The Google Web Toolkit (GWT) is a relatively new set of open source tools, developed by Google; which aims to allow developers to write much of the client-side code as Java. This Java code is then compiled into the appropriate JavaScript code, to run on the user’s web browser. Basically, the Google team has come up with a way of allowing developers to write most of their web applications in Java, instead of having to switch between Java and JavaScript; thus minimizing the amount of cross-browser JavaScript development/testing.

The developers of GWT have chosen to focus their efforts on Eclipse as the preferred IDE; though you are not limited to Eclipse. One of the great benefits of GWT, is that you can now step through most of your application in the Eclipse debugger. This makes developing the client-side aspects of your app much easier and more stable than having to use JavaScript debugging tools like Firebug.

Attached is a Google Tech Talk from Google developer Bruce Johnson, in which he explains GWT in great detail. The video is a couple of years old; but it is still a good intro to GWT.

Google Tech TalksJune 24, 2008

[youtube dJbt2CHOd9g Eclipse Day at the Googleplex: GWT in Eclipse ]

Eclipse Day at the Googleplex

Speaker: Bruce Johnson, Google

Building high-performance Ajax easily with Google Web Toolkit (GWT) in Eclipse has always been possible, but soon it will be downright easy. Bruce will present GWT’s upcoming Eclipse plugin that helps novices get started and lets experts fly.