On 05/17/2010 05:26 PM, Alexander Graf wrote:
I'm trying to think of a project where the clean separation between multiple
video outputs implemented in the backend and a separate frontend worked out. So
far the only case that has a strikingly similar architecture coming to my mind
is mplayer. And I wouldn't call mplayer's GUI story a huge success.
In fact, couldn't we rather keep all graphic output out of qemu and just expose
VNC, possibly with self-made additions to the protocol to speed up local
rendering (thinking an SHM extension here)?
I think the whole reason this has failed is that if the GUI is a
separate project, the path of least resistance is to use existing
interfaces instead of inventing new ones. That means these GUIs tend to
be restricted by whatever management interface exists which isn't
actually good enough.
You really need to have the GUI as part of the main project such that
when it needs a new interface, it can be added very easily.
Then we could still offer a separate SDL based viewer that could do the same
things it does now. But we'd also open up the gate for a whole new integration
level with possible GUIs.
You could, but I think it introduces more complexity which just is going
to get in the way of building a good GUI.
Regards,
Anthony Liguori
Alex