SproutCore
Encyclopedia
SproutCore is an open-source
JavaScript
framework. Its goal is to allow developers to create web applications with advanced capabilities and a user experience comparable to that of desktop applications. When developing a SproutCore application, all code is written in JavaScript. SproutCore, initially created in 2007 by Sproutit as the basis for their Mailroom application, is available under the MIT License
.
Apple announced MobileMe
at WWDC
in 2008, noting that much of it was built using SproutCore. Apple has contributed greatly to the project as part of a Web 2.0
initiative. SproutCore is also used at iWork.com
, the online extension of the iWork productivity software by Apple.
The latest major stable SproutCore release is 1.6, released on June 6 2011, was largely a bugfix release, building on the previous 1.5 release. SproutCore 1.5 contained significant updates to view layers, added a new CSS parser that builds off of SCSS, WAI-ARIA Support, Modular Loading, and additional features. The previous major release, SproutCore 1.4, included touch support for mobile devices, released on September 20 2010.
In May 2011, the SproutCore team announced SproutCore 2.0, a rebuilt version of the framework designed to expose the MVC underpinnings without requiring developers to use the included widget set. The team also emphasized the importance of reducing file size to support developing applications for mobile devices.
In July 2011, a new project, SproutCore UI, was announced. SproutCore UI is designed to provide common user interface elements for developers targeting mobile devices.
In June 2010, the creator of SproutCore, Charles Jolley, left Apple to start Strobe Inc., which provides SproutCore support and continues development. In November 2011 Facebook acquired the Strobe team in a deal Facebook described as a talent acquisition.
Open source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
JavaScript
JavaScript
JavaScript is a prototype-based scripting language that is dynamic, weakly typed and has first-class functions. It is a multi-paradigm language, supporting object-oriented, imperative, and functional programming styles....
framework. Its goal is to allow developers to create web applications with advanced capabilities and a user experience comparable to that of desktop applications. When developing a SproutCore application, all code is written in JavaScript. SproutCore, initially created in 2007 by Sproutit as the basis for their Mailroom application, is available under the MIT License
MIT License
The MIT License is a free software license originating at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology . It is a permissive license, meaning that it permits reuse within proprietary software provided all copies of the licensed software include a copy of the MIT License terms...
.
Apple announced MobileMe
MobileMe
MobileMe was a subscription-based collection of online services and software offered by Apple Inc. Originally launched on January 5, 2000, as iTools, a free collection of Internet-based services for users of Mac OS 9, Apple relaunched it as .Mac on July 17, 2002, when it became a paid subscription...
at WWDC
Worldwide Developers Conference
The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, commonly abbreviated WWDC, is a conference held annually in California by Apple Inc. The conference is primarily used by Apple to showcase its new software and technologies for developers, as well as offering hands-on labs and feedback sessions...
in 2008, noting that much of it was built using SproutCore. Apple has contributed greatly to the project as part of a Web 2.0
Web 2.0
The term Web 2.0 is associated with web applications that facilitate participatory information sharing, interoperability, user-centered design, and collaboration on the World Wide Web...
initiative. SproutCore is also used at iWork.com
IWork.com
iWork.com is an online service by Apple complementing the iWork suite of office productivity software. It was released as a public beta on January 6, 2009 at the Macworld Conference & Expo. The iWork.com service provides a web interface for viewing, downloading, and commenting uploaded documents...
, the online extension of the iWork productivity software by Apple.
The latest major stable SproutCore release is 1.6, released on June 6 2011, was largely a bugfix release, building on the previous 1.5 release. SproutCore 1.5 contained significant updates to view layers, added a new CSS parser that builds off of SCSS, WAI-ARIA Support, Modular Loading, and additional features. The previous major release, SproutCore 1.4, included touch support for mobile devices, released on September 20 2010.
In May 2011, the SproutCore team announced SproutCore 2.0, a rebuilt version of the framework designed to expose the MVC underpinnings without requiring developers to use the included widget set. The team also emphasized the importance of reducing file size to support developing applications for mobile devices.
In July 2011, a new project, SproutCore UI, was announced. SproutCore UI is designed to provide common user interface elements for developers targeting mobile devices.
In June 2010, the creator of SproutCore, Charles Jolley, left Apple to start Strobe Inc., which provides SproutCore support and continues development. In November 2011 Facebook acquired the Strobe team in a deal Facebook described as a talent acquisition.
External links
- Sproutcore.com homepage
- Strobe Inc. homepage
- SproutCore Wiki
- SproutCore source code
- an Introduction to SproutCore, discussing desktop vs. browser development, key/value observeration, data bindings, demos, SproutCore features and API, and example SproutCore apps. 2009-12-30
- ListenApp. Web application done with SproutCore 1.0
- Tasks. Tasks management app done with SproutCore 1.0 (login as 'guest' no password)
- Lebowski Framework - A test automation framework for SproutCore
- itsgotwhatplantscrave.com - A SproutCore focused blog
- frozencanuck.wordpress.com - Another SproutCore focused blog
- Nextfinity DevBlog - A SproutCore blog focused on real-world examples