[Pythonmac-SIG] Re: anybody doing GUI development with Python

[Daniel Lord]

> So I thought I'd ask the crowd: Is anybody doing GUI development with 
> Python
> on the Mac? Are you using Tk? Is it as bad (sorry, non-standard for 
> users)
> as my limited impression? If not Tk, what? Where can I follow progress 
> on
> wxPython?
>
> Any wisdom is appreciated; I'm seriously considering RealBasic.

RealBasic!?!? Oh no, I feel for you! ...just kidding ;-)

Seriously, I have Python-Tkinter working on OSX and that certainly seems 
to fit your needs. Tcl/Tk is found on most platforms of any size. I have 
recently decided to use another GUI approach for Python: Jython 
(http://www.jython.org).

Jython offers most of the features of Python since it is a Python 
interpreter for the Java Virtual Machine but can import Java packages 
including Swing. Jython programs I have written have run without 
modification on Winodws (98, NT, 2k), Solaris, and Mac OS 9 and OSX 
(although the usual MRJ song-and-dance is required to get OS9 to run 
Java). It requires a learning curve while one understands how to 
translate Java calls to Jython/Python, but the portability cannot be 
beat and I find the interface much more straight forward than Tkinter or 
wxPython. Java is widespread besides.

Personally, I am concentrating on Jython for scripting and 
C/C++/Carbon/Cocoa for heavy duty tasks. But, frankly, RealBasic is 
probably the easiest tool if you don't know Java: Jython might be 
intimidating in that case.

Use what works: the craftsman is not judged by his tools but by his 
creation. Good luck.