[DotTheia] theia-ide based long term architecture / roadmap

[lytico]

discussions about architecture based on eclipse theia

https://theia-ide.org/
"Eclipse Theia is an extensible platform to develop multi-language Cloud & Desktop IDEs with state-of-the-art web technologies"

the idea is to use this as base for an ide "DotCode" or "DotTheia" and enrich it with stuff from monodevelop

[lytico]

1. take https://github.com/theia-ide/theia-apps/tree/master/theia-cpp-electron as a base

2. replace clang and cpp-stuff with https://github.com/redhat-developer/omnisharp-theia-plugin and https://github.com/redhat-developer/netcoredbg-theia-plugin

3. extract usefull non-ide parts from MonoDevelop and use it as a base for a "DotDevelop"-service similar to OmniSharp

4. change ide-frontend to look alike MonoDevelop

[lytico]

usefull extensions:

https://github.com/fernandoescolar/vscode-solution-explorer

https://github.com/formulahendry/vscode-dotnet-test-explorer

https://github.com/icsharpcode/ilspy-vscode

[FlaviusHouk]

This is not so good idea. It will basically become one more clone of Electron based IDE. It might be powerful, extensive, but in general it will be the same VS Code, Atom or whatever you like. What is the difference between it and redesigned Theia with parts MonoDevelop?

[Adahel]

This is not so good idea. It will basically become one more clone of Electron based IDE. It might be powerful, extensive, but in general it will be the same VS Code, Atom or whatever you like. What is the difference between it and redesigned Theia with parts MonoDevelop?

Instead of maintaining a complete IDE, programmers can focus on what matters most.

The world of the integrated development environment is very competitive, SharpDevelop was unable to keep up with the "race" and was abandoned (see Wikipedia). VSCode is open source (the binary distribution is proprietary), but it contains parts of closed code (example: vsdbg). Eclipse Theia comes from a neutral vendor, supported by giant companies, 100% open source, multiplatform, has more than enough developers to follow the "race", compatible with VSCode extensions (meme: IT'S OVER 9000!) and is ready to work. Honestly, most IDE users don't care about the code inside the program (js or C#). If the goal is to make Theia a complete IDE and less dependent on the terminal: Perfect idea.

My suggestions:

• DotDevelop based on Theia after DotDevelop 9

• Name: .NET Studio

• The ide-frontend must be the same as MonoDevelop at the beginning (if possible: out of nostalgia, this is what attracts users).

• It should contain Theia's flexible layout.

• Must contain all MonoDevelop functionality (the new IDE must be the successor to MonoDevelop).

My advice is to invest in two IDE projects (.NET and electron) with only one IDE project with priority above normal, to see which is the easiest to maintain and which will attract more users. I know that resurrecting the MonoDevelop code is a very tempting idea, after all, programmers love experiences and hacks, but it is necessary to evaluate whether it will be possible to keep up with the launch of new features or if it will always stay a step behind (time: our declared enemy). I'm sure that a 100% open source alternative to Visual Studio Code would bring open source lovers to DotDevelop (as long as the information reaches everyone). In the short term, continue with DotDevelop (MonoDevelop linux) and in the long term just "I know that I know nothing". For those who do not know what Eclipse Theia is: It is not a generic IDE, but a framework for creating IDE. I want to know your opinion?

Recommended reading:
Open VSX Registry (FAQ)
Electron.NET
What Killed the Linux Desktop - Miguel de Icaza