Need Advice from GURU's ...

[Ben Duncan]

As many of you know, I have been a long time AppGen programmer/VAR.
As of late due to them closing their doors, I have been looking for
something to replace it with.

It looks like I have found something that can do they job, S-Lang.
(see http://www.s-lang.org )
S-lang is noted for it's easy to use and transportable library of
screen and keyboard handling routines. It also has a VERY powerful
script language, and now even a "slang" shell. Someone even has
written a widget set called "newt" in S-Lang that is run under Python
to form the basis of the Redhat installation system.

I have just spent the past 15 days hacking "newt" to run under the
S-Lang shell. I guess I have LEARNED more about C programming in the
past 15 days then I have since I was exposed to it back in 1985!

Ok, now it's time for some terminology to be explained before I go
any further. These are the terms "Newt" uses.

Screen = actual physical display device
Root Window = the initial display area on the screen which
      is the whole physical display area available.
Window - A virtual display area that can be any size. It sets
       atop the root window.
widget set - A library of utilities for creating and displaying:
       Radio Buttons, Check boxes, Selection List Boxes,
       radio button bars,information boxes, text input and other such things.
Grid - A x,y size coordinate for demarcation of a Window
Form - A list of widgets in FIFO order along with their relative
       positions inside a Window inside a grid.

In newt , you set a Window, build your widget list (a structure
pointer is returned for each widget), build your Form using your
widgets, set your grids, then execute your "Form" (with optional
grid settings).

The Form then takes over control and simply returns any/all information
  - list box choice numbers, text entries, radio button id ..etc..etc. Form
runs in "Non-Modal" mode - meaning it is like GUI. All the widgets are
are displayed within their given location and size settings.

Now, I have successfully gotten newt converted to run under slsh (slang shell).
There is no doubt SLAG, as I call it (S-Lang Application Generator). which is my
system of S-Lang and newt and slsh, can be the next Appgen replacement.

However, here is where the request for advice comes in:

I do not think that this is how it needs to be done. Having the "widgets"
are necessary, as is the Windows, but I believe the widgets need to be
under the direct control of the "SLAG" engine  and the SLADE (S-Lang Application
definition).

i.e. : You are on a entry that has say 5 choices. At that time a "Selection"
box needs to pop up if you hit a "function" key to show you the selections.
Or your entry has failed an edit, then a "Text Button Window" appears telling
you of the error.

I am open to any and all suggestion on this

(Bill, this is probably going to be something that needs to go up on
libertysoftware.org - let me know ..)

Thanks ...

-- 
Ben Duncan   - VersAccounting Software LLC 336 Elton Road  Jackson MS, 39212
"Never attribute to malice, that which can be adequately explained by stupidity"
        - Hanlon's Razor