For a desktop-like app where a lot of interactions are needed between components, can still ExtJS be a better way than Ext GWT?
What is the point where you decide to use Ext GWT instead of ExtJS?
My current arguments for ExtJS is that it's much faster than ExtGWT for apps where you don't need the server to interact with the client like feed viewers, forum browsers, etc. - where there is no need for the server to make complex updates to the client.
A complex scenario that I'm not sure ExtJS is better than Ext GWT is a tree with lots of nodes and a data grid. The user clicks a button and the server will decide which components to update: the tree or/and the data grid by inserting some items in the tree or the grid(the client can't know which components will be updated, only the server knows).
For this, I'd make the server serialize some actions(like addTreeItem or addGridRow) that must be executed by the client on success method. The server could also create new components after this request, so there could be "createComponent" with the serialized HTML coming from server.
So, by using ExtJS, whole components must be serialized and sent for instantiation to client(but this can be SLOW - see http://blog.extjs.eu/philosophy/experience-ext-component-loading-can-be-slow/). Given this, is still ExtJS a better way to go?
The main target is having a fast and responsive application, but not reinventing the wheel.
Thank you!
So, by using ExtJS, whole components must be serialized and sent for instantiation to client(but this can be SLOW - see http://blog.extjs.eu/philosophy/experience-ext-component-loading-can-be-slow/).
You misinterpreted that article -- the point is he's saying NOT to do that. Sending components from the server can be done in certain circumstances, but is not typical or recommended.
Regarding Ext JS vs GWT, you're comparing apples to oranges. If you are a Java dev, go with GWT. If you are a JS dev go with Ext JS. Ultimately they both end up as JS/CSS on the client -- if they both have the widgets and functionality you need choose the environment you'll be most productive in. If it still doesn't matter go with Ext JS, only because it's usually ahead of GWT in terms of features.