this print for content only—size & color not accurate spine = 0.838" 360 page count EMPOWERING PRODUCTIVITY FOR THE JAVA ™ DEVELOPER Practical Apache Struts2 Web 2.0 Projects Dear reader, Apache Struts2 is the first major release of the most popular open source Java™ web application framework ever. This is an important milestone for the frame- work in terms of functionality but also for the improvements that have been made to increase developer productivity. By decreasing coupling within the framework, reducing configuration and proving default and different config- uration options (via annotations), and providing a plug-in mechanism to easily extend the base features, Struts2 is providing a platform that can be built upon for the next generation of web applications. My goal in writing this book is to introduce all the features of Struts2 to you in a practical and useful manner. I believe this approach benefits both new- comers to web development (as you will learn all the necessary steps to build an application) and those transitioning from another technology (who will be able to see the differences between application feature implementations). Developing a Web 2.0 application from start to finish will give you a deep understanding of Struts2: the core architectural elements, the interactions between elements, and how each element is configured. Through a hands-on approach, you will learn about the features of Struts2 as a complete Web 2.0 application is developed from start to finish. You will learn about the basic features important to all web applications: data input, validation, data conversion, internationalization, workflows/wizards, and security. Additionally, advanced features that are the cornerstones of Web 2.0 applications—syndication, web services, and AJAX user interfaces/integration—are explained in detail. I hope you enjoy developing with the Struts2 framework as much as I do. Ian Roughley Author of Starting Struts2 US $39.99 Shelve in Java Programming User level: Intermediate–Advanced Roughley Apache Struts2 Web 2.0 Projects THE EXPERT’s VOICE ® IN JAVA ™ TECHNOLOGY Practical Apache Struts2 Web 2.0 Projects CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK PANTONE 123 C Ian Roughley Foreword by Patrick Lightbody, Struts2 co-creator Companion eBook Available THE APRESS JAVA™ ROADMAP The Definitive Guide to Grails Beginning POJOs Practical JRuby on Rails Web 2.0 Projects Practical Apache Struts2 Web 2.0 Projects www.apress.com SOURCE CODE ONLINE Companion eBook See last page for details on $10 eBook version ISBN-13: 978-1-59059-903-7 ISBN-10: 1-59059-903-9 9 781590 599037 5 3 9 9 9 Learn and immediately apply the new agile open source Apache Struts2 web framework to your projects. Practical [...]... complete web application emerges Time to get started! xix 9039fm.qxd 10/29/07 3:23 PM Page xx 9039ch01.qxd 10/29/07 3:00 PM CHAPTER Page 1 1 Web 2.0 and Struts2 B efore charging forward with developing a Web 2.0 application, you need to understand what a Web 2.0 application really is In this chapter, you will learn what Web 2.0 means from a development as well as end user perspective With Struts2 being... technology of choice, you will also learn how Struts2 provides the features to make developing a Web 2.0 application easy What Is Web 2.0? One of the questions that needs to be answered before embarking on developing a Web 2.0 application is “What is Web 2.0? ” As it turns out, this is a particularly difficult question to answer From a programming perspective, Web 2.0 is synonymous with AJAX (Asynchronous... interfaces can make the overall web application’s usability better, however, the shift from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 is more than user interfaces In September 2005, Tim O’Reilly published an article titled “What Is Web 2.0 (http:// www.oreillynet.com/pub/a/oreilly/tim/news/2005/09/30/what-is -web- 20.html) This article explored what Web 2.0 was by comparing a new breed of web sites that were available to... application as a Web 2.0 application Instead, there were guiding principles that, when adopted, resulted in a web application that is more Web 2.0 than when the principles were not used Following is the list of proposed principles: f7670b088a34e6aa65a5685727db1ff4 3 9039ch01.qxd 4 10/29/07 3:00 PM Page 4 CHAPTER 1 s WEB 2.0 AND STRUTS2 • Web as a platform: Applications should take advantage of the Web as a... application is represented by the descriptions on the left, the more Web 2.0 the web application is In the end, whether an application is Web 1.0 or 9039ch01.qxd 10/29/07 3:00 PM Page 5 CHAPTER 1 s WEB 2.0 AND STRUTS2 Web 2.0 is still subjective, but grading the level of Web 2.0- ness is easier The values, with my interpretation, are provided here: • Simplicity over Completeness: Application features do not... the Web, the focus is once again on collaboration and sharing information and opinions This was an original goal of the Internet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Internet) when universities were exploring ways to collaborate 5 9039ch01.qxd 6 10/29/07 3:00 PM Page 6 CHAPTER 1 s WEB 2.0 AND STRUTS2 Web Application Development 2.0 After reviewing the values and principles that make up a Web 2.0. .. development, we will explore how Struts2 provides agility as a web application framework However, before getting to Struts2, we need to talk briefly about a new web framework that made its debut around the same time that web applications were releasing Web 2.0 features This framework is Ruby on Rails When Ruby on Rails was released in August 2004, many (if not all) existing web application frameworks went... it was when Struts was first released—providing the developer productivity features and Web 2.0 functionality that is needed to develop today’s web applications Using this Book Throughout the course of this book, the Struts2 framework will be used to develop a Web 2.0 application As we have already discussed, Web 2.0 characteristics mostly focus around business features and the underlying business model... examples can be difficult In writing this book, my goal was to provide the information to you, on how to develop a Web 2.0 application using Apache Struts2 in a practical and hands-on manner You will achieve this goal by understanding the architecture of Struts2, by knowing the features that Struts2 provides, by seeing how these features are used, and by using and further exploring each of the features... (http://www.eaipatterns.com/ramblings/45 _web2 0.html) about the values, principles, and patterns that were discussed As an agile developer, the style the values were presented in hit an accord Using the same format as the Agile Manifesto, it presented the differences between a Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 application as a range The closer the application is represented by the descriptions on the left, the more Web 2.0 the web application . w3 h19" alt="" Ian Roughley Practical Apache Struts2 Web 2. 0 Projects 903 9fm.qxd 10 /29 /07 3 :23 PM Page i Practical Apache Struts2 Web 2. 0 Projects Copyright © 20 07 by Ian Roughley All rights. available to readers at http://www.apress.com. 903 9fm.qxd 10 /29 /07 3 :23 PM Page ii For Skooter. 903 9fm.qxd 10 /29 /07 3 :23 PM Page iii 903 9fm.qxd 10 /29 /07 3 :23 PM Page iv Contents at a Glance Foreword. Grails Beginning POJOs Practical JRuby on Rails Web 2. 0 Projects Practical Apache Struts2 Web 2. 0 Projects www.apress.com SOURCE CODE ONLINE Companion eBook See last page for details on $ 10 eBook version ISBN-13: