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API@OOo: NEWSLETTER September/2003

Dear OOo community,

This is the first issue of the API@OOo NEWSLETTER.  From now on, at the
beginning of each month, I would like to summarize what was going on in
the previous month within the OOo API project and the OOo SDK.


*** ====================================================================
*** Contents
*** --------------------------------------------------------------------

       - API Project Website
       - Code Snippet Collection
       - qadevooo - API test framework
       - OoBean Project Homepage
       - Answers/Questions Ratio
       - Preview of the CLI-UNO Language Binding
       - Ideas and Discussion about Private UNO APIs
       - OOo related ISV+SI list
       - Mailinglist, Newsgroup, Forum
       - New Basic Object Inspector + Examples uploaded
       - PyUNO now supports the scripting-framework


*** ====================================================================
*** API Project Website
*** --------------------------------------------------------------------

Juergen Schmidt announced [1] his reorganisation of the API project
website [2].   Not it is not only easier to navigate, we also have the
Developers Guide [3] and the Reference Manual [4] online.

1:http://api.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?msgId?6521&listName?v
2:http://api.openoffice.org/
3:http://api.openoffice.org/DevelopersGuide/DevelopersGuide.html
4:http://api.openoffice.org/docs/common/ref/com/sun/star/module-ix.html


*** ====================================================================
*** Code Snippets Collection
*** --------------------------------------------------------------------

Michael Hoennig started the Code Snipped sub project [1] within the API
project.  An initial web page is also available [2].  The purpose is to
collect code snippets with solutions to questions mostly on the
dev@api.openoffice.org mailinglist.  Especially those who get their
questions answered are welcome to summarize the answers in this format.
Several community members already contributed to this collection.  It
is planned to do the same for Questions&Answers.

Recently, Michael Hoennig announced [3] the availability of the first few
CodeSnippets in CVS [4].

1:http://api.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?msgId?1323&listName?v
2:http://api.openoffice.org/SDK/snippets/index.html
3:http://api.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?msgId?7346&listName?v
4:http://api.openoffice.org/source/browse/api/www/Examples/Snippets/

*** ====================================================================
*** qadevooo - API test framework
*** --------------------------------------------------------------------

Stephan Wunderlich announced [1] a new release of the qadevooo website
[2].  This is a test framework for the OOo API.  Your contributions of
test cases are highly appreciated!

1:http://api.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?msgId?2422&listName?v
2:http://qa.openoffice.org/qadevOOo_doc/index.html


*** ====================================================================
*** OOoBean Project Homepage
*** --------------------------------------------------------------------

Michael Hoennig announced [1] the OOoBean Project Homepage [2].  Until
now there is just a framework to create JavaBeans for OOo components and
some examples.  Objective of this project is to create a production
quality OOoBean for the major OOo components.  As an OOoBean user or
potential OOoBean user, your input is greatly appreciated!

1:http://api.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?msgId?6898&listName?v
2:http://api.openoffice.org/Projects/OOoBean/


*** ====================================================================
*** Answers/Questions Ratio
*** --------------------------------------------------------------------

Due to the great help the core development team is now receiving from
community members, the support level on our dev@api.openoffice.org
increased considerably.  In the last several weeks almost all questions
were answered, unfortunately not yet all.  Check our archives [1] for
details, you can find many interesting questions, answers and
discussions.  The archive can also be searched [2].  But please keep in
mind: As much as we like to answer your questions, the mailing list
dev@api.openoffice.org is NOT a support forum.

1:http://api.openoffice.org/servlets/SummarizeList?listName?v
2:http://api.openoffice.org/servlets/SearchList?listName?v&by


*** ====================================================================
*** Preview of the CLI-UNO Language Binding
*** --------------------------------------------------------------------

Joachim Lingner announced [1] a preview of the CLI-UNO language binding
[2]. It gives developers the possibility to write client programs for
OpenOffice.org, as well as stand-alone UNO applications, with CLI
languages, such as C# and VB.NET.

1:http://www.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?msgId?0177&listName?v
2:http://udk.openoffice.org/cli/cli-uno.html


*** ====================================================================
*** Ideas and Discussion about Private UNO APIs
*** --------------------------------------------------------------------

Daniel Boelzle proposed [1] a way to implement private (read: unofficial)
UNO (IDL) APIs.  This resulted in an interesting discussion with some
ideas for future UNO features.  Kai Sommerfeld followed up with a
summary [2].

1:http://udk.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?msgIdy3876&listName?v
2:http://udk.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?msgIdy9444&listName?v


*** ====================================================================
*** OOo related ISV+SI list
*** --------------------------------------------------------------------

Ryan Singer announces [1] that he wants to compile a list of ISV's
(Independent Software Vendors) and SI's (System Integrators) offering
products and services related to OpenOffice.org.

1:http://api.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?msgId?1267&listName?v


*** ====================================================================
*** Mailinglist, Newsgroup, Forum - maybe slitting dev@api.ooo?
*** --------------------------------------------------------------------

G Larry Mason brought up a discussion [1] on the appropriate mailing
list for SDK/API issues and why a mailinglist is not always useful. He
suggested to use forums like OOoForums.org [2].  Michael Hoennig [3]
replied [3] with ideas of integration of the methods and how to include
a commentary system for the OOO API Reference Manual.

Related to this issue, the question came up [4], whether we should split
this mailing list into "users" and "designers/implementors" issues,
using users@api.ooo for users issues.  There are pros and cons for this.
The sheer - and still growing - amount if messages every day causes
several OOo developers not to read this list thoroughly anymore.  But
this is important for design decisions.   On the other hand, both API
users and implementors are developers, in some cases interfaces are even
implemented by "users" of the API, e.g. for AddOns.  Another problem
would be to direct all the users issues into another list, including
make all relevant subscribers subscribe the other list too.  This issue
has to be further discussed and decided.

1:http://api.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?msgId?0648&listName?v
2:http://www.oooforums.org/
3:http://api.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?msgId?1672&listName?v
4:http://api.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?msgId?7295&listName?v


*** ====================================================================
*** New Basic Object Inspector + Examples uploaded
*** --------------------------------------------------------------------

Hermann Kienlein announced [1] (in German only) the upload of a new
version of his Basic Inspector.  The Basic Inspector is a module to
browse OOo components in OOoBasic by a graphical user interface, using
the mouse.  Additionally the file contains three translations of Java
examples from the Developers Guide to OOoBasic.  This should enable more
Basic programmers to read and understand the Developers Guide and even
its other Java examples.

1:http://de.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?msgId?9849&listName?v
2:http://de.openoffice.org/servlets/ProjectDownloadList (DevGuide.zip)


*** ====================================================================
*** PyUNO now supports the scripting-framework 
*** --------------------------------------------------------------------

Joerg Budischewski announced [1] that the PyUNO language binding now can
be used by the scripting framework [2].  Further information can be
found in the PyUNO website [3] and the associated files can be
found in the PyUNO website [3] and the associated files can be
downloaded there too [4].

1:http://udk.openoffice.org/servlets/ReadMsg?msgId?2618&listName?v
2:http://framework.openoffice.org/scripting
3:http://udk.openoffice.org/python/python-bridge.html#scripting-framework
4:http://udk.openoffice.org/python/python-bridge.html#download


*** ====================================================================
*** About this NEWSLETTER
*** --------------------------------------------------------------------

If you think this newsletter is useful and you would like to take over
responsibility for the API@OOo NEWSLETTER, just drop us a hint.  Or if
you just have something interesting for the next API@OOo NEWSLETTER,
mail your article to mi@openoffice.org.  The community would appreciate
your contribution.

       Michael