Introducing GwtPHP

GWT or Google Web Toolkit is a very popular framework in developing Ajax based application. It uses Java as the programming language while the framework automatically translates the said programming language into JavaScript which could be launched as an Ajax based application. GWT is a powerful client side framework that uses Java to control the functions. It is a type of frameworks that remotely controls the functions of JavaScript with the use of Java.

Although GWT is a powerful framework, there are alternative frameworks derived from GWT that could be attractive for developers. One of the those frameworks is GwtPHP. This type of framework could work in both client and server side which eases development of the application.

Differences to the GWT

GwtPHP has two key differences to the original GWT:

• Use of PHP 5 – The server side of GwtPHP uses PHP 5, a very popular programming language. Most developers are already familiar with PHP so coding with PHP 5 is no problem at all. As this is launched in the server side to control JavaScript, developers are assured of stability in this framework.

• JSON instead of XML – GWT is using the universally acknowledged XML as the mark-up tool. GwtPHP on the other hand uses JSON which is a mark-up tool specifically built for JavaScript. As the client side is configured for JavaScript, data transfer is fast and possibly more secure as JSON cannot just be implemented in other programming languages.

Plug-ins, API and Gadgets

GwtPHP uses different APIs to build the Ajax based application. By using API, the application could be lightweight and data transfer is fast. The APIs in GwtPHP are usually used in connecting with the server for faster data transfer. The API could also be implemented in other websites for faster communication.

Plug-ins could also be integrated to any applications and websites developed with GwtPHP. The framework has natural support for different types of plug-ins. Developers could build a simple application from GwtPHP and slowly move forward with different types of plug-ins.

Gadgets from Google and Netvibes could also be integrated in your application. Just like the plug-ins, user interaction increases with the integration of different gadgets from the said websites. There are hundreds of gadgets to choose from these websites. Developers could practically rely on Google and Netvibes for additional resources.

Templates and Languages

Templates are available from the framework but developers could also build their preferred template for building the application. The templates offered by GwtPHP are often based on different business functions. They could easily build the application from the available templates.

Developers could also build an application that could be available in different languages. Automatic updates are also available for different languages. That means developers do not have to manually maintain the source code when changes were made on the language.

GwtPHP is a simple but highly customizable framework in developing an Ajax based application. The framework could be easily launched as it uses PHP 5 as the programming language for the server and receptive to different plug-ins and APIs for customization.