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| Google Web Toolkit | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Original author | |
| Initial release | May 16, 2006; 19 years ago (2006-05-16) |
| Stable release | 2.12.2 / March 3, 2025; 7 months ago (2025-03-03) |
| Repository | |
| Written in | Java |
| Operating system | Linux,Windows,MacOS,FreeBSD |
| Available in | Java |
| Type | Ajax framework |
| License | Apache License 2.0 |
| Website | www |
Google Web Toolkit (GWT/ˈɡwɪt/), orGWT Web Toolkit,[1] is anopen-source set oftools that allowsweb developers to create and maintainJavaScriptfront-end applications inJava. It is licensed underApache License 2.0.[2]
GWT supports various web development tasks, such asasynchronous remote procedure calls, history management,bookmarking,UI abstraction,internationalization, andcross-browserportability.
GWT version 1.0 RC 1 was released on May 16, 2006.[3] Google announced GWT at theJavaOne conference in 2006.[4]
| Release | Date |
|---|---|
| GWT 1.0 | May 17, 2006 |
| GWT 1.1 | August 11, 2006 |
| GWT 1.2 | November 16, 2006 |
| GWT 1.3 | February 5, 2007 |
| GWT 1.4 | August 28, 2007 |
| GWT 1.5 | August 27, 2008 |
| GWT 1.6 | April 7, 2009 |
| GWT 1.7 | July 13, 2009 |
| GWT 2.0 | December 8, 2009 |
| GWT 2.1.0 | October 19, 2010 |
| GWT 2.2.0 | February 11, 2011 |
| GWT 2.3.0 | May 3, 2011 |
| GWT 2.4.0 | September 8, 2011 |
| GWT 2.5.0 | October 2012 |
| GWT 2.5.1 | March 2013 |
| GWT 2.6.0 | January 30, 2014 |
| GWT 2.6.1 | May 10, 2014 |
| GWT 2.7.0 | November 20, 2014 |
| GWT 2.8.0 | October 20, 2016 |
| GWT 2.8.1 | April 24, 2017 |
| GWT 2.8.2 | October 19, 2017 |
| GWT 2.9.0 | May 2, 2020 |
| GWT 2.10.0 | June 9, 2022 |
| GWT 2.11.0 | January 9, 2024 |
| GWT 2.12.0 | October 29, 2024 |
| GWT 2.12.1 | November 12, 2024 |
| GWT 2.12.2 | March 3, 2025 |
In August 2010, Google acquired Instantiations,[5] a company known for focusing on Eclipse Java developer tools, including GWT Designer, which is now bundled withGoogle Plugin for Eclipse.
In 2011 with the introduction of theDart programming language, Google stated that GWT would continue to be supported for the foreseeable future while also hinting at a possible rapprochement between the two Google approaches to structured web programming. However, they also mentioned that several of the engineers previously working on GWT are now working onDart.[6]
In 2012 at their annual I/O conference, Google announced that GWT would be transformed from a Google project to a fully open-sourced project.[7] In July 2013, Google posted on its GWT blog that the transformation to an open-source project was completed.[8]
Using GWT, developers have the ability to develop and debugAjax applications in the Java language using the Java development tools of their choice. When the application is deployed, the GWT cross-compiler translates the Java application to standaloneJavaScript files that are optionallyobfuscated and deeply optimized. When needed, JavaScript can also be embedded directly into Java code using Java comments.[9]
GWT does not revolve only around user interface programming; it is a broad set of tools for building high-performance client-side JavaScript functionality. Indeed, many architectural decisions are left entirely to the developer. The GWT mission statement[10] clarifies the philosophical breakdown of GWT's role versus the developer's role. History is an example of such: although GWT manages history tokens as users click Back or Forward in the browser, it does not detail how to map history tokens to an application state.
GWT applications can be run in two modes:
Several open-sourceplugins are available for making GWT development easier with otherIDEs, including GWT4NB[15] forNetBeans, Cypal Studio for GWT[16] (anEclipse plugin), and GWT Developer forJDeveloper. TheGoogle Plugin for Eclipse handles most GWT-related tasks in the IDE, including creating projects, invoking the GWT compiler, creating GWT launch configurations, validation, andsyntax highlighting.
The major GWT components include:
As of version 2.4 (September 2011), Google Web Toolkit offers severalwidgets[21] and panels.[21]
| Widgets | Panels |
|---|---|
| Button | PopupPanel |
| PushButton | StackPanel |
| RadioButton | StackLayoutPanel |
| CheckBox | HorizontalPanel |
| DatePicker | VerticalPanel |
| ToggleButton | FlowPanel |
| TextBox | VerticalSplitPanel |
| PasswordTextBox | HorizontalSplitPanel |
| TextArea | SplitLayoutPanel |
| Hyperlink | DockPanel |
| ListBox | DockLayoutPanel |
| CellList | TabPanel |
| MenuBar | TabLayoutPanel |
| Tree | DisclosurePanel |
| CellTree | |
| SuggestBox | |
| RichTextArea | |
| FlexTable | |
| Grid | |
| CellTable | |
| CellBrowser | |
| TabBar | |
| DialogBox |
Many common widgets not found in the GWT have been implemented in third-party libraries.
GWT uses or supportsJava,Apache Tomcat (or similar web container),Eclipse IDE,Internet Explorer,[22] andinternationalization and localization. Java-based GWTrich web applications can be tested usingJUnit testing framework and code coverage tools. Because GWT allows compile time verification of images, CSS, and business logic, many common development defects are automatically discovered without requiring the manual testing commonly required by RIAs.
Google has noted that some of its products are GWT-based:[23]Blogger,AdWords,Flights,Wallet,Offers,Groups,Inbox.[24]
On December 8, 2009, Google launched Google Web Toolkit 2.0 with Speed Tracer.[25]
Version 2.0 of GWT offers a number of new features,[26] including:
Since the new development mode removed most platform-specific code, the new version will be distributed as a unique archive, instead of one per supported platform, as was the case with previous versions.
As a general framework for making web apps, Google Web Toolkit is also capable of being used as a framework for creating mobile and tablet apps, either by making the needed widgets and animations from scratch or by using one of the mobile frameworks for GWT. An HTML5 app written in GWT can have separate views for Tablets and Mobile phones.
The main executable entry point for the GWT Java to JavaScript compiler.
A base for classes that compile JavaJProgram representations into corresponding Js source.| Platforms |
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