[sword-devel] API's to sword

John Gardner sword-devel@crosswire.org
Thu, 28 Jun 2001 08:01:53 -0700


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I have noted  a fair number of suggestions regarding an API for Python.
Admittedly the suggestion I have to make is very Windows centric but for
Windows people it would be a good one.  Instead of creating a specialized
API for Python, why not provide a COM (IUnknown interface) with IDispatch in
essence make SWORD an ActiveX server.  This will allow folks to choose the
scripting language of their choice: jscript, java, C++, vbscript, VB, VBA
(MS Office apps), perl, python, and tcl just to name a few.  This would also
allow SWORD to be used as a WEB service on a IIS server (maybe Apache too?)
via asp or cgi.

I think you'll have to implement the COM interfaces yourself assuming you
are using the GNU compiler - not easy but probably worth while.  There are
books (Essential COM by Don Box)

I don't know if Linux supports COM.  Some flavors of UNIX do.

"Pretty this ain't, but sometimes a programmer's just gotta do what a
programmer's gotta do." - Scott Meyers


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<DIV><SPAN class=3D605214414-28062001><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I have =
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fair number of suggestions regarding an API for Python.&nbsp; Admittedly =
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suggestion I have to make is very Windows centric&nbsp;but for Windows =
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would be a good one.&nbsp; Instead of creating a specialized API for =
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not provide a COM (IUnknown interface) with IDispatch in essence make =
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ActiveX server.&nbsp; This will allow folks to choose the scripting =
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their choice: jscript, java, C++, vbscript, VB, VBA (MS Office apps), =
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python, and tcl just to name a few.&nbsp; This would also allow SWORD to =
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as a WEB service on a IIS&nbsp;server (maybe Apache too?) via asp or=20
cgi.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D605214414-28062001><FONT face=3DArial=20
size=3D2></FONT></SPAN>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D605214414-28062001><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I =
think you'll have=20
to implement the COM interfaces yourself assuming you are using the GNU =
compiler=20
- not easy but probably worth while.&nbsp; There are books (Essential =
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Box)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
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<DIV><SPAN class=3D605214414-28062001><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I =
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Linux supports COM.&nbsp; Some flavors of UNIX do.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>"Pretty this ain't, but sometimes a =
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just gotta do what a programmer's gotta do." - Scott Meyers</FONT></DIV>
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