` (Check [DropTargetEffect](https://help.eclipse.org/2020-06/topic/org.eclipse.platform.doc.isv/reference/api/org/eclipse/swt/dnd/DropTargetEffect.html) SWT API for details)
- Set drag operation in `event.detail` (e.g. DND::DROP_COPY) inside `on_drag_enter`
### Miscellaneous
#### Multi-DSL Support
Glimmer is a DSL engine that supports multiple DSLs (Domain Specific Languages):
- [SWT](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-swt): Glimmer DSL for SWT (Desktop GUI)
- [Opal](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-opal): Glimmer DSL for Opal (Web GUI Adapter for Desktop Apps)
- [XML](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-xml): Glimmer DSL for XML (& HTML) - Useful with [SWT Browser Widget](#browser-widget)
- [CSS](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-css): Glimmer DSL for CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) - Useful with [SWT Browser Widget](#browser-widget)
Glimmer automatically recognizes top-level keywords in each DSL and activates DSL accordingly. Glimmer allows mixing DSLs, which comes in handy when doing things like using the SWT Browser widget with XML and CSS. Once done processing a nested DSL top-level keyword, Glimmer switches back to the prior DSL automatically.
##### SWT
The SWT DSL was already covered in detail. However, for the sake of mixing DSLs, you need to know that the SWT DSL has the following top-level keywords:
- `shell`
- `display`
- `color`
- `observe`
- `async_exec`
- `sync_exec`
##### Opal
Full instructions are found in the [Opal](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-opal) DSL page.
The [Opal](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-opal) DSL is simply a web GUI adapter for desktop apps written in Glimmer. As such, it supports all the DSL keywords of the SWT DSL and shares the same top-level keywords.
##### XML
Simply start with `html` keyword and add HTML inside its block using Glimmer DSL syntax.
Once done, you may call `to_s`, `to_xml`, or `to_html` to get the formatted HTML output.
Here are all the Glimmer XML DSL top-level keywords:
- `html`
- `tag`: enables custom tag creation for exceptional cases by passing tag name as '_name' attribute
- `name_space`: enables namespacing html tags
Element properties are typically passed as a key/value hash (e.g. `section(id: 'main', class: 'accordion')`) . However, for properties like "selected" or "checked", you must leave value `nil` or otherwise pass in front of the hash (e.g. `input(:checked, type: 'checkbox')` )
Example (basic HTML / you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command)):
```ruby
@xml = html {
head {
meta(name: "viewport", content: "width=device-width, initial-scale=2.0")
}
body {
h1 { "Hello, World!" }
}
}
puts @xml
```
Output:
```
Hello, World!
```
Example (explicit XML tag / you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command)):
```ruby
puts tag(:_name => "DOCUMENT")
```
Output:
```
```
Example (XML namespaces using `name_space` keyword / you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command)):
```ruby
@xml = name_space(:w3c) {
html(:id => "thesis", :class => "document") {
body(:id => "main") {
}
}
}
puts @xml
```
Output:
```
```
Example (XML namespaces using dot operator / you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command)):
```ruby
@xml = tag(:_name => "DOCUMENT") {
document.body(document.id => "main") {
}
}
puts @xml
```
Output:
```
```
##### CSS
Simply start with `css` keyword and add stylesheet rule sets inside its block using Glimmer DSL syntax.
Once done, you may call `to_s` or `to_css` to get the formatted CSS output.
`css` is the only top-level keyword in the Glimmer CSS DSL
Selectors may be specified by `s` keyword or HTML element keyword directly (e.g. `body`)
Rule property values may be specified by `pv` keyword or underscored property name directly (e.g. `font_size`)
Example (you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command)):
```ruby
@css = css {
body {
font_size '1.1em'
pv 'background', 'white'
}
s('body > h1') {
background_color :red
pv 'font-size', '2em'
}
}
puts @css
```
##### Listing / Enabling / Disabling DSLs
Glimmer provides a number of methods on Glimmer::DSL::Engine to configure DSL support or inquire about it:
- `Glimmer::DSL::Engine.dsls`: Lists available Glimmer DSLs
- `Glimmer::DSL::Engine.disable_dsl(dsl_name)`: Disables a specific DSL. Useful when there is no need for certain DSLs in a certain application.
- `Glimmer::DSL::Engine.disabled_dsls': Lists disabled DSLs
- `Glimmer::DSL::Engine.enable_dsl(dsl_name)`: Re-enables disabled DSL
- `Glimmer::DSL::Engine.enabled_dsls=(dsl_names)`: Disables all DSLs except the ones specified.
#### Application Menu Items (About/Preferences)
Mac applications always have About and Preferences menu items. Glimmer provides widget observer hooks for them on the `display`:
- `on_about`: executes code when user selects App Name -> About
- `on_preferences`: executes code when user selects App Name -> Preferences or hits 'CMD+,' on the Mac
Example (you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command)):
```ruby
class Example
def initialize
display {
on_about {
message_box(@shell_proxy) {
text 'About'
message 'About Application'
}.open
}
on_preferences {
preferences_dialog = dialog {
text 'Preferences'
row_layout {
type :vertical
margin_left 15
margin_top 15
margin_right 15
margin_bottom 15
}
label {
text 'Check one of these options:'
}
button(:radio) {
text 'Option 1'
}
button(:radio) {
text 'Option 2'
}
}
preferences_dialog.open
}
}
@shell_proxy = shell {
text 'Application Menu Items'
fill_layout {
margin_width 15
margin_height 15
}
label {
text 'Application Menu Items'
font height: 30
}
}
@shell_proxy.open
end
end
Example.new
```
#### App Name and Version
Application name (shows up on the Mac in top menu bar) and version may be specified upon [packaging](#packaging--distribution) by specifying "-Bmac.CFBundleName" and "-Bmac.CFBundleVersion" options.
Still, if you would like proper application name to show up on the Mac top menu bar during development, you may do so by invoking the SWT Display.setAppName method before any Display object has been instantiated (i.e. before any Glimmer widget like shell has been declared).
Example (you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command)):
```ruby
Display.setAppName('Glimmer Demo')
shell(:no_resize) {
text "Glimmer"
label {
text "Hello, World!"
}
}.open
```
Also, you may invoke `Display.setAppVersion('1.0.0')` if needed for OS app version identification reasons during development, replacing `'1.0.0'` with your application version.
#### Video Widget
Glimmer supports a [video custom widget](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-cw-video) not in SWT.
You may obtain via `glimmer-cw-video` gem.
#### Browser Widget
Glimmer supports the SWT Browser widget, which can load URLs or render HTML. It can even be instrumented with JavaScript when needed (though highly discouraged since it defeats the purpose of using Ruby except in very rare cases like leveraging a pre-existing web codebase in a desktop app).
Example loading a URL (you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command)):
```ruby
shell {
minimum_size 1024, 860
browser {
url 'http://brightonresort.com/about'
}
}.open
```
Example rendering HTML with JavaScript on document ready (you may copy/paste in [`girb`](#girb-glimmer-irb-command) provided you install and require [glimmer-dsl-xml gem](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-xml)):
```ruby
shell {
minimum_size 130, 130
@browser = browser {
text html {
head {
meta(name: "viewport", content: "width=device-width, initial-scale=2.0")
}
body {
h1 { "Hello, World!" }
}
}
on_completed { # on load of the page execute this JavaScript
@browser.swt_widget.execute("alert('Hello, World!');")
}
}
}.open
```
This relies on Glimmer's [Multi-DSL Support](#multi-dsl-support) for building the HTML text using [Glimmer XML DSL](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-xml).
## Glimmer Configuration
Glimmer configuration may be done via the `Glimmer::Config` module.
### logger
Glimmer supports logging via a Ruby Logger configurable with the `Glimmer::Config.logger` config option.
It is disabled by default to ensure not affecting desktop app performance.
It may be enabled via `Glimmer::Config.enable_logging`
When enabled, the Glimmer logger level defaults to `:warn` (aka `Logger::WARN`)
It may be configured to show a different level of logging via `Glimmer::Config.logger.level` just ike with any Ruby Logger.
Example:
```ruby
Glimmer::Config.enable_logging
Glimmer::Config.logger.level = Logger::DEBUG
```
This results in more verbose debug loggging to `STDOUT`, which is very helpful in troubleshooting Glimmer DSL syntax when needed.
Example log:
```
D, [2017-07-21T19:23:12.587870 #35707] DEBUG -- : method: shell and args: []
D, [2017-07-21T19:23:12.594405 #35707] DEBUG -- : ShellCommandHandler will handle command: shell with arguments []
D, [2017-07-21T19:23:12.844775 #35707] DEBUG -- : method: composite and args: []
D, [2017-07-21T19:23:12.845388 #35707] DEBUG -- : parent is a widget: true
D, [2017-07-21T19:23:12.845833 #35707] DEBUG -- : on listener?: false
D, [2017-07-21T19:23:12.864395 #35707] DEBUG -- : WidgetCommandHandler will handle command: composite with arguments []
D, [2017-07-21T19:23:12.864893 #35707] DEBUG -- : widget styles are: []
D, [2017-07-21T19:23:12.874296 #35707] DEBUG -- : method: list and args: [:multi]
D, [2017-07-21T19:23:12.874969 #35707] DEBUG -- : parent is a widget: true
D, [2017-07-21T19:23:12.875452 #35707] DEBUG -- : on listener?: false
D, [2017-07-21T19:23:12.878434 #35707] DEBUG -- : WidgetCommandHandler will handle command: list with arguments [:multi]
D, [2017-07-21T19:23:12.878798 #35707] DEBUG -- : widget styles are: [:multi]
```
### import_swt_packages
Glimmer automatically imports all SWT Java packages upon adding `include Glimmer`, `include Glimmer::UI::CustomWidget`, or `include Glimmer::UI::CustomShell` to a class or module. It relies on JRuby's `include_package` for lazy-importing upon first reference of a Java class.
As a result, you may call SWT Java classes from Glimmer Ruby code without mentioning Java package references explicitly.
For example, `org.eclipse.swt.graphics.Color` can be referenced as just `Color`
The Java packages imported come from the [`Glimmer::Config.import_swt_packages`](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-swt/blob/master/lib/ext/glimmer/config.rb) config option, which defaults to `Glimmer::Config::DEFAULT_IMPORT_SWT_PACKAGES`, importing the following Java packages:
```
org.eclipse.swt.*
org.eclipse.swt.widgets.*
org.eclipse.swt.layout.*
org.eclipse.swt.graphics.*
org.eclipse.swt.browser.*
org.eclipse.swt.custom.*
org.eclipse.swt.dnd.*
```
If you need to import additional Java packages as extra Glimmer widgets, you may add more packages to [`Glimmer::Config.import_swt_packages`](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-swt/blob/master/lib/ext/glimmer/config.rb) by using the `+=` operator (or alternatively limit to certain packages via `=` operator).
Example:
```ruby
Glimmer::Config.import_swt_packages += [
'org.eclipse.nebula.widgets.ganttchart'
]
```
Another alternative is to simply add a `java_import` call to your code (e.g. `java_import 'org.eclipse.nebula.widgets.ganttchart.GanttChart'`). Glimmer will automatically take advantage of it (e.g. when invoking `gantt_chart` keyword)
Nonetheless, you can disable automatic Java package import if needed via this Glimmer configuration option:
```ruby
Glimmer::Config.import_swt_packages = false
```
Once disabled, to import SWT Java packages manually, you may simply:
1. `include Glimmer::SWT::Packages`: lazily imports all SWT Java packages to your class, lazy-loading SWT Java class constants on first reference.
2. `java_import swt_package_class_string`: immediately imports a specific Java class where `swt_package_class_string` is the Java full package reference of a Java class (e.g. `java_import 'org.eclipse.swt.SWT'`)
Note: Glimmer relies on [`nested_imported_jruby_include_package`](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/nested_inherited_jruby_include_package), which automatically brings packages to nested-modules/nested-classes and sub-modules/sub-classes.
You can learn more about importing Java packages into Ruby code at this JRuby WIKI page:
https://github.com/jruby/jruby/wiki/CallingJavaFromJRuby
### loop_max_count
Glimmer has infinite loop detection support.
It can detect when an infinite loop is about to occur in method_missing and stops it.
It detects potential infinite loops when the same keyword and args repeat more than 100 times, which is unusual in a GUI app.
The max limit can be changed via the `Glimmer::Config::loop_max_count=(count)` config option.
Infinite loop detection may be disabled altogether if needed by setting `Glimmer::Config::loop_max_count` to `-1`
## Glimmer Style Guide
- Widgets are declared with underscored lowercase versions of their SWT names minus the SWT package name.
- Widget declarations may optionally have arguments and be followed by a block (to contain properties and content)
- Widget blocks are always declared with curly braces
- Widget arguments are always wrapped inside parentheses
- Widget properties are declared with underscored lowercase versions of the SWT properties
- Widget property declarations always have arguments and never take a block
- Widget property arguments are never wrapped inside parentheses
- Widget listeners are always declared starting with `on_` prefix and affixing listener event method name afterwards in underscored lowercase form
- Widget listeners are always followed by a block using curly braces (Only when declared in DSL. When invoked on widget object directly outside of GUI declarations, standard Ruby conventions apply)
- Data-binding is done via `bind` keyword, which always takes arguments wrapped in parentheses
- Custom widget body, before_body, and after_body blocks open their blocks and close them with curly braces.
- Custom widgets receive additional arguments to SWT style called options. These are passed as the last argument inside the parentheses, a hash of option names pointing to values.
## SWT Reference
https://www.eclipse.org/swt/docs.php
Here is the SWT API:
https://help.eclipse.org/2019-12/nftopic/org.eclipse.platform.doc.isv/reference/api/index.html
Here is a visual list of SWT widgets:
https://www.eclipse.org/swt/widgets/
Here is a textual list of SWT widgets:
https://help.eclipse.org/2019-12/topic/org.eclipse.platform.doc.isv/guide/swt_widgets_controls.htm?cp=2_0_7_0_0
Here is a list of SWT style bits as used in widget declaration:
https://wiki.eclipse.org/SWT_Widget_Style_Bits
Here is a SWT style bit constant reference:
https://help.eclipse.org/2019-12/nftopic/org.eclipse.platform.doc.isv/reference/api/org/eclipse/swt/SWT.html
Here is an SWT Drag and Drop guide:
https://www.eclipse.org/articles/Article-SWT-DND/DND-in-SWT.html
Here is an SWT Custom Widget guide:
https://www.eclipse.org/articles/Article-Writing%20Your%20Own%20Widget/Writing%20Your%20Own%20Widget.htm
## Samples
Check the [samples](samples) directory in [glimmer-dsl-swt](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-swt) for examples on how to write Glimmer applications. To run a sample, make sure to install the `glimmer` gem first and then use the `glimmer` command to run it (alternatively, you may clone the repo, follow [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) instructions, and run samples locally with development glimmer command: `bin/glimmer`).
If you cloned the project and followed [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) instructions, you may run all samples in [glimmer-dsl-swt](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-swt) at once via `samples/launch` command:
```
samples/launch
```
### Hello Samples
For hello-type simple samples, check the following.
#### Hello, World! Sample
Run:
```
glimmer samples/hello/hello_world.rb
```
#### Hello, Tab!
Run:
```
glimmer samples/hello/hello_tab.rb
```
#### Hello, Combo!
This sample demonstrates combo data-binding.
Run:
```
glimmer samples/hello/hello_combo.rb
```
#### Hello, List Single Selection!
This sample demonstrates list single-selection data-binding.
Run:
```
glimmer samples/hello/hello_list_single_selection.rb
```
#### Hello, List Multi Selection!
This sample demonstrates list multi-selection data-binding.
Run:
```
glimmer samples/hello/hello_list_multi_selection.rb
```
#### Hello, Computed!
This sample demonstrates computed data-binding.
Run:
```
glimmer samples/hello/hello_computed.rb
```
#### Hello, Message Box!
This sample demonstrates a `message_box` dialog.
Run:
```
glimmer samples/hello/hello_message_box.rb
```
#### Hello, Browser!
This sample demonstrates the `browser` widget.
Run:
```
glimmer samples/hello/hello_browser.rb
```
#### Hello, Drag and Drop!
This sample demonstrates drag and drop in Glimmer.
Run:
```
glimmer samples/hello/hello_drag_and_drop.rb
```
#### Hello, Menu Bar!
This sample demonstrates menus in Glimmer.
Run:
```
glimmer samples/hello/hello_menu_bar.rb
```
#### Hello, Pop Up Context Menu!
This sample demonstrates pop up context menus in Glimmer.
Run:
```
glimmer samples/hello/hello_pop_up_context_menu.rb
```
### Elaborate Samples
For more elaborate samples, check the following:
#### Login
```
glimmer samples/elaborate/login.rb # demonstrates basic data-binding
```
#### Tic Tac Toe Sample
```
glimmer samples/elaborate/tic_tac_toe.rb # demonstrates a full MVC application
```
#### Contact Manager
```
glimmer samples/elaborate/contact_manager.rb # demonstrates table data-binding
```
Contact Manager
Contact Manager - Find
Contact Manager - Edit Started
Contact Manager - Edit In Progress
Contact Manager - Edit Done
### External Samples
#### Glimmer Calculator
[
](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-cs-calculator)
[Glimmer Calculator](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-cs-calculator) is a basic calculator sample project demonstrating data-binding and TDD (test-driven-development) with Glimmer following the MVP pattern (Model-View-Presenter).
#### Gladiator
[
](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-cs-gladiator)
[Gladiator](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-cs-gladiator) (short for Glimmer Editor) is a Glimmer sample project under on-going development.
You may check it out to learn how to build a Glimmer Custom Shell gem.
Gladiator is a good demonstration of:
- MVP Pattern
- Tree data-binding
- List data-binding
- Text selection data-binding
- Tabs
- Context menus
- Custom Shell
- Custom widget
## In Production
The following production apps have been built with Glimmer:
[
Math Bowling](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/MathBowling): an educational math game for elementary level kids
[
Are We There Yet?](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/are-we-there-yet): A tool that helps you learn when your small projects will finish
If you have a Glimmer app you would like referenced here, please mention in a Pull Request.
## Packaging & Distribution
Glimmer apps may be packaged and distributed on the Mac, Windows, and Linux via these tools:
- Warbler (https://github.com/jruby/warbler): Enables bundling a Glimmer app into a JAR file
- javapackager (https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/technotes/tools/unix/javapackager.html): Enables packaging a JAR file as a DMG file on Mac, EXE on Windows, and multiple Linux supported formats on Linux.
Glimmer simplifies the process of Mac packaging via the `glimmer package` command. It works out of the box for any application generated by [Glimmer Scaffolding](#scaffolding):
```
glimmer package
```
This will automatically generate a JAR file under `./dist` directory using Warbler, which is then used to automatically generate a DMG file (and pkg/app) under `./packages/bundles` using `javapackager`.
JAR file name will match your application local directory name (e.g. `MathBowling.jar` for `~/code/MathBowling`)
DMG file name will match the humanized local directory name + dash + application version (e.g. `Math Bowling-1.0.dmg` for `~/code/MathBowling` with version 1.0 or unspecified)
The `glimmer package` command will automatically set "mac.CFBundleIdentifier" to ="org.#{project_name}.application.#{project_name}".
You may override by configuring as an extra argument for javapackger (e.g. Glimmer::Package.javapackager_extra_args = " -Bmac.CFBundleIdentifier=org.andymaleh.application.MathBowling")
### Packaging Defaults
Glimmer employs smart defaults in packaging.
The package application name (shows up in top menu bar on the Mac) will be a human form of the app root directory name (e.g. "Math Bowling" for "MathBowling" or "math_bowling" app root directory name). However, application name and version may be specified explicitly via "-Bmac.CFBundleName" and "-Bmac.CFBundleVersion" options.
Also, the package will only include these directories: app, config, db, lib, script, bin, docs, fonts, images, sounds, videos
After running once, you will find a `config/warble.rb` file. It has the JAR packaging configuration. You may adjust included directories in it if needed, and then rerun `glimmer package` and it will pick up your custom configuration. Alternatively, if you'd like to customize the included directories to begin with, don't run `glimmer package` right away. Run this command first:
```
glimmer package:config
```
This will generate `config/warble.rb`, which you may configure and then run `glimmer package` afterwards.
### Packaging Configuration
- Ensure you have a Ruby script under `bin` directory that launches the application, preferably matching your project directory name (e.g. `bin/math_bowling`) :
```ruby
require_relative '../app/my_application.rb'
```
- Include Icon (Optional): If you'd like to include an icon for your app (.icns format on the Mac), place it under `package/macosx` matching the humanized application local directory name (e.g. 'Math Bowling.icns' [containing space] for MathBowling or math_bowling). You may generate your Mac icon easily using tools like Image2Icon (http://www.img2icnsapp.com/) or manually using the Mac terminal command `iconutil` (iconutil guide: https://applehelpwriter.com/tag/iconutil/)
- Include Version (Optional): Create a `VERSION` file in your application and fill it your app version on one line (e.g. `1.1.0`)
- Include License (Optional): Create a `LICENSE.txt` file in your application and fill it up with your license (e.g. MIT). It will show up to people when installing your app. Note that, you may optionally also specify license type, but you'd have to do so manually via `-BlicenseType=MIT` shown in an [example below](#javapackager-extra-arguments).
- Extra args (Optional): You may optionally add the following to `Rakefile` to configure extra arguments for javapackager: `Glimmer::Packager.javapackager_extra_args = "..."` (Useful to avoid re-entering extra arguments on every run of rake task.). Read about them in [their section below](#javapackager-extra-arguments).
### javapackager Extra Arguments
In order to explicitly configure javapackager, Mac package attributes, or sign your Mac app to distribute on the App Store, you can follow more advanced instructions for `javapackager` here:
- https://docs.oracle.com/javase/9/tools/javapackager.htm#JSWOR719
- https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/technotes/tools/unix/javapackager.html
- https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/technotes/guides/deploy/self-contained-packaging.html#BCGICFDB
- https://docs.oracle.com/javase/8/docs/technotes/guides/deploy/self-contained-packaging.html
- https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/releasenotes/General/SubmittingToMacAppStore/index.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40010572-CH16-SW8
The Glimmer rake task allows passing extra options to javapackager via:
- `Glimmer::Packager.javapackager_extra_args="..."` in your application Rakefile
- Environment variable: `JAVAPACKAGER_EXTRA_ARGS`
Example (Rakefile):
```ruby
require 'glimmer/rake_task'
Glimmer::Package.javapackager_extra_args = '-BlicenseType="MIT" -Bmac.category="public.app-category.business" -Bmac.signing-key-developer-id-app="Andy Maleh"'
```
Note that `mac.category` defaults to "public.app-category.business", but can be overridden with one of the category UTI values mentioned here:
https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/releasenotes/General/SubmittingToMacAppStore/index.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40010572-CH16-SW8
Example (env var):
```
JAVAPACKAGER_EXTRA_ARGS='-Bmac.CFBundleName="Math Bowling Game"' glimmer package
```
That overrides the default application display name.
### Mac Application Distribution
Recent macOS versions (starting with Catalina) have very stringent security requirements requiring all applications to be signed before running (unless the user goes to System Preferences -> Privacy -> General tab and clicks "Open Anyway" after failing to open application the first time they run it). So, to release a desktop application on the Mac, it is recommended to enroll in the [Apple Developer Program](https://developer.apple.com/programs/) to distribute on the [Mac App Store](https://developer.apple.com/distribute/) or otherwise request [app notarization from Apple](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/xcode/notarizing_macos_software_before_distribution) to distribute independently.
Afterwards, you may add developer-id/signing-key arguments to `javapackager` via `Glimmer::Package.javapackager_extra_args` or `JAVAPACKAGER_EXTRA_ARGS` according to this webpage: https://docs.oracle.com/javase/9/tools/javapackager.htm#JSWOR719
DMG signing key argument:
```
-Bmac.signing-key-developer-id-app="..."
```
PKG signing key argument:
```
-Bmac.signing-key-developer-id-installer="..."
```
Mac App Store signing key arguments:
```
-Bmac.signing-key-app="..."
-Bmac.signing-key-pkg="..."
```
### Self Signed Certificate
You may still release a signed DMG file without enrolling into the Apple Developer Program with the caveat that users will always fail in opening the app the first time, and have to go to System Preferences -> Privacy -> General tab to "Open Anyway".
To do so, you may follow these steps (abbreviated version from https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/Security/Conceptual/CodeSigningGuide/Procedures/Procedures.html#//apple_ref/doc/uid/TP40005929-CH4-SW2):
- Open Keychain Access
- Choose Keychain Access > Certificate Assistant > Create Certificate ...
- Enter Name (referred to below as "CertificateName")
- Set 'Certificate Type' to 'Code Signing'
- Create (if you alternatively override defaults, make sure to enable all capabilities)
- Add the following option to javapackager: `-Bmac.signing-key-developer-id-app="CertificateName"` via `Glimmer::Package.javapackager_extra_args` or `JAVAPACKAGER_EXTRA_ARGS`
Example:
```ruby
Glimmer::Package.javapackager_extra_args = '-Bmac.signing-key-developer-id-app="Andy Maleh"'
```
Now, when you run `glimmer package`, it builds a self-signed DMG file. When you make available online, and users download, upon launching application, they are presented with your certificate, which they have to sign if they trust you in order to use the application.
### Gotchas
1. Specifying License File
The javapackager documentation states that a license file may be specified with "-BlicenseFile" javapackager option. However, in order for that to work, one must specify as a source file via "-srcfiles" javapackager option.
Keep that in mind if you are not going to rely on the default `LICENSE.txt` support.
Example:
```ruby
Glimmer::Package.javapackager_extra_args = '-srcfiles "ACME.txt" -BlicenseFile="ACME.txt" -BlicenseType="ACME"'
```
2. Mounted DMG Residue
If you run `glimmer package` multiple times, sometimes it leaves a mounted DMG project in your finder. Unmount before you run the command again or it might fail with an error saying: "Error: Bundler "DMG Installer" (dmg) failed to produce a bundle."
By the way, keep in mind that during normal operation, it does also indicate a false-negative while completing successfully similar to the following (please ignore):
```
Exec failed with code 2 command [[/usr/bin/SetFile, -c, icnC, /var/folders/4_/g1sw__tx6mjdgyh3mky7vydc0000gp/T/fxbundler4076750801763032201/images/MathBowling/.VolumeIcon.icns] in unspecified directory
```
## Resources
* [Code Master Blog](http://andymaleh.blogspot.com/search/label/Glimmer)
* [JRuby Cookbook by Justin Edelson & Henry Liu](http://shop.oreilly.com/product/9780596519650.do)
* [MountainWest RubyConf 2011 Video](https://confreaks.tv/videos/mwrc2011-whatever-happened-to-desktop-development-in-ruby)
* [RubyConf 2008 Video](https://confreaks.tv/videos/rubyconf2008-desktop-development-with-glimmer)
* [InfoQ Article](http://www.infoq.com/news/2008/02/glimmer-jruby-swt)
* [DZone Tutorial](https://dzone.com/articles/an-introduction-glimmer)
## Help
### Issues
You may submit [issues](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer/issues) on [GitHub](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer/issues).
[Click here to submit an issue.](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer/issues)
### Chat
If you need live help, try to [](https://gitter.im/AndyObtiva/glimmer?utm_source=badge&utm_medium=badge&utm_campaign=pr-badge&utm_content=badge)
## Feature Suggestions
These features have been suggested. You might see them in a future version of Glimmer. You are welcome to contribute more feature suggestions.
[glimmer-dsl-swt/TODO.md](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-swt/blob/master/TODO.md)
Glimmer DSL Engine specific tasks are at:
[TODO.md](TODO.md)
## Change Log
[CHANGELOG.md](CHANGELOG.md)
## Contributing
**Contributors Wanted!**
If you would like to contribute to Glimmer, please study up on Glimmer and [SWT](#swt-reference), run all Glimmer [samples](#samples), and build a small sample app to add to [glimmer-dsl-swt](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-swt) Hello or Elaborate samples via a Pull Request. Once done, contact me on [Chat](#chat).
You may apply for contributing to any of these Glimmer DSL gems whether you prefer to focus on the desktop or web:
- [glimmer-dsl-swt](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-swt): Glimmer DSL for SWT (Desktop GUI)
- [glimmer-dsl-opal](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-opal): Glimmer DSL for Opal (Web GUI Adapter for Desktop Apps)
- [glimmer-dsl-xml](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-xml): Glimmer DSL for XML (& HTML)
- [glimmer-dsl-css](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer-dsl-css): Glimmer DSL for CSS (Cascading Style Sheets)
[CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md)
## Contributors
* [Andy Maleh](https://github.com/AndyObtiva) (Founder)
* [Dennis Theisen](https://github.com/Soleone) (Contributor)
[Click here to view contributor commits.](https://github.com/AndyObtiva/glimmer/graphs/contributors)
## Hire Me
If your company would like to invest fulltime in further development of the Glimmer open-source project, [hire me](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andymaleh/).
## License
Copyright (c) 2007-2020 Andy Maleh.
See LICENSE.txt for further details.
Glimmer logo was made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com