Tuesday, January 30th, 2007
WAML: Web Application Markup Language
<p>Evgenios Skitsanos has created WAML: Web Application Markup Language:WAML is another approach of combining existed AJAX frameworks under single Application Markup Language. WAML - Web Application Markup Language. WAML allows you to define your web application appearance and functionality by using simple XML like syntax mixed with HTML. The idea behind WAML is to simplify application functionality definition and provide flexible access to UI objects, data and communication services. WAML functionality build on top of existed AJAX frameworks available for public use. After all WAML is absolutely FREE.
You will probably recognize the markup from MXML and others.
Take a look at an example as source:
XML:
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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
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<wa :Application xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xmlns:wa="http://grafeio.eu/waml/" title="Skitsanos WAML Framework">
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</wa><wa :Imports>
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<wa :Resource type="stylesheet" url="/app.css"/>
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</wa>
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<wa :Module>
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</wa><wa :Layout id="ltApplication">
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</wa><wa :LayoutPanel initialSize="35" location="north" split="false">
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<div id="ApplicationHeader">WAML Framework</div>
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</wa>
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<wa :LayoutPanel autoScroll="true" collapsible="true" initialSize="200" location="west" split="true" title="Actions" titlebar="true">
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</wa><wa :Accordion id="acc1">
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<wa :AccordionPanel contentUrl="/docs/waml-objects.waml" id="panel1" title="Documentation"/>
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<wa :AccordionPanel contentUrl="/docs/waml-samples.waml" id="panel2" title="Samples"/>
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<wa :AccordionPanel contentUrl="/docs/ajax-frameworks.htm" id="panel3" title="Frameworks Used"/>
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</wa>
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<wa :LayoutPanel autoScroll="true" location="center">
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<div style="padding: 10px;">
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<wa :Box id="boxRounded" Corners="all" CornerType="smooth" InnerColor="#888" OuterColor="#fff" style="width:600px; padding: 3px; color: #fff;" contentUrl="/docs/waml.waml"/>
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</div>
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</wa>
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<wa :LayoutPanel initialSize="20" location="south" split="false">
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<div style="background-color:#c3daf9;">© 2007, Evgenios Skitsanos. | <a href="http://www.skitsanos.com" target="_blank">http://www.skitsanos.com</a>
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</div>
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</wa>
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and compare it to the output that will look familiar to those of you that use YUI.
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2.4 rating from 28 votes
I applaud the effort. I tried the link but seems like it just hangs. So I can’t really check out the details. In general, I’m always excited about new technologies, new tools, frameworks, etc. But in this case I’m skeptical. I’m getting very tired of XML or any XML-derived try-to-be-programming-language. It can get very counter-productive. I prefer YUI, mootools, prototype, etc in their current state, without having to learn a new set of XML tags.
I somewhat agree with Kevin, though I believe that XML is a viable solution to many of the world’s problems such as famine, over-population, and Paris Hilton. In my opinion, XML may even be the cure for cancer, but thats a bit off topic. What I do agree on is the lack of necessity for yet another markup language to ‘simplify’ the description of something that very few people can accurately define. The markup looks amazingly like MXML or even an over complicated XUL interface (which, by the way, would work wonders for the authors original intent if a runtime environment wasn’t necessary). Nonetheless, I applaud the author for his work, it will no doubt speed up his personal production time, which is always a huge bonus in my book.
Looks like some of our PRADO code…
I started similar project is using YUI and YUI-EXT to render XUL files but it’s in very early stage of developement. My target was to build simple and flexible app markup language and then a online RAD tool like Delphi. But now i don’t know is it have sense to continue. But WAML seems to be quite complicated.
Who needs another XUL that differs from XUL in syntax???
VS
Dien Dobry Wojciech, i agree with Valery, there is no point to make another XUL. My point on a first place to have something similar to syntax of Backbase or maybe Flex. I wanted to build unified IDE for Flex and BB some time ago, but since i didn’t got into any positive agreement with Adobe about joining their AJAX team, i started playing with what i had already pre-made. So what i wanted to achieve on the end is to have bunch of widgets like in BB and ability to render HTML as output. Thats what i actually have at this moment.
This isn’t “another XUL” but Mozilla’s XUL 1.0 renderier using YUI (I want to have almost full compatibility). I also don’t like “yet another” languages and projects. My RAD IDE could be used for developing “regular” XUL files. There are many goals I want to achieve. Soon I’ll write about project design & ideas and include some samples (probably from XULPlanet)
P.S.: Some of you have visited my blog. As You see it’s in polish so I won’t add it to comment’s footer to not mislead You.
Mr. Siudzinski,
You might appreciate the XUL-Enhanced Web Apps article on XML.com. I commented on the article to suggest that someone write a XUL renderer in JavaScript. I’m glad to hear you’ve already begun.
If you would like some help in completing it, please let me know. I look forward to hearing more about your progress. I hope it’s going well.
Thanks.
I think I agree with your post. What I do agree on is the lack of necessity for yet another markup language to ’simplify’ the description of something that very few people can accurately define.Checked the link it just hangs but I applaud the author for his work, time and sharing.
http://www.websites-design.com.au/