GWT for the enterprise?

[Shawn Kuenzler]

What do you foresee for GWT in the job-marketplace? I wonder how well it will be adopted for development in larger shops.

Basically, with GWT doing so much of the work behind the scenes, if I invest my time learning it, will potential employers frown on the fact that I don't truly know AJAX?

Thanks!

[Adam Tacy]

Originally posted by Shawn Kuenzler:
What do you foresee for GWT in the job-marketplace?

It would be nice to have a crystal ball...

I wonder how well it will be adopted for development in larger shops.[/QB]

There are distinct benefits of GWT when it comes to developing serious web applications - tool support and theoretical reduced through life costs, etc - so it should become adopted quick quickly.

Whether it does is a matter for guessing at this moment in time.

Basically, with GWT doing so much of the work behind the scenes, if I invest my time learning it, will potential employers frown on the fact that I don't truly know AJAX?
Thanks![/QB]

You still need to know the concepts and understand the AJAX techniques to use GWT.

However, if you just learn GWT and then apply for a job that really requires you to program your own cross-browser Asynchronous program in JavaScript which handles XML in JavaScript code you will be at a disadvantage.

I think once you use and understand GWT would be able to explain to potential/current employers the key benefits of GWT and guide them into using GWT as the main approach.

//Adam

[Jim Sandman]

Google was really on the ball to create GWT, and I'm excited about learning and using it with AJAX. Are there other tools besides GWT that even come close to what it does?

[Keith Flo]

I don't agree that "Google was really on the ball to create GWT," ... I'm not a GWT expert ... but my gut tells me its not a gonna be a great solution long term. Or very popular.

Why do I say this?

1. As I understand it with GWT you write Java and it generates Javascript, HTML and CSS. I would have prefered a really nice set (or a library) of open source Ajax/Javascript components, maybe Ajax design pattens that Google uses or a open source Ajax design tool.

2. Code generators .. IMHO .. have limited appeal. If you know Ajax well why use GWT? If you're a capable JSP/Struts or JSF developer why do you need GWT?

I think its primary appeal is to Java devs who don't know anything about Ajax or browser based UI.

kf

[Bear Bibeault]

I have to agree with Keith on many of his points. I tried GWT and I will not be using it for any future projects.

I think its appeal will be limited to those who don't want to learn web technologies and are content with auto-generated code that kind of sort of does what they want.

[Jim Sandman]

Sounds like great advice...I'll concentrate on using AJAX well, and just google with Google.