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List:       mozilla-ui
Subject:    Re: The Mozilla Foundation Classes
From:       Bradley Keith Neuberg <bkn3 () columbia ! edu>
Date:       1998-10-16 21:29:40
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On Fri, 16 Oct 1998, Adam Lock wrote:

> Bradley Keith Neuberg wrote:
> > 
> > > Java is completely and totally something else. You can't wrap a C++
> > > based object (such as Mozilla) inside a JavaBean without severe, nigh on
> > > impossible efforts and even if you did it would still be pointless since
> > > the bean would still be platform dependent.
> > 
> > I disagree with this.  You would be correct that wrapping Mozilla as a
> > JavaBean or with a thin, java wrapper API would be platform dependent if
> > Mozilla was only on one platform.  However, native code for Mozilla exists
> > on every platform that has a Java virtual machine.
> > This means that you...
> > 
> > -- Rest snipped ---
> 
> Each bean would still be platform dependent since the browser back end
> would have to be distributed with it (in a jar file for instance).
> Hardly WORA. The thread (and my reply) was also discussing the best way
> of componentizing the browser and a JavaBean isn't it since it is a Java
> only format. 
> 
> There already is a Java Mozilla effort at http://www.jazilla.org/ which
> may shed light on what is currently being done in this area if you're
> interested.
> 

This misses the point.  Jazilla is an excellent idea, but it is focused on
building an all-java implementation.  The Mozilla Foundation Classes are
an attempt to get the same native speeds as the Internet Explorer
COM-control with the cross-platform ability of 100% Pure Java.  Jazilla is
focused on creating an end-user browser, while the Mozilla Foundation
Classes are focused on creating an API that exposes browser-like services
to Java programs.  One is an end-user application, the other is a
developer's API.

And concerning having to distribute the Mozilla code to users, of course
you have to.  The Mozilla Foundation Classes are a bit like an extension
to the core JDK.  Someone would have to initially install the MozFC to run
a program that uses the MozFC.  If MozFC were distributed with the JVM,
then this is moot.

Brad Neuberg
OpenPortal

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