Making Java GUI code open source?

[stephen fang]

Hi I am a beginner to Java. I was wondering if this was possible.

Say I write a calculator applet to host on my website for other users to use. Can I make just the GUI code open source so users can modify the appearance of the applet and then save the GUI code to their usernames on the web server, so the next time they logon, the changed calculator appearance will be stored on the web server already. However, the core code should remain the same so new users who sign up won't be using some else's Calculator GUI code.

[marc weber]

Hi stephen, welcome to JavaRanch!

Just to clarify what you mean by "open source"...

Are you talking about users customizing the app by selecting certain preferences (for example, picking options for background colors, button style, display style, etc.)?

Or are you talking about users actually re-writing the Java source code themselves?

The second of these is closer to what is typically meant by "open source," but I suspect that you are envisioning the first.

In any case, much of what you're describing sounds like server-side programming (e.g., servlets), which is significantly more involved than putting an applet on your website. How far along are you? Do you already have a start on this calculator applet?
[ March 02, 2006: Message edited by: marc weber ]