REBOL Plug-In Extensions

I've noticed some discussion on this topic, so that you don't need to beat this with a stick too hard, I thought it might be good to pre-release some information: News Flash: REBOL to add a Plug-in Architecture The purpose is to allow developers to write native code extensions to REBOL for adding things like image and sound format loaders/savers, additional functions, special device interfaces, high-speed computation (such as needed for bitmaps), etc. Plug-ins will be programmed as DLL (dynamic libraries) with a small number of standard entry points. Plug-ins will be self identifying, including versions, and will also be able to contain REBOL source code as well as native machine code. Plug-ins will be able to define Native! functions (as new datatype) that interface with REBOL, and will accept and return values in a "virtual datatype space" that does not require plugin functions to translate (load or mold) source code. The plug-in architecture will be released in a request-for-comments (RFC) format prior to its standardization, allowing developers to provide input and ideas. We're also hoping developers will be interested in helping us alpha and beta test the new architecture. Note that the "virtual datatype space" used for plugins is also useful for storing any type of REBOL data/code in reduced binary formats for inclusion in high speed, REBOL-native or remote database applications (with faster block translation times). -RT

> I've noticed some discussion on this topic, so that you don't need to > beat this with a stick too hard, I thought it might be good to pre-release > some information: > > News Flash: REBOL to add a Plug-in Architecture > > The purpose is to allow developers to write native code extensions to

> for adding things like image and sound format loaders/savers, additional > functions, special device interfaces, high-speed computation (such as

> for bitmaps), etc. > > Plug-ins will be programmed as DLL (dynamic libraries) with a small > number of standard entry points. Plug-ins will be self identifying,

> versions, and will also be able to contain REBOL source code as well > as native machine code. Plug-ins will be able to define Native! functions > (as new datatype) that interface with REBOL, and will accept and return > values in a "virtual datatype space" that does not require plugin

> to translate (load or mold) source code. > > The plug-in architecture will be released in a request-for-comments (RFC) > format prior to its standardization, allowing developers to provide input

> ideas. We're also hoping developers will be interested in helping us

> and beta test the new architecture. > > Note that the "virtual datatype space" used for plugins is also useful for > storing any type of REBOL data/code in reduced binary formats for

> in high speed, REBOL-native or remote database applications (with faster

> translation times). > > -RT

CARL, YOU JUST MADE MY YEAR!!!! -max

If I understand this correctly, this will be a great opportunity for developers to provide additional functionality like OpenGL, Image viewers, .. Will this work just with core/view or will it require View/Pro ? I do have Rebol/command and have written some very simple plugins like jpeg save, .. but I think there are some plugins that have to belong to REBOL so that there is some standardization. I will continue this comment in the Multimedia thread because my concern is mainly about multimedia plugins .. This looks like very good news ! Thanks --- [Carl--rebol--com] escribió: > I've noticed some discussion on this topic, so that

ha! Sounds cool - when is the doc going to be available? -pekr-

> -----Original Message----- > From: jose [mailto:[jjmmes--yahoo--es]] > opportunity for developers to provide additional > functionality like OpenGL, Image viewers, ..

Crc> News Flash: REBOL to add a Plug-in Architecture Crc> The purpose is to allow developers to write native code extensions to REBOL Crc> for adding things like image and sound format loaders/savers, additional Crc> functions, special device interfaces, high-speed computation (such as needed Crc> for bitmaps), etc. Holy cow!!! I'm sure you'll get *lots* of feedback on your RFC. :) Thanks Carl! -- Gregg

Outstanding! Wow, been waiting for something like this. Paul Tretter

Maxim, what you plan to do is great. I am after some simpler stuff that should be part of REBOL: - jpeg save (ijg.org code has simple licensing) - gif save (gif patent is about to expire) - image editing like gimp but with rebol so that I can write effect plugins etc Maybe this is basic stuff nobody likes to work on but it certainly drives the "crowd" to use rebol and can make the platform succesful. --- Maxim Olivier-Adlhoch <[maximo--meteorstudios--com]> escribió: >

Great! New winds to speed up the Rebolution! Thx, Jaime

Carl, any timeline on when we will see this and of course how much $? ;-) Paul Tretter

On 12-Jul-03, Petr Krenzelok wrote:

> ha! > Sounds cool

> - when is the doc going to be available?

> (Not being snarky. It's just that some have been waiting a long time for

Great news Carl!!! We have been waiting for this! regards, Cyphre

Just wondering what's happening with this; tomorrow is it's two month anniversary! :) [quote] Subj: [REBOL] REBOL Plug-In Extensions Date: 11/07/2003 19:26:51 GMT Daylight Time From: Carl @ rebol.com Sender: [rebol-bounce--rebol--com] Reply-to: [rebol-list--rebol--com] To: [rebol-list--rebol--net] I've noticed some discussion on this topic, so that you don't need to beat this with a stick too hard, I thought it might be good to pre-release some information: News Flash: REBOL to add a Plug-in Architecture The purpose is to allow developers to write native code extensions to REBOL for adding things like image and sound format loaders/savers, additional functions, special device interfaces, high-speed computation (such as needed for bitmaps), etc. Plug-ins will be programmed as DLL (dynamic libraries) with a small number of standard entry points. Plug-ins will be self identifying, including versions, and will also be able to contain REBOL source code as well as native machine code. Plug-ins will be able to define Native! functions (as new datatype) that interface with REBOL, and will accept and return values in a "virtual datatype space" that does not require plugin functions to translate (load or mold) source code. The plug-in architecture will be released in a request-for-comments (RFC) format prior to its standardization, allowing developers to provide input and ideas. We're also hoping developers will be interested in helping us alpha and beta test the new architecture. Note that the "virtual datatype space" used for plugins is also useful for storing any type of REBOL data/code in reduced binary formats for inclusion in high speed, REBOL-native or remote database applications (with faster block translation times). -RT [/quote] Andrew J Martin Attendance Officer & Information Systems Trouble Shooter Colenso High School Arnold Street, Napier. Tel: 64-6-8310180 ext 826 Fax: 64-6-8336759 http://colenso.net/scripts/Wiki.r?AJM http://www.colenso.school.nz/ DISCLAIMER: Colenso High School and its Board of Trustees is not responsible (or legally liable) for materials distributed to or acquired from user e-mail accounts. You can report any misuse of an e-mail account to our ICT Manager and the complaint will be investigated. (Misuse can come in many forms, but can be viewed as any material sent/received that indicate or suggest pornography, unethical or illegal solicitation, racism, sexism, inappropriate language and/or other issues described in our Acceptable Use Policy.) All outgoing messages are certified virus-free by McAfee GroupShield Exchange 5.10.285.0 Phone: +64 6 843 5095 or Fax: +64 6 833 6759 or E-mail: [postmaster--colenso--school--nz]