My introductory presentation of Google Web Toolkit at Google IO Extended in Pordenone. What is GWT, what you can do with it. What are pros and cons of this toolkit.

1. First steps with GWT
Google I/O Extended 2014 - Friuli Venezia Giulia/Veneto

2. Giampaolo
@trapo1975
+Giampaolo.Trapasso
www.cosenonjaviste.it

3. GWT (/ˈɡwɪt/)
I’m a open source development toolkit for
building and optimizing complex browser-
based applications.

4. Let me introduce myself
My complete name is Google Web Toolkit or
GWT Web Toolkit if you like
I’m 8 years old..
GWT 1.0 - May 17, 2006
I worked at Google as Java-to-Javascript specialist
but have still good relations
My home is http://www.gwtproject.org/
I speak Java
also Javascript, CSS, HTML
In my circle of friends: all browsers and 100K developers

5. Seriously..what can you do with GWT?

6. Google Flights
https://www.google.it/flights/

7. Google Groups
https://groups.google.com

8. Blogger
https://www.blogger.com/home

9. Evernote homepage
https://www.evernote.com/Home.action

10. Angry Birds for Chrome
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_sbusEUz5w

11. Quake II GWT Port
https://code.google.com/p/quake2-gwt-port/

12. Picshare
http://picshare.jooink.com/

13. and more!
• http://www.devsniper.com/my-selected-gwt-
applications/
• http://gwtreferencelist.appspot.com/
• http://www.quora.com/What-web-applications-use-
Google-Web-Toolkit-(GWT)

14. Something about GWT from recent reports

15. Java Tools & Technologies
Landscape for 2014
http://pages.zeroturnaround.com/Java-Tools-Technologies.html

16. Web Framework in use

17. The Future of GWT Report 2013
https://vaadin.com/gwt/report-2013

18. Main GWT components
• Java-to-JavaScript Compiler
• JRE emulation library
• GWT Development Mode
• GWT Web UI class library

19. PROs
• It uses Java (strong typing)
• Learning curve
• Libraries
• Reuse of server logic
• GWT’s built-in protocol to transfer data between the client and the server
without any additional knowledge of how the data is packaged and sent
(GWT-RPC)
• IDE and development tools support: refactor, debug, code navigation, unit
test
• Handle the browser compatibility and I18N

20. PROs
• The GWT compiler optimizes the generated code, removes dead code
and even obfuscates the JavaScript
• “Easy” to maintain large project
• JavaScript in the Java source code using the JavaScript Native
Interface (JSNI)
• To summarize: highly responsive web applications with heavy lifting on
the client-side and reduced chattiness with the server-side
• Workoffline, stateless server, high number of users
• Open source and developed by a community
• Works very well with Google App Engine.

21. CONs
• It uses Java -> ceremony code
• but GWT 3.0 will use Java 8.0
• It uses Java, something front end developers don’t
know
• More code to create UI
• but you can use UIBinder
• Yes, but it’s another abstraction over HTML

22. CONs
• Long compilation time
• but you can use Dev Mode
• but is going deprecated since depends on browsers/is slow
• but there’s SuperDev Mode
• Too much work even when functionality is simple - include existing JS also
• but GWT is typically used on complex applications
• Quality and number of widget
• but look at GWT Nextgen JsInterop & Web Components Demo: https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFMD1GXR2Tg

23. Frameworks
• Errai framework: http://erraiframework.org/
• GWTP: GWT-Platform
• SmartGWT (SmartClient)
• Sencha GXT (Ext JS look and feel)
• Vaadin: GWT used as engine but JSF like approach, only server side logic
• Vaadin 7.0 will be a superset of GWT
• Useful link: https://vaadin.com/comparison (also with jQuery, RichFaces an
more)
• GWTMobile
• mgwt

24. FAQ
• Does GWT use jQuery? How?
• No it doesn't. GWT generates Javascript but GWTQuery exists.
• Is Gmail built on Google Web Toolkit?
• No, it’s a “urban legend”, but Google Sheet is
• Is it possible to integrate AngularJS with GWT ?
• Yes, take a look at https://github.com/cromwellian/angulargwt
• GWT is no more under Google umbrella, is GWT dead?
• No, 2.7 & 3.0 will be released soon (and take a look to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj93jlfYi5c for
the future of GWT)
• Where can I find some examples to try?
• http://www.gwtproject.org/examples.html (look at Showcase!)
• When is GWT appropriate, when is AngularJS appropriate?
• https://groups.google.com/forum/m/#!topic/angular/9P4RD3IbQwk

25. Talk is cheap, show me the code