I have been happy using Lazarus without rebuilding the IDE from source for some time but yesterday I finally built a new version from GitLab source trunk.
I noticed that the Sparta docked form editor was removed and there doesn't seem to be any discussion here on the subject. Is there an equivalent package to Sparta that is part of the default component or designer options that are currently part of the Lazarus source included in the official GitLab repository?
For those who do not know this is a screen capture of the Lazarus IDE with the Sparta docker form editor installed.
https://cache.getlazarus.org/images/docked-lazarus.png
Please take note that the Lazarus form designer is docked within the code editor window using a code / designer tab. Some of you might be used to working with multiple monitors to split code editing and form design, but my vision is impeded. I do not have room on my desk for more than one very large monitor. I also often use large screen laptops where I only have just the one laptop screen.
I realize there was a bit of drama and perhaps some "bad blood" between some of the core team working on Lazarus the original developer of Sparta docked form editor, but the removal of a functional package without a clear alternative seems perplexing, especially if it had utility for a segment of users. If there is no replacement, then given the choice of using Lazarus in multiple window mode versus using it in single window docked form, I will continue to use and encourage other people (along with my students) to use old versions of Lazarus.
To reiterate, while some users may prefer multiple window mode, it makes little sense to remove the ability for other people to use a working docked form editor mode. Yes there might have been conflicts with the Sparta generics unit, but those conflicts in no way impeded other code. As far as I can tell this is the only note I can find about the removal, which is lacks reasoning or a discussion context:
https://gitlab.com/freepascal.org/lazarus/lazarus/-/commit/9964bfc872f8c2e3a0664153277d30ca945b3893
Thank you for your attention.
Anthony
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.lazarus-ide.org/pipermail/lazarus/attachments/20231016/fd3c14be/attachment.htm>