GWT: An Evaluation

The Google Web Toolkit is a very popular toolkit today. Backed-up by the “very powerful” Google, it has virtually been the craze of every developer interested to be part of the development craze. Basically, GWT was made by Google to cater to experienced developers to easily build an Ajax-based application. This tool is directed to those who are experienced in Java to be able to create an Ajax based program. GWT will “translate” the Java program into JavaScript, thus helping the developer to create an efficient Ajax based program – even though the developer has a very slight idea about JavaScript.

But is GWT for you? Just like any other toolkit, Google Web Toolkits has its ups and downs. We take a look at the facts to know why or why not you should choose GWT for your next software development.

The Good:

Easy Java Configuration – the way Java is configured especially on important websites are complicated. However GWT takes care of Java really easy. Every UI available in Java could also be found there. You can easily configure Java and translate the program later through the toolkit.

JavaScript Optimized – when Google Web Toolkit is implemented, it translates JavaScript and later optimizes it for better implementation. GWT simplifies the code so that browsers could easily understand the program and implement it really fast.

Almost no training needed – some will say “no need to learn anything” but Google needs a little bit of familiarization. Why is this good thing? Because Google can easily be understood if you already have knowledge of Java and CSS. If you study a little bit more, you’ll don’t have to constrict yourself with a simple program but you can actually create complicated Ajax based program that could be launched in the desktop.

The Bad:

Slow Compiler – Unfortunately GWT compiler is a little bit slower. Although Java’s updated compiler will definitely work faster to your advantage, the current version of GWT cannot compete with Java. You’ll just have to wait a little bit longer to implement Ajax through the compiler.

Advanced Widget – if you’re itching to create a program using GWT right now, you’ll be up for a challenge of creating complicated programs especially the widgets. But you have to wait a little bit because Google is working on the widgets and libraries.

Careful Presentation – for a desktop widget, GWT needs a lot of things so they can be properly implemented. For complicated programs, it usually requires another framework. What will happen then is GWT will need another framework for Java which will then result into a mash-up. That usually requires an SDLC model and a highly coordinated architecture – just for a simple widget.

Conclusion:

Wait a little bit more and study GWT before you can create a program using this tool. There are so many things that you should be able to do with GWT but Google are still working on it. So it’s a perfect time to study the program and when an update comes, it’s time to work on GWT really easy.