Qt Jambi

While I was browsing random websites, I stumbled upon Qt Jambi: TrollTech's Framework for Java desktop development. After I ran the demos, I got really impressed. The demos look/run just like native Qt applications, and use many cool Qt functions. Another great step for better Java desktop development.

And also, with the release of Java 6, we have seen great improvements on the GTK Look&Feel. Applications with GTK L&F also look just like native applications.

Since it's also free, I am expecting Java to be the first choice for Linux desktop applications.

Java & Excel Documents

During my internship, I was asked to code an application that parses a given text and adds the data to an Excel document. Parsing was easy, but Excel part seemed difficult. But after a quick google search, I found JExcelApi. It is simple, and nicely documented. Thanks to JExcelApi coders, I finished the application in just a few hours.
These kind of situations makes any coder appreciate "free software".

Subversion Management Tool - "subman"

I've completed the Web Based (PHP) Subversion server management tool I was coding. It's usable, but many things may need improving. Current features are :

• Create / Delete Repositories
• Create / Delete Users
• Add users to repositories
• Remove users from repositories
• Change rights of users in each repository

Notes :
You need to have a SVN server setup with Apache Webdav in order to use this tool. And you need to specify paths for SVN server related files in config.php . And don't forget to backup everything related, prior to trying this :)
It is compatible with PHP 5+. License is Apache 2.0. I have used Hashmap codes from Phrame.

Download it here : Subman 0.1

I will try to make it better in my free time, so I'm open to suggestions. If you try this tool, please write a comment here.

Eclipse PDT & Zend Debugger

I'm working on the Subversion server administration program I mentioned on my previous post. Till now, I had only programmed small projects using PHP, and didn't need a good IDE. Advanced text editors (Gedit, Notepad++ etc) were more than enough.
This time, I want to use a good IDE for ease and stability of development. I had previously read about the Eclipse PHP IDE project. So the first IDE I checked was my good old IDE Eclipse. I downloaded the PDT & Zend Debugger all in one package. And that's it, didn't try any single other PHP IDE.
I don't like PHP much. 'Type-unsafe' languages drive me mad. But Eclipse PDT was there to help me. With javadoc-like comments before variables and functions, I can notify the IDE of the type of the variables and return values of the functions. And when I call the function, or use the variable, the IDE guides me. This prevents many possible errors. This single feature of PDT was enough for me, but with that package, I also had auto-complete for PHP functions, documentation for each standart PHP function and an integrated debugger/interpreter. I didn't even need a web server (Although I already have one set-up).
For the HTML side, Aptana plug-in is my choice. I have used it on several occasions before, and I'm pleased with it.
I guess Eclipse will always be the IDE to try for any new languages.

Managing a Subversion Server

Recently, I set up an SVN server on a Gentoo machine (not an ordinary machine.. It has 6 sparc cpu's =) ) using the great howto from Gentoo Wiki. It works quite well, but I also need a web-based tool for ease of administration. I found svnmanager, but I had problems with it. It uses Prado Framework 2.0.3, which won't work with newer versions of PHP. As the server will also run other PHP applications, downgrading is not an option.
First I tried to update svnmanager's codes to newer versions of Prado Framework but Prado changed in many ways in the never versions (3.x). And finally I decided to code my own web based SVN administration tool. I'll start tomorrow, and i guess it will be finished in a couple of days. I had written a tool like this for our good old cvs server, and this looks even easier.
I'll be sharing the code for anyone that needs it.