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Unix Programming - Special-Purpose Code Generators - Case Study: Glade
We looked at Glade in Chapter8 as a good example of a
declarative minilanguage. We also noted that its back end produces a
result by generating code in any one of several languages.
Glade is a good modern example of an
application-code generator. What makes it Unixy in spirit are the
following features, which most GUI builders (especially most
proprietary GUI builders) don't have:
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Rather than being glued together as one monster
monolith, the Glade GUI and
Glade code generator obey the Rule of
Separation (following the “separated engine and
interface” design pattern).
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The GUI and code generator are connected by an (XML-based) textual
data file format that can be read and modified by other tools.
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Multiple target languages (as opposed to just
C or
C++) are supported. More
could easily be added.
The design implies that it should also be possible to
replace the Glade GUI editor component,
should that ever become desirable.
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