• by Laurie Sullivan , Staff Writer @lauriesullivan, December 7, 2012

The steering committee for the Google Web Toolkit (GWT) used to build and optimize Java-based browser-based applications released findings from a survey with 1349 responses to more than 30 questions on the future of the toolkit. Vaadin, the company behind the GWT-based Web framework, published the report.

GWT enables the development of high-performance Web applications without the developer having been an expert in browsers, XMLHttpRequest, and JavaScript. Google uses GWT to develop many products, including Google Wave and the new version of AdWords. It's open-source, completely free, and used by thousands of developers worldwide.

Aside from finding developers interested in the future of GWT, the study aimed to better understand the community's thoughts on the technology's strengths and weaknesses.

The findings reveal that tablet apps have overtaken phones when it comes to GWT support. While developers can create application user interfaces for desktop, tablet, and mobile, more than 98% of apps using the technology support desktop browsers. The survey found that in the U.S., however, the number of apps supporting tablets was as high as 46% and 34% in Europe.

It may not seem important for search marketers to understand the technology road map or future plans for development kits, but having insight into the process can help marketers plan for their own company's future and how they might develop browser-based applications.

When asked to share their thoughts about the problems faced with GWT, the study points to missing features and extensions. In regard to future features, at least one developer wished for amelioration of the compile-time problem, while another pointed to the problem of GWT ignoring how data is handled on the server side, although it is a feature of all applications. 

Overall, the community appears satisfied with the toolkit's browser compatibility, which 60% identified as a strong point, but 49% of respondents said they are unhappy with compile times. And between 15% and 25% of respondents include application speed, and modularity as issues.

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