Winpdb - A Platform Independent Python Debugger A Call for Contributions
Winpdb has always been a little spartan. On purpose actually, since I prefer to invest my available energy on endlessly improving and fixing the debugger engine (rpdb2). In fact, the Winpdb GUI was originally intended as a simple reference front end to rpdb2.
The time, however, has come to make long due usability improvements to the GUI and this is where you can come in.
I am looking for people who are willing to contribute improvements to the Winpdb GUI in a coordinated effort. Contact me if you are interested or comment here.
The other possible way to contribute to the development of Winpdb is to send some MONEY! Or as Richard Stallman put it: “There is a good reason for users of software to feel a moral obligation to contribute to its support. Developers of free software are contributing to the users’ activities, and it is both fair and in the long-term interest of the users to give them funds to continue.”
If you need some further encouragement, try to imagine me as a naked monk sitting on the filthy pavement with an empty cup and a broken keyboard, endlessly clicking its dirty keys composing Python zen poetry that you find useful. Now, focus on the empty cup.
Hi Nir,
I’m a 30-year embedded systems C programmer, and a Python user since 2008 (newbie, using PythonCard). WinPDB instantly became my most valuable Python tool.
Some questions about the overhaul:
1. Where are the specific goals, dreams and wishes for the overhaul being gathered? (In addition to rdb2 issues, what else deserves attention in winpdb?) A wiki page would be nice, though a sticky thread on the sourceforge forum may be good enough.
2. How can I help? (What kind of help do you need most?) At the very least, I can do some field testing of the new code (in the embedded domain), and may be able to help with documentation.
-BobC
Hi Nir,
Of course I am interesting by a winpdb GUI improvment. I already sent you some suggestions about this.
I am ok to help you but how can I help you? Development, test…
I have a suggestion. What about a rpdb2 integration in another python IDE like PyScripter or Komodo Edit? With such a solution, you can keep to work mainly in the debugger engine.
Jean-Philippe
Bob, you have a point. I will set up a wiki or some sort of writable document. Google docs maybe? we will see. For the time being, this discussion can begin here.
Hi Jean, other GPL software are welcome to integrate rpdb2. There is such a plug-in I have not tried yet for anjuta (http://libanjutapython.sourceforge.net/). Unfortunately, PyScripter and Open Komodo have licenses that do not allow such integration.
You can definitely help with development. The main requirements are understanding of wxPython, willingness to develop polished and mature code that conforms to agreed style, and of course the code must not violate copyright of other sources.
BTW, people are welcome to check out Jean’s Winpdb modification that was posted at: http://sourceforge.net/tracker/index.php?func=detail&aid=1912661&group_id=145018&atid=760562
I plan this as a refactoring effort. I do not wish a revolution but to begin with little missing features that would make Winpdb much more usable. For example:
1. Hovering with the mouse over a variable name in the source window should pop a tip with its value.
2. The source window should have good search functionality.
3. Better copy paste functionality.
4. usable right click context dialog.
5. Implement a settings dialog.
6. Go over the feature request list at sourceforge for interesting missing features.
7. Some other stuff that people will suggest here.
I will soon setup and publish the Winpdb source code as Mercurial repository. This will make collaboration much easier than with SVN.
Nir
The Open Dialog should be pimped, since there should be a fast way to open a remote File.
Maybe a insensitive substring-search in the filenames of the available modules. A List with the remaining Matches of the Modules to the right in the Dialog. That List is filtered as you type.
–dirk
Hey Nir,
now that I think about it - you should have applied for Google’s Summer of Code - I guess they’d have sponsored a student to work on a Python app - it’s their favourite language….
Cheers,
Bernd
How about a postal address for donations, I don’t want to use paypal for this because it’s set up as a “donation” transaction which may post to my credit card as a cash advance, which then incurs finance charges on all the other transactions on my card for that billing period. Or just put up a paypal address without the cutesy donation screen. I can then make a donation and label it as “goods”.