css - Javascript IDE-style web app AJAX -

i impressed extjs samples/demos border layout examples. feasible using extjs or other frameworks/libraries build viable web app dynamically creates (say 10) new panels; how eclipse builds , docks new split panels?.

these container panels contain tabbed widgets , panels need maximizable/minimizable , closed if last tab member closed. (again how eclipse closes it’s non-editor views).

i assume css styles have programatically added dom elements make container panels think use style sheets member layout(members document content or have own widgets);

i suspect performance poor , there many problems in faithfully rendering members style sheets.

i have no interest in writing ide in js interested in knowing limits of approach creating ‘reasonably’ extensible app.

i want provide additional context question.

currently have desktop app in java swing allows create panels dynamically , has features outlined , works follows.

consider simple explorer panel on left , editor panel on right. editing work can 4 different regions , work single region grouped in tabs in 1 panel. when user working on region other region editor panels typically minimized; visually apparent icons on docking panel right of editor panel.

there total flexibility in letting user switch working different region , in cases having 2 editor panels open he/she can compare (and limited drag&drop from) work in 1 region another. when 2 (or more) editor panels open stack vertically under 1 another. there no real need have more 2 editors open allowed. have logic prevents mixing region views in same editing container. current app performs well, allows multiple tabbed views , permits users segregate work. more importantly has allowed introduce , use different view ‘types’ providing extensibilty mentioned.

before responses saying design wrong , should consider different layouts (accordion type panels on left come mind) let me reiterate interested in knowing viability of approach web app. whether or not pursue approach.

trigger-happy dismissals of ‘subjective’ content willing absorb.

that's immensely broad question. technically, answer yes, question suggests come world overwhelming paradigm desktop applications. trying impose dogma on web context possible, suboptimal. better embracing media, radically different 1 familiar with. tall order though.

somewhere halfway in between, there gui toolkits allow build applications in browser context, in many respects act traditional desktop applications. google web toolkit might of interest you, since use java. or, have found out self, extjs belongs in end of spectrum. have learn bit of javascript, programming model close know swing.