richard@torch.UUCP (Richard Nuttall) (06/06/89)
What are the plans for the (long) term future of X? I am glad to see that work is being done on PEX. It is nice to see the directions that MOTIF is going. BUT.... what of the future? Is the X code going to be brought up to ANSI C standards? Are the Toolkits going to be rewritten in a more object-oriented fashion? As with any system, changes that would make existing code incompatible are unpopular, but, the sooner such changes are made, the easier it is. I also realise that X11 would not have any major changes in it for ?3 years or so, but that 3 years is not so far away. I would like to see the following: 1) The main X code brought up to ANSI C standards. 2) Eventually, the code rewritten to use C++. The object oriented nature of X is very apparent, and X would be enhanced by an object oriented interface. Before everyone gets their flames out, I should add: I realise that the source distributed by the X Consortium is only a sample server, but many vendors who provide X (including Torch) base their server on the MIT one, and so will follow the Consortium. The amount of work to be done is large. But, imagine if the code is not changed, then, in 10 years or so, everyone will be saying "We can't change it now, there's too much code to port". It will definately be too late then. Not everyone has a ANSI C compiler, or a C++ compiler. But, each are easily available (GCC and G++). I expect all hardware manufacturers to bring out ANSI compatible compilers in their next OS releases. Final question: What standards is MOTIF going to be produced to? Will it use ANSI C, have a C++ interface? What other coding standards will it use? Since MOTIF is being produced from scratch, it will be easier to enforce standards at an early stage. Imagine the joys of producing an application using MOTIF, PEX, a UI prototyper (like OPEN DIALOGUE) all written in C++!!!!!!! And then being able to instantly port it to another machine and see it run there as well!!! -- Richard Nuttall | ukc!stc!datlog!torch!richard Torch Technology Ltd. | 0223 841000 X 309 Cambridge England |