Some simple questions

[bernardwright]

We're about to evaluate Laszlo as a possible replacement for our web interface (which I think it can do very nicely), but more interestinglly I'm looking to see if it can replace the windows client application we have.

But I have the following questions, mostly related client side related,

1. can the client use local client xml files as the datasource instead of server based ones? We have some information currently held on the client OS which we needs to be accessed.

2. we have a couple of client side a activex controls to access, will we be able to get the communication working between the two.

3. is unicode support there yet, if not when is it planned

4. how is internationalisation implemented, is it?

5. once the client has downloaded the application the first time, next time they return does it have to download it again, or will this only happen if the things have been updated server side.

Any help on these greatly appreciated.
Bernard

[bernardwright]

anyone help?

[antun]

1. can the client use local client xml files as the datasource instead of server based ones?

No, the Flash Player cannot access the local filesystem.

2. we have a couple of client side a activex controls to access, will we be able to get the communication working between the two.


Possibly, but there aren't any hooks to this. If the activex controls can create a local server that outputs HTTP, then you might be able to get something working.

3. is unicode support there yet, if not when is it planned

It's coming soon. The roadmap is at:

http://www.openlaszlo.org/development/roadmap/

4. how is internationalisation implemented, is it?

If you mean have a single app run in multiple languages, then it's certainly possible, and has been done before. Laszlo components (and any that you write) can be data driven. Typically people have an XML file that contains all localized values (e.g. button labels, combobox choices, etc.) and switch between them.


5. once the client has downloaded the application the first time, next time they return does it have to download it again, or will this only happen if the things have been updated server side.

The browser will cache the application, so subsequent requests return an HTTP 304 Not Modified response, and the client will pull the app out of its cache. There is a bug in the Apple Safari browser which prevents this from happening, in that one case. See the release notes for more:

http://www.laszlosystems.com/developers/learn/documentation/release-notes.php

-Antun

[bernardwright]

Antun,

thanks very much for the response that's a great help, we start real evaluation next week.

Regards,
Bernard