We are a small Microsoft shop looking into ExtJs and like the rapid building of complex and structured UIs that can be achieved with the toolkit. However we have been experimenting with ExtAsp.NET (CodePlex) which is an opensource layer of ASP.NET code which wraps around the ExtJs framework. We have also noticed the Coolite framework which looks good too and does the same thing. We have 2 options, either we purchase the ExtJs license which will be required if we use ExtAsp, or we purchase the Coolite kit which includes the ExtJs license. It looks like Coolite is actually it little cheaper than the ExtJs for some reason??
However, is it a little more risky as regards upgrade path if the Coolite framework becomes unsupported, whereas ExtAsp as an open source solution will have community backing?
Just looking to make the right step.
Coolite is the official .NET partner of Ext JS, LLC, if that means anything to you. They also offer support packages just like Ext does, and the forum community looks active (I haven't looked at ExtAsp closely to compare). Regarding open source, Coolite is dual-licensed commercial and OSS (GPL3) just like Ext, so I'm not sure that concern should sway you too much. If it became unsupported for some reason, the source is fully available to the community.
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I know Flex MXML / AS3 very well. I also have good knowledge in C#,XAML and ASP.NET.
I will be forced in the next years to do more HTML (Webapps) work. I could take ASP.NET but i dont like it really as i have to care about all that browser specific things and coding Javascript ist just horrible when you come from C# and AS3. Also ASP.NET isnt just as smooth in writing and using Components as it is in MXML or XAML. MXML (with FDT not FlashBuilder) and XAML also have awesome tooling for their Markuplanguage and their business language which i need.
I know some Java too and willing to learn a new language if gives me what i need.
I took a look at Vaadin and GWT but both seem to lack a Markuplanguage. Beeing Searchengine friendly would also be a big plus. Any Recommendations ?
Considering the HTML 5.0 standards going forward and the admission of Adobe that they'll be dropping support for Flex you might want to look at ASP.Net
Also remember that Microsoft is going to stop doing Silverlight stuff
It's not what you want to hear, but it's an option you may have to pursue.
Here are some options:
Haxe
OpenLaszlo
Laszlo White Paper
Breaking OpenLaszlo loose from XML data
The Server-side Architecture Behind OpenLaszlo Applications (pdf)
SWF Scout SDK
Swiff Chart Generator
Tour de Flex
OpenLaszlo Whitepaper
SVG-Based User Interface Framework
I'm being a ASP.NET developer over years but recently I started to work with some PrimeFaces solutions with JSF 2.0. I haven't nothing to complain about it.
It is worth emphasizing a few points that did me likes the PrimeFaces: many components, easy to use, fully based on jQuery and jQuery UI (which are very important to me) and very focused on web standards (even more important to me).
But there are some cases that I would really want my server-side with ASP.NET. I don't want to start a discussion here about advantages between JSP and ASP.NET, both has many motives to be used.
Well, the standard ASP.NET components aren't jQuery based, aren't themable with jQuery UI Themes, aren't fully based on web standards (a big problem) and the variability is much more simple (there aren't Carousel, Accordion, Captcha, Slider, Spinner, etc, etc, etc).
EDIT
Continuing the saga, the #Raynos answers inspired me to study lighter possibilities, like the suggested manos. But I really would like something a little more automated, at least in the HTML generation for common controls. Someone known working CRUD samples for manos or additional modules supporting this task?
Recalling that the main question is still open anyway: Do you know any UI Framework for ASP.NET based on the same ideas of PrimeFaces, prefered open-source like it is?
I suppose we cannot answer your question with something simple. As showed by other answers, unfortunately we don't have in ASP.NET any UI framework fully web standards based.
You surelly have that choice about not using ASP.NET but another .NET Framework based engine. I really think that ASP.NET MVC would be the more closest to JSF and so to PrimeFaces. But it haven't a large set of builtin controls based on jQuery as you liked on PrimeFaces. Also, if you only used up to now the vanilla ASP.NET, the MVC concept can be very confusing to start through a professional project.
It may be safer to continue with your technology knowledge while learning something totally new. Even so I don't indicate manos to your project, although it shows to be very light and stable. Furthermore, with it you would need to "recreate the wheel" for many tasks that ASP.NET knows to do well within the standards and such.
Based on these arguments, it seems that in your case you (or your team) is so familiar with ASP.NET that your immediate need is to use good tools to improve the shortcomings of ASP.NET on HTML5, web standards and themes. Then you don't need to change everything you knows right now, just improve what you already know (and of course we recommend that you consider these other approaches gradually).
So let a few helpful hints for you:
First read about and download a sample of a good architecture using HTML5, jQuery and jQuery UI. This post covers all those technologies and have the full source code to download.
Also have in mind that you don't need start your project from scratch. There is the great HTML5 BoilerPlate which comes with dozens of good pratices (and a nice Web.config created with many nice ideas). Important note that it's also based on jQuery as you want.
Maybe you already have some incredible themes created for PrimeFaces and you would like to use on your ASP.NET projet. Then remember: to take advantage of the jQuery UI Themes you just needs using class names and DOM hierarchy. If your PrimeFaces Complex DataTable gerenates an incredible HTML which is so beautifull with your CSS, just use the same generated HTML inside a UserControl so you can reuse it around all yours pages without needing rewriting all the HTML.
Also remember that PrimeFaces is opensource and because of it you always can open the sources, read the jQuery codes and reuse what you really think are perfect for you.
Then, finally, there are many tools and approaches to support you enjoy what you've done with PrimeFaces and also enjoy your existing knowledge in ASP.NET. Unfortunately we don't have done something like this to ASP.NET, but maybe what you'll do will be so good that you can publish opensource for everyone?
PrimeFaces for ASP.NET is announced. http://blog.primefaces.org/?p=2128
Sounds like you need ASP.Net MVC instead of ASP.Net Web Forms, this gives you much more control.
You have the asp.net mvc html helpers toolkit, see: http://weblogs.asp.net/gunnarpeipman/archive/2010/08/16/asp-net-mvc-meets-html5.aspx
I'm not aware of great open-source .NET integrated UIs, but Telerik RadControls are themeable (sp?), standards compliant, integrated with ASP.NET, and built with jQuery. They are really great if you have a few hundred dollars to burn.
Otherwise, AjaxControlToolkit is integrated with ASP.NET and open source but I'm not crazy about it. It's not based on jQuery but I think it is standards compliant.
Sadly, the open source communities tend to shy away from .NET (and Microsoft in general).
PrimeFaces For .NET Cancelled
PrimeFaces for ASP.NET WebForms project has been cancelled after two releases and as PrimeTek we have decided not to do further investments. Instead of .NET, our secondary focus will be PrimeUI who is very close to 1.0 release already and can be used with any web framework.
You can check out the PrimeUI library which is:
a collection of rich javascript widgets based on jQuery UI. PrimeUI is a spin-off from the popular JavaServer Faces Component Suite, PrimeFaces.
In the new WPF application we write, we will be using DevExpress controls suite, and will have a Ribbon.
Currently, the options I see are:
Microsoft - The vendor's offer, probably will get into the library on the next release
DevExpress - The controls library we know and love
Fluent - Open-source, got generally good recommendations
How do the different available ribbon controls compare? What features are / are not supported?
Fluent Ribbon here!
The Microsoft one lacks good support
Update:
Please vote on the Microsoft UserVoice site about the buggy Ribbon control:
https://visualstudio.uservoice.com/forums/121579-visual-studio-ide
Fluent Ribbon is I believe a great choice if you're looking to customize the styling of your ribbon. For example, Microsoft's Ribbon control has had theme options removed and is now only shipped with a single theme.
From my experience, Fluent Ribbon is not so great at design time building in Visual Studio, but in all other areas is superb. It is Open Source so can be customised to your needs and, coupled with MahApps Metro package, you can have complete Metro-styled applications with ease. Below is a screenshot of a sample application made with Fluent.Ribbon, using its 'Office 2013' theme.
Other commercial Ribbons are available and offer more features (such as three-state visibility, as show below in a screenshot from Outlook 2013)
I would advise making a list of all the features you require from the Ribbon control before deciding which one to use and whether a paid commercial Ribbon makes sense for your scenario. In your case, you already have access to DevExpress, so perhaps that may be your best choice.
I believe one of the most used is the Microsoft one.
Microsoft's Ribbon library (October 2010) does not work well with non standard DPI settings. And it's design time support is not good.
Comparing to Microsoft one, I personally think Actipro Ribbon is a better choice. It has EXCELLENT design time support, and works well with non standard DPI.
I have not tried any other Ribbon library yet.
Is there any opensourse, free set of components for creating Flex mxml graphs?
like aviary Peacock style ones
(source: peacockwiki at sites.google.com)
with at least Drag, drop, and connect generators
so each graph element could have
(source: peacockwiki at sites.google.com)
or something like that.
Framework should be opensource (like GPL, LGPL etc)
BTW: I found one wary bacic made by Erno Aapa with Degrafa but I would really love to see something much more Flex 4 - mxml oriented and frienfdly.
So blog articles, Google code projects, anything - please help
I don't have a specific answer for you; but just some places to go look.
Have you looked at the Advanced Charting and Visualization package from Adobe? They are part of the open source SDK with the release of Flex 4.
You already mentioned Degra. I understood that Degrafa stands for Declarative Graphics. I'm surprised you'd say it is not MXML friendly.
Have you looked at Axiss? It is another project out there, and I believe it relies heavily on Degrafa.
You said open source, but didn't say free. So, I believe source code is available if you purchase a license to iLog. I'm not sure about FusionCharts, but I've heard very positive things about it from other Flex Developers.
Moccasin and Flex Wires combined should get you most of the way there.
I am planning to use community sever for one of our projects, i used it in the past but we had a lot of problems customizing it and understanding how things work, im affraid to get into that again, and i would like to add some things to it but i dont know how flexible it is.
Based on the fact we've been working with CS ever since version 1.0 (and even before as ASP.Net Forums) I can tell you this - CS 2007 and 2008 introduces a great out-of-the-box community solution along with a very extensive platform you can develop on top of and extend.
If you're aiming at Microsoft technologies this is the place to be.
IMPORTANT - Don't rush into their SDK and start changing the moving parts, focus on learning their theming engine (Chameleon) and using it's large variety of controls that get you farther than you could imagine. Use the SDK only when you need a better understanding of the inner working of things and when you've reached the point of extending CS.
IMPORTANT #2 - When extending, remember that Telligent releases two major versions every year, usually including features you'd want for your project, remember to review your changes and develop outside of the product core for easier upgrade to future versions.
Good luck!