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 9039ch 01. 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... 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 9039ch 01. 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 platform rather than simply providing a presence on the Web By working symbiotically... 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 9039ch 01. 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... 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... 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 9039ch 01. 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. .. 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 of the organization However, to develop a 9039ch 01. qxd 10 /29/07 3:00... are now part of the Struts2 feature set, and some (because of the Java language constraints as well as maturity reasons) did not make the transition Following is a list of Struts2 features that drive the framework forward to be more developer friendly and productive: 7 9039ch 01. qxd 8 10 /29/07 3:00 PM Page 8 CHAPTER 1 s WEB 2.0 AND STRUTS2 • Java: The Java language has been around for 10 years now and... 14 7 The Scope Interceptor 15 0 Configuration 15 1 Workflow Elements 15 3 Custom Validations 15 5 Customizing the Rendering of Struts2 Tags 16 0 Working with Subclassed Domain Objects 16 2 Implementing... 18 0 Configuring the Container 18 0 Configuring the Web Application 18 2 Accessing Role Information 18 5 The Roles Interceptor 18 7 ix 9039fm.qxd x 10 /29/07 3:23 PM Page x sCONTENTS Implementing Acegi 18 7 Configuring... 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 those that had been around for some time The result was that no hard boundaries of principles or technologies signified an application as a Web 2.0 application Instead, there were . class="bi x0 y4a 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. 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. version ISBN -13 : 978 -1- 5 905 9- 903 -7 ISBN- 10 : 1- 5 905 9- 903 -9 9 7 815 90 59 903 7 5 3 9 9 9 Learn and immediately apply the new agile open source Apache Struts2 web framework to your projects. Practical