JavaRanch Code Repository (JCR)

[Dirk Schreckmann]

A few 'Ranchers have been discussing what the characteristics of a decent Java Code Repository might be. It has been suggested that if JavaRanch were to pursue such a project, it might fit well into the site as an addition to The JavaRanch Code Barn.
I suggest that we continue the conversation concerning this matter in this thread.
What would be the characteristics of a decent Java Code Repository?
[ June 27, 2002: Message edited by: Dirk Schreckmann ]

[Gregg Bolinger]

Tested Working Packages
JavaDocs
Ratings
Non-Commercial
Open Source
User Feedback/Comments
Contests for awesome packages - Winners selected by Javaranch members??
Just throwing out some ideas here. At least, this is what I had in mind.

[Dirk Schreckmann]

Tested Working Packages - Who does this testing? When is a package thoroughly tested?
JavaDocs - Sounds good to me.
Ratings - Who would rate them and how? To what standard (if any)?
Non-Commercial - Do you mean that any code in the repository would not be for sale?
Open Source - Is there an existing Open Source License Agreement that we might do well to incorporate?
User Feedback/Comments - Does this perhaps suggest a forum dedicated to the Code Barn (if that's where such a repository would exist)?
Contests - Hmmm...

[Gregg Bolinger]

Testing - Volinteers?? Maybe just have this information in the user comments forum?
Ratings - Users would rate them. User Ratings - 1 to 5 COWS.
Non-Commercial - yes, all code submitted to the repository is FREE. Don't we have a Blatent Advertising Forum already?
GNU is the only Open Source Liscense I can think of right now.
Either a forum or a "Read User Comments" link of some sort next to the package download area?
The problem with my ideas is that they may be too focused on a stand alone web page, rather than incoorporating it with Javaranch Standards and Guidelines.
I would rather this be part of Javaranch, so just push my ideas in the right direction? Convert them to Javaranch.

[Dirk Schreckmann]

Here is a list of sites whose charter is to contribute to an unassociated network of Java Code Repositories (more or less):

The Giant Java Tree

Earthweb's Jars.com

The Java Foundry at SourceForge.net

The Jakarta Project at Apache.org

CJAN.org - The Comprehensive Java Archive Network

Freshmeat.net's Java Projects

What do you like and dislike about any of these projects? Does a niche exist for a new project to fill?
[ June 25, 2002: Message edited by: Dirk Schreckmann ]

[Michael Matola]

Would code in this repository have to conform to the JavaRanch style guide?

[David Gilbert]

Freshmeat.net also lists around 1500 mostly free Java projects, with links, user ratings and comments. You can list the projects alphabetically or by rating, vitality or popularity. Almost perfect...you need to filter out the non-Java stuff if it is not of interest to you.
I prefer the 'link, comment and rating' approach rather than trying to lump lots of code together into a single repository. So if you are going to set something up, just do a "Freshmeat for free Java code only" site. That's just my view, of course...
Dave Gilbert
www.object-refinery.com

[Gregg Bolinger]

Giant Java Tree - A lot of "stuff". What is good vs what is bad is anyone's guess. Also not enough description of the package at a glance. You have to go into the docs to know anything other than the name of the package.
Jars.com - Very nice site. But I don't like the commercial side of it. People trying to sell JAVA Packages?? Doesn't seem right. Ha, my opinion though. I guess we all like to make money.
SoundForge.net - Again, a very nice site. But seems too busy. I don't like going there trying to find java packages to use.
Jakarta seem a lot like SoundForge.
CJAN - You are kidding right? Seems pretty bare. Plus, their main top news story is "We're Back Up!!" Do they go down a lot?
Here is why I would like to see one here at Javaranch.
Chances are most of the submitted packages will be from Javaranch members. So if you have questions about thier code, find them, and ask them.
Forums are already here. Don't have to go find a package from some web site, then come back to Javaranch and ask questions about it.
Here are reasons why it may not be such a good idea.
There are already 5 or 6 web sites listed in this topic alone.
One more thing for volinteers to moderate
I don't know, it seemed like a good idea when I first posted the suggestion. I just like to get as much information as I can in one place (java related of course). And if I can get it all at Javaranch, I will.

[Dirk Schreckmann]

Has this been an implementation of The-Life-Cycle-Of-The-24-Hour-Whim?

[Pauline McNamara]

LOL Dirk!

[Tom Hughes]

I notice that the repositories that Dirk mentioned seem to consist of largeish projects. Often the things I want are much smaller in size, widgets say. Do you think there may be a niche for a repository of widgets ? If this had a well organised package structure, it could be really easy to find what you need.
I have a few widgets that I could contribute, a Date Picker, a tri-state checkbox and GUITools class with static methods that allow you to save and restore a JTables column size and order (using 1.4 Preferences API).
I would like to find a dial and a knob (oo-er) if possible.
For instances like this, a one page user guide (like found in Sun's Java Tutorial) for the widgets would be really usefull.
what do you reckon ?
cheers,
Tom

[Gregg Bolinger]

Tom, that was exaclty my initial idea for the repository. I just wasn't sure if what I was going to do outside of the Ranch would be good if it were that small. But for the Ranch, I think that sounds perfect.
I didn't really want to allow huge projects. More like small packages, very similar to the common package here on the Ranch in the code barn.
Dirk? What do you think?

[Dirk Schreckmann]

Gregg,
I'd be interested to learn more about the details of your ideas on what an ideal Java Code Repository (JCR) would be.
"Well organized" - what does that mean exactly?
I understand that a slant towards smaller projects and widjets is probably a realistic focus for a newer JCR, but I can't think of a good reason to refuse listing a package or project because it exceeded some arbitrary size and/or scope.
I would like to see a system that would integrate community feedback and development. Such participation could be accomplished through dedicated project forums and perhaps a CVS (Concurrent Versioning System).

[Jason Menard]

One of the things you alluded to that I liked was the coding contests concept. If JavaRanch were to hold the occasional coding contest, maybe giving books away as prizes, and judged by the moderators, it would make sense to maintain a repository of contest entries.
Another interesting idea would be a repository for user submitted code, which in turn could be rated/commented on by the membership as a whole. Doing something along those lines would give you a repository of items that were mostly unique to JavaRanch.

[Gregg Bolinger]

By "well organized" I mean just that. Catagories, listings by alpabet, rating, newly submitted. Just make is as easy as possible for users to find the packages they want or need. No ad banners flashing on all 4 sides of the page. No popup windows. Thank God the Ranch doesn't have popup windows.
As far as small packages and widgets instead of large projects. My initial concern over large projects is if these entries were to be tested, how long would a testing process be on a large project? Also, and this is a personal reason, I am never really looking for a complete solution when coding. If this were to be part of the Ranch, and the Ranch is here to help Java developers learn how to be better programmers, why provide complete solutions? I am usually just looking for a good round JButton, or an easier to use Servlet. If I wanted a solution, then why would I be at the Ranch?
On the otherhand, an interesting part of a JCR would be that several developers could get together and create a really nice project either comletely on thier own, or by using submitted packages or both. So in keeping with the well organized portion of this topic, just keep both parts neatly seperated from one another. But still part of the same idea.
I would like to see a system that would integrate community feedback and development. Such participation could be accomplished through dedicated project forums and perhaps a CVS (Concurrent Versioning System).
I love that. I could not have stated it better.
I also like Jason's comment on having things that were unique to JavaRanch. Could this possibly be a Jakarta type project? Only made up of Ranchers? I think that our repository should only comprise of Member Submitted Packages. Of course, anyone could view and download a package withour being a member.
I don't know if that really helps with what you were wanting to know Dirk. My brain has a million ideas all at once on this subject, and I am trying to sort them out in a tangable manner.
[ June 27, 2002: Message edited by: Gregg Bolinger ]