Web-based client code execution

[Paul Watson]

What are the options?

The user to hits a web page, downloads code (Python I hope), execute it,
and be able to return the results. It needs to be able to go through
standard HTTP so that it could be run from behind a corporate firewall
without any other ports being opened.

Am I stuck doing an ActiveX control?

Yes, I know that downloading code and executing on the client machine is
a security risk. This will be for the employee's computers to connect.
This will not be a publicly available web page.

I have read some about AJAX. Is there an APAX coming for Python?

[Steve]

Re: Web-based client code execution

AJAX works because browsers can execute javascript. I don't know of a
browser that can execute python. Basically your stuck with java or
javascript because everything else really isn't cross platform.

[Steve]

Re: Web-based client code execution

AJAX works because browsers can execute javascript. I don't know of a
browser that can execute python. Basically your stuck with java or
javascript because everything else really isn't cross platform.

[Paul Watson]

Re: Web-based client code execution

Steve wrote:[color=blue]
> AJAX works because browsers can execute javascript. I don't know of a
> browser that can execute python. Basically your stuck with java or
> javascript because everything else really isn't cross platform.[/color]

Well, I guess the Grail browser could run Python, but I do not think I
can go there.

I need READ access to the users local disk storage. Can I do this in
Javascript, or should I bite the bullet and turn to ActiveX?

[Paul Watson]

Re: Web-based client code execution

Steve wrote:[color=blue]
> AJAX works because browsers can execute javascript. I don't know of a
> browser that can execute python. Basically your stuck with java or
> javascript because everything else really isn't cross platform.[/color]

Well, I guess the Grail browser could run Python, but I do not think I
can go there.

I need READ access to the users local disk storage. Can I do this in
Javascript, or should I bite the bullet and turn to ActiveX?

[Steve]

Re: Web-based client code execution

You universally won't be able to do that with javascript, only with and
extension on firefox. ActiveX will limit you to windows only with ie.
Which isn't bad you still get a 80% market share.

[Steve]

Re: Web-based client code execution

You universally won't be able to do that with javascript, only with and
extension on firefox. ActiveX will limit you to windows only with ie.
Which isn't bad you still get a 80% market share.

[Stephen Kellett]

Re: Web-based client code execution

In message <1132342910.799 932.58720@g44g2 000cwa.googlegr oups.com>, Steve
<steve.morin@gm ail.com> writes[color=blue]
>AJAX works because browsers can execute javascript. I don't know of a
>browser that can execute python. Basically your stuck with java or
>javascript because everything else really isn't cross platform.[/color]

ActiveState do a version of Python that can run in a script tag like
JavaScript and VBScript. This requires Windows Scripting Host. They also
do a similar thing for Perl, not sure about TCL.

The syntax is along the lines of

<SCRIPT language="Pytho nScript">
Python goes here
</SCRIPT>

I remember reading this about PerlScript and I'm pretty sure I'm correct
in remembering there is a PythonScript. Anyway you are limited to
ActiveState and Windows Scripting Host.

For pragmatic reasons I think you would be better concentrating on
JavaScript for the Client and your language of choice
Python/Ruby/Lua/whatever for the server part of AJAX.

Stephen
--
Stephen Kellett
Object Media Limited http://www.objmedia.demon.co.uk/software.html
Computer Consultancy, Software Development
Windows C++, Java, Assembler, Performance Analysis, Troubleshooting

[Stephen Kellett]

Re: Web-based client code execution

In message <1132342910.799 932.58720@g44g2 000cwa.googlegr oups.com>, Steve
<steve.morin@gm ail.com> writes[color=blue]
>AJAX works because browsers can execute javascript. I don't know of a
>browser that can execute python. Basically your stuck with java or
>javascript because everything else really isn't cross platform.[/color]

ActiveState do a version of Python that can run in a script tag like
JavaScript and VBScript. This requires Windows Scripting Host. They also
do a similar thing for Perl, not sure about TCL.

The syntax is along the lines of

<SCRIPT language="Pytho nScript">
Python goes here
</SCRIPT>

I remember reading this about PerlScript and I'm pretty sure I'm correct
in remembering there is a PythonScript. Anyway you are limited to
ActiveState and Windows Scripting Host.

For pragmatic reasons I think you would be better concentrating on
JavaScript for the Client and your language of choice
Python/Ruby/Lua/whatever for the server part of AJAX.

Stephen
--
Stephen Kellett
Object Media Limited http://www.objmedia.demon.co.uk/software.html
Computer Consultancy, Software Development
Windows C++, Java, Assembler, Performance Analysis, Troubleshooting

[Chris Mellon]

Re: Web-based client code execution

On 11/18/05, Paul Watson <pwatson@redlin epy.com> wrote:[color=blue]
> Steve wrote:[color=green]
> > AJAX works because browsers can execute javascript. I don't know of a
> > browser that can execute python. Basically your stuck with java or
> > javascript because everything else really isn't cross platform.[/color]
>
> Well, I guess the Grail browser could run Python, but I do not think I
> can go there.
>
> I need READ access to the users local disk storage. Can I do this in
> Javascript, or should I bite the bullet and turn to ActiveX?[/color]

This can only be done with scripts by disabling or bypassing browser
security restrictions. It can't even be done by zone in IE, only
globally, and I don't know if you can do it at all in Mozilla based
browsers.

A signed activex control or Java Applet (that registers for the
appropriate sandbox permissions) will work.

Overall, it's probably simplest not to do any of these and simply
write a standard application that you have users download and run.
This is the safest and most straightforward solution, and honestly
what you save in configuration managment when people call you
wondering why it doesn't work is probably worth the extra effort it
takes them to actually run your application.
[color=blue]
> --
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
>[/color]

[Chris Mellon]

Re: Web-based client code execution

On 11/18/05, Paul Watson <pwatson@redlin epy.com> wrote:[color=blue]
> Steve wrote:[color=green]
> > AJAX works because browsers can execute javascript. I don't know of a
> > browser that can execute python. Basically your stuck with java or
> > javascript because everything else really isn't cross platform.[/color]
>
> Well, I guess the Grail browser could run Python, but I do not think I
> can go there.
>
> I need READ access to the users local disk storage. Can I do this in
> Javascript, or should I bite the bullet and turn to ActiveX?[/color]

This can only be done with scripts by disabling or bypassing browser
security restrictions. It can't even be done by zone in IE, only
globally, and I don't know if you can do it at all in Mozilla based
browsers.

A signed activex control or Java Applet (that registers for the
appropriate sandbox permissions) will work.

Overall, it's probably simplest not to do any of these and simply
write a standard application that you have users download and run.
This is the safest and most straightforward solution, and honestly
what you save in configuration managment when people call you
wondering why it doesn't work is probably worth the extra effort it
takes them to actually run your application.
[color=blue]
> --
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
>[/color]

[David Wahler]

Re: Web-based client code execution

Steve wrote:[color=blue]
> AJAX works because browsers can execute javascript. I don't know of a
> browser that can execute python. Basically your stuck with java or
> javascript because everything else really isn't cross platform[/color]

Don't jump to conclusions...

http://dwahler.ky/python/

If you really, really want Python in a browser, it's certainly
possible. :)

-- David

[David Wahler]

Re: Web-based client code execution

Steve wrote:[color=blue]
> AJAX works because browsers can execute javascript. I don't know of a
> browser that can execute python. Basically your stuck with java or
> javascript because everything else really isn't cross platform[/color]

Don't jump to conclusions...

http://dwahler.ky/python/

If you really, really want Python in a browser, it's certainly
possible. :)

-- David

[Kent Johnson]

Re: Web-based client code execution

Stephen Kellett wrote:[color=blue]
> In message <1132342910.799 932.58720@g44g2 000cwa.googlegr oups.com>, Steve
> <steve.morin@gm ail.com> writes
>[color=green]
>> AJAX works because browsers can execute javascript. I don't know of a
>> browser that can execute python. Basically your stuck with java or
>> javascript because everything else really isn't cross platform.[/color]
>
>
> ActiveState do a version of Python that can run in a script tag like
> JavaScript and VBScript. This requires Windows Scripting Host. They also
> do a similar thing for Perl, not sure about TCL.[/color]

See

http://groups.google.com/group/comp.lang.python/msg/2d34acee66b40830

Kent

[Kent Johnson]

Re: Web-based client code execution

Stephen Kellett wrote:[color=blue]
> In message <1132342910.799 932.58720@g44g2 000cwa.googlegr oups.com>, Steve
> <steve.morin@gm ail.com> writes
>[color=green]
>> AJAX works because browsers can execute javascript. I don't know of a
>> browser that can execute python. Basically your stuck with java or
>> javascript because everything else really isn't cross platform.[/color]
>
>
> ActiveState do a version of Python that can run in a script tag like
> JavaScript and VBScript. This requires Windows Scripting Host. They also
> do a similar thing for Perl, not sure about TCL.[/color]

See

http://groups.google.com/group/comp.lang.python/msg/2d34acee66b40830

Kent