OpenLaszlo

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OpenLaszlo is an open source platform for the development and delivery of web applications with a usable human interface (sometimes called rich Internet applications) on the World Wide Web. It is released under the Open Source Initiative-certified Common Public License.

The OpenLaszlo platform consists of the LZX programming language and the OpenLaszlo Server.

LZX is an XML and JavaScript description language similar in spirit to XUL, MXML, and XAML. LZX enables a declarative, text-based development process that supports rapid prototyping and software development best practices. It is designed to be familiar to traditional web application developers who are familiar with HTML and Javascript.

The OpenLaszlo server is a Java servlet that compiles LZX applications into executable binaries for targeted run-time environments. OpenLaszlo currently targets the Flash Player, versions SWF6, SWF7 and SWF8. The version now in development, code-named "Legals", will also target SWF9 and traditional DHTML as deployment targets by end of 2006. [1] [2]

1 Deployment
2 Licensing
3 Adopters
4 Project history
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] Deployment

Laszlo applications can be deployed as traditional Java servlets, which are compiled and returned to the browser dynamically. This method requires that the web server be running the OpenLaszlo server.

Alternatively, Laszlo applications can be compiled from LZX into a binary SWF file, and loaded statically into an existing web page. This method is known as SOLO deployment. Applications deployed in the manner lack some functionality of servlet-contained files, such as the ability to consume SOAP web services and XML remote procedure calls.

[edit] Licensing

OpenLaszlo was originally developed and released under the Common Public License by Laszlo Systems.

[edit] Adopters

OpenLaszlo 3.2 Application (SOLO Deployment) and DHTML (GeaBios)

Laszlo-powered Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) have been deployed by Earthlink [3], Yahoo!, Behr [4], Pandora, La Quinta Hotels, the Internet Archive and DeanForAmerica.com [5].

Laszlo Systems, makers of OpenLaszlo, are developing their own software based on the Laszlo Presentation Server. The most recent is a mail client which offers the responsiveness and feel of a traditional email client such as Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird, but which operates within the web browser.

[edit] Project history

OpenLaszlo was originally called the Laszlo Presentation Server (LPS). Development of the LPS began in the fall of 2001. Preview versions were released to select partners over the course of 2002; several of these were used to deploy the Behr paint application. The first general release of LPS was in early 2002.

In October 2004, Laszlo Systems released the entire sources to the Laszlo Presentation Server under the GPL open source license, and initiated the OpenLaszlo project. In 2005, coincident with the release of version 3.0, the name of the Laszlo Presentation Server was changed to OpenLaszlo.

Timeline: