Re: Smart GWT / GWT Ext.... which one is better?

I prefer the third option: I don't use either of them. I build very complex user interfaces, and so far I never regretted going with pure GWT. Here are a few advantages of this option:

(a) Much smaller compiled code size. This also means faster compile times for developers and faster page load times for users.

(b) Better performance. I had 3 years of experience with Sencha. Their widgets look nice (why we chose them in the first place), but in some complex UIs with lots of data you start to notice the lag relative to pure GWT. Remember that showcase widgets usually represent a very simple use case.

(c) Easier customizations. The simpler the widget, the easier it is to modify it as you need. There is a lower probability of breaking something.

(d) There is a lower probability that the next release of a library would break your code. I remember how much pain we had with Sencha's updates (2.0, 2.1, etc.) I hope it's much better now as Sencha moved closer to pure GWT implementation of their widgets.

(e) Faster updates. Once a new feature is available in GWT, you can use it right away. With libraries you have to wait until their updates.

I suggest that you use one of these libraries in two cases:

1. Your knowledge of CSS is not great, so you want a professional look for your app out of the box.

2. You see some widgets in these libraries that you absolutely must use, and you don't want to spend your time building them in pure GWT.

P.S. Don't let GWT Designer drive your choice of a library. Once you learn GWT, you may end up never using the Designer. I find it much easier and faster to build new views in Ui:Binder, and then simply hit a refresh button in a browser to see how my page looks like.

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