[summerofcode] Summer of Code Application - Java Swing IDEL for Jython

[Roy Chan]

To whom it may concern.

My name is Roy Chan and I have applied to the Google Summer of Code. I am 
interested in the project about the IDLE for Jython. Below is my proposal 
about the tool.

Swing Based IDLE for Jython
===========================
IDLE is a nice environment for Python, Jython should have something like 
that too. There are already a number of exiting environments for Jython (e.g. 
wsadmin from IBM for Websphere administation.), but it is Tcl/Tk based.

There is 2 ways to make a IDLE for Jython. Either use Java swing to 
communicate to existing IDLE(Tcl/Tk) or use Java swing to communicate to the 
interpreter. The later one definitely is a better solution, for it is less 
over head and it is in pure Java.

To implement such a environment will make Jython a much easier language to 
develop and debug.

Initial idea of the design is to allow user to do the same thing on the 
swing GUI as in the IDEL. Command will be fired whenever user hit enter. 
Event Linstener will send Jython line to the background and execute with the 
Jython class(es).

Most the IDEL features should be reserved in the swing GUI, such as, syntax 
colour, save files. All these can be done easily in Swing. Debugger would be 
a challenge, since you have to have to windows communicate between each 
others and you need to gather all system information and display it on the 
debugger. A easier swing way is to have the debugger in the same windows and 
display is side by side with the command input area.

Other bonus features can be:
1. Save clean jython code into file (i.e. only save all command that 
executed successfully)
2. Taking advantage of existing OpneSource IDE(e.g. Netbeans, Eclipse), 
write the plugin only instead of the whole GUI
3. Config file of the Swing IDEL is portable (e.g. in xml format), make it 
easier for user to program anytime anywhere.

Installation Feature
 In order to help beginner, the installation should be user friendly. Ideal 
installer should detect java installation directoy, provide clear 
instructions. Command line one is a must, a swing one is nice to have (we 
are using swing anyway). Wizard type of installer like BEA Weblogic 
Configuration wizard is a nice and clear one. If time allows the installer 
should provide both command line and swing GUI. (e.g. execute 
install_jython_idel.sh [-console|-swing])

If a swing installer exist, it can be called from Java Web Start, which 
makes everything even simpler and easier for non-programmer/new developer

Please also refer to the link http://wiki.python.org/moin/JythonProjects

My Background
=============
I have just graduated this term and I am still taking courses in University 
of Toronto to upgrade my degree to H.BSc.
I have been worked at Sun Microsystems of Canada Inc. as a Web 
Developer(Intern) then Sr. Web Developer(Intern) in 2003 to 2004. It gives 
me not only the technical skill but also experience in working as a team and 
communicate with other team member clearly over the world.
I have extensive experience in Java and Shell scripting. I started learning 
Python/Jython last year and I really like it for it is simple and easy to 
use.

Please consider my application and feel free to contact me at (
email2roy at gmail.com) to discuss about my application.

Thanks!!

Yours Sincerely,
Roy Chan

(This project description has been submitted to the Google Summer of Code)
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