What is a good Very-High level UI framework for JavaScript?

Question

I need to write a temporary Web-based graphical front-end for a custom server system. In this case performance and scalability aren't issues, since at most 10 people may check the system simultaneously. Also it should be PHP or Python (server) & JavaScript (client) (can't use Flex or Silverlight for very specific non-programming related issues).

So I know I could use YUI or jQuery, but was wondering if there is something even more high-level that would say allow me to write such a little project within a few hours of work, and get done with it. Basically I want to be as lazy as possible (this is throw-away code anyways) and get the job done in as little time as possible.

Any suggestions?

Answer 1

You could look at ext.js - it provides lots of widgets to GetThingsDone quickly.

Answer 2

As it hasn't been mentioned yet: jQuery.UI

Answer 3

ExtJs, Bindows, YUI. First two are commercial but worth the money.

Answer 4

I've recently been playing with Cappuccino, and find it a very straightforward and pleasant framework to work with.

Answer 5

I would try application.js - less animation fluff, lots of controls and it's a window manager (someone mentioned Bindows.. not worth the money for a terrible UI).

used in this Online Word Processor

I find cappuccino confusing, and I don't want to learn yet another language tied to a single library.

Answer 6

YUI seems to be good while Extjs also comes very close. There is little difference between YUI and Extjs, though YUI is free has a much larger community support and is backed by a giant like Yahoo. for cappuccino u will have to spend time learning heir Objective-J, once learnt that you need not write a single line of HTML,CSS and Dom manupulation.But if you are comfortable with all these why spend time learning objective-J ? Bindows again is a good framework very similar to YUI and Extjs, what I like about it is that it has many ready made themes that makes it more attractive and simple to design your own custom theme. But say 2 years down the line I personally feel that YUI would have gone much farther than all these.

Answer 7

Sproutcore would be a good choice.

If you're unfamiliar with it you might find that the time required to learn the basics is too long for throw-away code but once you've got the basics down it's quite quick to develop with.

Answer 8

Check out DHTMLX.

DHTMLX Toolkit is a comprehensive set of Ajax-enabled DHTML UI components. Professionally developed grid, treegrid, treeview, tabbar, calendar, menu, toolbar, combobox, windows, items browser, color picker and file uploader empower developers to build cross-browser web applications with high interactivity and rich user experience. DHTMLX components provide the most complete set of features and allow you to bring desktop-like functionality to the web.

Answer 9

I came by qooxdoo a while ago. I haven't used it but at least the demos look cool.

Answer 10

Out of all the JS frameworks out there, JQuery and YUI are my favorites. They accomplish a lot of the same but in very different ways.

For your request (lazy, easy, and powerful) I would vote JQuery. If this is something that will be more long term and more of an application that is very verbose and code heavy, I would vote YUI.

I really don't think there is anything out there that is better than these two frameworks. Either choice is a good one.

Answer 11

Also Dojo's UI library named Dijit is absolutely considerable!